Speaking of "Picking up the Double Bass"

[joshmickelson]

In my last lesson, my teacher went over how to carry my DB so that I don't injure my back or the instrument. I found this really informative. I was trying to find a picture, but couldn't come up with anything. Pretty much, you put your body on the opposite side of the bass than you normally stand (if you are right handed) and grab the opposing corner and let the neck of the bass rest on your shoulder/neck.

Is this the method you guys do? I'm sure this has already been covered here, but oh well.

[tornadobass]

One thing my luthier reminded me about recently was not to carry a bass by holding it at the end of the fingerboard like he'd seen bluegrass players do. That can pull the board loose from the neck.

He mentioned that I had a good bag for the bass and should not need to resort to the end-of-the-board carrying method...then he asked if I knew how my fingerboard had gotten unglued.

(not guilty, your honor!)

[Mike Goodbar]

For long-distance carries without a lot of obstruction, I stand in front of the bass facing away from it (picture the G side of the neck parallel with the right side of your body) reach back behind the bass and grab under the upper E bout, or, if its in the case, by the handle that is usually there.

From there, bass can be swung in front if needed to get through doors etc.

I've also taken a length of dock line and looped it around the neck and endpin to carry it "gig bag" style.

[Bass]

Originally Posted by joshmickelson

Is this the method you guys do?

Yes, I do. I carry the bass in front of me so I can see where it is going without bashing it into anything.

With the neck resting on my right shoulder, the bridge is facing inwards, my right hand is grasping the c-bout and my left hand is supporting the lower bout.

Although my right hand might be using a handle, I still carry it this way even in the bag. I'm always thinking "how would the bass fall if the handle broke?". In my case it wouldn't fall because it's still supported with my left hand.

[joshmickelson]

Originally Posted by Bass

Yes, I do. I carry the bass in front of me so I can see where it is going without bashing it into anything.

With the neck resting on my right shoulder, the bridge is facing inwards, my right hand is grasping the c-bout and my left hand is supporting the lower bout.

Although my right hand might be using a handle, I still carry it this way even in the bag. I'm always thinking "how would the bass fall if the handle broke?". In my case it wouldn't fall because it's still supported with my left hand.

this. exactly.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Mike Goodbar

For long-distance carries without a lot of obstruction, I stand in front of the bass facing away from it (picture the G side of the neck parallel with the right side of your body) reach back behind the bass and grab under the upper E bout, or, if its in the case, by the handle that is usually there.

From there, bass can be swung in front if needed to get through doors etc.

Sounds like what I do if I'm reading this correctly. That is, with the bass in the bag, the bass is partially behind my right hip. This puts far less strain on my back and protects the bass much better when going up stairs. To go through doors, I do as Mike does and swing the bass out in front of me.

[tornadobass]

I have a longer haul to one rehearsal and use a wheel...then the bass goes sideways to present a narrower profile to the doorway and walls. Haven't had to do stairs with a wheel on yet...doesn't sound fun.

[sjd007]

... an then you have the rucksack of bits and bobs (rosin, tuner, mute etc), a stool, and a music stand.

Just don't park too far from the veune!

Occasionally, for longer hauls, I have found it to be quite comfortable to heave it up on one shoulder in its bag (shoulder fits nicely into the bout and is quite stable) with one arm up and round the back. Mine balances well up there and while a little hairy if I trip, it gives me a break from the neck-over the shoulder method above which is my usual carrying method.