Taking my bass to Montana

BrianS198 · #1 07-05-2011, 02:55 PM

Hi everyone!

To preface, I'll be attending the University of Montana for either a semester or a year through national student exchange and I'm very excited! However, I'm really concerned for my bass considering the dramatic climate change. (Kansas weather (hot and humid) to Montana (dry and cold)) Currently, I have a K.C. Strings Student Model Fully-carved bass. Therefore, any advice from people who live in a similar climate would be GREATLY appreciated as well as advice for transporting the bass to and from Montana. (I may leave in the winter back to Kansas and let's just say I'm a bit afraid of what will happen to my bass during the two day travel, :/ )

Thank you so much!

bassist1962 · #2 07-05-2011, 04:13 PM

The bass should be fine as long as you have it in the car and not strapped to the roof as they did in the old days. I moved from Northern Indiana to the Atlanta area, no other protection than the gig bag, in the cargo area of the station wagon and didn't have a problem. Just remember that if you are comfortable, the bass should be the same. The normal maintenance rules work fine. Make sure the soundpost and bridge remain in adjustment. If you are worried about the tension. loosen the strings a couple of turns. If you are staying over in a hotel, take the bass into the room with you.

bassist14 · #3 07-05-2011, 04:21 PM

hey, anybody remember "montana" from f.z.?

"I might be movin' to Montana soon
Just to raise me up a crop of Dental Floss Raisin' it up
Waxen it down
In a little white box
I can sell uptown
By myself I wouldn't
Have no boss,
But I'd be raisin' my lonely Dental Floss
Raisin' my lonely Dental Floss
Well I just might grow me some bees
But I'd leave the sweet stuff
For somebody else...
but then, on the other hand
I'd Keep the wax N' melt it down
Pluck some Floss N' swish it aroun'
I'd have me a crop
An' it'd be on top

(that's why I'M movin' to Montana)"

BrianS198 · #4 07-05-2011, 05:08 PM

Cool; thanks man! I wasn't sure about how to handle things like dampits, but I'll have a better handle on things when I actually get there and feel the environment out. I'm just really concerned because they have storage on campus, but it's not humidified. :/

Jake deVilliers · #5 07-05-2011, 05:09 PM

Zappa's great!

That should be:
"Movin' to Montana soon, gonna be a dental floss tycoon, (yippie-eye-oh-tie-yayayy)

The first tape my friend Neil and I bought to plug into the brand new Pioneer 8 track in our 1962 Rambler American 220 station wagon (red and white) was Frank's 'Apostrophe'. I could probably do the whole damn album from memory even today. 'Dynamo Hum', 'St. Alfonzo's Pancake Breakfast' and of course 'Cosmic Debris'!

Ric5 · #6 07-05-2011, 05:18 PM

YouTube - ‪Frank Zappa Moving To Montana‬&rlm;

BrianS198 · #7 07-05-2011, 05:24 PM

I like how fast this thread completely changed topics, hahaha.

bassist14 · #8 07-05-2011, 05:26 PM

when i was teaching bassguitar (long ago) i had a pupil who made an arrangement of montana for 2 bassguitars and voice (he sang it)
that was great!

edit: sorry, brian

edit 2: jake! Dynamo Hum ! yippie-eye-oh-tie-yayayy!

MrLenny1 · #9 07-05-2011, 06:22 PM

I might be moving to Montana soon...
My DB teacher told me to treat my upright like I treat my girlfriend.

Matt Ides · #10 07-06-2011, 08:08 AM

You should be fine. Just make sure when the heat starts to pump out in winter you control the level of humidity. From what I have been told and exp. the basses tend to be OK with the cold temps, just make sure you let it warm up when you get to where ever you are going in the winter months.

bherman · #11 07-06-2011, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Ides

You should be fine. Just make sure when the heat starts to pump out in winter you control the level of humidity. From what I have been told and exp. the basses tend to be OK with the cold temps, just make sure you let it warm up when you get to where ever you are going in the winter months.

I live in Colorado, similar climate - two main things:

1. Dont leave your bass in the car (winter or summer - the sun is fierce here!) and
2. Use a humidifier in the winter, most all buildings use hot air heat and it really dries things out. Summer is ok (I measure the humidity where my bass is stored and right now its 40%) but winter gets really dry inside.

Jake deVilliers · #12 07-06-2011, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric5

YouTube - ‪Frank Zappa Moving To Montana‬&rlm;

Thanks - that's a great version of the tune!

BrianS198 · #13 07-07-2011, 08:24 AM

Thanks for the insight guys! Sounds like what I have to do in Kansas, heh. I'll really keep an eye on things.

kcbass · #14 07-11-2011, 01:38 PM

All good advice, Brian. Your bass should be fine in the car on the way up there. Definitely make sure you're using a Dampit during the colder months.

Also, be careful about using the storage space available at the school. If it is a room in which all the bassists keep their instruments, see about getting a small room humidifier that can be programmed to a specific percent (40% or so). We've had a lot of instruments brought in to the shop with shrinkage cracks after being left in dry school storage rooms or lockers.

BrianS198 · #15 07-11-2011, 05:04 PM

Thanks a lot, kcbass! The plan is to purchase a suitable humidifier when I get there and try and store it in a good place. As much as I like the K.C. Strings store, I'd hate to have to take my bass in to get a crack fixed.

kcbass · #16 07-12-2011, 01:20 PM

And as much as we'd like to see you in the store, we'd hate for it to be for that reason. Have a great time in Montana!

BrianS198 · #17 07-12-2011, 02:24 PM

Thank you very much!