Upright Bass CAR/SEDAN?????

hawnbassplaya · #1 10-26-2009, 01:50 PM

Aloha,

I have always fit my upright into my truck bed but need a second car and was wondering if there are any Cars or Sedans out there that an upright would fit in? U know like Honda Accords, Toyota Camrys, Nissan Altimas, etc. I know uprights can fit in hatchbacks (Honda Fit, Insight, Element, small SUVs, Scion XBs, etc) but just not my style.

Anyone know of some sedan options to transport my Upright?

Mahalo,

Hawnbassplaya

standupright · #2 10-26-2009, 01:53 PM

i used to be able to fit my db in my pontiac sunfire along with a stool, amp, and mic stand.

currently i have plenty of room in my chevy hhr.

low-endz · #3 10-26-2009, 02:00 PM

IF you want a reliable beater that you can easily work on yourself and find parts on ebay easily you cant go wrong with a Volvo 240 wagon. You can find a good daily driver for $1000. I paid $800 for mine 2 yrs ago and all the power windows & stearing still work and no fixes had to be done except for rear brake light.

I have used this for my primary doublebass, cabs,head,electric basses plus the percussionists congas,bongs,djembe & misc hand instrms,plus cables & said percussionist transport. easy.

Gornick · #4 10-26-2009, 02:19 PM

I would love to second the Volvo suggestion, since that is my ticket, but the question was about sedans.

Reclining the passenger seat back and placing the bass with the neck going towards the rear window should get a bass in any sedan. I personally like to stabilize it with the end pin going into the dash, the heel (not the neck) on the head rest of the seat, and wrapping the seat belt around the body of the bass. I feel much more comfortable with this than in the back of a truck bed.

Do a search here on TB and you will find plenty of information on this.

mjt0229 · #5 10-26-2009, 02:39 PM

I currently drive a Prius, but I was once able to fit a double bass in a Geo Prizm by sliding the passenger seat all the way back and reclining it all the way. I then opened the door and slid the bass in, neck-first. Once the bass was settled, I brought the passenger seat back up to support the body (so as not to put pressure on the neck). I couldn't see much out the passenger side window, but enough that I could still drive on the freeway and pass.

I think Geo Prizms are more or less the same as a Toyota Corolla, or at least 10 years ago they were pretty much the same.

gkbass13 · #6 10-26-2009, 02:50 PM

volvo wagons and saab 9-3 sedan/hatchbacks made between 1999 and 2002, before they switched to the more standard sedan body shape.

chuck3 · #7 10-26-2009, 04:18 PM

09 Forester ... fits perfectly, with the headstock coming up onto the armrest between the driver's and passenger's seat. Leaves room along the sides for a small amp, a bass stand and a music stand.

Dave Irwin · #8 10-26-2009, 04:36 PM

Most important thing is that the back seats fold down opening up access to the trunk.
I think the Camry, Accord, or Mazda6 all do. I had a 99 Mazda 626 that did and I fit a bass in that.
Otherwise, try it and see.

Dave

groveofbass · #9 10-26-2009, 07:07 PM

I routinely fit my bass in the passenger seat of my Ford Taurus by reclining and putting it in with the neck down (where your feet would be) although I think some people might object to this being safe for the bass.

powellmacaque · #10 10-27-2009, 07:53 AM

I drive a 2000 Dodge Stratus.

I was able to fit my upright in the front seat (just lay down the passenger seat), my 4 electrics and 1 acoustic bass, my GK 115 cab, 700rb head, and a mandolin all in my car with trunk space to spare.

I don't know if I'd fully recommend a Stratus... I only get about 18mpg city and about 23 hwy.

mjt0229 · #11 10-27-2009, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powellmacaque

I drive a 2000 Dodge Stratus.

I was able to fit my upright in the front seat (just lay down the passenger seat), my 4 electrics and 1 acoustic bass, my GK 115 cab, 700rb head, and a mandolin all in my car with trunk space to spare.

I don't know if I'd fully recommend a Stratus... I only get about 18mpg city and about 23 hwy.

http://www.hulu.com/watch/3526/satur...-family-dinner

You're welcome.

PJSShearer · #12 10-27-2009, 09:26 AM

A famous london based British Player - Kenny Baldock strapped his Bass to his back and rode a Bicycle ...

Bruce Lindfield · #13 10-27-2009, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJSShearer

A famous london based British Player - Kenny Baldock strapped his Bass to his back and rode a Bicycle ...

But nowadays he would need to hold his amp in his teeth!!

thejumpcat · #14 10-28-2009, 07:49 AM

I had a newer model VW Beetle that worked great. The rear seats folded flat. Pop the rear hatch and run the neck up between the front seats. It'd be a little tricky if it was a manual, but automatics are fine. Plus there was room in the back on either side for small amp, etc. and in the front passenger seat as well (of course, you have to ride solo).

Believe it or not, I was able to do the same thing with an Audi TT -- and could fit the Pbass in there as well!

Now I have a Mercury Milan. Unfortunately, I'm forced to load the bass in through the trunk -- upside down. I have to take a large bed pillow, fold it in half and stick it under the bottom of the tailpiece portion of the bass to elevate it so the bass is not resting on the bridge. Same thing at the headstock end. A very less-than-ideal situation, but it works.

My wife thinks I'm nuts cause I drool when I see a Ford Flex....

robobass · #15 10-28-2009, 10:05 AM

It's too bad there are so few hatchbacks sold in North America. They are much more common here. Most of the cars, in fact, are small hatchbacks or "Kombis" - what we call a small station wagon. That means I can get my bass into practically any car, as small as they tend to be. One thing to look for is a split rear seat. When I had a Golf II I could fit two passengers, a bass, a cello, and more!

L Anthony · #16 10-28-2009, 11:12 AM

You should probably cross the Saturn Aura off of your list; I recently tried to fit a 3/4 double bass in one, and despite being able to fold the rear seats down along with the front passenger seat, the bass just wouldn't quite fit in the car. It didn't miss fitting by much; just a few inches in any direction, and the bass would have fit fine. (Note: the current Chevrolet Malibu is a sister car to the Aura; I don't know whether or not it's interior dimensions are the same as the Aura's.)

anahata · #17 10-29-2009, 11:00 AM

I believe the rear seat pass-thru on the new style VW jetta will hold a bass very nicely loading through the trunk! - and it is a pure "Sedan". In addition to the pass thru it has the largest trunk in it's class. That said, a hatch is the most efficient followed by a wagon. If you have any interest in cars, consider the amazing TDI engine for the Jetta. A cool little wagon option (if you're able to go there) is the Mini Cooper Clubman which unlike the standard Mini will hold a bass and is a blast to drive...and gets 37 MPG highway which is almost as good as the TDI's 45 MPG. These are both quick and powerful cars.

anahata · #18 10-29-2009, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thejumpcat

I had a newer model VW Beetle that worked great. The rear seats folded flat. Pop the rear hatch and run the neck up between the front seats. It'd be a little tricky if it was a manual...

This should work no problem also but if it has the armrest that should be removed in either the manual or the automatic.

j.stemmler · #19 10-29-2009, 02:53 PM

i drive a 2001 hyundai tiburon. with the 2 back seats down, it's almost like a station wagon. not only can i fit my upright in there, but i can fit all of my other gear (amp, music stand, stool, and my EB if needed) in as well, along with one other passenger (who doesn't mind having some gear on their lap)

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...SGO5HUNLSljJ0N

thesneakyjesus · #20 11-10-2009, 09:08 AM

Hello!
I just wanted to chime in and say that I got a totyota matrix about five years ago that has been totally perfect! You can fit the bass in the car with the back right seat folded down and the neck sits right up the middle bet the front driver and passenger seat. I can fit my bass, my amp, my stool and the driver, front passenger and rear passenger. Great gas mileage, low maintenance. My parents went out and got one a year later!