A wheel for my bass?

lloccmttocs · #1 01-16-2007, 03:12 PM

So I have the upton bag which has two small wheels on the bottom of the bag. most of the time these are fine, for even side walks and such, but lately I've been noticing little rugburn rips on the bottom of my bag due to it rubbing up against the surface I am rolling it on and I have considered now buying a transport wheel to make things simplier. Problem is, I'm ***** with my money, I never spend a dime. Is a wheel really neccessary or helpful? Will it be a positive investment or just another toy that I'll have to lug around.

hdiddy · #2 01-16-2007, 05:44 PM

Get one, it's so much better having a real wheel. I think if you look around, you can find one for cheap. I think All Hail Bob (urbbob.com) has some good priced ones.

lloccmttocs · #3 01-16-2007, 06:22 PM

Yikes that one is like over 100 dollars, I think if I get one (unless I find one cheaper) I'll just go with the UB one that one is about 40, its only I'd say a 20 min drive across the bridge and Gary is a nice guy.

hdiddy · #4 01-16-2007, 06:31 PM

Nuh uh. Bob has one for $42, which is similar to the Onyx wheel that Lemur sells (and similar to the Upton one). I have the Onyx. Don't buy the Onyx! It's way too expensive for what it is. Personally, this type of wheel is ok - I think they just basically stuck a landing gear wheel for a big model airplane on a steel rod. I would've rather paid the $buxx$ and gone for the Gaines. The airplane wheel works but I feel like alot of shock still goes up into the endblock.

gems07111 · #5 01-16-2007, 09:20 PM

man, you trust walking your bass on those small upton bag wheels? that's a little too risky for me... do you like that upton bag? i had one and it was just so BIG! it felt like a workout just to walk with that thing through the city...

lloccmttocs · #6 01-17-2007, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gems07111

man, you trust walking your bass on those small upton bag wheels? that's a little too risky for me... do you like that upton bag? i had one and it was just so BIG! it felt like a workout just to walk with that thing through the city...

Well I'd say 80 % of the time I'm just carrying it, I needed to bulk up anyway so this gave me some chance to do some heavy lifting. But the other 20% is usually only inside where things are perfectly flat. Ocasionally I'll let the wheels roll on a pavement, but I usually just carry it. Depending on if my arms hurt or not.

JimmyM · #7 01-17-2007, 02:44 PM

I look at it like my roller bag is meant to protect me from awkward lifting (it's not really heavy, just the kind of awkward that can cause you to twist the wrong way and hurt yourself) just as much as it's supposed to protect the bass. So if it gets scuffed up or gets a little road rash, that's OK by me.

klocwerk · #8 01-19-2007, 06:01 PM

I just got an Upton Bass endpin wheel for my Kay, walked 3/4 of a mile each way to/from practice last night with no trouble.
Only $49 iirc. Definitely a good investment if you're wheeling any distance.

Simandl Fan · #9 01-19-2007, 11:26 PM

My luthier HATES wheels. He says they transmit vibrations all through the bass, which can cause seams and cracks to open.

JimmyM · #10 01-20-2007, 02:09 AM

Well your luthier may be right about that, but I have some load-ins that would be impossible without wheels on my bag.

brandonwong · #11 01-20-2007, 08:17 PM

+1 on the Gaines... very functional with the interchangeable shafts.

It's an air-pumped wheel meaning it absorbs shocks better than rubber wheels. My next upgrade would be the Double Trolley from Denmark.
It is a wheel and a stool!

Brandon

SLaPiNFuNK · #12 01-20-2007, 08:42 PM

Get a good gig bag with comfortable strap...

You will spend alot more then the cost of a good gig back when you hit a big enough pot hole even with an air-pumped wheel and crack the bottom of your bass...

unless you got some 400$ plywood kay bass and dont really care... then use a wheel...

lloccmttocs · #13 01-20-2007, 09:04 PM

My bass bag has one of those shoulder straps, but I can't quite figure out how to use it, maybe I'm holding it wrong but everytime I used it it felt like I was just making things so complicated, but i saw people doing it so effortlessly, How do you hold it with a shoulder strap thing?

brandonwong · #14 01-21-2007, 05:54 AM

Well... i find myself bumping into things more than when i use a wheel.
So whether its ply or expensive carved bass, the wheels goes on.

If carrying with a strap is tough.. it might be 1) the bag, or 2) yourself, if you are a little short.
I'm sure i'm (2) and the wheel is my option.

Bob Gollihur · #15 01-21-2007, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simandl Fan

My luthier HATES wheels. He says they transmit vibrations all through the bass, which can cause seams and cracks to open.

I think it's important to choose the right wheel. The lower price solid rubber wheels have some resilence, and I don't think they are a problem with a well-structured laminated bass like my Kay. You have to think about just how many jounces and bumps it takes when in the back of your SUV on a bumpy road.

However, I'd suggest a higher quality unit (like the Gaines) with a pneumatic wheel for carved and more fragile instruments, as you can regulate the pressure so it absorbs more of the movement.

Bob Branstetter · #16 01-21-2007, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simandl Fan

My luthier HATES wheels. He says they transmit vibrations all through the bass, which can cause seams and cracks to open.

The only damage I've ever had in my shop that was directly related to wheels was one case where the endpin socket became worn (causing the endpin to rattle) because the the wheel's shaft was slightly different than the diameter of the endpin rod.

I LIKE

wheels and only wish I had used one when I was younger. I'm sure that a lot of the back pain I have today was caused by carrying around basses for years without a wheel.

brandonwong · #17 01-28-2007, 04:01 AM

The new double trolley is out!!!
www.doublebass.info
Esxpensive but i think its gonna be worth it.

I'm getting one!!!

all_grown_up · #18 01-29-2007, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simandl Fan

My luthier HATES wheels. He says they transmit vibrations all through the bass, which can cause seams and cracks to open.

I probably wouldn't take mine off road or bang it down the stairs.

klocwerk · #19 01-30-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandonwong

The new double trolley is out!!!
www.doublebass.info
Esxpensive but i think its gonna be worth it.

I'm getting one!!!

good concept, but $400? ouch.
I do seem to be operating on a tighter budget than most in the DB forum though. heh.

BenWC87 · #20 04-12-2007, 01:18 PM

Here's a great wheel that won't transmit vibrations directly through the block and doesn't require endpin removal...
http://www.kcstrings.com/bass-buggie.html