HOw DO I haul this think on top of a car?

RcknBass4Christ · #1 05-09-2008, 01:53 PM

Got a ? for some of you out there you may have some experiance in this. Used to have a truck. Gas=over $3 -truck.

So, got a PT Cruiser with a Thule roof Rack. My gig bag sucks so I know I need to get a better one, but how do I strap that thing to the roof rack?

Help.

ee-san · #2 05-09-2008, 03:09 PM

Please find a way to fit the bass inside the vehicle. It's not worth the risk of havingi it fall off or develop cracks from the vibration. They are not as easy to tie down compared to a suitcase or stack of plywood. I fit a double bass in a little hatchback with the neck between the front seats. It can be done.

RcknBass4Christ · #3 05-09-2008, 08:42 PM

problem is I have no hatch back. It is three of us. Seems like that is the way the old timers used to do it. I don't want to mess it up however.....

Thanks for the advice

bass4daddy · #4 05-09-2008, 08:59 PM

Try velcro.

lowEndRick · #5 05-09-2008, 09:21 PM

I've seen a guy fit a 3/4 bass into a corolla sedan. It can definitely fit in the PT.

riverbum · #6 05-10-2008, 08:06 AM

i put mine in the front seat of a ford ranger extended cab pickup.

D McCartney · #7 05-10-2008, 08:23 AM

The handy man's secret weapon...duct tape.

It may be crowded but as others have said, try to get it into the vehicle. I have heard of aluminum basses strapped to the top, don't know about wood.

flip18436572 · #8 05-10-2008, 08:46 AM

I have a cheap bass ($1000.00) compared to most of you, and there is no way I would strap it to the top of a car. Unless I could find a hard case that would really protect the bass and had some great places to use to strap it down.

Uncletoad · #9 05-10-2008, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RcknBass4Christ

Got a ? for some of you out there you may have some experiance in this. Used to have a truck. Gas=over $3 -truck.

So, got a PT Cruiser with a Thule roof Rack. My gig bag sucks so I know I need to get a better one, but how do I strap that thing to the roof rack?

Help.

That is a foolish thing to do.

I don't care how cheap that instrument is or what your financial situation is. Between the sun, the heat, and the rain and the jumping around on the steel roof you WILL cause some very expensive damage that you aren't going to be able to afford to fix either.

Have more respect for your instrument. Put it inside the vehicle or leave it at home.

jtlownds · #10 05-10-2008, 09:58 AM

Back in the day (40 - 50 years ago), it was fairly common for guys to carry their basses on the roof of their car. These were mostly old Kay C1s that had no tone and were built like tanks. I don't know how some of them survived as long as they did, given the rain, heat and cold that they were exposed to. I never transported mine that way, but I know a bunch of guys that did ( and eventually lost their basses). I can guarantee that your bass will not survive leaving your roof at 70 mph. Several of my friends have experienced that phenomenon.

salcott · #11 05-10-2008, 01:24 PM

Save time-throw it in a ditch now.

RcknBass4Christ · #12 05-10-2008, 02:01 PM

Well, Thanks for the replys..

Some of you made me feel like an idiot...

I'll find another way to get this thing around...

juuzek · #13 05-10-2008, 02:39 PM

The hatch on the back of the PT cruiser should open, and you can slide the bass on its side with one of the back seats down, and with the neck passing between the 2 front seats.
I travel in my xB like that, often with other players and gear.

salcott · #14 05-10-2008, 11:36 PM

Sorry if I came on a little strong; I was just amazed that anyone would consider putting any instrument on a roof rack.

Gufenov · #15 05-11-2008, 08:14 AM

Have you considered a small trailer? You could probably do well for far less than the cost of a hard-case for the bass. Used is an option, or one of the "kit" trailers at your home-improvement store could be customized to protect your instrument from the elements, plus give additional cargo room when your cruiser is full of people.

bluegrasscat · #16 05-12-2008, 02:38 PM

make a plywood carrier! with some carpet inside.. and some u-bolts to mount to rack! kindof like a real big guitar case out of ply!! i use to put my bass in my VW BUG!! and it was fine-- but vw's have that nice seat that just slides out!!

RcknBass4Christ · #17 05-14-2008, 10:03 AM

GREAT IDEA!! THANKS!

We actually put it inside the cruiser last night and it fit like the guy above suggested!

Ya'll Rock.

I even got a laugh out of the guy that said,

"Have more respect for your instrument. Put it inside the vehicle or leave it at home."

Thanks!

farmerdude · #18 05-15-2008, 10:49 AM

If space is tight, I prefer to strap the drummer to the top rack...but...since this is the bluegrass section...feel free to substitute with the banjo player...

Mashedmeat · #19 05-28-2008, 03:58 PM

perhaps take a seat out?

Gearhead43 · #20 05-29-2008, 02:02 PM

I got quite a kick out of the guy who said "old Kay C1s that had no tone", in the Bluegrass forum.

What a nice fella.