Bass Wheel alternatives?

EvanCalz · #1 08-31-2011, 02:15 PM

I have an issue with my first and only bass. It's pretty old and sure looks like it's been through a war but it still sounds great. My only issue is the endpin isn't removable, so I can't attach a basswheel without first having some work done. Problem is I'm attending a precollege program pretty soon which will require me to be bringing my bass around a school from class to class. I don't exactly have the time or money to get this fixed at the moment, anyone know of any alternatives? Possibly a bass wheel that let's me put the endpin of my bass directly into it?

drurb · #2 08-31-2011, 02:17 PM

Try this.

EvanCalz · #3 08-31-2011, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

Try this.

wow that looks fantastic, thanks so much!

drurb · #4 08-31-2011, 02:29 PM

You're welcome. Hey-- if you're hangin' around the community, why not fill out your profile? It's nice to know about other folks' backgrounds.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #5 08-31-2011, 03:53 PM

Get the cushion for it and glue it to the buggie. Hotmelt worked for me. The cushion is both insurance against damage and helps to keep the buggie from shifting.
I won't be without mine.

ttreppa · #6 09-01-2011, 10:15 AM

Thanks for the advise to glue the cushion to the buggy. I just ordered one and will get out the hot glue gun.

TroyK · #7 09-01-2011, 10:30 AM

I've got one of these too, several years now (need to check out the cushion).

It works pretty well, it's a little hard to steer sometimes, but with practice, I can usually keep it on the road. I think it's generally lighter and less in the way than a traditional wheel, so when I roll it up to some stairs or load it in my car, I feel like's a better solution.

But, I only take it when I'm playing downtown or in one of the neighborhoods where I'm not likely to be able to park next to the hit and I don't trust the inhabitants enough to leave anything in my car for the 2nd trip. It's great then, but pretty much any other time, I'd rather carry the bass. I think my next case needs to have backpack straps, but I'm sure there are issues with that too.

Anyway, good alternative to a traditional bass wheel.

hdiddy · #8 09-01-2011, 10:55 AM

I use only backpack straps. The only issues you'll find is sometimes hitting the bottom of the bass on the steps when walking down startsl - of course you can just simply not use the backpack straps then. The other thing is banging the scroll into the tops of doorsills.

Overall, I like the straps more and it works better for hilly SF. Also one less thing to deal with and no chance of leaving your end pin somewhere.

Still, walking around with an end-pin at full length sucks no matter what. I think the buggy would be better in that case.

TroyK · #9 09-01-2011, 11:07 AM

Seattle's topography is very similar to San Fran, so I think it would help sometimes too. I have this nightmare, though where I've got my bass backpack strapped on and I've somehow fallen over backward. The the bridge is on the sidewalk with the weight of the bass and me on top of it and I'm trapped like a turtle on it's back while people walk by and pretend not to notice me.

Actually, regardless of the mode of transport, I always feel most vulnerable to mugging when I'm moving my bass through a neighborhood. Can't run with it, don't want to drop it, can't fight with it. I always feel like a sitting duck, but then I'm security concious and it's never actually been a problem that's come to fruition.

Original Poster, why can't you remove your endpin? If it's just that it has a retaining pin keeping it from coming all the way out, that can be resolved quite easily with a hacksaw. That's not that uncommon...though, as we've already said, the thing you ordered solves that problem a different way.

Barongket · #10 09-01-2011, 02:35 PM

I bought a Bass Buggy but thought the pad was too expensive for what it is. I used a 1" thick piece of Armaflex, it's used as insulation commercially and industrially. Ask a friend in the building trades to get you a scrap piece, I'm sure it's the same material being sold as a pad.

David Potts · #11 09-02-2011, 11:01 AM

Years ago I had a stout strap about 1 1/2" wide made up by a saddler. It buckled around the base of the neck and a 2' metal ring was tied over the end pin. You carried the bass like a bag of golf clubs, with the strap over one shoulder and the bass steadied with that hand. This was before we saw bass wheels here. It worked well going up and down stairs and through doorways. One hand was free, which was good for holding open spring loaded doors and car tail gates.

DP

bribass · #12 10-31-2011, 09:22 PM

I'm surprised no one has mentioned these yet.

Kolstein.com Holiday Sale

I've used mine for like 20 something yrs!

I also use the KC Bass Buggie as well. They each have their advantages.

The Kolstein is more maneuverable, but the KC is better on rough terrain and you can use it w/o a case.

Ed Fuqua · #13 11-01-2011, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroyK

I have this nightmare,...

Uhndt how long haff you been haffing zese dreams? Ve usually blame ze musser....

Eric Hochberg · #14 11-01-2011, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bribass

I'm surprised no one has mentioned these yet.

Kolstein.com Holiday Sale

I've used mine for like 20 something yrs!

I'm still using mine - approaching 35 years!

Greg Clinkingbeard · #15 01-23-2013, 11:12 AM

Bass Buggie.