Double bass transport/study abroad advice sought

pedro · #1 05-11-2009, 12:59 PM

My son is a jazz major at UNT and will finish his studies in Barcelona, Spain next fall. Needless to say he is very excited (and so are we) and I've agreed to help research the options relating to having a double bass while there.

The options (as I know them) are

1. See if a bass can be rented for the duration of his stay. Not sure if this is available or what the cost/quality of the instrument might be but since he plans to be there for quite a while I suspect that this might be expensive and perhaps less than optimal.

2. Buy a case for his bass. I've never priced one out but I'm guessing that hardshell cases for a double bass are expensive. But possibly something that a professional musician might want or even need to have at some point in time.

3. Rent a case. I'm not even sure if this is an option. But if it is then I'd wonder how much and what happens to the case between arrival abroad and some yet undetermined date of return.

I'm not a professional musician (just a weekend warrior) and supportive dad - so I am looking for suggestion, advice, etc.

**Freddels** · #2 05-11-2009, 01:25 PM

Flights cases are ~$2500ish. But you can find one used for less and then could sell it when he gets back. Another other option would be the Czech-Ease bass (new with flight case is about $5k though). Or many of the luthiers like Upton are offering removable necks on basses and that would make traveling a lot easier.

pedro · #3 05-11-2009, 01:27 PM

Thanks. What about trunks?

**Freddels** · #4 05-11-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pedro

Thanks. What about trunks?

That's what I meant by flight cases. Look at David Gage's site and there's some there. http://www.davidgage.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=23

pedro · #5 05-11-2009, 01:40 PM

Hmm I see. But when I was first looking around I found an actual 'trunk-looking' thing made for a double bass that was selling in the $1500 range. Unfortunately, I can't seem to locate it now.

wilsonn · #6 05-11-2009, 01:47 PM

I'd also inquire about used trunks/flight cases at Gage's. You might also try the other major NYC luthiers. In your area, you might call A440 in Chicago for a used trunk.

pedro · #7 05-11-2009, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilsonn

I'd also inquire about used trunks/flight cases at Gage's. You might also try the other major NYC luthiers. In your area, you might call A440 in Chicago for a used trunk.

Thanks, I will look into it. Any reason to fear a used trunk/flight case?

pedro · #8 05-14-2009, 09:06 AM

Another method that has been suggested to me is to ship the bass via hardshell case via FedEx. This seems appealing to me in that it would involve insurance and the bass could be delivered to a dwelling thereby avoiding the hassles of getting an upright from the airport home via taxi in a foreign country. Does anybody have any experience with this method or opinions?

n8pease · #9 05-19-2009, 05:36 PM

Hi Pedro,
I'm actually selling my David Gage flight case. pics at www.n8pease.com/flightcase. asking $2000.
I haven't used it in some time, I can't tell you about what it's like flying with it these days.
Let me know if you're interested or have questions.