What's a good car for a bass?

jsimon · #1 08-10-2003, 11:55 AM

I've tried my bass in a few wagons, but have been a little surprised at how little room there is in some of them. Any votes on best wagons or hatchbacks for transporting a bass? Thanks!

Michael Case · #2 08-10-2003, 12:44 PM

I got my bass in the back of a Ford Escort. I'd also suggest looking into a car with a reclineable passanger seat in the front and fit the bass there. I've had better luck fitting my bass in most cars that way.

tsolo · #3 08-10-2003, 07:51 PM

That depends on if you want anyone else to ride. If you're solo, a honda accord works great. Room for you, your axe, your luggage, camp chair, tent, sleeping bag, pillow, cooler and an amp. And gets about 30 MPG. If your family is riding, THINK BIG.

toman · #4 08-10-2003, 08:09 PM

anybody manged to stuff a bass into a VW rabbit? I'm thinking of getting one, if I can get my bass in it. Not much need for passengers or anything, just my bass and me.

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #5 08-11-2003, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by T-REX
That depends on if you want anyone else to ride. If you're solo, a honda accord works great. Room for you, your axe, your luggage, camp chair, tent, sleeping bag, pillow, cooler and an amp. And gets about 30 MPG. If your family is riding, THINK BIG.

Agreed. I drive to my gigs in a Civic hatchback (97), and there's plenty of room for bass, amp, and stool...however the neck of the bass sticks up into the passenger seat, so it's not much fun when anybody else has to ride. My wife's Accord wagon is longer, and therefore much more comfortable - I've even fit TWO basses in the back of it before and still had plenty of elbow room. Still, the best advice is to take your axe with you when shopping and see what you think you can live with.

Andy Daventry · #6 08-11-2003, 06:08 AM

I have no suggestions. I just want to say that I appreciate the choice of priorities in car selection!

Monte · #7 08-11-2003, 09:01 AM

I think here is a thread in basses DB about this if you do a search.

I love my Volvo V70 Wagon for bass hauling. With the 60/40 seats, I can take 2 passengers as well.

Monte

Christopher · #8 08-11-2003, 09:42 AM

PT Cruiser is pretty roomy.

Nick Ara · #9 08-11-2003, 09:42 AM

You'd be amazed where uprights can fit without too much hassel.

I've just plunked down a deposit on a new Mini Cooper, but ONLY after making sure my 3/4 would fit. Not only was I able to feed it through the hatch (bass lying on its back), but I was able to put my GK150MB and a backpack in as well. The passenger in front can still fit comfortably, too. Maybe this could be an ad for the Mini Cooper's versatility?

Danny Adair · #10 08-11-2003, 10:12 AM

I've had a couple of opportunities to mess around with a Toyota Matrix and I was very pleased with its cargo capacity. I was able to fit my 3/4 DB, two hard BG cases, an EA 1x12 cab, a Bergantino 1x12 cab, an Acme 2x10 cab, and my books/cables/amp bag, although I don't think that configuration didn't allowed for other passengers. I was able to easily and safely stow the rig I bring for the biggest, non-PA gigs (DB, EA, Berg, bag) while comfortably accommodating 1-2 passengers.

The Matrix is mechanically identical to the Pontiac Vibe. The consistent review theme I've observed on these cars is that the high-end V6 sporty option is not the best value: relatively high price premium, substantial gas mileage impact, and such a high-revving motor that you have to "drive it like you stole it" to get the V6 benefit. I hear the standard 4 combined with a manual tranny gets you 80-90% of the V6 performance at a better price with better mileage. Granted, the standard 4 with either the manual or automatic will not win any drag races, but personally I couldn't care less. There is a decent mod market for these cars, so all manner of spiffy go-fast aftermarket gear is available if that's your cup of tea.

Barring a wagon version of the new Acura TSX and a healthy raise, the Vibe will be my next car.

Nick Ara · #11 08-11-2003, 11:27 AM

Yep. Right between the seats, but very close to being above the dash. Which means I'll be able to shift the 6 speed just fine, but to be on the safe side I think I'll need to somehow chock the bass to keep it from sliding forward.

I was more concerned with the lateral visibility which turned out to be no problem at all.

Nick Ara · #12 08-11-2003, 02:07 PM

Matter of fact, yes! The JCW kit should arrive at the same time as the car (I hope, I hope).

No, I wouldn't DARE drive that agressively with my baby on board. For the price I'm paying, I probably could have gotten much more "muscle" for my money, but not nearly enough room to haul the doghouse along with other gear I need, like preamps, mics, charts and stands. This car is an enigma from the get go. Funny thing is, I've posted an almost identical message on the mini2.com list as well.

More bass content: You don't need to buy the race version of this car, but bassists looking for economy AND fun might want to consider the basic MINI as an alternative to something more "wagonish".

Nick Ara · #13 08-12-2003, 06:45 AM

I try to stay off of the expressway. Way too much traffic. The local roads are better especially since I'm always on the prowl for places that would host my jazz combo.

You'd be surprised how many clubs are happy to get away from the standard "blues band" format. My guess is that most towns might be similar. Groton can't be too different (you're just on the other side of the pond, after all!).

CamMcIntyre · #14 08-12-2003, 08:24 PM

I can fit a large amount of gear into my 84 Impala. I'm 17, keep that in mind as i wanted a car that was OKed by my grandpa, could fit all my gear, and was fairly big/old so if i got in a wreck not much damage could be done. For reference, i got rear ended and the guys front part of his car got crumbled, i got a heat mark from his car that i buffed out with my glove-no dents, no bends, nothing-i did get on the ground to see if anything was loose.

As for how i get the DB in is fairly simple. I would love to have a 60/40 Bench but i have a single bench and i work with it. I move the seat all the way up [i'm 6ft 200lbs-this is the worst part about it], slide the bass in the back seat w/the scroll/headstock going just infront of the passenger head rest. Push bass rest of way in. I tend to put a blanket inbetween the body and the door, i take the end pin out, and i wrap the headstock in a blanket too just for added protection. If i could find a 60/40 Bench in a junk yard that was in good condition that would fit my car-i'd take it as it would eliminate me from having to move the entire seat all the way up.

I can also fit most of my gear in the rest of the car. If i have to; i can fit a BG or 2 inbetween the back rest and the back seat just below the DB. I can fit 2 BGs in hardshells in the trunk + my BassMan 200. I can fit: a suit case [the biggest carry on sized] in the trunk, 2 sleeping bags, 2 pillows in the trunk if i do some good space management. Also-i have room for all of my cords. I can take 2 passengers w/it bein a bit cramped, or 1 passenger plus me w/reduced leg room. The good: car has less than 54k miles on it-i plan on driving it through college at least. I have all the original paper work [the invoice it was bought on, the original pamphlet, all the previous registrations, etc], i know where it has been for the 20 years it has been in existance, it is cheap and reliable-current blue book value is between $300 and $800, plates are really cheap-$32.50 i think, it holds all my gear. Bad: GAS GUZZLER!!!! inefficient V8, solid bench-it'd be nice to have a 60/40, all real metal-it'll rust.

That's all and sorry if some of that is mistyped-my fingers are shot from playing all day. [7hrs].

Rumblejohn · #15 08-12-2003, 08:48 PM

I use a Ford E-150. Carries DB,two JBs, Two Pa racks, two l8" subs 4 FOH speakers 4 monitors, bass amp,and two 4x10 cabs and two passengers. Dummer and Guitarists have to carry their own stuff.Only gets 15mpg, but that is not bad considering the payload.

John

mje · #16 08-13-2003, 06:25 AM

I've carried my bass often in my Saturn SW2. When I have the bass loaded I can only carry one passenger, in the seat right behind the driver, and there's no room for other gear. With no passengers I can carry my PA, and a few other odds and ends.

I've used my ancient '94 Dodge Caravan on a couple of gigs as it can carry the bass, PA, a full set of drums and other gear by removing the rear seats. Recently I bought a Honda Element, which can carry the bass and other gear and still have room for two passengers, thanks to the seperate rear seats.

arto alho · #17 08-13-2003, 06:56 AM

I drive an old Escort ( ´89 ) hatchback. With 40/60 back seat it accommodates me, one bass, the amp, and lotsa small stuff + 2 passengers comfortably. I hate to think buying a new car, ´cause they don´t make Escorts any more. And I hate cars and driving to gigs in general....

R2

**Pacman** · #18 08-13-2003, 08:04 AM

Explorer - room for me, bass, amp, kid, wife and a host of other goodies. The good thing is there's no "cramming" anything, and it's all temp controlled.

Monte · #19 08-13-2003, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mje
Recently I bought a Honda Element, which can carry the bass and other gear and still have room for two passengers, thanks to the seperate rear seats.

I've been looking into these as a replacement for when/ if my Mazda pickup ever gives out. They seem like really cool vehicles, and should be easier to find than a base model Volvo wagon in a few years. I got my used Volvo for a good price, but after they went to making all the XC models, you can't seem to find a good wagon with ~ 60k miles for under $15,000. My boss liked mine and wanted one, and my dealer looked for 4 months with no luck before we found an E-bay one in Dallas.

I admire you guys who want low mileage and suffer loading with the tiny cars, but having done the hatchback thing from 1991-2001 I have no desire to do that. Sure, you can fit basses in, but the manuevering around everything to fit can be a pain if you have to do it more than 1-2 a week. You can stuff an amazing amount of stuff in small cars, but it is too much of a pain to me. I always joke with my teacher who drives a Suburban that bassists often seem like masochists and take pride in seeing exactly how small of a space they can fit a bass in.

Monte

Monte · #20 08-13-2003, 08:35 AM

My friend Earl who bought my Juzek decided he needed a bass hauler. He is into old cars, and although I tried to convince him that his '57 Olds was plenty big enough, he bought this
with my help last week. How cool would this be for a bass hauler; painted black with the skull and crossbones?

Monte