Double Bass a car for my double bass

[bassramos]

An upright bass will fit safely in most any car... THe headstock goes where the feet go in the passenger seat folded down. I hav eput it in a Yugo...

 

[Paul Warburton]

An upright bass will fit safely in most any car... THe headstock goes where the feet go in the passenger seat folded down. I hav eput it in a Yugo...

but where do ya putcher fretbored?

 

[Marcus Johnson]

I really wish Ray Parker would check in and tell us how he moves his bass to and from work.

Seriously. I really mean it.

I miss Ray.

 

[Freddels]

Seriously. I really mean it.

I miss Ray.

He's on FB.

 

[Marcus Johnson]

I know, just talked to him. He said to say "Hi" to the TBers.

Just thinking back to his input here, how he could come out of left field with those things that would sometimes take a minute or two to connect. I dubbed him "Citizen Arcane".

He posted once about getting around NY in cabs, with the scroll sticking out the side window. I guess most of you NYers have some experience with that as well.

Ed's probably got some things to say about different cars in NY, having used that car share thing there for awhile. Yes I know the OP is leaving Manhattan, but if a car can make it there, it can make it anywhere. I for one have used sedans in a pinch once ot twice... no fun at all. Gimme a bunch of doors. I've actually done great with a pickup truck with a tonneau cover for years, but I'm a truck guy.... not for everyone I guess.

 

[MR PC]

Just thinking back to his input here, how he could come out of left field with those things that would sometimes take a minute or two to connect. I dubbed him "Citizen Arcane".

Like the time he threatened to burn down another TB members house.

 

[Marcus Johnson]

I'm curious to see if anyone has checked out the Porsche Panamera's innards as regards DB hauling. Porsche just came out on top as the most reliable auto marque overall. They have a hybrid Panamera model planned next year.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

I used to do the scroll out the window thin with cabs, but not no mo. An acquaintance had his bass trashed on the way TO a gig doing that.

Sparky needs to decide why he's not a "5 door" person, personally I like the ease of sliding the bass in flat. I can fit the bass in almost anything, but the hatch (and especially wagon type cars) is my friend. I probably end up ZipCar-ing either the Prius or Matrix the most often. If I'm hauling the drummer and tenor player as well, I like the Ford Escape more than the Mazda (5 or 7?)minivan/crossover thing. The Escape hybrid gets pretty good mileage too. And drives nice.

I like the new xB for comfort, but the old xB for mileage, plenty of room in both though. Don't like the new bug, like the Ford Z better than the Rabbit.

 

[Freddels]

I know, just talked to him. He said to say "Hi" to the TBers.

Just thinking back to his input here, how he could come out of left field with those things that would sometimes take a minute or two to connect. I dubbed him "Citizen Arcane".

But he's in self-exile and could come back anytime.

 

[Monte]

I got a Ford Transit Connect XLT last week as my company vehicle. Can't wait to haul my bass in it as it has definite possibilities. Definite headturner as in it is so ugly it is cool.
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[Jazzdogg]

Ford Transit Connect XLT looks interesting. One comment I keep reading is that it's fairly noisy inside.

I'm eager to hear what you have to say about this unusual vehicle.

 

[megrey]

I'm not the bass player in the family (my son is). But I registered just so I can let you all in on a secret: a double bass WILL fit easily in the 2010 Toyota Prius! I know this because I personally loaded my son's 3/4 size double bass into our old jalopy a couple weeks ago and drove out to Elmhurst Toyota and tried it. The sales people there were amazingly accommodating. A salesman named Rob Smithburg actually held my toddler while I folded down one of the back seats and opened the back hatch of the Prius and slid the bass (in its padded bag) in the center of the car from the back on its side, neck first, the way it's supposed to be transported -- not on its back and obviously not on the bridge side. The neck and the scroll sat comfortably between the front seats on the arm rest there. Then I closed the back hatch over the bass's "hips" in back and voila -- it fit with about a couple inches to spare!! Then Rob rode around with me while I drove the Prius. There was plenty of room remaining for two adults to sit very comfortably in the driver's and front passenger seats and for my toddler's car seat to be installed safely with child on the back seat. So you double bass players can get 50 mpg AND transport your bass comfortably!!

 

[Lester4string]

I jam my URB into a 4 door sedan (Chevy Prism). Passenger seat down, headstock between back seat head rests. That leaves enough room behind the drivers seat for my Speaker Cabinet. Room in the trunk for Electric basses, amp, stands, clothes, golf clubs, etc. Just no more room for people.

 

[Paul Warburton]

He said "headstock". #4 this week alone.

 

[peterpalmieri]

A direct quote from the Jeep website:

"Carry your daughter's collection of beanies or your friend's double-string bass to a gig with Limited's fold-flat front passenger seat."

* See the picture of the passenger fold down seat on the Jeep Liberty.

You can fit a whole double string bass in there, finally a car (SUV) designed just for us

 

[Ed Fuqua]

A direct quote from the Jeep website:

"Carry your daughter's collection of beanies or your friend's double-string bass to a gig with Limited's fold-flat front passenger seat."

* See the picture of the passenger fold down seat on the Jeep Liberty.

You can fit a whole double string bass in there, finally a car (SUV) designed just for us

Will mine fit if it's only single strings?

 

[Marton]

In my Mazda 6 I can put my double bass, my electric, my 410, my amp and still have some place for two other people.

 

[s_mcsleazy]

i dunno if you get these in the u.s. but id recommend a ford mondeo estate

 

[guroove]

I drive a Volve Crosscountry. I love it, so I'd recommend you rethink the whole hatchback thing.

I have seen people transport their bass in a normal car, though. You just fold down the passenger seat and sit the bass down with the scroll out to the back window.

I did that in my old car. I don't recommend it.

Forget basses in a sedan... it's so awkward loading, you are bound to damage your instrument sooner or later, not to mention you usually can't park with enough space beside the vehicle. Convertibles are very poor for security; it's trivial to steal stuff from one, and usually does very expensive damage to the vehicle. 5 doors is where it is at, and you want a wagon not a hatch, because the space behind the seats helps get the bass in; in many wagons, you can keep 3 or 4 seats usable.

My choice: Audi A4 Avant. Mine's 10 years old, though, and new ones are very expensive. Subaru, VW, Saab and Volvo make very good wagons too.

id also reconsider the no japanese car thing too. My family totally has i think a total of 2 hondas and 3 toyotas. Both are quite reliable. far more impressed with toyotas.

I also +1 the station wagon. we have an old BMW station wagon that can fit a TON of gear

looks like what you need is a japanese hatchback or suv. i'd suggest you avoid anything american or european.

Lots of good advice here. The car you are looking for does not exist. An upright won't fit in a car without a hatch. There's nothing wrong with japanese cars. Generally, they have much better reliability than American cars, and they are usually cheap to fix.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

An upright won't fit in a car without a hatch.

Sure it will, I have done so on numerous occasions.