Ampeg 810 into a 4-door Civic

[Rock Salad]

It might fit if you take out one of the rear doors. That is the problem for me and my cab. There is enough space IN the car but the door won't open far enough to slide it in.
Not exactly the same thing though. It is an Accord and a 1×18".

 

[Keger Jupit]

don't know why bass players don't buy vehicles for the bass player lifestyle.

Some of us do...

2006 Legacy 2.5 GT. Hauls gear & a$$!!

 

[StringslamDan]

I've got one in the back of an '05 Corolla but it's not easy! The back doors don't open far enough for it to go in, in a straight shot. It had to slide in at an angle, up towards the front passenger seat(which had to be slid and tilted all the way forward) and then with 2 people, set onto the back seat. There's no way I'd gig with one, if the Civic's your only option to haul it. It's a pain in the a**!

 

[guitarflinger]

Roof Rack?

 

[kentiki]

Roof rack!!!!

 

[songwriter21]

Thanks Rick but I am looking for the real Ampeg rig at this time. If it doesn't fit, I might go with a pair of cabs or a 212... or a bigger car or SUV

FWIW, I can get a 7'4' surfboard into my 2007 civic with the back seats down and passenger seat forward.

Find an old Dodge Magnum, and get the Hemi one! Remember the commercial?

 

[Cardiff Giant]

A few months ago, I sold an Ampeg fridge to a guy off of Reverb. Drove about two hours to meet him halfway and he shows up in a Toyota Yaris, which might as well have been a go-kart. I thought for sure it wasn’t going to fit, but he said he measured it and that it “should” fit. Luckily, it did. So, if you measured correctly, you “should” be ok.

 

[ThudThudThud]

We used to wedge my Acoustic 301 style/sized cab into the boot/trunk of a 1972 Ford Zephyr.
Later into the hatch on a Princess 2200. We were kids, and relying on parents to move our gear to the gigs (and we did a lot of gigs!).
Probably wouldn't try it these days.

 

[5StringBlues]

Ever eat a pine tree?




Many parts are edible.

 

[Sid Fang]

When I bought my 'fridge bottom, back in the 1980s, I negotiated a price with the shop (I think it was a Guitar Center) and said "you have a deal - on condition it fits in my Honda". The salesbeing looked pissed-off, but I continued, explaining it was a Civic wagon that *should* be able to hold it, and I'd made a point of parking on the street right out front, so we could try it, and if it loads, I'd pay up and go. It fit. I bought it. Even figured out how to load it in and out solo without damaging anything. But that was an '81 Civic *Wagon*, not the 4-door sedan.

 

[Sid Fang]

don't know why bass players don't buy vehicles for the bass player lifestyle.

They're tough to find if your day job means long commutes and crowded parking. My Honda Civic Wagon was a good compromise in the late 20th century. My Toyota Matrix was even better in the early 21st century.

 

[JGbassman]

I carry a pair of 810 cabs in a Toyota Rav4. I have to take the rear seats out to do so but I can get my gear in it.

I generally drive cars that allow my gear to be transported. I was driving a Toyota Prius until I switched back to bigger gear. Got rid of the econo box and went with the all wheel drive RAV. Glad I did over this last brutal winter.

 

[Inky13]

Thanks Rick but I am looking for the real Ampeg rig at this time. If it doesn't fit, I might go with a pair of cabs or a 212... or a bigger car or SUV

That’s awesome! Get a fridge AND a new ride!

Not wanting to rain on your parade, but even if it does fit, getting it in and out of the car will tear up the car's interior, IMO.

Can you get a cover for an 8x10? I have a vinyl-ish cover on a 1x15 and it’s almost too slippery.

 

[turcmic]

Thanks all for the good comments!

Just to clarify a few things... I have a rig that I like very much (genzbenz shuttle and epifani ul310) but, probably because I'm bored a little bit, I started shopping for an Ampeg rig. I found a potential deal with a fellow TBer but it would be a buy without trying thing, long distance shipping. I plan to get a new car soon (this summer) to carry my gear for my 10-15 gigs/year and carry my son's future gear cause he's going to college to study music (guitar unfortunately....). So, I have a rig, I have the money. If it does not fit, no problem at all. I'll wait until I buy a bigger car or SUV and fulfill my bass dream (and have fun with my neighbors!) or I'll buy a head and a smaller cab. It's not a life or death issue!

Peace!

 

[turcmic]

don't know why bass players don't buy vehicles for the bass player lifestyle.

Funny cause all my previous cars were bought with gear in mind. My Ampeg wish is recent.

Advice to self : never buy a small car again

 

[Inky13]

This. Your tape measure can tell you one thing, but nothing about what kind of English you might need to put on that fridge to get it in and out of your Civic. Also getting it in may be easier than getting it out (or vice versa).

Bon chance, mon ami.

Part of any test drive for me is doing just that.
(Don’t tell anyone, but I broke an interior door handle once.)

 

[Redbrangus]

I agree with @silky smoove that the best way to be sure is to borrow or rent one and check it out for sure. I hate to admit that more than once I've made a "that should work" mistake with a measuring tape and a car.

I've known several double bass players, and a couple of harp players that take a tape measure when then go shopping for new ride.

 

[logdrum]

Not wanting to rain on your parade, but even if it does fit, getting it in and out of the car will tear up the car's interior, IMO.

It's Canada = snow. The salt and rust probably already tore the muffler off and the body panels as well. Tearing up the interior will convince the wife that it is okay to get a new car.

 

[Inky13]

Thanks all for the good comments!

Just to clarify a few things... I have a rig that I like very much (genzbenz shuttle and epifani ul310) but, probably because I'm bored a little bit, I started shopping for an Ampeg rig. I found a potential deal with a fellow TBer but it would be a buy without trying thing, long distance shipping. I plan to get a new car soon (this summer) to carry my gear for my 10-15 gigs/year and carry my son's future gear cause he's going to college to study music (guitar unfortunately....). So, I have a rig, I have the money. If it does not fit, no problem at all. I'll wait until I buy a bigger car or SUV and fulfill my bass dream (and have fun with my neighbors!) or I'll buy a head and a smaller cab. It's not a life or death issue!

Peace!

I hope it was that Canadian fellow from a day or two ago.
That would be a cool story!

 

[two fingers]

Thanks all for the good comments!

Just to clarify a few things... I have a rig that I like very much (genzbenz shuttle and epifani ul310) but, probably because I'm bored a little bit, I started shopping for an Ampeg rig. I found a potential deal with a fellow TBer but it would be a buy without trying thing, long distance shipping. I plan to get a new car soon (this summer) to carry my gear for my 10-15 gigs/year and carry my son's future gear cause he's going to college to study music (guitar unfortunately....). So, I have a rig, I have the money. If it does not fit, no problem at all. I'll wait until I buy a bigger car or SUV and fulfill my bass dream (and have fun with my neighbors!) or I'll buy a head and a smaller cab. It's not a life or death issue!

Peace!

Honestly, you're in a big city. You should post an ad on Craigslist. Offer to buy lunch for someone who will meet you at your favorite sandwich shop with their fridge and just let you attempt to load it into your car. It'll be a chance to Network with another bass player too.


I'll be 48 this Summer. I bought an SVT-CL and a 610 recently. I told my wife "It's now or never".

Go get it and rock the crap out of it! If nothing else, rent a small SUV to go get it and hammer it out later. Or get a buddy to drive you to get it and buy them lunch and gas. Just get it home and you'll make it work!