Double Bass Bass Buggie vs Wheel Cases vs Endpin Wheels

[brianrost]

Beware bridges with a backpack, specially when biking.

I can't imagine wearing my bass bag like a backpack and then getting on my bike. I wouldn't even do it with a bass guitar.

 

[jj.833]

I got this https://www.thomann.de/cz/gewa_bs_25_double_bass_bag_3_4.htm
The wheels are installed on a steel L profile, ca 5x5x5cm. The only thing that covers it from the bass is the inner padding. I never tried the wheels, afraid of damaging the bass - the cobblestones of my town are genuine middle ages. What's stupid is that you can't really walk with it in backpack mode - the protruding wheels are constantly hitting the back of your legs.

I took the wheels off, and now it's a nice sturdy backpack. The bag is heavy, but when carried like a backpack it works perfectly and I have no problem to walk anywhere. People are instinctively fleeing off my way! I just have to be careful not to hit things that normally are very high, like shop signs. The thick padding helps to feel safe in mass transit or when loading the bass into a car, where you can't avoid bumping into something.

I'll keep this bag. If I were to buy another, I'd try to find something similar, backpack system, but lighter (even with less padding) to ease putting the bass on my back, and perhaps more flexible to ease storage of the bag when not needed.

 

[J_Bass]

I got this https://www.thomann.de/cz/gewa_bs_25_double_bass_bag_3_4.htm
The wheels are installed on a steel L profile, ca 5x5x5cm. The only thing that covers it from the bass is the inner padding. I never tried the wheels, afraid of damaging the bass - the cobblestones of my town are genuine middle ages. What's stupid is that you can't really walk with it in backpack mode - the protruding wheels are constantly hitting the back of your legs.

I took the wheels off, and now it's a nice sturdy backpack. The bag is heavy, but when carried like a backpack it works perfectly and I have no problem to walk anywhere. People are instinctively fleeing off my way! I just have to be careful not to hit things that normally are very high, like shop signs. The thick padding helps to feel safe in mass transit or when loading the bass into a car, where you can't avoid bumping into something.

I'll keep this bag. If I were to buy another, I'd try to find something similar, backpack system, but lighter (even with less padding) to ease putting the bass on my back, and perhaps more flexible to ease storage of the bag when not needed.

I have a gigbag like that.

If you're reasonably tall (I'm 6'0") sometimes the endpin rubber hits the ground, unless you carry the bass with your arm all the way down, which is uncomfortable. Besides, the wheels are too small.

I use a bass buggie. I put a foam pad like the ones available to put under the washing machine and strapped it with zip ties.

 

[LouisF]

I've been using one of these for over a decade:
Upright Bass Soft Case with Wheels, Eastman's Presto Heaviest Padded WHEELED "Town Case"

Two things to note: living in LA, I wheel the bass from the house to the driveway, to the car to the parking lot, to the stage and that's it. So I have no idea about street wear and tear.

The other thing (and I think they have corrected this since) is that I velcroed a couple of kitchen sponges on the inside over the plates that hold the wheels to protect the varnish. The factory lining over the plates wore out fairly quickly

A couple of other gigging players I know use these bags without issues; some use wheels; a lot of players here use the bass buggy.

I like the bag. No hassle.

 

[bassmanbrent]

I have been thinking of getting a bass wheel, or perhaps a better way of carrying the bass.

Hey Casey, have you thought about a shoulder strap as an option? That's what I use all the time and it works quite well for me. I can pull a dolly with my amp, stand, stool and cables with one hand while the bass is over the opposite shoulder and walk up to 5 blocks or so without losing my temper or breaking a sweat

 

[CaseyVancouver]

Hey Casey, have you thought about a shoulder strap as an option? That's what I use all the time and it works quite well for me. I can pull a dolly with my amp, stand, stool and cables with one hand while the bass is over the opposite shoulder and walk up to 5 blocks or so without losing my temper or breaking a sweat

Do you mean like this?
Thanks Brent!

 

[bassmanbrent]

Do you mean like this?

Yes, exactly. My bag has solid D rings for a strap, but I used to have a strap like TM's in the picture and it worked great.

 

[Opus_Pocus]

I have been thinking of getting a bass wheel, or perhaps a better way of carrying the bass.
Up til the age of about 50, hauling the bass up to 5 city blocks was fine.
In high school I carried it for an hour to a theatre.
Now, at 67, anything about 1 block is fine. More than that I start to lose my sense of humour.
Tonight’s gig got me thinking about this again.

I recall Bozo Paradzik, in his documentary is seen carrying his bass on his back like a backpack. He is on the way to a packed subway train, and the picture walking does not show that it is actually snowing.

The wheel is from String Emporium and is $88 with free US shipping.
Tempting to get a wheel but I think the backpack route is more my style.
I like to jog and ride bikes so a balanced bass on my back might work.
Possibly I will have a luggage repair shop sew some straps on my cover.
I do have a crazy expensive backpack that maybe could be altered to carry the bass.

View attachment 4890022

FWIW this is the exact same wheel as the Onyx sold by Lemur. It's the only wheel I've used but works great. It needs some lube to avoid squeaks every few months.

 

[ctrlzjones]

The endpin wheel felt most comfortabe to navigate with (on uneven grounds). I used it for years until the endblock became loose what caused a bad crack in the bottom. Let me quote Edgar Allen Poe, the raven: “Nevermore”.

The built in wheel with bags seenmed too little for comfort and for backpacking the bass is too tall (or my legs are too short). So for me it is a shopping cart strapped to the bag when the bass is packed. I like its bigger wheels better than the bass buggie and also a bag can be attached on the opposite side of where the bass goes, for stuff that don’t fit into the bags bags.

 

[robobass]

I use a shoulder strap, but have the bass in front of me. I added some handles to the bridge area to have better control and to take part of the weight off of my shoulder. It is set up so I can switch shoulders every block or so. I used to use a wheel, but find the shoulder strap more comfortable and convenient.

 

[truckplayer]

Hey Casey, have you thought about a shoulder strap as an option? That's what I use all the time and it works quite well for me. I can pull a dolly with my amp, stand, stool and cables with one hand while the bass is over the opposite shoulder and walk up to 5 blocks or so without losing my temper or breaking a sweat

I like the shoulder strap idea. Can you recommend where it can be purchased?

 

[bassmanbrent]

I like the shoulder strap idea. Can you recommend where it can be purchased?

The one I use came with the bass bag and connects to the D rings on the sides... I know that once upon a time you could buy ones like the one in the photo above from Hammond Ashley in Seattle. I would hope that a shoe/luggage repair shop should be able to make one for you from a seatbelt type strap. I've also been told that if you live in an area with any kind of horse culture, tack shop should be able to make one up for you...

 

[Martin Spure]

I did a search yesterday for shoulder straps for DB and managed to find these two below. However, both are in the UK :

Double Bass Shoulder Strap by Bass Bags

Invalid Link Removed

 

[Earl]

I think my shoulder strap days are over after recent hernia surgery, so now I mostly use the bass buggy, which I like better.

 

[brianrost]

I've been very happy with my Bass Buggie but pneumatic tires would be a nice update.

 

[BobDeRosa]

I've always been a wheel guy and I've had to buy only two (both Xeros) in 30 years of wheeling. Yes, they're a touch awkward in certain situations, but practice is the key to success. Now where have I heard that before?

 

[damonsmith]

A strap just isn't sustainable after a certain age. I used a strap to carry my bass all over Oakland, Berkeley and San Francisco in my 20s-30s on public transit. Around 35 or so I got a wheel. I got the Bass buggy hoping it would also work with my Chadwick case. Ii probably would but I haven't figured it out yet.
I use it for all my shows now. It is generally better until it isn't. Certain big sidewalk cracks and terrain can really shut it down.

 

[JBarz]

Someone should really try to put these into ‘mass’ production. It’s really a very clever invention that solves a lot of transport issues. I’d gladly take measurements and/or detailed photos for any handy DIY minded bassists here with a welder and some time.


Combination dolly/stand/stool

 

[pjhkiwi]

Just started looking at bass buggies. There seem to be several different ones available. Are most people using the one from RC Williams Co.. . . [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Earl]

Just started looking at bass buggies. There seem to be several different ones available. Are most people using the one from RC Williams Co.. . . [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I am.