Bass equipment + Compact car = Headache

[LAST_C]

I searched the forum, with this being my first topic, if any of you guys have lots of equipment to transport to a gig and a compact car to deal with.

At this time, I only play church gigs on Sunday, plus occasional outdoor gigs. One day, I had to fit a 4x10 Hartke Cab, A Hartke Head inside a 4 slot rack case, my bass (took the smallest one I have, an Ibanez GSR200) plus wife and 2 kids inside a Totota Yaris Sedan.

I had a real hard time fitting everything inside the car but succeeded. Also, I have a Gibson Blackbird that I rarely use because I can't fit that massive hardshell case inside the car. What about you guys? Share some stories about maximizing space or maybe put the cab on top of the roof...

 

[guy n. cognito]

Hatchbacks are great for transporting gear, but they will have limits. Trying to put 4 people AND gear in any car will be challenging. You could always buy smaller, lighter gear that would solve your problem.

 

[DWBass]

Had a Neon for a couple years and was able to get quite a lot of equipment in there. Rear seats fold down and the opening is pretty wide. Got my full rig plus a few PA items as well.

 

[PatQ]

All this fitted in my Mini Cooper - obviously no other passengers:

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• SWR Goliath 610
• 3 Basses (one of them a Thunderbird in a hardcase)
• multiple bass stand
• 6 slot rack

 

[LAST_C]

There's a permanent combo amp in my church, where I play the most. This doesn't happen to me that often. I have a Hartke Kickback amp that is loud enough for small gigs and practice. But, there are certain moments that we are extremely creative and willing to to almost anything to play a gig.

This might surprise you, but the Hartke 4x10 cab fits perfectly inside a Yaris trunk.

 

[funnyfingers]

I have a Thunderbird. I can't even fit my Thunderbird in my Thunderbird without the top down, not even in the trunk. LOL

 

[jmclearnon]

I managed to put 3 basses a trombone 15 inch cab 2 people and a cello in my mini somehow .... That was not a pleasant journey

 

[Einherjar]

I've never had a problem personally. But I know a drummer who used to transport his gear in an 83 mustang 5.0... Really funny to watch him drive around in that with it so stuffed.

 

[Dave W]

Trying to put 4 people AND gear in any car will be challenging..

+1

With my current and past setups, only the front seat is left open. Cabs go in the trunk. Bass(s), duffel bag with cables and stuff, stands, pedalboard, and small amp all go in the back seat. If I use a larger amp (larger in physical size that is) it goes on the floor of the front seat.

 

[thunderbird66]

Epiphone explorer case would not fit upright in the front seat of my truck. Those bass's are huge and the case is a monster. Barely fit long ways across the back seat ( angled ). I ended up trading that bass cause it was just to long. Total hand fatigue. I have a corolla sedan now and i can fit my ashdown combo, hartke 15" cab and 2-3 "regular bass case's " in the back seat.

 

[VeganThump]

I fit 2 basses, my pedalboard, my head, and my 810 in my girlfriends Mazda 3 hatchback. Pulse the two of us and a case of beer

 

[MatticusMania]

Get really good at Tetris.

 

[mrbell321]

I put all kinds of stuff from amps/caps to sofas to washing machines into my Yaris Hatchback. I don't haul people tho.

 

[marchone]

Mini Coopers are amazingly roomy.

 

[JohnMCA72]

Way back when, I used to haul an Acoustic 406 around in a Fiat 124 coupe. Fold both front seat backs down, roll the cab. up to the passenger-side door. Tip the cab over sideways onto the seat backs, push it all the way in, then slide all the way back. It fit, just like either the car or the cab was designed around the other!

 

[uOpt]

Convertible and stack high.

 

[jeffbrown]

Wife & kids roof-ride?

Priorities....

JUST KIDDING!!!

 

[two fingers]

I fit 2 basses, my pedalboard, my head, and my 810 in my girlfriends Mazda 3 hatchback. Pulse the two of us and a case of beer

I know a drummer AND a bass player who have those cars. They are MASSIVE in the back. And they drive great too. Really sporty for the money. The 5 speed is a lot of fun.

Oh, and I drive an old Tahoe or a TrailBlazer SS. I once took my old SVT fridge rig, two basses, my wife and two kids, and enough stuff for us to stay at the beach for a week in that Tahoe. And the TrailBlazer SS (390HP Corvette engine) will get a massive bass rig to the gig in about 2.3 seconds.

 

[bassguppy]

Wife & kids roof-ride?

Priorities....

JUST KIDDING!!!

Just have them take the bus. I'm sure that would go over swell.

 

[Nev375]

Its easier to get smaller gear these days than a bigger car. That's for sure.