• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Best Vehicle for Bass Players

What's the best vehicle to get you and your gear around?

  • Small Compact Car

    Votes: 24 10.7%
  • Small Pickup Truck

    Votes: 14 6.2%
  • Mom's Station Wagon with wooden sidepanels

    Votes: 33 14.7%
  • Mid Sized SUV

    Votes: 77 34.2%
  • Soccer Mom Mini Van

    Votes: 43 19.1%
  • Skateboard

    Votes: 2 0.9%
  • I sold my car to buy a bass

    Votes: 9 4.0%
  • The Tube, Metro, Subway, and Cab it home

    Votes: 2 0.9%
  • Yellow Cabs or Black Cabs

    Votes: 1 0.4%
  • Giant 4 Ton Pickup Truck that usually tows your yacht

    Votes: 17 7.6%
  • I'm a mooch and only play other people's bass rigs

    Votes: 3 1.3%

  • Total voters
    225
so my Corolla is on the way out
but it fits my Fender 2x15 cab in the back seat
my amp rack in the front seat, pedal bag
and at least a Bass or two in the trunk

I'm considering something maybe with a diesel engine, and manual transmission

whats the best recommendation for a fuel economic vehicle that can drag my stuff around ?

What are you driving ?
 
for a personal use vehicle, i went with a honda element (after 24 years of owning vans). not the best mileage for an economy vehicle (greatly depends on how you drive it) but a strong engine, suspension and sick amount of space for the size. i can tightly fit my entire back line and band (trio) in mine if necessary.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sanchan
I have a ford fiesta and in it i can get: SVT 810, SVT-CL in flight case, Couple of Basses, pedalboard in flight case and flightcase containing misc items.

I got my end covered I don't think i need anything bigger then a compact car.
 
pretty much what every fits your stuff and meets your other needs. I have a jeep wrangler and it fits my ampeg 410hlf and head in the back with the back seat folded up and my bass fits in the passenger seat. Get me and my stuff where it has to go and i love my wrangler for everything else, its just plain fun.
 
I have a ford fiesta and in it i can get: SVT 810, SVT-CL in flight case, Couple of Basses, pedalboard in flight case and flightcase containing misc items.

I got my end covered I don't think i need anything bigger then a compact car.

Wow, and i though i was squeezing. Seems you can fit a lot more in those Fiestas than i thought:cool:
 
yep. Another for Honda Element. Mine's an 05 4WD w/ 136K on it. I can convert from 2 child seats/dad mode to full gear hauling mode in under a minute.

It's amazing how much you can fit in one of these. I get about 22mpg mixed driving if I keep my foot out of it.

And it's made in Ohio w/ higher US content than the other "big 3" options I considered at the time.

Pickups suck for gigging. I had a Dakota but I found myself using my wife's CRV if weather threatened at all.
 
  • Like
Reactions: nixdad
These have worked the best for me, since the 70's. Of course you need to replace it once a decade or so, but they are very versatile, even providing extra storage when needed and a decent place to sack out in a pinch.

E250.jpg


Plenty of room for backup gear, pretty much extra anything, and an easier load/unload than almost any other vehicle I know of.
I generally leave the van loaded and parked in my alarmed, insured garage or in my shop, couldn't be easier.

Plus, I really like nice cars and don't think that intentionally thrashing them is a good idea.
 
I drive a Ford Ranger with a camper on it. It has plenty of room in the bed, and the camper keeps things dry and locked up. It also has a smaller engine than most suvs, giving better gas mileage. Mine has a 4.0L V6, so I only get like 19-20 highway, but the smaller V6 and the I4 models get better mileage. You can also get them for cheap and last forever, mine has 202K miles on it and still going strong.
myrangerwithcamper.jpg