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Double Bass Best Vehicle for double bass, without having the scroll on the armrest?

UnderDogbassist

UnderDogbassist

Jun 2, 2010
205
2
North Vancouver, B.C.
#1
I've been looking online for a vehicle (i just got my liscense.) and i will be going to school with my upright bass, and on top of that, gigging with my upright bass. I've been looking on the internet for similar threads to this, but some of the comments i've read say that the upright bass only fits into the vehicle when the scroll is between the front seats on the armrest, and all the rest off the posts don't mention whether or not they have the same thing (in other words, nobody has mentioned a vehicle that does not have the bass resting on the armrest.) I'm not trying to go al chevy express here, i mean for the moment i'm just looking for a vehicle that
1. can fit an upright bass, 100 watt combo amp, and a stand, and possibly an electric bass as well.
2. is big enough so that the upright doesnt have to go between the front seats with the scroll on the armrest.

i've been looking at subaru outbacks, ford focus station wagons, and honda elements. i've heard wonderful things from honda elements, but just one thing; does it fit the 2nd requirement. if it does then i'd probably get one. i'm not trying to go for something expensive, under 10 grand preferably.

thx for your time, and if this thread has to be moved, i apologize all the other db vehicle threads were in this section so when in rome...
 
#5
Outbacks are really thirsty, if that matters.

The Focus wagon would meet your requirements... if you fold the back seats, you can put the bass in with the end-pin forward, the scroll ends up neatly inside the tailgate. As a car, the only complaint I have with my Focus is the road noise, and careful tyre choice can help a lot with that. Mine's a 2007 TDCi wagon, which is probably a bit over your budget (if you can even get the diesel), but an earlier example of the Mk 3 Focus should be findable.
 
#8
The Element works well because the center console is so low that the scroll goes right over the top and doesn't touch. I now drive a Volvo 850 wagon and put the bass in diagonally. Really, most cars can work well if you are careful.
 
#9
What's wrong with the scroll on the armrest?

If that is a must have, I'd just get a truck w/ a camper shell and build a cradle for the bass out of a buncha 2x4's. Can prob get a reliable used Toyota pickup for not too much cash.
 
#10
My Grand Marquis was totaled on Monday and I just bought a new VW Jetta sedan (haven't picked it up yet). Bass goes in the trunk from the front passenger door scroll first, fold up the 60/40 seat split in the back and room for the driver, two passengers, bass and an amp on the other side of the trunk. I never would have believed it but I brought the bass shopping and voila.
 
#16
forndog1 said:
I just bought a used 2002 Dodge Caravan SE to haul my Bass around,fits right on the right side with rear seat out and i still can haul 3 people plus me and all under 5k....
Click to expand...

My vote is for the Caravan also. We have a 2006 and it hauls bass. gear and people comfortably. Only wish it had the 3.8 engine with a little more get up and go.. too used to my Cummins I suppose. The Stow and Go seating is great for gear storage
 
#17
Mazda 5. Leave one of the 3rd row seats up and the bass won't shift around. Scroll won't encroach on the two front passengers either. Recently fit the bass, two honey babes, a combo, and the various acoutrements comfortably. Sporty ride and a good value too.
 
#18
Minis. Fold down the rear seats and a bass fits perfectly, if you don't mind the pegbox being up over the gear shift, which you really shouldn't (doesn't block vision or encroach on your space, it's just kinda there). There's room left for your amp in several places, depending on its size. It's weird to see at first but Minis are great for transporting AUBs, so long as you only need to transport one at a time.
 
#20
I fit my double bass, amp, music stand, bag-pack, electric bass AND my two toddlers on their respective baby/child seats (I only needed to do this on few occasions) on my SCION xA without any problems.
I have also fitted 2 double basses at once but at the expense of the back seats. The bass fits in the reclined front seat, with a little bit of practice is as fast and even easier to put it in the back where it can travel loose and you don't have to worry about the scroll.
You don't need a big car. Speaking of SCION, I bought mine new in 2006. It is very reliable, very frugal (1.5L) and robust (100% made in japan). It is still going strong after 8 years and almost 100k miles.
 

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