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Dorm Bass?

paintandsk8

paintandsk8

Pushin' my soul through the wire...
May 12, 2003
1,307
12
39
Indianapolis, IN
#1
I figure this has been discussed before but I didn't find much via the search.

Here's the skinny, I'm leavin for college in mid august and I will be living in a typical dorm room. The problem is that I am somewhat afraid to take my current bass for dorm life.

Current Bass - Warmoth Deluxe 5, incredible spalt maple top (read: easy to ding), bound body, emg's, schaller bridge, gotoh tuners, quilt maple headstock, 5 piece neck, all gold/black hardware, unmarked pau ferro FB, etc.

So, would you take this bass into a dorm or would you get something a little more abuse-able? If I don't take this I will probably get a beat up fender V or a used Lakland skyline or similar.

Thoughts?
 
#2
If you have a secure room, you can take any kind of bass. I had some pretty nice ones when I was in grad school. What you really need is a Tascam Basstrainer. It is perfect for practicing without irritating your neighbors.
 
#3
Hrm, after just spending a semester in dorms, I might be able to shed some light...

I found that it is REALLY easy to keep your bass out of other people's hands. If you have a hard case, anyways. My case with my SR4 has a lock on it. If I wanted to make sure nobody touched my bass, I'd just lock it. I rarely had to do that though. Out of sight, out of mind.

If you're going to be leaving it out on a stand, or if you're going to be letting the proverbial "buddy" come and jam on your bass, get another one.

And hey, if you can afford another bass.. then do it! One more can't hurt.
 
#4
Wait a minute, if it's possible for you to get a Fender 5 or Lakland, than why are you here typing instead of out buying? :bassist:


Seriously, if you're worried about it, don't do it. Get another bass, and if you end up in a situation you trust more, bring out the hot rod.
 
#6
if you are not worried about the stealing, it sounds like a nice bass...but...if you are worried about the dinging (<_that a word?) then dont take it, or take it an leave in a safe place, spalt maple is indeed Very "soft" and, very pretty
 
#8
hopefully you will luck into cool roommates that respect your stuff - the odds are stacked in the other direction

when I was in school I had very expensive audio equipment
my one roommate would always help himself when I was gone despite my clear guidelines. This was in the vinyl days - so I found some of the anoying lps he liked, bought a similiar one, starting playing it and acting like I was enjoying it then ripped it off the table, broke it in half - he was shocked as he thought it was his record - I told him, no it wasn't and neither was it his stereo - he never messed with anything of mine again (sorry for the short digression)

I'll second the Tascam bass trainer - get a MKii version and you can plug in and play along with cds etc without disturbing anyone. not to mention slow down and speed up recordings without changing pitch

as for a base - why not try an essex (or sx)
see the essex megathread or vist www.rondomusic.com
also it allows you a bass you can learn to set up action, install pickups, bridge, etc
 
#10
audiotom said:
as for a base - why not try an essex (or sx)
see the essex megathread or vist www.rondomusic.com
also it allows you a bass you can learn to set up action, install pickups, bridge, etc
Click to expand...


I have considered an SX, but I will be trying to get into one of the Jazz Ensembles @ Purdue, and I want my main performance bass to be something a little better.
 
#11
I brought my rig to my dorm. Had my Jazz, and my Ibanez 506 for a while.

My friend/ fellow TBer brought 3 basses with him. Into a small room i might add :) . Wawicks, American Fenders.

As long as you keep your room locked, volume not too loud, or advertise that you have a 1000 bass in your room, you should be fine, IMO
 
#13
For the first little while im gonna bring my MIM P and my Peavey 112 combo and see how things go until i can trust my roomate. If I can trust him enough, then I may bring down my MIA Jazz and possibly my Fender bassman 250/210 if i get in a gigging band. Both my cases have locks, so thats not a problem. My friend who was a freshman last year said that the locked cases are good anyways for storing valuable stuff like money, private stuff, etc.
 
#14
Get a hardshell case... Get a small lock for the hardshell case... Buy a bike chain, or similar device... "Chain" the case to something stationary, IE bed frames, closet shelves, anything attached or affixed to the ground... Guard keys with your life, and swallow the backups...

That's what I think you should do... Maybe you should skip the swallowing of the backup keys though... You know, for sake of you bowls.


~Ryan
 
#15
I brought my Sting Ray 5 to college and didn't have a problem, although my roommate was pretty respectful towards my stuff and didn't have many people over. Something that other's didn't touch on was buying a locker or similar. I plan on taking my Rob Allen to college next semester, and the locker idea seems like the best idea since I could also put my amp (well...just the head) in there as well.

The biggest problem with storing your instrument is that when you just want to noodle around, you have to go through the trouble of unsecuring your bass. Then when you're done you have to put it back. It gets old pretty quick.
 
#16
I second the get a hardshell case and a bike lock, and lock it to your bed. It's not hard to do. If you are going to try for a good music group you definately need to take your best bass. Further, Fender or lakeland (even one not as nice as your warmoth) is much more likely to be stolen as it is a brandname.
 
#17
Are you going to be a music major/minor? If so you should have access to lockup rooms at your college. Keep the Warmoth there and an SX in your room.

I may have to lock up my '78 P and Marcus Miller, but I got my bastardized Ibanez to keep me company in my room.
 
#18
i was really lucky when i lived in the dorms my freshman year. my roommate was my friend from highschool (he too played bass) so the rules were clear. my suite-mates included another bass player and a guitar player. that was awesome, because everyone respect eachothers instruments. we never locked our door because we all became best friends.

i was soooooooooooooo luck. i wouldn't however recommend bringing your good bass. it's only asking for trouble.

best of luck in college.
 
#20
deathbloomslife said:
Get a hardshell case... Get a small lock for the hardshell case... Buy a bike chain, or similar device... "Chain" the case to something stationary, IE bed frames, closet shelves, anything attached or affixed to the ground... Guard keys with your life, and swallow the backups...

That's what I think you should do... Maybe you should skip the swallowing of the backup keys though... You know, for sake of you bowls.
~Ryan
Click to expand...

that's what i did last year, but my case was rarely locked unless i shot home for the weekend and didn't feel like lugging around my american j (i kept my mim at home). I locked the case then used one of those heavy duty bike/computer cords and master lock to keep the sucker impermiable. most of the time it was unlocked and in my hands (i procrastinate alot). it wasn't really a problem though, my roommate turned out to be a decent guy. once he even locked it and took away the key so i would study. i got it back though.
 

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