Double Bass endpin wheel anyone?

[Eric Hochberg]

The Kolstein and Bass Buggy put no stress on the blocks. Most of the pro players in Chicago and elsewhere use a wheel and I haven't heard any cracked block stories. Anyone have one?

 

[Russell Bergum]

I have used a Gaines wheel I got from David Gage years ago. Now that I don't live in NYC and drive to gigs I only use the wheel IF I have to walk a couple of blocks from my car to the gig. I never had a problem with the end-block. That wheel you are loking at doesn't look so great. Plus you need to know the diameter of your pin so the shank of the wheel will fit in your end-pin socket.

I think as long as you aren't bouncing off curbs, you should be fine. I am happy with the pneumatic wheel from Upton Bass.
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It's like the Gains, but is a single side arm support, and about $60 cheaper. Both have a flat side on the end pin to keep it going straight.

 

[Michael Case]

I think as long as you aren't bouncing off curbs, you should be fine. I am happy with the pneumatic wheel from Upton Bass.
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It's like the Gains, but is a single side arm support, and about $60 cheaper. Both have a flat side on the end pin to keep it going straight.

I was referring to the fit. If the shank is smaller than the end pin it wont stay put in the socket and if it's too large it wont go in.

 

[Russell Bergum]

I was referring to the fit. If the shank is smaller than the end pin it wont stay put in the socket and if it's too large it wont go in.

You obviously have to have the right size. They come in 8, 10, and 13mm diameter sizes.

 

[Don Higdon]

My Gaines wheel is going strong after 16 years. I leave the inflatable tire uninflated. The ride is squishy and shock is well absorbed and dissipated before it reaches the block. I have never had a problem with any of a dozen basses.
I also have a bass buggy. It has its positive qualities, but I don't like it at all when I have to go up and down stairs. It may weigh "only" 3 pounds, but it's at the far end and quickly becomes a load when you have to swing the lower bout around.
I have tried an Onyx wheel. Got rid of it. I wouldn't touch the Meisel.

 

[Marc Piane]

Best... invention... ever

I have the Gaines for my good bass and some no-name (might be meisel) on my beater. Wouldn't leave home without it.

 

[tornadobass]

My Gaines wheel is going strong after 16 years. I leave the inflatable tire uninflated. The ride is squishy and shock is well absorbed and dissipated before it reaches the block. I have never had a problem with any of a dozen basses.
I also have a bass buggy. It has its positive qualities, but I don't like it at all when I have to go up and down stairs. It may weigh "only" 3 pounds, but it's at the far end and quickly becomes a load when you have to swing the lower bout around.
I have tried an Onyx wheel. Got rid of it. I wouldn't touch the Meisel.

I have the Onyx wheel and it has been fine...what problem do you have with it? I'm guessing you like a softer tire than the Onyx.

 

[Don Higdon]

I have the Onyx wheel and it has been fine...what problem do you have with it? I'm guessing you like a softer tire than the Onyx.

With the Onyx, I could feel the vibrations and shocks being transferred up through my bass up to the neck. No way I'm going to continue with a wheel like that. Much too hard.

 

[bassics1975]

I had used a wheel for years but since stopped. I had problems with the back of my old bass coming unglued at the bottom block and suspected it may be from the shock of transporting the instrument on rougher surfaces. I have since shelved it and haven't had any problems. Eastman makes a bag with wheels built in on the bottom edge of the back.

 

[ztpbassman]

I'd like to second the bass buggie at KC Strings. It is the most sensible way ever to transport your instrument. I live in NYC and have to shlep around the streets, or play club dates at country clubs in Jersey and Westchester.
It feels very secure and is easy to use. They have a cute video which shows you how to do it. Check it out at there web site.

The bass can even stand on its own for a bit (but I'd never recommend leaving it alone like this). It doesn't harm the instrument, can be used in or out of the case, and has saved my back a great deal. I had a decent wheel for a while but it was much harder to steer, plus I didn't like the way it felt pushing my old Juzek around the city streets.

Thumbs up for a good product. I also bought the extra padding for the bottom which is an extra-nice addendum. Not cheap, but I think in the long haul (pun intended) it's the very best of the alternatives available.

 

[banjoboy]

I purchased a bass buggy, which arrived last week, just in time for me to use at River City Bluegrass Festival in Portland. While I think that it (as well as other carts/devices) is over-priced, it will pay off in the longrun. It was easy to use, and saved me from having to carry my bass all over the place. Learning how to steer was tricky at first because it is very responsive, but I'm glad that I bought it.

 

[BassNoob1]

I wouldn't use a wheel, what if your bass slips out from under you on stage, or even during rehearsal? It'd be super embarrassing and could cause damage to you, people around you, or your instrument,

 

[Ross Kratter]

I have a Gaines wheel on my old Kay and it's one of the best investments I've ever made...I've yet to have a problem with my endpin and bass block.

 

[Don Higdon]

I wouldn't use a wheel, what if your bass slips out from under you on stage, or even during rehearsal? It'd be super embarrassing and could cause damage to you, people around you, or your instrument,

I don't know if your kidding or not. If you're serious., the wheel being discussed is for moving the bass instead of caarying it on the street, etc.

 

[Jason Sypher]

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Looks like a Gaines at less than half the $.

 

[Don Higdon]

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Looks like a Gaines at less than half the $.

What I don't see in the photo is a flat section on the shaft where the endpin set screw would meet it. That says to me that the shaft could turn unless there was very high pressure from the set screw, which I don't like.

 

[Jason Sypher]

I could take a file and create one in a jif...I usually do that for "in between" settings on my actual endpin

 

[Jason Sypher]

I see that it does have a flat area for the screw....

I went for it. I'll let you guys know. At $57 I just had to try it out.

 

[bribass]

One advantage of the Bass Buggie over the Kolstein Stroller is that you can use the BB whether the bass is in or out of the case. Perfect for situations where you want to move from one place to another to play, like an outdoor festival. It looks like the Kolstein unit works only on the case, not on the bare bass.

Another is the MUCH larger diameter wheels on the BB. Larger diameter means they roll over stuff more easily and gently. Casters like on the Kolstein unit can have problems if you are on rough sidewalks. I have rolled bass cabinets with casters like that enough times to know I don't want them rolling my bass.

I own and use both the BB and the Kolstein wheel and the pluses you list about the BB and the minuses of the Kolstein are true, however one plus about the Kolstein is it's superior lateral or side to side movement vs. the straight line track movement of the BB.

 

[Mike Arnopol]

I've used a wheel for years with no problems. I don't even use an inflatable one. I have two similar ones. I think one is the Onyx. Kindof a foamy rubber wheel--not inflatable. I've used it with really old valuable basses, As was stated before---just use common sense. I'm always ready to lift it a bit if I encounter bumps, etc. Never had a block problem. When I was younger and started playing more valuable basses I was dead set against them, but when I got a 45 lb. Prescott a wheel sounded very appealing. Now I don't leave home without it.