Double Bass Folding cart instead of a wheel?

[tornadobass]

I was lucky recently to see Rodney Whitaker with a Michigan State faculty quartet...he was amazing as was the rest of the group.

At the end of the night, Rodney bagged up his bass and put it on a folding handcart, like the Magna Cart and hooked the neck to the cart with a bungee cord.

Anybody else do that instead of a wheel? Anything to look out for besides jumping curbs?

 

[MytBrednec]

At some bluegrass festivals, I have seen a few folks using golf bag two wheel carts to move their bass around. Very little modification needed and some of them even played with their bass still strapped to the cart!

 

[Tom Lane]

I had a styrofoam semi-hardshell case until the zipper broke and I have a wheel, but now I use the bass buggy. I like it quite a lot. Check it out: http://www.gollihurmusic.com/product/2334-UPRIGHT_BASS_BUGGIE_BASS_TRANSPORTER_BASS_BUGGY.html

 

[Kamuilija]

I've used what they here call a "beer cart" as a very cheap alternative for a Bass Buggie. The good thing is, it's cheap and it's versatile: you can sling the bass on your back if you suddenly want to transport loads of beer . On the other hand, it's not very handy compared to the BB, so I ordered one of those last week.

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-Maksim

 

[fingerbun]

I've always thought this was a good idea, though not cheap.

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Right now not doing enough upright work to justify the cost but who knows what the future holds?

 

[DoubleMIDI]

I read about the double trolley that it was rather heavy. The Bass Buggie is only 1.5 kg. The "beer cart" might be somewhere in between.

For the "beer cart" or similar constructions you need a wide path to go with it. With the Bass Buggie (or Bass Stroller and similar constructions) the path doesn't need to be as wide. Better if you need to travel with trains etc. but also better if someone wants to pass you on the sidewalk.

 

[notabene]

I use a folding aluminum cart like the magna cart. You can get a similar one from "Costco" for $29. Works beautifully either for the bass, when that's all I need (classical) or for the speaker, amp, music stand for jazz, when the bass goes on my back. Curbs and stairs aren't a problem, just require attention. Folds and lives in the back of my car.

Steven Schuster

 

[robobass]

I've used what they here call a "beer cart" as a very cheap alternative for a Bass Buggie. The good thing is, it's cheap and it's versatile: you can sling the bass on your back if you suddenly want to transport loads of beer . On the other hand, it's not very handy compared to the BB, so I ordered one of those last week.


-Maksim

That's a heavy duty bag you've got there! What is it?

 

[M Ramsey]

I paid $7 for a used, two wheel, golf cart years ago at a local flea market. The wheels aren't pneumatic, but they do have a spring apparatus which helps the bass "float" a bit better when going over rough spots and bumps, curbs and such. Spent probably $10-$12 for a pack of various bungee cords and I was set.

I have hauled my bass around the lower areas of MerleFest in the past and got back home with no pulled back muscles, several times.

Best $7 I've ever spent.

 

[SAlcott]

I tried the two-wheeled thing for a while, and found my maneuverability (NYC sidewalks) to be greatly restricted. With two wheels, the center of your turning circle is where the wheels are, forcing you to follow the bass, but with the single endpin wheel, you can tilt and bank as you turn. If you use an endpin wheel, make sure your endpin is well fit and seated. And remember, a good pneumatic wheel will absorb a lot, but it won't absorb carelessness.

 

[Matt Ides]

After the rehearsal I had tonight it was nice out so I decided to walk home. I love the wheel so easy to move and get around with. I used a luggage cart once in a pinch, but wasn't all that thrilled with it.

Plus, the wheel fits perfect in the pocket on my bag.

 

[Feral Feline]

I tried the two-wheeled thing for a while, and found my maneuverability (NYC sidewalks) to be greatly restricted. With two wheels, the center of your turning circle is where the wheels are, forcing you to follow the bass, but with the single endpin wheel, you can tilt and bank as you turn. If you use an endpin wheel, make sure your endpin is well fit and seated. And remember, a good pneumatic wheel will absorb a lot, but it won't absorb carelessness.

I'm using the two-wheeled Bass Buggy in Hong Kong, so I imagine it's nearly as busy here or busier than NYC sidewalks (not been to NY, so wouldn't really know). What I find is that with a single endpin wheel you are constantly having to guide the bass on two axes, I found it a stressful PITB. Having the BB's second wheel almost lets you go into autopilot mode and one axis is far more relaxing than a single wheel's two axes. I can still turn the BB up on one wheel for sudden shifts in direction/tight cornering when necessary. So my experience is quite the opposite of yours, Salcott – I don't find manoeuverability restricted, but rather enhanced.

Prior to the BB I used backpack strap-equipped bass bags and still do. I can wheel up to stairs and shoulder the bass almost without breaking stride.

I tried the trolley/dolly thing when I first started on bass and that's what drove me to backpack straps and carrying it. A gig I got last year required playing while walking, which made the BB mandatory and I only wish I'd bought it sooner (I'd been looking at it, the Doubletrolley and similar for some time. The problem with re-purposed golfcarts, dollies, trollies etc for me is the bass travels width-ways, whereas the BB and Doubletrolley present those moving sidewalk obstacles with a narrower target profile.

Salcott, I can see how a wide golfcart/trolley/dolly setup would be a pain in NYC, but maybe give two-wheels a second (narrow) chance and you might find both manoeuverability and stability.

To each their own, whatever works. For me it's backpack straps and the BB.

 

[jon3673]

I was recently in a local shop having my EUB repaired. I told him that I was only considering use of the EUB as I got older and found it difficult to move my 7/8 size bass around. This led to a discussion of the difficulty encountered when a smaller person (like his wife) encountered difficulties moving an upright bass around. He showed me his solution, which was a BagBoy C-5 Golf Cart. It appears that any size bass will easily fit on this one without any modification. One might want to add a tie wrap device to help secure their instrument, but it does have a beer can holder, which makes getting to and from one’s gig much easier!
I found a used one on eBay and had it shipped to me. It seemed to work perfectly for moving my bass around and, as it folds up, was not difficult to store in my car. The only problem that I have encountered with it was that another bass player friend saw it and convinced me to let him have it because he is presently encountering some physical problems moving his bass around, even though he has a removal end pin wheel.
I have just ordered a new one from GolfAce.com. Look at this ad. http://www.golface.com/cartc5.htm

 

[Kamuilija]

That's a heavy duty bag you've got there! What is it?

It's the Invalid Link Removed. I paid 550 € for it a few years ago, and it's worth every Eurocent.

PS. The Bass Buggie arrived. I'm even happier than before

 

[knutmo]

I made a used foldable golf-cart into a bass-cart. Real cheap solution and it works.

 

[bengreen]

New bass buggy user after years of wheels. Mixed feelings.

It does deliver everything it advertises:

-- Fast, easy putting it on and off the bass. Actually faster, less fuss than swapping wheel and endpin.
-- No chance of forgetting or losing endin.
-- Pretty stable so less work moving, i.e. you're not constantly working to keep bass from rotating.
-- No more dancing around to prevent bass rolling away from you when opening/closing car/house doors and hatches.
-- Ability to pull bass behind you as an option. Though if you have 5 Sloanes like me, neck's a bit heavy.

But...(you knew there was going to be a but):

-- This thing does not like curbs or rough surfaces.

Small, hard wheels provide zero shock absorption or ease rolling up (or down) over more than just a couple of inches of curb. The noise it make doesn't sound healthy or conducive to long life so I end up having to lift to take some of the weight off the wheels, which my back doesn't like. Yes I do have the cushion, but I'm talking about the beating the buggy itself is taking. Not sure what shocks the bass feels.

Other issue, because of the small wheels, it's possible to bang the lower bout against the corner of a typical curb if you try to roll over it.

-- Bungees have hard plastic ball ends which, flopping freely, can bang against the bass while you're pulling the strap up to the neck if the bass isn't bagged.

-- Construction doesn't look all that beefy or durable but I'm willing to be pleasantly surprised.

Mostly just wish this thing had larger, shock absorbing wheels.

PS Not sure I buy manufacturer's argument about wheels damaging blocks. Blocks are massive with large gluing surfaces and made to stand the weight of the bass, and stress from tail gut and playing.

Edges of the plates on the other hand are thin, fragile (i.e. think why you put those bumpers on), intentionally weakly secured with dilute hide glue that cures quite brittle, a quality that luthiers take advantage of when they need to separate joints.

PPS Tried a golf bag cart from the thrift store once in a bad back emergency when playing out of town and forgot my wheel. Don't expect to use it stock. You'll have to fabricate a cradle to stabilize the bass.

 

[Josh Kneisel]

I just lug mine in its bag from the trailer to the stage... I use bungies and a net to hold it safe in the trailer so I imagine as long as it fits on the cart and doesn't bounce to much you should be fine

 

[bassfran]

Folding aluminum two-wheeled cart for me. 1 short bungee attached to the bag handles and around the back of the cart and away I go.

I like the idea of a modded golf bag cart but they're likely too wide for doorways, elevators, and public transit for my everyday use.

 

[Anton Avis]

I was lucky recently to see Rodney Whitaker with a Michigan State faculty quartet...he was amazing as was the rest of the group.

At the end of the night, Rodney bagged up his bass and put it on a folding handcart, like the Magna Cart and hooked the neck to the cart with a bungee cord.

Anybody else do that instead of a wheel? Anything to look out for besides jumping curbs?

I would use a wheel. It's cheaper to buy and trolleys make you look daft.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

Single wheels put a lot of force on the lower block.
A bass buggie with a damping rubber foam mat is healthier to the bass and nice in public transport.