Double Bass Hard Case with Wheels, or Bass Wheel?

[Ryker_M]

I've finally snapped. I've had enough of carrying a bass in its bag around. Too many close encounters with the top of doors, and jamming my fingers squeezing through narrow opening and crowded hallways.

Which option would most of you opt for, given an infinite opportunity. A hard case with wheels (which in my opinion, is the safer option. I haven't seen a cellist break their neck carrying their instrument in one of those); or a bass wheel/buggie/cart/transportation device, that you just sit the bass in, and move it around?

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Are you talking about a flight case, like an upscaled version if a cellist's hard case?

If so, look forward to seven feet of fun and adventure. Eat your Wheaties.

The fabric-covered hard foam cases are almost as bulky and roughly as durable as a wet paper towel. Waste of money IMO.

 

[Ryker_M]

Are you talking about a flight case, like an upscaled version if a cellist's hard case?

If so, look forward to seven feet of fun and adventure. Eat your Wheaties.

The fabric-covered hard foam cases are almost as bulky and roughly as durable as a wet paper towel. Waste of money IMO.

I am referring to something similar to a cellist's hard case, just not quite as flight ready. But if the foam cases (the much cheaper ones) are as terrible as you say they are, I'll save the money. But having seen a neck be cleanly broken on a bass before by hitting it in a door frame, I'm still nervous. I have horrible situation awareness lol.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

I believe there is a bass trunk similar to mine listed on Toronto Craigslist right now. The seller wants far, far more than its worth but at least you could look at it and get a sense of scale.

When I bought mine over the summer I had to get it onto the Manhattan subway to Grand Central Station in order to bring it on the train headed upstate. Quite a workout.

It barely fit diagonally into the bed of my Silverado.

 

[SVT4001]

You must also be mindful of what happens to the case when it is not in use- be it at the gig or in your house, it is going to take up a LOT of space!

I too have hit the tops of doors, too many times- and I have a rather delicate C extension up there! I'm terrified I'm gonna tear it off one of these days!

That said, I have one of those bass buggies that the Gollihurs sell- LOVE IT!!! I still have to pick my bass up to go through those doors, but it's a big help for long schleps!

Joe

 

[Phil Smith]

I've finally snapped. I've had enough of carrying a bass in its bag around. Too many close encounters with the top of doors, and jamming my fingers squeezing through narrow opening and crowded hallways.

Which option would most of you opt for, given an infinite opportunity. A hard case with wheels (which in my opinion, is the safer option. I haven't seen a cellist break their neck carrying their instrument in one of those); or a bass wheel/buggie/cart/transportation device, that you just sit the bass in, and move it around?

The sheer bulk of a hard case just isn't practical for every day use. You're complaining about crowded hallways, they would seem even more crowded with a hard case.

 

[bobsax]

I,m looking into a wheel but honestly they all seem to expensive for what they are.
Has anybody made one from scratch?

 

[Michael Eisenman]

I'd stop by Costco and look at their MagnaCart. It's a well-built, collapsible/foldable hand truck that is rated at 150 lbs and is only $20. I use one to haul my cabs, and I'd bet you can bungie a bass to it nicely (in the gig bag, unless you added padding to the cart). Seriously.

 

[MikeCanada]

Most of these kind of cases, even if they are Carbon Fiber, are still really heavy, bulky, and awkward to move around.

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This one, in their 100% Carbon Fiber model is 16kg. Their hybrid is 22kg. That's roughly 35 and 49 pounds respectively. If you think your bass is difficult to get around now, adding a small child of weight to it definitely isn't going to make stairs, streetcars, subways, taxis etc. any easier.

I have a wheel, and I love it. I used a shoulder strap for a lot of years until the stitching started to pull out of my bag. As a bassist, you end up sacrificing protection for practicality. Try to be a little more aware of your surroundings, and develop a very good "I WILL KILL YOU IF YOU GET ANY CLOSER TO MY INSTRUMENT" glare, and a good padded bag with a wheel or a shoulder strap really is your best option.