Double Bass How do you keep your bass safe from the rain?

[nayatiates]

TLDR: Can't avoid moving my bass through rainy weather. What accessories could I get to keep it from getting wet?

Hi all! I'm in a bit of a predicament...

Moving my instrument through any kind of rainy weather has always been a dreadful experience, and I am sure that many of you feel similarly. With the severe weather slated to hit Texas this week, coupled with a few rehearsals and gigs I'm lined up for, right now I am especially anxious about allowing my bass to see the outdoors.

I can sometimes avoid or minimize the time I have to spend in the rain. However, in most of these situations, having to walk far enough to where my bass case gets soaked enough to need airing out is frequently unavoidable. Even with an XL umbrella I am never able to fully cover everything. And my case is nowhere near water resistant.

I'd like to be better prepared for this scenario in the future, so I was wondering what solutions others have found to protect their basses from the rain. I've read in a previous TalkBass thread about the Contracover, but they only have 3/4 sizing available and I'm unsure if it would fit my 5/8 properly. Others have mentioned using contractor bags, disposable ponchos, and I assume some others might use tarps and bungee cords.

What methods do you use to protect your bass from the rain? How do you manage to attach everything to your case?
Also, if anyone here has experience with the Contracover, what did you think, and how was the fit?

Thank you,

Nayati

 

[Mark_T]

I have a Contracover. It's baggy in places even a bit on my slightly larger bass, and it's sort of a hassle to use - I have to take off the case strap to put the cover on, then replace the strap. The holes for things aren't quite in the same place to match my case, and the case is a little awkward to work with.

That said, if I have to carry my bass in the cold or rain more than a few blocks, it is worth it to have for protection. It's good protection and the extra time and hassle is worth it to keep my bass safe, in my opinion.

 

[turf3]

Hefty Contractor Bags. Cheap, reliable, and if it gets a hole or lost it's no biggie.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

Get a good quality bass bag. It should have water repellent qualities. I use a Moorordian and a Tuff bag
and have had no problems over many years.

 

[Don Hergert]

A nicely cushioned bass bag is the standard answer... With a true 5/8 double bass, it should fit in a 3/4 size bag fine, with some extra space for your next -- 3/4 sized -- double bass.

The only problem IS that unless it's leather or some other waterproof material, in a heavy rain storm eventually Cordura and even a Gortex covered bass bag will soak through, I know mine would.

I like the ideas that have been mentioned of a poncho or a trash bag outer lining. Maybe some pieces of adhesive Velcro in certain places to keep things in place.

This however won't help if you're getting baseball sized hail as I'm seeing in some parts of Texas. Best of luck with that, don't forget your helmet!

 

[loukash]

This is how I'm usually transporting my bass locally, i.e. within the radius of ±10 km:

When it rains – like yesterday – I simply wrap it in plastic foil.
Other than that, living in a European city and region with very dense public transportation system where it rarely takes more that 5 minutes walk to get on the next bus, streetcar or train, the chances are low that the bag will ever get completely soaked when I carry it as a backpack.

 

[bassfran]

When necessary I’ve wrapped a lightweight tarp around the bag secured with bungee cords.

 

[Stewie]

Mattresses arrive at the stores in large clear plastic bags. If the store delivers, you can ask them to save you a bag or two. Cheap, and these bags are fairly rugged too

 

[klyph]

Mattresses arrive at the stores in large clear plastic bags. If the store delivers, you can ask them to save you a bag or two. Cheap, and these bags are fairly rugged too

You can simply buy them at any Uhaul. They carry cheap clear ones and thicker, more expensive ones. Dust collection bags used in woodworking shops also do the trick, if you know anyone who works in a cabinet/furniture shop.
If I were gigging on upright and expected serious inclement weather, I would pack an extra just in case one rips…

 

[Alexis Duntov]

TLDR: Can't avoid moving my bass through rainy weather. What accessories could I get to keep it from getting wet?

Hi all! I'm in a bit of a predicament...

Moving my instrument through any kind of rainy weather has always been a dreadful experience, and I am sure that many of you feel similarly. With the severe weather slated to hit Texas this week, coupled with a few rehearsals and gigs I'm lined up for, right now I am especially anxious about allowing my bass to see the outdoors.

I can sometimes avoid or minimize the time I have to spend in the rain. However, in most of these situations, having to walk far enough to where my bass case gets soaked enough to need airing out is frequently unavoidable. Even with an XL umbrella I am never able to fully cover everything. And my case is nowhere near water resistant.

I'd like to be better prepared for this scenario in the future, so I was wondering what solutions others have found to protect their basses from the rain. I've read in a previous TalkBass thread about the Contracover, but they only have 3/4 sizing available and I'm unsure if it would fit my 5/8 properly. Others have mentioned using contractor bags, disposable ponchos, and I assume some others might use tarps and bungee cords.

What methods do you use to protect your bass from the rain? How do you manage to attach everything to your case?
Also, if anyone here has experience with the Contracover, what did you think, and how was the fit?

Thank you,

Nayati

I just bought a contra cover and I’m waiting for the next rainy day to test it out. Someone mentioned having trouble with the straps, but I live in the city so I use a bass buggy to roll my way to gigs. But you can thread the strap around the cover. Walking home from rehearsal a few weeks back in heavy rain convinced me I needed something solid. I have an old Mooradian bag that was pretty soaked. Even if my bass didn’t get too wet, the bag took a while to dry out. Don’t want to deal with that again.

ContraCover

ContraCover is a water resistant cover to protect your double bass case from wet weather. ContraCover acts like a raincoat to add protection for your instrument and gear.

www.contracover.com

 

[blastoff]

in the film industry we use these giant heavy duty plastic bags called "Bag-Its" to cover lighting instruments and carts for stowage in the elements. not exactly cheap, but would do nicely to keep one on hand for inclement weather. not as cool as contra cover but could be an option.

 

[Ed S]

Yep - Tuff Bag is pretty water resistant. If pouring out and I'll be in it for any time, trash bag over the top.