Double Bass How do you schelp your amp? (DB Forum Thread)

[dbase]

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

Bass over left shoulder, cart handle in right hand. Electrical spool and tiny pedal board inside the upturned stool when I bring them. When a stand is needed the case handles hang on the front stool legs.

 

[fdeck]

Similar package. The stool is a drum throne that was given to me. I extended it by replacing its post with a piece of aluminum rod from McMaster-Carr. It basically takes some of the weight off my feet when I'm playing.

 

[Wasnex]

For touring I used a fairly large rack rig. 16sp rolling rack and an Eden D210XLT in a flight case with castors. No need to limit the carry to one trip. We use a cargo truck and band members were organized into to different crews for unloading and setup. My upright travelled in a coffin case.

For more casual/local gigs I bought a GK 700RB/112 combo. This amp tilts back onto a pair of built in castors and has a telescoping handle. It works fairly well for short distances, but it was not really ideal if parking was a long ways off. The wheels are too small and the handle is too short.

Usually when parking is too far, I was able to unload at the venue and then park. As necessary, the bandleader coordinated with the venue to make this possible.

Same model amp as mine (so you get the idea).

I had a duffle bag for my cables, accessories, books, stands, etc that sat on top of the amp. Also my garment bag hung across the front of the amp, with the straps wrapped around the handle.

Easy one trip load-in as long as the volume requirements were relatively low. For louder gigs I had to bring and extension cab, which required an additional trip.

 

[Kenan]

If I'm bringing an amp, I'll load it and the bass on a small Rock'n'Roller cart. If I'm not bringing an amp, I'll usually use the bass buggie. I have a pretty heavy Kay in a pretty heavy Reunion Blues bag, so I try to avoid having it over my shoulder for more than a block. I too usually have to park some blocks away from the venue (if I'm not walking) and don't like to double park.

 

[Wasnex]

My preferred stool with optional bag:

 

[Jeff Kissell]

I use the same folding cart as Chris that I got way back in the last century, 112 cab with amp/gigbag on top. Bass with shoulder strap. I might use a wheel if it's paved and further than 4-5 blocks. (The wheel is a drag on stairs.)

 

[bassmanbrent]

This may be the same one that Chris Fitzgerald uses... They've gone up in price since I bought mine, but it is still going strong after many years of service (20+ if I had to guess).

72575-folding-hand-truck

 

[Nashrakh]

Aw crap, I meant to post this on the double bass side!!!

Interestingly enough, my post still applies, but my pedalboard is much smaller. Just a preamp and a HPF on there, as minimal as it gets.

Still carry the bass on my back, and I've heard people compare me to a giant beetle when I do that. Which is not the most unflattering comment I've ever received, so I count that as a win. Apparently, a guy carrying a double bass on his back is such an unfamiliar sight around here, it slows traffic and makes kids ask you what the hell that monstrosity in a bag is.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

This may be the same one that Chris Fitzgerald uses... They've gone up in price since I bought mine, but it is still going strong after many years of service (20+ if I had to guess).

72575-folding-hand-truck

Looks like the same basic design. I’ve been through several different ones at the beginning leading to this one, which is the keeper. The way it folds down quickly and has the built in bungee wrap has made it the clear winner and it lives in the back of the CRV strapped down and waiting for use. IIRC, I bought it at a camera store here locally.

 

[bucephylus]

edit: this was meant to be posted on the double bass side amps forum. Mods you can delete this or if people are interested in continuing this discussion be my guest. Obviously this topic is a bit less relevant with an bass guitar on your back versus an upright.

Assuming that you are using an amp: How do you schlep your gear?

I've always been a little obsessed with portable amps. I gig 2-3 times a week sometimes in cities where I'm parking several blocks away. Rarely I'll take public transportation. Making 2 trips is sometimes impossible so I've always used a shoulder bag - 1st with a GK mb150 and then with a succession of other small rigs. The shoulder bag seems the easiest to me as it leaves one hand free to open doors etc. I see lots of players with much bigger rigs than mine and wonder how they can stand to deal with that regularly.

Curious how others deal with the schlep. Also if you 1 hand your amp or use a luggage cart, how do you deal with doors? The few times I've done that it was always akward: set amp down, open door, hold with foot, reach back to grab amp, try to squeeze bass through while dragging amp and holding foot on door...

I still think the MB150 is the deal for upright gigs; even if GK has somehow decided to discontinue it. My vote is GK MB150 with a shoulder bag; though I tend to just carry mine in the free hand.

 

[Ric Vice]

One Kolstein Busetto Travel Bass, a Traynor SB 106, with RedEye preamp, cords, etc. in pocket. Wheel of cheese extension cord, and Gator Frameworks stool if needed. MAS 1/8 with Headway EDB-2 H.E. for larger venues. I have a really cheap Milwaukee folding cart for long distance schleps that I bought at Home Depot .

 

[Ed Fuqua]

Bass on a Gaines wheel, AI in a MarkBass backpack, and a GK MBX112 carried by hand strap on top.
The nice thing about NYC was just having to deal with the bass, I could play most gigs acoustically, those I couldn’t generally had a house system and competent sound people.

 

[uprightbass.com]

Apparently, a guy carrying a double bass on his back is such an unfamiliar sight around here, it slows traffic and makes kids ask you what the hell that monstrosity in a bag is.

Yes that was college for me EVERY DAY. And then the mocking question of "don't you wish you took up the (insert cello or smaller instrument here) instead?"

 

[bassmanbrent]

"don't you wish you took up the (insert cello or smaller instrument here) instead?"

My stock answer to anyone that asks me that question is... "Wow, you are the first person who's ever asked me that!"

 

[notabene]

When I get asked (carrying a bass), don't you wish you played piccolo? , I can honestly reply "when I carry a piccolo, it normally means I'm probably carrying , perhaps, a bari sax, tenor, alto, soprano, flute, clarinet, bass clarinet. I don't get may marching parade gigs.

 

[Lee Moses]

And then the mocking question of "don't you wish you took up the (insert cello or smaller instrument here) instead?"

My stock answer to anyone that asks me that question is... "Wow, you are the first person who's ever asked me that!"

In fairness, at the particular moment when I'm hauling that monstrosity along with whatever else, I tend to agree with the person asking the question.

 

[Matt Power]

I am able to fit my Clarus SL and cables in a shoulder bag, carry bass and GR Bass AT110. For a longer travel, then I add a bass buggy.

 

[BassinCT]

Bass on a wheel in front of me, amp and gear bag (with drum throne, iPad, power, etc.) on a cart behind me. I am carrying a bit too much and should get a small combo amp, but I’m managing fine for now.

 

[Dr. Love]

If I can, I pull up as close to the door as possible then unload the amp and cable bags, then come back and get the upright, then park. Loading out is the reverse: bass first, then amp/bags. My logic is if someone is going to try to steal something, it'll be harder to get the bass out of the car than it is to grab a bag and run.

If I can't do that, I use a cart.