I need advice, going to college

I'd stay with the Jazz. The Hofner tone does nothing for me.

 

Wait - you live in Boston and are going to college in Oregon? Isn't that backwards? hehehe

I'd worry less about the trip out to Oregon and more about the college scene. A LOT of theft occurs in the dorms. I wouldn't bring anything nice out there until you know your situation. Heck, order an SX bass to be shipped there for the first few months. When you find a band and start playing with them and see where instruments can be kept safe, etc, then when you come back after the holidays you can see about bringing you Geddy - or buying a Hofner.

edit: also, these days if you are flying with a bass, make sure it's in a flight case. A hardshell case won't do. I've flown with basses before in hardshells and luckily the basses (study bolt on style) were fine, but the cases didn't survive! They must have thrown 100 pound suitcases 20' and landed directly on the case! They cracked and broke a couple of my cases. Again, luckily the basses survived with little to no damage. I wouldn't trust a set neck violin bass in those hands though!

 

Why not just buy the Hofner in Portland? I think if you buy a hardshell case you'll be OK. Also if the Hofner sounds better to your ears, then I don't think there should be any question about what bass you should get.

 

Where are you going? I've always regretted turning down the scholly to UP... I even honeymooned at Mt. Hood, I love it so much up there.

Back on topic, you might consider buying it in Boston and shipping it to yourself in Portland. You can ensure it's packaged to the shipper's specs and insure it, etc. Seems like airlines are terrible with instruments.

 

keep the geedy and while your there get a brice mock hofner from rondo

 

Good luck with everything. Instead of flying with whatever your bass-of-choice happens to be, how about having it shipped to you once you're there?

 

Ashtray offered some good advice. Part of the reason for rampant theft in dorms is that you will get a roommate that doesn't see a need to lock the door to your room. That makes an easy target for the dorm thief.

 

Why do you have to fly with it? Just have your parents ship either of those basses to you once you get to Oregon.

Having said that, I think that Ashtray's post was brilliant and he offered some VERY great points of advice. Just my .02.

 

If you are NOT a music major, or you are not planning on immediately starting to gig locally, then I'd keep the Geddy.. at home for now. Get the Hofner or some other beater bass in Portland after you move out there.

You'd be amazed at how much can go in in a college dorm room or apartment. The last thing you'll want is to have your baby walking off or being destroyed.

If you find that you are getting into a band, and want to have the Geddy back, then you can deal with that issue later down the road.

 

send me the geddy, buy a cheapo bass out there and I'll give it back when you come home from college. There, problem solved.

 

I spent a year in a dorm room with a Bongo, my Daion, and my roommate's Pedulla Thunderbolt. The following year, I had an Alembic Series I, my Daion, and a Fender fretless. Nothing bad happened to any of them.

As long as you're mindful about locking your door, and make it clear to your roommate that you expect the same, you should be fine.

As for the transport issue, fly the Geddy out with the body and neck detached, and sell it in Portland if you want to get the Hofner.

 

Lewis and Clark isn't exactly the local community college so I'm sure your stuff will be fine.

 

Even at fancy private schools, theft can be an issue - so don't feel overly protected at any point. (btw, I'd suggest getting a lock&cable for your laptop computer, and a lockable storage trunk for other valuables - throw a pair of 100 pound weighs in there to ensure no one's walking off with the entire trunk)

I'd still recommend getting the lay of the land before bringing anything valuable out there. It's more to do with roommates and habits, etc. What your plans are for when you go to use the shower/bathroom (lock the door everytime and shower with your keys?) - and what to do when your buddy down the hall is showing you something in his room. You/your roommate will not be locking the door everytime you're not in there.

Beyond theft is accidents. Dorm rooms are small spaces. (basses have long necks, do the math) Then there's the countless people who will come into your room and either know how to play bass, or don't know but decide to pick your bass up anyways without asking. And then there are people that might want to borrow it, etc... the list goes on and on!

It's piece of mind to keep an inexpensive instrument there if you don't know where you're living, or who you're living with. Once you get your own space/room, you can bring down the big guns.

 

I played a '63 Hofner and always liked it's tone but didn't like the neck dive because it's not really a balanced instrument. When I switched to a Jazz Bass, I found the tone to be more versatile. I would like to pickup a Hofner some time to be able to get that tone but IME, the Jazz will do you fine.

+1 on leaving your nice bass at home getting a cheap, gigging bass for college.

Btw, what rig will you be gigging with?


Good luck.

 

I agree, buy an SX and bring it out there with you until you get settled.

 

I know this was mentioned here, but I'd keep the Geddy at home and get a SX for the first year in the dorm, then if you feel secure enough, have your parents send the Geddy and sell the SX for what you paid for it, but do yourself a favor, don't assume that because someone said the dorm is "safe", it is. A Geddy Lee Jazz would be a prime target, and once it's gone.....it's gone for good!

 

+1 to all of this. The community aspect of dorm-life is great, except that it's pretty much impossible to lock your door ALL the time. Stuff happens. Beer will be spilled and someone will decide that your bed is perfect for trying to launch yourself to the ceiling at 3 AM. Don't be shocked to find out that this person will likely be you, too!

Get a beater and wait and see if its safe or worth it to bring the baby over.

 

I'd order a cheapy SX violin bass copy and have it delivered to your dorm. As said before, a lot of theft happens in the dorms. Plus, it'll save you the hassle of putting it on the plane.

Either that, or pay $20 and pack and ship your bass to your dorm - it'll be safer than in the cargo of a plane.