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Double Bass Kolstein bass stroller

M

mr.lipski

Jan 8, 2008
5
0
#1
Hi,

My pneumatic wheel is about at the end of its life and I'm looking to get a trolley. The Bass Buggy by KC strings looks ok but I'm not sure how long it'd last. The Kolstein bass stroller looks even better, but I'm not sure how it attaches.
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Can someone who's used it tell me how it works? Obviously the little clip goes around the endpin, but does the body of the bass just rest on the metal platform? If it's only being held on by gravity, doesn't it slide off when turning corners or negotiating objects like children, let alone lifting the bass onto trains and buses?

And how are the wheels? They look like they wouldn't be that great on cobblestones or anything rougher than, say, a polished wooden floor.
 
#2
Just wondered if you saw the thread a couple of lines down about the WheelBass?

I only launched it for sale last weekend, so am trying to raise profile at the moment.

The WheelBass came about after I had used a similar thing to the Kolstein one, but I wanted more protection for the instrument (doorframes etc).

The thread is called something like "New trolley idea..." or something like that.

www.wheelbass.co.uk

Good luck.
 
#4
I decided to make my own bass transporter and looked at different designs.

For the Bass Stroller you need to fix velcro at the bass bag (OK if you only use it with your basses, but some work to do). The BassBuggie needs a few more seconds and a bit more room to put on.

The BassBuggie is more stable against falling sideways, because the wheels have a larger distance. Also the wheels are larger and the rotation speed is lower.

Steering with the BassBuggie can get difficult (you need to react quickly if it to go left or right) if you push the bass in front of you, but is easy if you pull it at the neck behind you.
I have no experience with the Bass Stroller, but since it can go everywhere you need to control that it goes where you want.

The Bass Buggie is also very small (with the belts wrapped up) and light (between 1 and 2 kg). Could be a reason too, if you travel larger distances by train and need to remove the wheels.

So, personally I decided to make a slightly modified remake of the BassBuggie for myself (larger endpin plate with a large hole for my rubber plate, simpler, but probably more robust construction of the bass holding plate with the wheels).

I read somewhere here on Talkbass, that only the very first batch of BassBuggies had a little design flaw, that could break something after some years, but when it happend it was replaced immediately. So not a big risk, I think.

But you should not step onto the wheel plate, I think. (Even my construction might not be able to take 100kg...)
And it would be risky, even if it can hold the weight!

But I think selection is personal preference. Maybe my thoughts can help.
 
#5
FWIW - the Bass Buggie is very well engineered and built and should last a very long time. The wheels are essentially giant roller-blade wheels, and the frame is made of a strong, but flexible, composite. We've not heard any complaints of breakage or "wearing out" and we've been carrying them for a couple years now.
 
#6
mr.lipski said:
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Can someone who's used it tell me how it works? Obviously the little clip goes around the endpin, but does the body of the bass just rest on the metal platform? If it's only being held on by gravity, doesn't it slide off when turning corners or negotiating objects like children, let alone lifting the bass onto trains and buses?

And how are the wheels? They look like they wouldn't be that great on cobblestones or anything rougher than, say, a polished wooden floor.
Click to expand...

I've been using mine for 35 years, so yes, they last! Barry overhauled it 15 years ago for $20! The stroller is held on to the bass bag with velcro. The velcro can be attached to your bag with supplied glue, or you can use the glue and also sew the material to your bag for extra endurance. Rubber pads are glued to the inside of the bag to cushion the bass. I've had several bags in all this time and just get new velcro/pads to attach the stroller. I keep mine on the bag all the time, but the velcro allows it to be removed if necessary. My basses have had no structural problems due to this device.

The stroller wouldn't be great on cobblestones and doesn't work well on grass and gravel (because of the smallish wheels), but is fine on urban sidewalks.
 
#8
I spend quite a bit of time working in the same building where the Bass Buggies are made and can tell you that Rick has made subtle improvements to the design over the years. He told me he's only had a handful of failures and I honestly believe the design prevents damage to the bass by spreading the force caused by bumps. The soft plastic wheels, rubber cushion and bass bag all soften the blows. Generally, if somebody breaks the thing they would have probably broken their bass using a conventional wheel. After a few years of use I bent the axle and he quickly switched it out for a new one made of a stronger alloy.
I love mine and don't expect to change. Judging by the noises in his shop and stacks of Bass Buggies he's selling I am not alone.
 
#10
Eric, I've used the Buggie weekly for 4-5 years and can't remember a time when it was inconvenient. Well, other than that time I was p***ed and tired and threw my bass in the car sending the bungie ball through an upper rib? Rick told me that was a first.:(
Anyway, the Buggie measures 14.5" wide with each wheel/fender measuring about 2".
I suppose a small revolving door could be a problem but I've never had a problem.
Bumpy pavement, grass, escalators, yadayadayada are cake.
 
#11
I have no experience with any bass transport device except the Bass Buggie. Having said that, I don't know how or why I got along for so many years without one. Not only does it make transporting my bass a breeze instead of a chore, it appears to be very well constructed - I think it will outlive me.
 

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