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Leaving the bass in the car

J

J.Nuno

Aug 8, 2010
362
45
Portugal
#1
One day every week I have to take my bass to work, so that in the end of the day I can take it to my lesson. The thing is, at work the car is parked outside and I was wondering if leaving the bass there all day could harm the bass.
Right it has been raining a lot, but when sunny days come, should I take it inside with me?

Note: The bass is in a bass bag (not hard case) and is on the trunk of the car. Cold days: 8-17 ºC , Hot days: 25-30 ºC.
 
#2
I'd be careful. I would leave my MusicMan in the car and the fluctuation of hot and cold caused the finish to start cracking and peeling. Plus you can warp the neck if its humid/moist enough. Leaving it for a day or overnight here and there won't do it but (from firsthand experience) wouldn't make a habit out of it. When in doubt, bring it inside.
 
#4
I'd never ever ever ever ever do that. The outside temperature might be 25-30 degrees centigrade, but your car heats up when it's in the sun. Same goes for cold days. Plus: what if it got stolen?

Take it with you as much as you can. Amps can be left in a car (well, not when the car's cooking inside) but basses don't like that.
 
#5
Yet, moisture aside (there's no trace of that data in the OP post) the temperatures he mentioned aren't that harmin' at all.

By the way, the advice to keep it with you whenever you can,
is the best possible.

Cheers,
Wallace
 
#6
 
#8
BassAgent said:
I'd never ever ever ever ever do that. The outside temperature might be 25-30 degrees centigrade, but your car heats up when it's in the sun. Same goes for cold days. Plus: what if it got stolen?

Take it with you as much as you can. Amps can be left in a car (well, not when the car's cooking inside) but basses don't like that.
Click to expand...

It won't get stolen, the parking lot has security guards :)

But, based on your advice, either way I think it's better to bring it inside and keep it in the locker (although summer time seems more alarming than the current cold season).
 
#13
The key is to keep the environment as consistent as possible to minimize stress on the neck. It probably Ok to leave it in the car on an overcast day with no rain. Sun will easily heat the car interior to 50 C or so, rain will inevitably add moisture. It is however unlikely there will be any permanent damage unless you expose the instrument to sudden temperature changes.
 
#15
I used to be in the same situation: I'd bring my gear to work once a week and go directly to rehearsal. I never left my guitar in the car, regardless of the weather. EVER. Sure, the people at the reception desk look at you a little funny carrying your briefcase, lunch, and a guitar case (or gig bag). But it's worth the piece of mind that it will not get stolen and there will be no negative effects from the weather, hot or cold. Look at it this way: leaving it in the car will not make your bass player any better and are you certain that it will not affect it?

Besides, having your bass in the office is a conversation starter for the new accounting intern, who happens to be female and kinda cute. :D
 
#19
Thanks far all the answers guys.


gordon5377 said:
Sure, the people at the reception desk look at you a little funny carrying your briefcase, lunch, and a guitar case (or gig bag).
Click to expand...

To be honest, being a shy guy, this probably the biggest problem for me :). I do have a locker where I can put it or even next to my desk, no problem. I also have to carry the laptop bag, the lunch bag... but it's only once a week so I wont leave it in the car anymore!
 

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