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Double Bass Magna Cart anyone?

Jay Corwin

Jay Corwin

Supporting Member
Jan 29, 2008
4,672
5,815
Sanborn, NY
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#1
I have some disc problems in make carrying large objects for long periods very difficult. Now that I'm gigging with my double I've quickly come to realize that having to carry my bass a few city blocks to get to a venue isn't really gonna work well for me.

I was thinking about buying one those folding hand trucks that are about 40 bucks to do the job. Maybe home depot some foam and bungees on it. I know there are more specific products out there, but I can't see dropping a couple of hundred bucks on what amounts to two plastic wheels and a base.

Does anyone have any experience or input on this?

http://www.amazon.com/Magna-Cart-Personal-Hand-Truck/dp/B000HVVSDU
 
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#2
I think it would be great on the streets, but if you want to take the instrument by bus or train something like a bass buggie, bass stroller or a bass wheel might be better.

Have a look where the endpin of your bass goes. It might be a hole in the plate, which is not bad, but if an edge is close it might damage something around the endpin.

In the german GeBa-online, I read about some bassists using carts like that for their basses.
 
#3
It's kind of overkill, before I got my endpin repair done (so that I could start using my Gaines wheel again) I got a $19.95 luggage cart from my neighborhood hardware store. In some ways it was better than a wheel - it would fit under the low ceilings at either end of the subway car, so I could pretty much get on anywhere on the train, it would STAND on its own - in some ways worse than a wheel - not as manuverable, I couldn't walk as fast as I usually do, when I'd have to use the shoulder strap to get up and down subway stairs the cart handle and wheels are just in the way. The base of the cart also stands proud of the ground, so that when at rest, the endpin/crutch tip is just resting on the floor. It looks like the base of the Magnacart is flush, so anytime you're not pushing the bass or you come full upright, the endpin will push the bass up off the bass and it will be your only point of balance.
 
#4
The MagnaCart is only $20 at Costco, and it's great. When you lift the plate, the wheels fold in, so the thing is really compact. I use it to haul my cabs around, and I've been thinking of how it might be used to move a bass (though I already have a Bass Buggy).

For $20, I'd give it a try; if it doesn't work out, you can use it for other items.
 
#6
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f236/bass-wheel-alternatives-804028/

I bought a folding cart similar to the Magna and immediately killed it. A friend has had one for a couple of years and the wheels no longer unfold and lock into place. YMMV, etc. etc.

My recommendation is to spend the money on a Bass Buggie and be done with it. Aside from a bent axle after several years of hard use (which was repaired) I love the thing and seldom leave home without it.
 
#7
sevenyearsdown said:
but I can't see dropping a couple of hundred bucks on what amounts to two plastic wheels and a base.
Click to expand...

I couldn't either! That's why I use a folding hand truck. Mine is similar to the Magna cart, and it works great. My sister-in-law sewed a couple straps on the bass bag that slip over the cart, so, I don't need straps or bungee cords. It will stand on it's own which is really convenient when opening doors. Plus the cart is handy for carrying amps and cabinets.

I also think some of the end pin wheels are a little high priced too. I think I could make a high quality end pin wheel using a 6 or 7 inch soft rubber caster from Harbor Freight, a bolt with the same diameter as the end pin, a nut, and couple washers all for about $20 and a hour of labor.

Ben
 
#8
Greg Clinkingbeard said:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f236/bass-wheel-alternatives-804028/

I bought a folding cart similar to the Magna and immediately killed it. A friend has had one for a couple of years and the wheels no longer unfold and lock into place. YMMV, etc. etc.

My recommendation is to spend the money on a Bass Buggie and be done with it. Aside from a bent axle after several years of hard use (which was repaired) I love the thing and seldom leave home without it.
Click to expand...

Does the bass buggie work with a bag on the bass? If it doesn't, it's pretty much useless for a guy lugging his bass around Buffalo in the middle of winter.

All of pics I see show it without a case.
 

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