Double Bass Need suggestions for making a double bass easy to carry

[GretschWretch]

After a long layoff I am getting more immersed into gigging and acoustic music, which means (after too long) getting back into DB. And I am finding it hard to maintain control of the blamed things when I carry them. Except for the quarter-sizers all my DBs are viol-shaped, and there just isn't much purchase under those upper c-bouts for my fingers to grab (me carrying the bass from behind with the front facing outward), The finish is just too slick.

What I wish opinion on is, do you think there is anything to be gained by attaching velcro strips beneath the c-bouts to give my fingers something to dig into, and if yes, should I attach the velcro using the adhesive on the back of the strips? Or should I put double-sided tape on the bass and attach the velcro to the tape? What I do NOT want is for the velcro/tape to damage the finish if they must be removed.

A younger man would not be asking this, but halfway through my eighth decade I sometimes am finding those 3/4s too big a bear to wrestle with.

 

[Tom Lane]

Wheels!!! Failing that, a gig bag has handles.

 

[Leo Smith]

An Onyx wheel and a gig bag with handles.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

My bass is violin cornered, but I had a bass with gamba corners before I got this one. The easiest way to carry it short distances without the cases was to grab both bouts and carry it in front of me. These days, for longer trips, the bass buggy is a great option. I don’t use it with a case, but at the U I like to roll the bass around naked with the wheels strapped to it. Gets me where I’m going, and gets a lot of side eye in the process.

 

[MIMike]

I have a Mooradian bag for my 1/2 sided DB and it’s great quality with plenty of well placed handles.
If you need to carry it for any distance outside of a gig bag, what about using a glove, maybe one of those nitrile or vinyl dipped ones. They can be pretty grippy if they’re kept clean. When you arrive at your destination, just take it off and stuff it in your pocket.

 

[KohanMike]

Would this bass be a viable alternative ? (I mean, it looks like a double bass, kinda, yet 21" scale and 5.6 lbs.)

 

[Don Hergert]

I've been lucky enough to be able to use a Bass Buggy nearly the whole time I have played double bass. Given my mobility problems it's the only way I could schlep my DB. I actually lift my double bass extremely rarely.

I might add, there are some ground textures on which the Bass Buggy doesn't work, such as deep grass, deep loose dirt, sand or gravel. But most -- probably 95% -- of the time, I have no problems.

An alternative might be a cart, or some other wheel device for a double bass.

Avoiding lifting a double bass is very possible.

 

[klyph]

Just put a belt around the middle of the c-bouts, under the strings. Leave it slack, to allow for "handles". Remove it at your destination (or not). I would use a thick nylon web one with a plastic clasp. Get a sewing tape and measure so you get the right size. Also, it's not unusual for basses to have bumpers on the upper and lower bouts to protect the bass when laid on its side. these can be applied anywhere, including the underside of the top of the c bouts. But the belt is the simplest noninvasive method, and WAY easier than dealing with a case every time you want to move the bass. If you do use a bag, you can keep the belt in an accessory pocket.

EDIT: I know you play electric bass, if you have an extra strap kicking around you can use that, by joining the ends with a carabiner or keyring or something like that.

 

[Jason Sypher]

I like this belting idea. I was thinking more “yoga-strap” as they are long and extremely strong. I see no reason you can’t tie one on and leave it there. This gives you a strong handle at almost any position. What a great idea from klyph.

Amazon.com

 

[GretschWretch]

Wow! Eight replies overnight; deeply appreciated. From the replies I see I failed to provide some essential information, for which the blame all is on me. I do have bass bags (boy do I have bass bags; where did they all come from?) -- one of which has wheels -- and a bass buggy, either of which would likely come into play for a long-haul task such as to a gig (although I find a bass in a bag to be much more awkward and bulky than a bass not in a bag).

The scenario I had in mind in the OP was short-distance moving like from the stand to a workbench in another room or to outdoors where I could work in natural light. I carry the bass the way @Chris Fitzgerald does, and moving into my workshop I have to go down a short flight of steps, which makes clear sightlines ahead essential, which is another argument against the bag for that purpose. I just want something that will "strengthen" my grip on the c-bouts.

I will look into the gloves and strap suggestions. Thank you all for your insights.

 

[GretschWretch]

Would this bass be a viable alternative ? (I mean, it looks like a double bass, kinda, yet 21" scale and 5.6 lbs.)

View attachment 7245694

Intriguing, but why would I want one of these when I have THREE Bulgarian Plovdiv basses, all violin-shaped, 30" scale, and weighing 5.7 pounds? Seems kind of redundant.

 

[bassmanbrent]

I just want something that will "strengthen" my grip on the c-bouts.

I’ve seen people add a small strip of wood near the top of the C bout curve that acts very much like a violin corner when carrying the bass. Would that help in your situation?

 

[GretschWretch]

I’ve seen people add a small strip of wood near the top of the C bout curve that acts very much like a violin corner when carrying the bass. Would that help in your situation?

This bears looking into. It certainly is feasible. As with some other options, my chief concern would be marring the finish if I needed to remove the wood.

 

[Pings Bass]

bass buggy for me, but I've never done it naked like Chris. I generally try to avoid carrying it around much without a bag, but I'm ok grabbing it under the bout

 

[bassmanbrent]

This bears looking into. It certainly is feasible. As with some other options, my chief concern would be marring the finish if I needed to remove the wood.

I’m assuming hide glue was used on the ones I saw, but that’s an assumption. Gerard Samija (RIP) used contact cement for bumper installation and he insisted that they could be removed without damage. Maybe that could work… Bear in mind that I’m not a luthier though.

 

[Ron Lacey]

I have a violin cornered bass and I grab the neck at the shoulders with my right hand and the upper bout from the back of the bass on the G string side with my left and carry the bass turned sideways, I.e. the bridge pointing to my right, in the direction I’m going. The E string side is pulled into my torso. I’ve never felt like I didn’t have a firm grip and the bridge isn’t leading the way.

You can reverse your hands and grab the neck from the back and the bout from the front if that feels more comfortable. By grabbing the bout from the back ( or front) I have more to hold onto than the edge where the side pieces are joined.

 

[Jay Corwin]

Bass buggy here.

The first time I played a city gig where I had to park 487 blocks away from the venue was enough for me to want some wheels.

 

[Zooberwerx]

 

[turf3]

I would suggest putting a little "grip bar" on the upper side of each C bout, just under the corner. They won't have any acoustic effect because the corners are full of wood. Personally I'd probably use 1/4" belting leather, attach with contact cement, and use some Bullseye amber shellac to color it - fully reversible and unobtrusive in appearance. But you could also use wood glue (type TBD) and wood strips for a more permanent installation.

I too have noticed when I occasionally have played a gamba corner bass that it's really hard to get a reliable grip on the C bouts. All the suggestions of separate pieces of equipment aren't relevant to the majority of times you just need to pick the thing up and move it a couple feet.