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Double Bass NS Cleveland - Advice?

#21
mdcbass said:
I have a 2007 Toyota Matrix which runs fine, is good on gas and fits two basses but I don't like driving it. There's a blind spot on the passenger side and you can't see the end of the hood- common on newer cars sadly. As far as transporting the bass, you have to rest it on the side and I use a bunge cord to reduce tipping on turns. The surface on the seat back is very slippery, too. The Subaru is much better in the snow which might be especially nice for you. Is the snow melting yet?
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Funny you mention blind spots: the bane of my existence is lousy rearward visibility (especially for maneuvering in parking lots/congested traffic). One thing I like about the 1st gen. Matrix is that the window coverage is pretty good at the back corners -- much better than most current small wagons, including the current Matrix.

What exactly blocks your view of the end of the hood?

Snow? Long gone, the grass is green and the trees are in bud. Montreal's only an hour north of Vermont and upstate NY.
Anyway, I've never had much problem getting stuck in snow even with my front-wheel-drive puddle-jumper.
 
#24
Posed some questions to Arnold via email.

Sure enuf, shipping is prohibitive -- he guesses around $1000, including shipping their trunk back to them after I receive.

So it looks like I'm stalled until I change my car to something that can safely carry the bass that distance (without blocking gear shifts the whole way, crammed in the passenger seat of my tiny current car).

Oh yeah: I should order up passports for me & the wife.

- peter
 
#25
I got my bass from NYC to Edmonton for a little over $300. There is
no duty on "stringed instruments played with a bow. " You have to clear the bass through customs. You may act as your own customs broker. The invoice must provide q clear description and indicate the country of origin. If you drive, make sure you plan the crossing during government business hours.
 
#26
Ask about he removable neck option to a bass not yet built. The way long distance traveling is going, 30 years from now, a bass with a removable neck will be far more desirable than a bass without one.

There are ways to fit a DB into a small sedan. Otherwise, it's not that big of a problem to rent a hatchback car for a few days, and drive on down to the US. With the small cost of a car rental tossed in, you could re-examine the used basses options as well as the new bass option.
 
#28
Freddels said:
If you get the removable neck option (I believe Arnold stated in another thread that it was a $200 upgrade), you could take the neck off and it would easy fit in your small car to get it home.
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Wow! If that's all it costs, then that's a whole other deal. I had no idea it was so cheap. If that's the case, I could order the bass soon, pick it up whenever it's ready (in my current little car), and worry about switching cars at my convenience, later in the year.

I did send Arnold a second email asking what it costs, but I haven't heard back yet.

Are there any drawbacks to the removable neck that I should know of? Does it effect sound or structural integrity in any way I should be aware of?

TIA,

- peter
 
#29
The problem with seeing the end of the hood (nice when parking) results from the scooped design trend. My last three cars were Subaru wagons but in 2007 when my '94 Legacy died, I looked at the Imprezza. The Matrix was cheaper but you get what you pay for. I've attached pictures so you can compare the angle of the hood. In any event, you should be very thorough when test driving the car you want to haul the bass with.
 

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#31
mdcbass said:
The problem with seeing the end of the hood (nice when parking) results from the scooped design trend. My last three cars were Subaru wagons but in 2007 when my '94 Legacy died, I looked at the Imprezza. The Matrix was cheaper but you get what you pay for. I've attached pictures so you can compare the angle of the hood. In any event, you should be very thorough when test driving the car you want to haul the bass with.
Click to expand...

Hm. I see what you mean; but I already have a wedge-nosed car, and never really thought about not seeing the tip of the snout. I know by instinct if I'm going to touch something.

My concern with modern car visibility is (as I mentioned) rear corners, as well as that the "A" pillars -- on either side of the windshield -- are fatter and more obstructive than they used to be.

Glad to hear your opinions on the Suburus and the Matrix, thanks!
FWIW, my Toyota has been insanely -- almost mystically -- trouble-free.
 
#32
Freddels said:
Check out this thread:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f1/ultimate-travel-bass;-small-db-w-rn-614664/

And here:http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f1/airline-policies-flying-removable-neck-db-735708/#post10790539
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Terrific Fred. I'm going to have to keep you on retainer, to ensure this steady flow of council continues. :^) You've been really helpful!

I don't think there's much danger of me turning into a DB touring pro any time soon; so I don't think my priorities quite point me toward the Czech-Ease or Chadwick. (In the short term, I can always travel with my Eminence.)

But if I can get a removable-neck Cleveland for an extra $200, with no significant downsides, it's a done deal.

Does anyone know of any downsides, btw?? Tonal or structural...
 
#36
longfinger said:
concerning removable neck...

check out the bottom of this page.

Biography
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Thanks longfinger. Yeah, I had previously seen on his site that he does removable necks, although I'd never read this Bio page. Thanks!

As it happens, my primary goal is to have a big and loud pizz cannon; hence the choice of a Cleveland. For my current needs the removable neck is secondary -- although it'll certainly simplify getting the bass here in the first place. And will no doubt come in handy in the future.
 
#37
Got another response from Arnold:

He indicates that the bolt-on neck doesn't seem to have any downsides that he's aware of.

And he says that graphite in the neck "speeds response" -- as well as, obviously, stiffening and preventing bending.

So I'll be going for the graphite, as well as the removable neck.

Many thanks to everyone who had comments, suggestions and links -- it's been a great help to me.

Cheers all,

- Peter
 
#39
mdcbass said:
I'm sure you'll be very happy. Does he have it in stock or is there a wait?
Click to expand...

Thanks mdc. I didn't quite get that far; I still have to get my own stuff together before actually placing an order -- get a passport, figure out finances, etc.

If you're getting a Mooradian bag you might consider a carrying strap for those long walks to Metro stations. A wheel is another option.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't think I'll be doing much Metro travel; but I can figure out up here in Montreal what accessories will help me get around.

A nice a perk of the NS basses is that they're quite light.

Ciao

- p
 
#40
I thought of one other question:

I once read on some other thread that an angled pin is somehow helpful for slightly changing the center of gravity of a big bass, making it easier to handle.
Any opinions?
 

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