I am doing a few tours coming up that involve lots of driving and I want to take my bass but im a little nervous about it being okay through so much traveling. It's a Paesold German bass, fully carved, relatively new. Any tips on caring for the bass through the long rides? It's summer time so it will be relatively warm everywhere I'm going.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Double Bass Roading in the car
- Thread starter adarrell
- Start date
I would think that the temperature of the car cabins matters more than the outside temperature on a road trip.
Jake deVilliers
Commercial User
- May 24, 2006
- 6,349
- 607
- Disclosures
- Owner of The Bass Spa, String Repairman at Long & McQuade Vancouver
Attachments
Those black bass covers really soak up the solar radiation. I throw a white, wool blanket over my bass in the summer and winter. It reflects the sun and slows the change of temperature between the inside and outside of the instrument. It hides what is in the back of your car, too.
It's always good to have a wool blanket in the car anyway.
In the summer, it is good to throw the windshield reflector over the bass, as well. Hopefully you won't blind the person behind you in traffic.
If I stop to go into a store to pay for gas or grab a snack, I'll just leave the bass in the car with a window cracked open (I'll run the A/C at max for a few minutes to cool the car down first). If I am going into a restaurant or for a longer store shopping stop, I'll take the instrument in with me - it creates a little word-of-mouth advertising, too.
It's always good to have a wool blanket in the car anyway.
In the summer, it is good to throw the windshield reflector over the bass, as well. Hopefully you won't blind the person behind you in traffic.
If I stop to go into a store to pay for gas or grab a snack, I'll just leave the bass in the car with a window cracked open (I'll run the A/C at max for a few minutes to cool the car down first). If I am going into a restaurant or for a longer store shopping stop, I'll take the instrument in with me - it creates a little word-of-mouth advertising, too.
If I am going into a restaurant or for a longer store shopping stop, I'll take the instrument in with me - it creates a little word-of-mouth advertising, too.
I can see how that'd go walking into a restaurant...
"Hey, nice cello. Or is that an oboe?"
I live in the desert and my bass is in a hot vehicle a lot. There can be a big difference between indoors (a/c) and outside/car. There is no way around it (if i wanna play)! I have a ply with guts and I've never had any problems. I unbag it when I get to the venue to allow the bass temp to equal the room. Be prepared to tune.
Do not leave it in the vehicle. Bringing it in may be a P.I.T.A. but I think having it stolen or damaged from excessive heat is a bigger P.I.T.A.! I've ended up performing for patrons before. It's always good fun (sometimes get tips too)!
The light colored cover is a great idea btw. Gonna have to try that.
Do not leave it in the vehicle. Bringing it in may be a P.I.T.A. but I think having it stolen or damaged from excessive heat is a bigger P.I.T.A.! I've ended up performing for patrons before. It's always good fun (sometimes get tips too)!
The light colored cover is a great idea btw. Gonna have to try that.
These are all great recommendations. Thanks a lot guys.
I have a black bag for my bass so I suppose I will invest in a white wool blanket for these tours.
One of them is going from Massachusetts to Georgia so the temp (and humidity more so) will vary. The group is called Sons of Daughters if you'd like to check it out... (http://SonsOfDaughters.Bandcamp.com)
I have a black bag for my bass so I suppose I will invest in a white wool blanket for these tours.
One of them is going from Massachusetts to Georgia so the temp (and humidity more so) will vary. The group is called Sons of Daughters if you'd like to check it out... (http://SonsOfDaughters.Bandcamp.com)
