Hi guys, I´m from Spain and I am looking for a new bass so I will travel to Netherlands,Rotterdam. I will try to find a good bass in René Zaal shop. However, I need to know which is the best way to transport a bass across europe. If you could help me that would be great, thanks.
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Double Bass Shipping in Europe
- Thread starter ShinoNara
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- doublebass europe shipping
Based on weight alone it would be somewhere close to 60€ when insured to max 5.500 €. But the size fall outside of the standard pricing. And if you’re traveling all the way to Rene for a bass, you might also want a higher insurance?
Yes, the idea is to travel to Rotterdam in order to buy a bass there, but I´m not sure if the best option is to return by plane and to pay a shipping company so that they bring it here or to bring it by train. Should I talk to Correos? Do you think that it would help?
60€ seems extremely cheap
60€ seems extremely cheap
I can’t find any clear online answers on the size limits. You might need to hire a specialised courier between Rotterdam and Spain. There are lots of those traveling between the Rotterdam harbour and Spain. Finding one you trust with your bass is the hard part. Maybe Rene Zaal has a suggestion?
I'd move it by train.
You'll need to get a case, but won't you want one anyway?
You'll need to get a case, but won't you want one anyway?
I Will finally use the bus option. René told me that I can maybe put the bus Next to me, which a very safe option. Thanks
Since i have moved basses around Europe for fifteen years here's my (barely) $0.01.
The first rule is to have a robustly made box to transfer the bass. In the box you will put the instrument with the strings detuned, the bridge off the strings and the soundpost down. The bass has to be well stabilised in the box, with rolled carton reinforcements placed properly and with foam bubbles in the sensitive places (mainly the neck).
It is understood that the box must be easily inspected by any authorities in border crossing, so the closing of the box has to be safe but easily opened and closed.
If you plan to travel with the bass the best solution is any bus service which operates around Europe (is FlixBus).
The instrument will be placed in the baggage compartment and you will take it safely out in Spain.
From the other hand if you plan to send the bass alone please choose any decent cargo company which operates between the two countries. Make clear to them that the are going to carry an extra fragile instrument and buy an insurance higher than the instrument's cost giving them the insurance's details.
They are going to be extra careful.
Following these simple rules you'll have your bass safe in your country.
If you opt for the bus service the cost of transporting your bass is very low, since it is considered a bulk baggage of the passenger.
If you choose the cargo service the cost is going to be less than 200 euros. As i remember transporting a bass from the Czech republic to Greece i paid 150 euros.
Best wishes from Greece
Mike
The first rule is to have a robustly made box to transfer the bass. In the box you will put the instrument with the strings detuned, the bridge off the strings and the soundpost down. The bass has to be well stabilised in the box, with rolled carton reinforcements placed properly and with foam bubbles in the sensitive places (mainly the neck).
It is understood that the box must be easily inspected by any authorities in border crossing, so the closing of the box has to be safe but easily opened and closed.
If you plan to travel with the bass the best solution is any bus service which operates around Europe (is FlixBus).
The instrument will be placed in the baggage compartment and you will take it safely out in Spain.
From the other hand if you plan to send the bass alone please choose any decent cargo company which operates between the two countries. Make clear to them that the are going to carry an extra fragile instrument and buy an insurance higher than the instrument's cost giving them the insurance's details.
They are going to be extra careful.
Following these simple rules you'll have your bass safe in your country.
If you opt for the bus service the cost of transporting your bass is very low, since it is considered a bulk baggage of the passenger.
If you choose the cargo service the cost is going to be less than 200 euros. As i remember transporting a bass from the Czech republic to Greece i paid 150 euros.
Best wishes from Greece
Mike
Hi Mike, thanks for your post.
I will finally go for the Flixbus option ( I have bought the tickets ). Maybe there is a possibility of going with the bass Next to me If there is not many people in the bus. I won't take the box option because It is expensive and I won't use it again... I have talked to the Luthier and he told me that It won't be a huge problem if I protect the bass with some materials and I try to hold It to somewhere with strings
- Aug 1, 2005
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I haven't tried taking a bass on Flixbus, but did use them in an emergency this summer when our car broke down in Bordeaux. It was surprisingly civilized. The guys were super friendly and professional, although we didn't have any languages in common. I think they are mostly Eastern European. I doubt they would let you buy a seat for the bass - the interior is comfortable, but crammed to maximize efficiency. But, unlike with a plane, you can stand there with them while they load and unload the hold. I would feel comfortable letting the bass go into the luggage compartment in a soft case, but first spend some time with the crew and build a rapport. At their prices, if you felt like you were catching attitude, then just book yourself on the next one! Naturally get insurance.
