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Double Bass Small cars that will carry an upright

#22
My '99 Altima works well as a bass-mobile. The big trunk fits the slab and the amp, as well as any unruly passengers :smug:

A question though--I lay my bass in the passenger seat with the scroll pointing back (no contact pressure on the neck or scroll though). With it like this, I still have a clear view of my side mirror and I haven't had any problems. Is there any reason to put the bass in the other way (scroll forward, à la Rufus Reid Evolving Bassist airplane photo), or is my practice completely acceptable?
 
#23
I see no problem. It's just that I could never get mine to fit that way in my old Mazda. All I could do was the Rufus Reid thing, and I have to admit that the right side blind spot was a problem.

It's interesting to hear that a bass will fit into an Echo. Hmmm... I e-mailed a dealer today to see if there are still any 2005 models in existence. My mom is happy with her Echo.
 
#31
Freddels said:
I couldn't get mine to lay on it's back in the front seat (if I wanted to be able to work the shift even though it's an automatic).
Click to expand...

1) passenger seat as far forward as it will go (almost)
2) remove head-rest from passenger seat
3) recline passenger seat
4) insert bass (tail-pin first) and jiggle so the bass lays on the seat on its back, tail-pin pointed to the back of the car, and the scroll in the foot well.
5) adjust seat fore and aft so that there is no weight or pressure on the neck or scroll (v. important!)
6) fasten seat-belt over bass - Clunk! Click!
7) vrooom!

- Wil

BTW: one head of garlic beats two fuzzy dice any day…
 
#32
I do this the other way round - neck first - as do others I know. I've never heard of or thought of doin it this way and whilst it will let you see more out of the passenger window I can't imagine it being easy if indeed I could get it to fit in my car at all that way - a very old Astra BTW. Isn't it dangerous for the bass if you slam hte brakes on? Maybe not.
 
#33
LM Bass said:
I'm very happy with my Toyota Echo Hatchback. They've changed them a little and their now called "Yaris". Fits my big bass and amp, with room for two passengers to sit. Great little car.

Laurence
Click to expand...
Dang, you're making it sound attractive. The Yaris shows up in the States this spring.

How do you find the center-mounted dashboard? I assume you get used to it after a while. Is that true?
 
#34
Wil Davis said:
1) passenger seat as far forward as it will go (almost)
2) remove head-rest from passenger seat
3) recline passenger seat
4) insert bass (tail-pin first) and jiggle so the bass lays on the seat on its back, tail-pin pointed to the back of the car, and the scroll in the foot well.
5) adjust seat fore and aft so that there is no weight or pressure on the neck or scroll (v. important!)
6) fasten seat-belt over bass - Clunk! Click!
7) vrooom!

- Wil

BTW: one head of garlic beats two fuzzy dice any day…
Click to expand...

I'll try it when I need to use that car. For now, I like the room of the minivan. Also, I seemed to miss the step with the hammer :)
 
#35
Nothing beats a Civic hatchback, but in a pinch a Hyundai Accent'll work. I've done the seat down & forward/headrest off thing many times in sedans (Saturns, Chevy Cavaliers, Accords, ancient Volvos). It sucks, but it beats hanging the scroll out the back window of a Chrysler K-car. In lieu of a wagon or minivan, a good ol' Mercury Grand Marquis'll fit anything (even 7/8) in the backseat (as long as the front seat's not a bench). The Rufus thing only works on planes and the airline punks won't let you do it anymore..
 
#38
Freddels said:
Hatchbacks are good but Honda and Toyota aren't making them this year. I wish they were. Or a good civic or corolla wagon.
Click to expand...
I just test drove a Scion Xa hatchback. Made by Toyota. It seems very nice.

My brother bought a Corolla wagon when I bought the Saturn. Guess which one is saying "I told you so" now.
 
#40
+ 1 on the Echo HB / Yaris. I test drove one last year just to see if the bass would fit. I was amazed that there was room for the bass and two passengers. Great little car too, but I bought a used Nissan Sentra HB instead for next to nothing ... famously reliable and possibly one of the least sexy cars ever made, which is probably why they're cheap. Fits my flight case + 1 passenger too.
 

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