UB in a Mini Cooper?

Discussion in 'Miscellaneous [DB]' started by bjm, Jul 2, 2008.

  1. bjm

    bjm

    Jan 2, 2008
    Los Gatos, CA
    Hi,

    Has anybody out there ever tried to transport an upright in a Mini Cooper?

    I wondered if it could lie down in the back (rear seats folded down) with the neck between the front seats.

    How big is the body of a typical 3/4? I guess we need to know the width and length of the acoustic body part.

    If nobody has tried it, I am willing to give it a go with someone in the Chicago area (near O'Hare).

    This might make for a humorous photo for the group!

    -Jeff
     
  2. Marcus Johnson

    Marcus Johnson

    Nov 28, 2001
    Maui
    There was a pic here many moons ago, DB in a Mini.

    The new Mini Clubman would be a cool bass hauler.
     
    Diaphragm likes this.
  3. hdiddy

    hdiddy Official Forum Flunkee Supporting Member

    Mar 16, 2004
    Richmond, CA
    Yes, I seen photos of a DB fitting in a standard mini. Will prob be my next car. For it to fit, it's required to fold the back seat down and the scroll would sit on the dashboard. I would take the bass with you to the dealer just to make damn sure it fits. I think I'll do it when I take the plunge.
     
  4. Ed Fuqua

    Ed Fuqua

    Dec 13, 1999
    Columbia SC
    Chuck Sher publishes my book, WALKING BASSICS:The Fundamentals of Jazz Bass Playing.
    I've ZipCar'ed a Mini (regular version) a couple of times, the bass fits but not much else. I had my Woods and a GK MBX-112 in there, but the neck is so far into the front passengers seat that you aren't gonna be giving anybody else a ride....
     
  5. David1234

    David1234

    Jun 1, 2004
    Sydney, Australia
    Endorsing Artist: SWR Amplifiers
    Note that the dimensions of a 3/4 can vary a lot. +1 on taking your own bass to the dealer and be totally sure it all fits.

    I bought a car a few years ago to fit my electric rig. Whatever a dealer wanted to show me, he had to lug my rig from my old car to the prospective new one to show me how it'd fit. But now I own a DB and it doesn't fit nearly so well...
     
  6. I have gotten the bass, a small kit, the drummer, myself and my girlfriend in her mini.
    The seats go down and the bass goes right in on it's back, in cases like I described above you can get it in sideways - that way is not ideal but does work.

    I have gotten to most of my gigs the last four years in her mini.
     
  7. Aleph5

    Aleph5 Supporting Member

    Feb 24, 2004
    Tennessee
    The new Clubman is a cool hauler, period. There are not many cars I really flip for, but that one makes me tempted to trade my 528 wagon. If they made it in a plug-in hybrid, I think I would immediately.
     
  8. gotta say, i'm lovin' my new honda fit. bass fits with ease, no obstructed views, and your girlfriend can actually sit next to you in the front seat (some folks won't like that feature). decent stereo, paddle shifting, great mileage, a blast to drive and with the money you save from buying a mini ... you can buy a second bass ... which you could fit in the fit.

    i love the mini, but ...

    jeff.
     
  9. Marcus Johnson

    Marcus Johnson

    Nov 28, 2001
    Maui
    Oh, I dunno... let's see your girlfriend. :bag:

    I'm getting the Fit when the '09s come out.
     
  10. jayarroz

    jayarroz

    Jul 10, 2007
    Boston
    Endorsing Artist: Glockenklang
    put the front seat down, put the neck towards where your feet would go and rest the body on its side in the passengar seat. Haven't found a car yet that doesn't fit it that way!
     
  11. E30 BMWs. Coupes, anyway.
    Edit: This is not true; I just didn't know how to work the seat controls properly. I'm not too bright.7/8 bass fits fine on passenger seat, reclined with the neck pointing back. NOTE: E30s with the optional rear headrests most likely would NOT accept a bass.


    On Minis; I know we're talking about the new Mini, but what about the original? I'd like to own one of those some day.
     
  12. i talked to a woman yesterday in a Lowes parking lot about if she thought it was possible to fit a doublebass in her mini cooper. Weird coincidence that this thread pops up now!
     
  13. Uncletoad

    Uncletoad

    May 6, 2003
    Columbus Ohio
    Proprietor Fifth Avenue Fret Shop. Technical Editor Bass Gear Magazine
    In what?

    Talk about yer cavern cooter.
     
  14. kevteop

    kevteop

    Feb 12, 2008
    York, UK
    The new "mini" really isn't that "mini". It's huge compared to the classic.

    And a lot less fun, sadly. The old Austin mini sat you just a couple of inches off the floor, felt like driving a kart. 30mph around town felt twice as fast. And the 1275cc Cooper went like **** off a shovel.

    Sorry, totally off-topic...
     
  15. jayarroz

    jayarroz

    Jul 10, 2007
    Boston
    Endorsing Artist: Glockenklang
    E30 Ok I will have to look out for them, and the guy picking up lady's in the parking lot;)
     
  16. Roger Davis

    Roger Davis

    May 24, 2006
    England
    The new "mini" really isn't that "mini". It's huge compared to the classic. Quote

    I read somewhere that its wheelbase is only an inch or two shorter than the original Range Rover - hard to believe.

    My rule of thumb is that anything with a rear hatch can take a bass. I've used a Nissan Micra
     
  17. KSB - Ken Smith

    KSB - Ken Smith Inactive Commercial User

    Mar 1, 2002
    Perkasie, PA USA
    Owner: Ken Smith Basses, Ltd.
    I have a Buick Rendezvous and can get 2 (TWO) Orchestra Basses in it. My friend has a Volvo SUV and we get 3 (THREE) Orchestra Basses in it. Some guy here in the area that does Bass Transport has some small hatchback and gets 3 (THREE) Basses in that little thing.

    I have seen Basses and large ones at that, squeeze into the tiniest cars you can imagine.

    Ony ONE Bass, lol.. childs play..:D
     
  18. Eric Hochberg

    Eric Hochberg Supporting Member

    Jul 7, 2004
    Chicago
    In the early 70's my wife to be had a VW Bug. After buying my first double bass from Sam Kolstein, I brought it home and was sure I could fit it in her car, so without too much thought, got it in the passenger door, over the seats, and POP!!, the scroll end went through the windshield! Ouch... After that, I just took out the endpin and the bass fit just fine.
     
  19. RCWilliams

    RCWilliams Commercial User

    Apr 23, 2007
    Merriam Kansas (Kansas City)
    owner RC Williams Co. LLC
    I once put 2 bsses 5 cellos and 7 violins in my nissan 240 fast back and drove them to our St. Louis Shop, it was kinda crouded though.
     
  20. how many basses per mile you get in that baby? ;)