SevenSeas Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Hey everyone, I'm hiring a hire car but I was wondering out of interest which was better for transporting a double bass? (2 people) so could (and will) put seats down in the back. Possibly a VW Golf or a Opel Astra? (Or anyone got any other ideas, medium cars are better rather then massive cars but which ever can fit a double bass in comfortably.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keeponehandloose Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 focus estate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 I have a regular focus hatch and it swallows the db and all my other gear so I wouldn't worry too much about the estate bit if they are more expensive to hire? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyBass Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 I'm in a hired Astra at the minute and its fine with the bass in. I have the neck come through between the front seats, just needs a little adjustment to how you change gears. But that gives you the front seats with plenty of room. If I had a choice I wouldn't hire an Astra anyway for non-bass reasons, so I'd go for the Golf of the two (which would also be fine on the same basis as above). Or an estate if you don't want to have the neck poking through... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbie Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 I have an estate now, which makes things easy, but for years I travelled up and down the UK in a Fiat Panda. Granted, it was only me, bass and wee amp. Even the overnight bags had to be very small...The process of watching me fitting the double bass back in the car was more successful with the punters than me playing the gig! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShergoldSnickers Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 VW Golf (Mk V) will take a three quarter double bass. I've only transported it on it's back, so I don' t know if flipping in its side would work. I placed some padding under the upper bout back to raise the scroll well above the parking brake and had no problems driving absolutely as normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Isnt the latest Golf a bit smaller than the last one too? I can put the scroll on the armrest and the bass does not protrude anywhere near the handbrake or gear stick which is handy, I had a MKV Golf before the Focus (58 reg) and the Focus is alot bigger inside. Just had a look the MK2 Focus is nearly a foot longer than a MK5 Golf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 New Golf and Focus are about the same length as each other and the MK2 Focus looking on the net so no need for an estate IMO Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassace Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 I find an estate easier for loading a bass plus you can slide the cab/amp/why in easily. Focus estate very good although I have a German these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 [quote name='bassace' timestamp='1380999332' post='2233304'] I find an estate easier for loading a bass plus you can slide the cab/amp/why in easily. Focus estate very good although I have a German these days. [/quote] But is it worth the extra cost if hiring one? Long term hire contact i agree but our local hertz etc would not have one to hand like a golf focus Astra etc hatch so i presume you would pay more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Yeah it's expensive to hire an estate. Any medium sized hatch will happily swallow a 3/4 double bass, amp, couple of people, couple of bags. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SevenSeas Posted October 5, 2013 Author Share Posted October 5, 2013 Hi guys, thanks for the suggestion. The reason I want to keep the size of the car slightly smaller is because of petrol costs and the bigger the car the bigger the charge on the ferry. Cheers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbn4001 Posted October 5, 2013 Share Posted October 5, 2013 Hi . I fit my double bass, 12" cab, amp, electric bass and one passenger in a Ford Ka! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 [quote name='SevenSeas' timestamp='1381012208' post='2233494'] Hi guys, thanks for the suggestion. The reason I want to keep the size of the car slightly smaller is because of petrol costs and the bigger the car the bigger the charge on the ferry. Cheers, [/quote] Could you ask a neighbour or friend with a Corsa or Fiesta sized car for a trial run in theirs then just to see? The only trouble I can see with a size lower is that these new cars (which they will be on hire) is that they are smaller inside than the previous models even if they are larger outside! The fiesta my sister had was smaller inside than my old 1983 MK1 version! Something like the new Kia C'eed might be good and diesel consumption will be good too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexpea Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Myself and my drummer friend regularly fit my bass and accordion plus his drum kit and ourselves in his Skoda Fabia. It is a squeeze but we've been all over the place for various gigs in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 I've fitted 3 double basses in my Renault Grand Scenic with some jiggery pokery and still had enough room for a passenger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timbo1978 Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 My first car was a vw lupo, and my 3/4 bass fitted nicely. The head used to rattle against the windscreen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paddy109 Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Ford c-max, the middle rear seat can be removed in seconds fitting my 3/4 in nice and snug. Room for me and 3 passengers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burg Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 I stick mine in the back of a Mazda 2 with the rear seats down, on it's side with the scroll just over the gear stick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddBass Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 (edited) Most cars which can have the front seat laid flat - bass (on its side - bridge facing the gear stick), scroll pointing towards the parcel shelf. Seat belt around the bass = job done. Passenger can sit behind you. Boot free for: amp / stool / food / drink I learnt this from my first car - well my dad's anyway - a saloon Triumph Aclaim (auto, beige seats, sick green outside). Still practice said position in all subsequent cars! I like having my bass laying next to me - we have a little chat on the way to gigs! Edited October 8, 2013 by five-string.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SevenSeas Posted October 8, 2013 Author Share Posted October 8, 2013 All sorted, a bit of a nightmare because I had to find a dealer which was open Sundays. (Devon is pretty useless in terms of choice) Anyway brought my bass to the car hire and the one model we tried fitted perfectly, double bass on its side. (So don't have to worry about that) I will be sitting next to the bass behind the driver which is actually quite comforting, ironically it turned to be a Honda Jazz! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DolganoFF Posted October 22, 2013 Share Posted October 22, 2013 [quote name='keeponehandloose' timestamp='1380986208' post='2233145'] focus estate [/quote] I have one, it is indeed very well suited for DB transport... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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