[OT] Car recommendations for URB transport ?

[BigBeatNut]

I feel sure my ancient escort estate will fail it's upcoming MOT, so I'm looking for ideas for a 2nd hand car that's big enough (just) to transport a 3/4 upright plus small amp (markbass 1x12).

I'm thinking Ford Focus hatch, but don't know if the length is there so I might be looking at an estate again.

The escort estate takes the bass fairly easily, with the neck popping out between the two front seats ... I'm guessing with a hatch I might even need to fold the passenger seat forward to give the bass enough room.

How small can i go ?

Or, how small do YOU go ?

Cheers, Andy

[jakenewmanbass]

I've had my bass in a micra

[The Burpster]

Focus estate-

[url="http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&q=ford+focus+estate&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title"]http://images.google.co.uk/images?hl=en&am...=1&ct=title[/url]

Answer to you question! (Get the 1.9 Tdi, or 1.4 petrol)

[BigBeatNut]

[quote name='jakesbass' post='228833' date='Jun 29 2008, 01:31 AM']I've had my bass in a micra[/quote]

Surely the neck must have been hanging out of the window ?

[Etienne]

My friend Harry used to use a battered Peugeot 106, and before that an old 80's Micra, both with the front seat removed(!) to take his 3/4 size upright, plus a Hartke Kickback 12 in the boot. There was even room left to take a passenger, although they had to sit behind the driver's seat in the back!

[bassace]

I had mine in a loan Micra while my Mondeo was being repaired. No problem. As a rule of thumb you can get a bass in anything, however small, that has a rear hatch. I use a Focus Estate most of the time which is ideal for URB. I'm sure a Focus hatchback will be fine without folding the passenger seat because, although I don't have direct experience of this particular model, I had an Escort hatchback which worked OK and the Focus is bigger. Problem with any hatch is that there is quite a high lip to lift the bass over at the back. If you can get one, I'd recommend an estate every time for its flat load-in.

[BigBeatNut]

[quote name='bassace' post='228971' date='Jun 29 2008, 12:42 PM']I had mine in a loan Micra while my Mondeo was being repaired. No problem.[/quote]

I really have problems picturing how this works ... does the neck finish up in the passenger footwell or something ?

Anyway ... seems there are two votes here for estates, which is kind of where I thought I'd finish up.

Love to see a picture of a DB in something as small as a micra

Andy

[jakenewmanbass]

[quote name='BigBeatNut' post='228902' date='Jun 29 2008, 10:28 AM']Surely the neck must have been hanging out of the window ?[/quote]
nope, back seat down, neck between seats

[pete.young]

[quote name='BigBeatNut' post='228719' date='Jun 28 2008, 09:10 PM']Or, how small do YOU go ?[/quote]

It used to fit quite comfortably in my 1955 Austin A30, with the front passenger seat folded up. There was even room for a drumkit in the boot and a drummer in the back seat!

The Triumph Spitfire was somewhat less successful.

[bassace]

When I started out I used to put the URB on the roof rack - blimey!

[Bassworm]

[quote name='jakesbass' post='228833' date='Jun 29 2008, 01:31 AM']I've had my bass in a micra[/quote]


That's handy to know, my daily runaround is a Micra. But I normally transport my bass in this;

[jakenewmanbass]

[quote name='bassace' post='229247' date='Jun 29 2008, 08:45 PM']When I started out I used to put the URB on the roof rack - blimey![/quote]
I once had to put the bass on the roof in Bombay as the taxi was too small, we got stopped and fined for an unsafe load, came to about £1.50.
What was funny though was that the policeman that stopped us was on foot and he just blew a whistle, the taxi driver stopped! In a city of 100 million I think he'd have had quite a good chance of getting away with it.

[Mr Bassman]

[quote name='BigBeatNut' post='228719' date='Jun 28 2008, 09:10 PM']I feel sure my ancient escort estate will fail it's upcoming MOT, so I'm looking for ideas for a 2nd hand car that's big enough (just) to transport a 3/4 upright plus small amp (markbass 1x12).

How small can i go ?

Or, how small do YOU go ?

Cheers, Andy[/quote]
[attachment=10131:moped.jpg]

Who needs a car?
unless of course youre two tyred!

[chrkelly]

That pic's great.

Most 5 door hatchbacks will let you have the bass in and 2 passenger seats free. Estates are better because of the flat load in and the extra roof clearance at the back means the bass can travel on its side leaving loads of room for everything else. Best though are those big old Volvos. I've had a full size Stevenson flight case in one with ease.

[chris_b]

[quote name='chrkelly' post='229504' date='Jun 30 2008, 09:52 AM']Most 5 door hatchbacks will let you have the bass in and 2 passenger seats free. Estates are better because of the flat load in and the extra roof clearance at the back means the bass can travel on its side leaving loads of room for everything else. Best though are those big old Volvos. I've had a full size Stevenson flight case in one with ease.[/quote]
Any Volvo estate is good; a three piece suite on wheels, mine has the best stereo in the house. They will carry any bass gear and you can easily add a drummer with full kit and share the expense.

[Mr Bassman]

Well I had a focus estate and my bass would only go in diagonally on its side. (it is larger than the average 3/4 bass)

The problem with most estates is that the rear seat cushion has to be folded forward, which means you lose a few inches or you've got to lift the pegbox over it, which isn't good for the neck of the instrument, or your own back.
I find the easiest way is to lift and put the body in first.

I took my bass round all the showrooms to try and find the ideal car, and the one that came out best was the Mondeo est so I got one.

To make even more room with the flattest floor area I take out the rear cushion altogether. (I don't have to use it for running kids around)
It leaves a handy space for leaving spare cables et.
I can now fit in my double bass, bass amp & cab, p.a. system + stands, keyboard + stand, a few lights and the keyboard player and get 55+mpg.

Hope this helps

[velvetkevorkian]

I've gotten my 4/4 5 string and 3 people in a Micra. Wasn't much fun for the person in the back seat though

As previously mentioned, just about any hatchback should be OK.

[pete.young]

[quote name='Mr Bassman' post='229428' date='Jun 30 2008, 01:38 AM'][attachment=10131:moped.jpg]

Who needs a car?
unless of course youre two tyred![/quote]

Ye Gods! An NSU Quickly. I had one just like that in 1975. No worry about air resistance, it didn't go fast enough to generate any!

My upright fits in the back of my A6 Avant if I fold half the back seat down, and doesn't stick inbetween the front seat backs.

Pete

[BigBeatNut]

Thanks for all the input. Haven't made a decision yet, but I'm leaning towards a small estate for ease of loading.

Cheers, Andy

[benbastin]

A double bass should fit in any hatchback, the smallest i've had mine in was a fiat cinquneto thing. IF going for a hatch i'd go for one with spliting back seats then you'll be able to take 3 people and the bass and amp etc. I've also had some good luck with saloon cars, but you have to roll the passenger seat all the way back then the bass sits there with the neck going backwards, not ideal, but works.

[Caoimhin]

I've a liftback Corolla (the one thats somewhere between a saloon and a hatchback) and it fits fine with the back seat down. Usually take myself, my bass, amp and head, acoustic guitar and acoustic guitarist with plenty to spare.

I have fitted it in a Corsa with myself, amp and girlfriend easily too. If you lean the passenger seat back you can lie it back on that with the pin toward the passenger foot well and the scroll in the air over the back seat. Actually very easy to fit in believe it or not. I was almost given out to by my teacher for even suggesting you need a big car for a double bass and it's true. We do have to think about the environment too (and ridiculous petrol prices!)

[endorka]

[quote name='benbastin' post='240301' date='Jul 15 2008, 07:16 PM']I've also had some good luck with saloon cars, but you have to roll the passenger seat all the way back then the bass sits there with the neck going backwards, not ideal, but works.[/quote]

I've done this a few times too, even in small saloons. The trick seems to be to put the bass in via the back door!

Jennifer

[OutToPlayJazz]

Basically, a full size double bass will go in almost any car. I used to get my Ronald Prentice bass (with C-extension) into an old mk2 VW Jetta saloon many years ago. In fact, one of my double basses was almost stolen out of that car! It'd been passed in through the front passenger door (done via reclining the passenger seat & passing the head over the driver's headrest) & someone broke into the car while it was in a public carpark. Only thing was they gave in and left the bass in a wierd position, as they were to stupid to figure out how to get the bass out of the car!!!