Source
r/Bass•
CodeBlock

How do I safely move my Double Bass across the country in cold weather?

Hi r/bass, I'm making a move cross country soon. I'll need to load my bass into a U-Haul pod so they can take it and transport it to the new place. However, at my current place (NE Ohio, US), it's quite cold and the bass could be subjected to slightly-below-freezing temperatures (-3C lows or so, going by the forecast) for a few days while in the pod/in transit.

I'm terrified of the wood cracking or having other issues and was wondering what advice you had to help guarantee the bass makes the move without issue.

I've read that loosening the strings a bit is good (but risks the sound post slipping). I have moving blankets to wrap around the outer soft case, and a hook inside the moving pod to tie the case to so it doesn't bounce around much.

I can't think of a way to gradually let it cool down unless I literally don't run the heat in the house much for a day before I move it into the pod (at the risk of my dog and I suffering a bit). Open to ideas here, too.

Posted Dec 1, 2019, 2:37 AM UTC

10231
logstar2•

You can't ship a bass in a soft case in a container in winter and expect it to not be damaged.

If you can't buy or rent a hard case with an airbag system for it make room in the vehicle you're moving yourself and your dog in.

62
CodeBlockOP•

If you can't buy or rent a hard case with an airbag system for it

Do you have any recommendations for where I could rent one? They'd have to ship it really quickly, because moving date is approaching in about a week...

make room in the vehicle you're moving yourself and your dog in.

That might be an option... It would be super tight (small car) and she's a bigger dog so I fear if she gets antsy in the back seat, she might damage the neck. Worth considering though. It would solve the "warm to instant cold" issue because I could warm the car up beforehand...

26
burkholderia•

https://www.quantumbasscenter.com/bass-trunk-rentalbass-shipping.html

Won’t be cheap. $120/week for the rental but you also pay shipping by freight both ways.

13
CodeBlockOP•

Yeah... I'm thinking cramming it into the car might be the best option at this point. Going to be rough, but seems like the lesser of all evils.

15
ofsinope•

If car is an option, that's where the bass should go. Unless you have like a Picasso that's taking up your backseat.

9
orthopod•

Ship your car and rent a SUV one way. Cost to ship a smaller car from California to the east coast is around $1,000.

That way plenty of room for your dog and bass.

4
baildodger•

How small is your car?

1
CodeBlockOP•

It's a little Chevy Cruze. But I'm a bigger guy (so need the seat back a bit), and my dog is a big German Shepherd, so it's going to be tight.

2
baildodger•

I’ve had my 7/8 in the equivalent of a Ford Fiesta. I’m sure you’ll manage!

5
Spanio12•

Put bass in car, put other stuff into pod. Your bass is probably one of the most expensive things you own, and one of the most fragile. Put it in your car when you move if you're worried about it.

60
bigmoneybass•

I’d be taking that in the car personally. Bass would get front seat. Guess my gf would have to rent a car... Front seat reclined, end pin in first, swing in so neck is in legroom area. Imo that’s the best way for small car.

22
mr_munshun•

Get a Dampit, and get the bass in the car with you. Even if it’s tight it’s not worth the risk sending it with people who will treat it like just another box to move.

Edit: also post to r/doublebass if you haven’t already.

15
CodeBlockOP•

Yeah, I think I'm going to do that. It will make me too uneasy to leave it in the pod, and cramming it in the car seems to be the general consensus here. Thanks for the feedback :)

4
some-freak•

and as u/mr_munshun says, r/doublebass may have additional wisdom

2
Iplaybass97•

Where are you driving from if you don't mind me asking? You probably already have your route planned out. However, if you're driving all the way from the West coast, it might be wise to dip south around the Rockies and then up through Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky. I've driven cross country a few times, and I can only imagine what driving through the Rockies in the dead of winter is like. It might add a few hours onto each day but it'll be less dangerous and less likely to be delayed. I've never needed more than five days and I've never done it in less than four.

Also, make sure you stop more frequently than you feel is necessary. I set a 90 minute rule after my first day on the road. It doesn't have to be a long break, just get out and walk for like a minute. It'll keep your blood flowing and your mind focused. Never let your tank dip below the halfway mark. There are some stretches of highway where you might go 150+ miles without any services. This might go without saying, but a lot of the US has no cell service at all, let alone 3G or LTE. Make sure you download maps and music well ahead of time. You can download areas on Google Maps and navigate offline. It's also good to keep a gallon of water and a quick change of clothes on hand.

If you get the chance to stop in Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon, absolutely do it. They are amazing and no pictures will ever do them justice. If you have to detour more than a couple hours for Mount Rushmore, don't bother. It's an expensive tourist trap and it looks exactly like it does in the pictures. The park surrounding it is beautiful but the attraction itself sucks ass. Kentucky really does have amazing fried chicken, and Wisconsin definitely has the best cheese.

If you have any questions I'd love to answer them. Good luck!

9
CodeBlockOP•

This is awesome info, thank you! I'll send a PM!

3
elvisstressley•

i’ve heard of dampits that you can wet and then place in the f-holes. they’re supposed to keep the wood from cracking in cold temperatures, and you might want to use multiples. here’s one

7
Necto74•

i’ve heard of dampits that you can wet and then place in the f-holes.

You probably do not want to put water but some kind of oil.

1†
[deleted]•

[deleted]

1
elvisstressley•

the point is for it to act as a humidifier. i’ve never heard of anyone putting any kind of oil into a humidifier.

1
Necto74•

Aren't you afraid it would freeze and damage the wood ?
We used to put oil in our wooden scabbard at iaido to make sure it wouldn't crack and retain a minimum of bendability.

1
F1shB0wl816•

You could keep a fuck ton of hand warmers in the case, that could keep it warm for a good 8 hours.

1
WisLewis•

My 2 cents regarding temperature transition ("affordable airbag"): Wrap the bass (or the soft case) in moving blankets, then the entire mummy in dense plastic. This should ease sudden temperature changes that cause risks of cracks and heavy condensation.

Since that whole thing is already going take up a lot of space, you might as well put it inside a crate for actual shock protection and further temperature easing. Any handyman-woman could build you a wooden crate in a couple of hours. If they can't bring it to you, you could transport it unmounted and reassemble it at your place.

Best of luck! I'm sure she'll be fine!!

1
TNUGS•

double bass goes in the car with you for sure.

1
laquerhead•

Get a hard case for your base

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