Cleaning Tips

[TeHarr]

Hello everyone!
I'm the happy owner of a fine double bass that I have been cleaning for months using nothing but a nice clean towel. I was wondering if anyone had any tips for cleaning different parts of the bass. Names of good cleaning products, whether or not to use a bit of a damp cloth to clean dirt off the fingerboard, if there's anything better than rubbing alcohol to clean dirty strings (hopefully without getting any on the bass!).

Suggestions if you please!

[nicklloyd]

I suggest using 0000 Steel Wool (pronounced "four-oh" or "four-aught" or maybe "four-zed" for the canucks) to clean finger-dirt off the strings and fingerboard.

[Brent Norton]

Though plentiful these days, four-aught was indeed tough to come by during the Great Steel Wool Shortage of aught-four... Lean times, they were...

In the meantime, if the clean towel has been doing the job on the bass, sounds like you've got a fine method. Dampen it for intensified cleaning action (tm) and less scratching. If you do reach for a cleaner or polish at some point, make sure to *avoid anything containing silicone,* and just to be safe, try to avoid wax-containing products as well. Your bass (and your luthier, in particular) will thank you down the road when it's time to have a crack repaired or seam glued.

[Marc Piane]

I usually use lemon oil VERY sparingly. It can attract dirt so best not to leave any residue.

[D McCartney]

http://www.newstandardbass.com/care.htm

[TeHarr]

Thanks everyone, that solves my problem/answers my questions nicely...

Maybe all basses forever stay clean and well-loved.