Double bass storage and care

JOHNNY CHINGAS · #1 10-03-2007, 12:27 PM

My daughter played double bass in the SoCal junior phil for a number of years. Now that she is off to college she doesnt have time to play, and I have the bass sitting in its soft bag in a corner out of the sun. I was thinking of selling it, but she says she will one day pick up her playing again.

My question is, is there anything special I need to do. Or is just keeping it safe in its bag acceptable. Its been sitting for a year and it will probably be another year before it gets played again.

PS. Same thing for the bow. Its in its leather case.

MingusAmongUs · #2 10-03-2007, 01:15 PM

Not unlike a car, you want to "start it up" every so often. Check it every now and then for splitting seams, weather-related changes, etc. Play a few notes, listen for buzzes. You're on the right track keeping it out of the sun. In LA you don't have to worry about humidity changes I guess (unless you're on the beach).

It might be that you should detune the strings a bit to relieve some of the tension, but not so much that the sound post falls out -- but on this especially, and every other issue, it's best to refer to a qualified luthier for definitive answers. My suggestions are just that, suggestions, based on various tips from all different people and places. I'm no luthier and I don't know if my advice is any good!

JOHNNY CHINGAS · #3 10-03-2007, 04:21 PM

Thank you for the response, it is much appreciated.

jsbarber · #4 10-03-2007, 06:28 PM

Since you live in SoCal - when the Santa Ana's blow through it can get very dry. You might want to get a couple of dampits and put them inside the case with the bass when the Santa Ana's hit.

http://shop1.mailordercentral.com/le...p?number=A1395

Or a humidifier. It's not too good for the bass to get too dry.

Jim

**Matthew Tucker** · #5 10-03-2007, 10:04 PM

I think, with the strings detuned slightly, and the bass left in its bag out of the sun, it will be fine without any real effort necessary. Wood can handle even large changes in humidity and temperature quite well, provided the change is slow, and a bag slows this process down nicely.

Dave R · #6 10-03-2007, 11:58 PM

I like to lay it on its side, rather than stand it up.

What's down can't fall.

coreybass · #7 10-04-2007, 03:45 AM

Quote:

I like to lay it on its side, rather than stand it up.

What's down can't fall.

but it can be tripped over. I speak from experience.

Jake deVilliers · #8 10-04-2007, 09:39 AM

+1 Corey. It can also be rolled onto the bridge, putting pressure on the soundpost, which can then punch a hole through the top or it can crack the bass bar. Yeowch!
I've seen them both, which is why I advocate standing the bass in the corner, leaning on its shoulders, bridge in.

Dave Whitla · #9 10-04-2007, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

I advocate standing the bass in the corner, leaning on its shoulders, bridge in.

+1.
Also, with regards to the bow, make sure that the hair is loosened off so that the stick doesn't straighten out from being constantly under tension (but if it's been that way already for a year...)

Phil Rowan · #10 10-04-2007, 10:54 AM

+1 on the humidifier idea, and the idea of leaving it standing. I would just leave it as I leave mine when I'm not playing, leaned up safely against a corner that sees no traffic at all...this is also due to space limitations.

Ideally, it would be good if you or your daughter knew another bassist very well, who you absolutely could trust with keeping the instrument for a while (of course, you'd really, really want to know that the person knows well how to take care of a bass). I wasn't able to play my basses all summer long, and while (luckily) there aren't any problems with them, there's a little difference in how they sound not having been played for a few months. The more a bass is played, the more it opens up and sounds better (in most cases). I would have left mine with a friend if I could have, as long as it wasn't taken out for any gigs or sessions, and left at home for practice.

Of course, all I just said may well be considered just a load of sloblock. If this is the case, my sincere apologies to all.

Dave R · #11 10-04-2007, 11:20 PM

Quote:

but it can be tripped over. I speak from experience.

Did I forget to say...on its side in the cutaway of the baby grand in the corner, where no one can trip over it?

I guess I did. Sorry.

chuck1073 · #12 10-05-2007, 06:09 AM

That sounds like a pretty well protected spot. Out of the sun, away from heaters..sounds like you'd be OK. Take it out once in a while for a quick inspection.

GradyBass · #13 10-06-2007, 12:02 PM

+1 to all those suggestions. Inspection every month or so, loosed the strings a bit, loosen the bow, too. A little sponge that slides into the f-hole couldn't hurt, but you're doin everything right thus far!

wineaux · #14 10-06-2007, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave R

Did I forget to say...on its side in the cutaway of the baby grand in the corner, where no one can trip over it?

I guess I did. Sorry.

Cool! Now I can tell my wife we have to get a baby grand so I have a place to store my UB!

LouisF · #15 10-08-2007, 12:53 PM

I have a carved bass back in LA that stands in its corner, in its case, bridge in, protected by the baby grand piano. The only thing different is that I use a planet waves humidifier (it's a kind of black oval disc with sponge inside). It velcros to the case (inside) and seems to work pretty well. I refill it about once a month when I'm in town

Louis

JOHNNY CHINGAS · #16 10-17-2007, 11:21 AM

Thanks guys. I feel much better. I have my daughters bass behind the baby grand in the corner. Now all I have to do is turn it bridge in. I have it pretty straight up so there is no prssure on the neck. But bridge in does make a lot of sense. I'll stop by stein on vine to see if he has any dampits (there is no good shops I know about in the SGV since Pedrini's closed). Thank you once again for the great advice-John