getting excess rosin off bow

gnomegod · #1 10-26-2009, 04:11 PM

So I have been doing my research of course and saw that most people suggested Denatured Alcohol to remove excess rosin and dirt. But my question doesn't pertain to the whole bow only to the upper part by the tip and down by the frog. The middle is good to go but I keep getting a real "papery" sound when I get near the tip or frog and it's bugging the crap out of me. Is there a simpler solution to this rather than having to do the entire bow or can I just hit the two spots and continue on my merry bass playing way??

And one more quick question is getting rosin off strings. I'm currently using D'Addario Helicore Light pizz/arco strings and someone suggested steel wool and I was wondering what grade of steel wool should I use?

Korus Bows · #2 10-26-2009, 10:24 PM

I use alcohol to clean rosin off of my bass strings. Just dont get it on the varnish of your bass.

Les Fret · #3 10-30-2009, 06:29 AM

My teacher says he is using aceton for cleaning his bow. I never tried that myself.

For those of you who are using alcohol. Do you clean/rinse the bowhair with (warm) water after you have cleaned it with alcohol? or is cleaning it only with alcohol and let is dry also sufficient?

JoeyNaeger · #4 10-30-2009, 08:31 AM

I use my bass strings to get rid of excess rosin. Just keep drawing the bow across the strings and the rosin will get cleaned off no problem.

Square Bear · #5 10-30-2009, 05:58 PM

yeah, just play it off. don't rosin your bow for a while and wipe your strings off frequently, eventually it will all play out. then use less rosin. my feeling is that most people use way too much rosin in an effort to compensate for the fact that they don't know how to use a bow.

sjd007 · #6 11-02-2009, 08:53 PM

Take hair (including rosin) off bow.
Put new hair on bow.

Alternatively use alcohol like others suggest but with slight alteration - I prefer vodka, put a large splosh in a tumbler. Take a swig. Amazing how much better your bowing sounds. Now, if you have any glasses / camera lenses that need a polish now is the time to have good huff and get rubbing. Don't use tissue it is slightly abrasive, best is old pair of used cotton undies (clean of course).

Have I gone off topic?

Oh yeah, back to the beginning - try a rehair if it's been onthere a while...