Double Bass Cleaning an instrument

[fdeck]

How might one clean years of sweaty gunk from the varnished surface of a stringed instrument that I recently acquired?

 

[Jason Sypher]

How might one clean years of sweaty gunk from the varnished surface of a stringed instrument that I recently acquired?

I wouldn’t. I’d take it to a shop and have them do it.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

Kolstein’s Instrument Cleaner (the brown stuff), with a good rag…followed by Kolstein’s polish (the yellow stuff). You can use Fingernail polish remover to clean strings, but don’t let it touch the wood or finish anywhere. The Kolstein’s cleaner can clean strings, fingerboard, and the entire instrument safely…it will remove the rosin caked on there without damaging the finish, and the polish leaves it nice and shiny after it’s clean.

 

[Paps]

Yes, good advice.
I keep my bass reasonably clean by using lukewarm water and very very mild hand soap solution.
I only do this about once a year.
I rub very gently with a damp spongy cloth, and dry very gently. Very slow, very soft, very mild.
But if you go trying to clean a very dirty bass, you risk damaging or removing some of the varnish which we all try to preserve! There are different agents which are good to remove old rosin from strings, bridge etc, but best leave it all to a string instrument specialist.
FWIW I've asked several different string players in the Orchestra how they clean their instruments, and I have yet to meet anyone who would not leave it to a specialist.

 

[TroyK]

Pictures or it didn't happen.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

What manner of gunk? Caked dust can be removed with a microfiber cloth and scouring, and a little water if absolutely necessary. Rosin can be removed by using the edge of your driver’s license as a flexible scraper. Sweat, grease and anything humanly excreted can be removed with a dab of Dawn dish soap on a damp green scrubby pad to break down the lipids.

 

[fdeck]

Sweat, grease, etc. Trying not to name names.

I just tried plain water on a tiny spot and it worked.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Sweat, grease, etc. Trying not to name names.

I just tried plain water on a tiny spot and it worked.

Warm soapy water. Go slow and follow it up quickly with a dry towel.

 

[robobass]

A luthier friend will only use this:
https://www.bassico.eu/produkte/Han...aar-Cleaner-Reinigungsmittel_4325_1_large.jpg
At 35 bucks an ounce, I ask him if he shouldn't explore alternatives. No. Too much risk. Some very top level American builders use citrus based cleaner called d-Limonene. They say it won't damage the varnish, and even better, won't give you cancer.

 

[Mark_T]

I take care to wipe off my bass every time I finish playing. I keep a Rosin Saver cloth tucked under the tailpiece when the bass is in the case and keep it handy during practice. Then when I’m packing up, it only takes a minute to get the full playing length of the strings, the bridge, and any accumulated rosin dust on the top.

When I got my bass, the maker gave me a small amount of polish, which I also use occasionally.

 

[AGCurry]

Some very top level American builders use citrus based cleaner called d-Limonene. They say it won't damage the varnish, and even better, won't give you cancer.

I believe this is marketed as Citra Solv. I use it to clean rosin off of strings and to "derosin" bow hair. It's amazingly potent and quick. Never tried it on a varnished surface, though... maybe I will.

 

[crd]

I take care to wipe off my bass every time I finish playing. I keep a Rosin Saver cloth tucked under the tailpiece when the bass is in the case and keep it handy during practice. Then when I’m packing up, it only takes a minute to get the full playing length of the strings, the bridge, and any accumulated rosin dust on the top.

When I got my bass, the maker gave me a small amount of polish, which I also use occasionally.

Does this actually take the rosin off? No matter what I do I get rosin all over my bass. The leatherwood rosin is like glue on the instrument.

 

[Mark_T]

Does this actually take the rosin off? No matter what I do I get rosin all over my bass. The leatherwood rosin is like glue on the instrument.

I think so, if you keep up with it. It’s not perfect but it helps keep ahead of things. Lately I’ve just been sticking to Pop’s (ha!) and I want to avoid buildup.

 

[oldNewbie]

Kolstein’s Instrument Cleaner (the brown stuff), with a good rag..

The credit card and a bit of water on a microfiber cloth once in a while has been working for me, but This prompted trying a bottle of this stuff purchased last year. The cleaner removes rosin and fingerboard gunk really very well. It leaves some kind of wax , I can’t tell what but it is very slick. Smells like liniment, remember that ? Though not unpleasant , just smells, I dunno , effective.
Judging by the small amount needed to clean an entire bass plus the two electrics in my practice room, I have a lifetime+ supply . @fdeck PM me if you want to try some.

 

[fdeck]

Thanks for all of the advice. For the record, plain water with a bit of dish detergent did the trick, followed by drying and buffing with a soft cloth. I use old tee shirts that have been washed many times, then just throw them into the laundry hamper.

The instrument is actually my son's student cello, which just got handed down to me, when he got a new one. It's a nice instrument, but bore evidence of having been practiced on for years by a sweaty teenager.

For most things in the house, I have a bias towards starting with plain water or really gentle solvents before trying more aggressive or specialized stuff. And I always test on a small spot. This avoids accidental damage, but also keeps me from filling up my houses with half-used bottles of fluids. The use of a well washed cotton tee shirt is an old trick from the optics industry. You can clean really delicate lenses by a gentle wash with Dawn dish liquid followed by drying with a tee shirt.