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Double Bass cleaning the skin build up off the fingerboard

#3
Yeah...you want to be doing this every time after putting your bass down. Get a clean, soft cloth and wipe the strings and fingerboard down. Every couple weeks, take your strings off and apply either fingerboard cleaner or some sort of natural citrus oil to your fingerboard - letting it soak in before wiping it off. Get in the habit of cleaning your fretboard often - your strings may actually last longer due to to the reduced sweat buildup.
 
#5
I think some people have been saying to use a dab of alcohol on a rag and to be careful to not get the alchy on the bass since it might take the varnish off.

I've used both Kolstein bass cleaner (which smells nasty) and Martin Guitar Polish. Both are very very light and seem safe to use. I hate the smell of Kolstein's cleaner ... bleah! It smells like a demonic version of Pepto Bismol. *gag*
 
#10
My understanding is that ebony is such a hard wood that the cloth doesn't have to be very soft. I just use a hand towel I keep in my bag.

Occasionally I'll do a good cleaning with mineral oil and a hand towel.

When I change my strings I use rubbing alcohol and fine steel wool. Works like a charm. Like others have said, be super careful not to get any alcohol on the finish. Also apply some mineral oil after the alcohol is all dry to help moisturize the wood.
 
#12
arnoldschnitzer said:
One string off at a time please! Otherwise you might be looking for a luthier to put your soundpost back up.
Click to expand...

I actually thought about that when I read it. I think perhaps our esteemed poster was assuming this was a EBG question.

I know there are plenty of string neurotics around here, but removing the strings every two weeks on a DB seems a little over the top.
 
#14
OOOO Steel Wool will take off the finger gunk, but not harm the fingerboard. You can also use the steel wool to remove finger gunk that builds up on the string itself. Rubbing alcohol applied to a paper towel works, as well. Just use a >>small amount<< of alcohol.
 
#16
Mmm...brAins said:
Yeah...you want to be doing this every time after putting your bass down. Get a clean, soft cloth and wipe the strings and fingerboard down. Every couple weeks, take your strings off and apply either fingerboard cleaner or some sort of natural citrus oil to your fingerboard - letting it soak in before wiping it off. Get in the habit of cleaning your fretboard often - your strings may actually last longer due to to the reduced sweat buildup.
Click to expand...
This is not a good suggestion.

....especially if you have frets.

Far more damage has been addressed in my shop from over oiled, over sanded, and "overmaintained" boards than those that have just been left alone.

Wipe down your strings if you like. Leave the chemicals alone.
 
#17
I think the answer might be not in the bass realm, but rather the washing of hands... I don't do much to my fingerboard, except when I change strings or clean the bass I wipe it off with a little rubbing alcohol and then maybe a tiny bit of olive oil, buffed off completely. I don't get much gunk on it in the first place, though, mostly just dust I think. My slab bass gets a lot more build up around the frets, but then, it also has a hard finished fretboard. That one I let my luthier take care of; it comes back sqeeky clean and I don't ask any questions... :D
 
#19
Citrus oil? What the heck is that? It sounds like a bad idea to me. I clean my strings and board with a little denatured alcohol on a cotton face pad about 3x/month, and sometimes treat both strings and board with a little mineral oil. I also keep a can of "fast fret" in my bag and use it often.
Robobass
 

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