Disinfecting shared instrument

[Geri O]

I suppose there should be a distinction between “shared long-term” (a few days or weeks, as in the MD at church will play bass when there’s not one available) and “shared just sitting in”

“Shared long-term” should be okay, if one needs to. Wipe down the body with Lysol, then polish, then wipe the strings with alcohol. When you send it out and when you get it back. Use a hand wipe on the handle when you pick it up.

“Shared” as in someone sitting in on my bass, no way. At all. Ain’t happening. There’s not any gigs where that could come up at the moment anyway, but still. Not happening.

 

[gaffster]

A study out this week finds that the virus can survive on hard surfaces such as plastic and stainless steel for up to 72 hours and on cardboard for up to 24 hours.

The New Coronavirus Can Live On Surfaces For 2-3 Days — Here's How To Clean Them

 

[el murdoque]

Easy. Should there be the chance of an infected person touching your gear, don't go in the first place.
Hence no need do disinfect the bass.

 

[two fingers]

Prevent before, during, and after the sharing.

If everybody scrubs up well, and nobody touches his/her face before scrubbing up again, you should he fine.

 

[underwhelmist]

Submerse the bass in boiling water for five minutes. Good to go after that!

Extends the life of the strings too, so I’ve heard.

 

[underwhelmist]

School basses?
Other than that, sharing basses is right up there with sharing girlfriends.
Sure, some people do it, but...

I’ve been doing some repair and setup work in school basses and guitars, they’re all getting VERY well wiped down with antibacterial wipes. All lower end instruments with poly finishes, it doesn’t seem to do them any harm.

 

[oldcatfish]

I suppose there should be a distinction between “shared long-term” (a few days or weeks, as in the MD at church will play bass when there’s not one available) and “shared just sitting in”

“Shared long-term” should be okay, if one needs to. Wipe down the body with Lysol, then polish, then wipe the strings with alcohol. When you send it out and when you get it back. Use a hand wipe on the handle when you pick it up.

“Shared” as in someone sitting in on my bass, no way. At all. Ain’t happening. There’s not any gigs where that could come up at the moment anyway, but still. Not happening.

--It depends on the context, as others have pointed out.

If a close friend borrowed my bass and then returned it, I would just leave it in the case for a week or two (good reason to have multiple basses).

If I was trying out instruments at a music store, borrowed a friend's, or something like that, I would thoroughly wash my hands afterward. Then I would change clothes and shower as soon as possible.

By the way I'm a health care worker involved with direct patient care. Before I come home from work, I disinfect my shoes. When I come home from work, the first thing that I do everyday is bag my scrubs, then take a shower.

From what we know about the Coronavirus, you are less likely to pick it up from touching something (as long as you wash your hands), as you are from being in close proximity to other people.

 

[brianrost]

Just think of all the sound booths, mics, wind screens, pop filters, etc....

I am a DJ at a local public radio station. We are now removing the windscreens on the mikes and washing them after our show. We leave the screen off so the next DJ will put a fresh one on. We also have plenty of wipes and must use them on the mixing board, telephones, turntables, CD players computer keyboards and mice, then hand sanitizer to top it off. The whole place smells like alcohol now

A singer I used to work with always carried a spare screen and Lysol spray in case someone else might sit in and use her mike. She was way ahead of her time

 

[lfmn16]

Another case for don’t touch my sh-t!

I thought we were talking about touching someone else's BASS?????

 

[Geri O]

--It depends on the context, as others have pointed out.

If a close friend borrowed my bass and then returned it, I would just leave it in the case for a week or two (good reason to have multiple basses).

If I was trying out instruments at a music store, borrowed a friend's, or something like that, I would thoroughly wash my hands afterward. Then I would change clothes and shower as soon as possible.

By the way I'm a health care worker involved with direct patient care. Before I come home from work, I disinfect my shoes. When I come home from work, the first thing that I do everyday is bag my scrubs, then take a shower.

From what we know about the Coronavirus, you are less likely to pick it up from touching something (as long as you wash your hands), as you are from being in close proximity to other people.

Hey, Catfish, thanx for adding to the conversation from your perspective.

Being in the entertainment business for a living, I learned a long time ago to take precautions a long time ago because of being around the general public. Wipes, sanitizer, alcohol, etc, and just being careful about what I touch and the proximity to other people. So I’m just doubling down on the habits I’ve had for a long time.

 

[gln1955]

I thought we were talking about touching someone else's BASS?????

That possibility is why you don't share your bass.

 

[micguy]

2. Naptha (popularly known as Ronsonol or lighter fluid). Jury seems to be out on this one, but it's hard to imagine that it wouldn't work.

Jimi Hendrix used Naptha - I'm pretty sure his technique would be effective in disinfecting the instrument.

 

[Ric5]

Wash your hands with Alcohol after playing the instrument

 

[Dave W]

Wash your hands.

Covid-19 hasn't really been documented to be transmitted from surface to person, it's mainly person to person.

 

[DanBass]

Here's a thought: Play the damn bass and stop worrying so much. The mole hill has surpassed Everest status. The earth has seemingly fallen off its axis. Am I missing the body bags piling up? The blight? Probably a story for another time, but good lord, trust me - play the bass, no need to go all Karen Silkwood over the whole thing.

 

[Wisebass]

Hi JES

What should I use?

For Fenders:

For Gibsons:

Gotta do it right! Be authentic!


glad I could help!


Wise(b)ass

 

[jdh3000]

I usually swap now and then with our guitar player for a few songs, yet during this time we haven't been doing that.

A few weeks ago I let a buddy set in on bass, but right now I probably wouldn't offer.

Who knows what's going to become of all this? Better erring on the side of caution.

 

[arbiterusa]

So..you’re not supposed to use alcohol on a bass because it will be bad for the wood and finish. But you are supposed to disinfect surfaces other people touch. What should I use?

Don't use a shared instrument. If you have to, you let it sit a week in the open air before touching it, in a place in your house/studio that no one goes into.

 

[lfmn16]

That possibility is why you don't share your bass.

It's all so confusing!

 

[jeffb28451]

If you care so much for the bass that you share it...then clean it properly with Clorox and a wire brush, then set it on fire.