Double Bass How often do you polish/clean your bass?

[Eli Brockway]

I'd have to clean the fingerboard on the bass I used in college at least once a month, because despite how fastidious I am about keeping clean, the amount I sweat when I play would just lead to gunk building up to the point that it was visible to the conductor some times.

On the bright side, on the bass guitar side of things, I kill flats pretty quickly. Of course, then they start looking all corroded and everything, and it makes the drummers worry I'll give myself tetanus just playing.

 

[CaseyVancouver]

I'd have to clean the fingerboard on the bass I used in college at least once a month, because despite how fastidious I am about keeping clean, the amount I sweat when I play would just lead to gunk building up to the point that it was visible to the conductor some times.

On the bright side, on the bass guitar side of things, I kill flats pretty quickly. Of course, then they start looking all corroded and everything, and it makes the drummers worry I'll give myself tetanus just playing.

I’m in a habit of washing my hands before I practice each day. Also, I think some folks have a bit more acid in their sweat that is hard on varnish. (looking at old violins)

 

[Eli Brockway]

I’m in a habit of washing my hands before I practice each day. Also, I think some folks have a bit more acid in their sweat that is hard on varnish. (looking at old violins)

Same here. Wash before practice, wash before play, massive amount of gunk builds up no matter what. I don't know if my sweat is more acidic than average or not, but it wouldn't surprise me.

 

[David Potts]

James, you must come from the School of Hard Knocks" !!

I will not use Pops rosin because of the build-up on the stick, hair and bass that is so hard to remove. Ours is a warm climate and I prefer Nymans rosin that falls like dust, is easy to wipe off and does not build up a lot on the varnish. I also like it because it keeps me honest by not itself dominating the tone I produce. I find Pops grabs so much that it makes a "Pops sound".

 

[AGCurry]

... the amount I sweat when I play would just lead to gunk building up to the point that it was visible to the conductor some times.

Eww.

 

[equill]

Do what, now?

Like others here, I clean rosin off the strings and fingerboard, and wipe finger oils off the strings but that's about it.

 

[Don Hergert]

I hose mine of once a month.

( not really, although I probably could if it wasn't for the bow and the electronics...)

 

[CaseyVancouver]

View attachment 4099437

 

[Eli Brockway]

Eww.

If you think that's bad, imagine my poor teacher, having to see it in person in the lessons every week.

And there's a massive emphasis on the at least part of my first post in here.

 

[1st Bass]

View attachment 4102314

I do hope he’s playing the William Tell Overture, and not “ride-a-horsey.” On the other hand, it could be “Riders on the Storm...”

 

[Carl Hillman]

I do hope he’s playing the William Tell Overture, and not “ride-a-horsey.” On the other hand, it could be “Riders on the Storm...”

I figured he was engaged in a tribute to Major Kong.

Maybe he's playing "What Is This Thing Called Strangelove?"

 

[CaseyVancouver]

I do hope he’s playing the William Tell Overture, and not “ride-a-horsey.” On the other hand, it could be “Riders on the Storm...”

Haha!
That’s Lum York, a rather famous character in his time, played with Hank William’s Drifting Cowboy’s ‘43-‘47. $20 a week AND room ‘n board, wow!
His real first name was William but he had such a strong southern accent they nick named him ‘Lum’.

We have come a long way since bass player’s had to ride a bass for comic relief. I figure @james condino came across a few basses that have been literally ridden, and not polished lol.

 

[1st Bass]

“Ridden hard and put away wet...” I think that was the phrase when a horse was badly used, and ill-cared-for.

“Worked it like a rented mule” is the other one that comes to mind.

 

[Ed S]

Well, I guess the answer for me is approximately every 15 years!

This summer I noticed some gunk was building up on my ply - especially along the side of the neck, and on the G side of the heel. Where my hands tend to be the most. From spring thru fall I play weekly 4-5 hr jams outside.

Asked my wife what I should use to clean it, and she said I should leave it to my luthier! She used Murphy's oil soap and cotton rags, and it looks/feels amazing! Over the next week she intends to buff it w/ some polish on it, and clean the fb w/ alcohol and shellac it.

AND she told me to wash my hands w/ soap every time I play it.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

I wouldn’t use alcohol or shellac on the fingerboard.
Some rubbing with a cloth to warm up, soften and remove the gunk should do to get it off.

For the rest I would ask the luthier.

 

[BassinCT]

Polishing: I don’t
Cleaning: I will wipe away rosin and dust from body- really it is a quick wipe down around the belly with a cotton cloth; the only part of the bass that I focus on thoroughly cleaning is the fingerboard and strings. I’m a schwetty player and I sometimes have to wipe down the board between sets to keep it from getting sticky under the fingers. I like clean strings, and I cannot lie.