Double Bass What Should I clean my upright fingerboard with??

[JtheJazzMan]

I shave with 80 grit sandpaper. Ex-foliates the skin nicely.

 

[standupright]

I shave with 80 grit sandpaper. Ex-foliates the skin nicely.

rookie

get back to this thread when when you shave by dragging your face behind your wife's bike on the way to get milk from the dairy

 

[standupright]

lol

 

[kovachian]

Nylon scrubbies are good too, the exact same as what you use to scrub pots and pans with. It will never scratch or gouge wood no matter how hard you try, and cleaning rosin off your fingerboard and strings takes like 1.0683 seconds tops. Swipe swipe swipe, done. Obviously it won't take off every last smidgen like rubbing alcohol, but getting stuff that clean isn't always necessary anyway.

 

[Bass]

i'm getting the feeling after reading this thread....that some of you guys use a firehose and burlap after taking a dump

rookie

get back to this thread when when you shave by dragging your face behind your wife's bike on the way to get milk from the dairy

HA HA HAAAAAA! How did I miss this, this is soooooo funny!

I clean my fingerboard everytime I clean my bass, about twice a year. Or sooner if I spill beer all over it, or if someone sprays beer at me while I'm playing.

This is what I use:

I bath in a 5% solution of phosphoric acid.

 

[JtheJazzMan]

I bath in a 5% solution of phosphoric acid.

What, is that coca colas latest recipe?

 

[jmarnett]

I've always used lemon oil, it'll clean in and smell good, for a little while atleast

 

[lightblue]

well with a cloth id clean the strings with alcohal keeps string better looking and great for playing workd on my electric and double bass

 

[D McCartney]

I follow the instructions that were written for my bass.

http://www.newstandardbass.com/care.htm

 

[Matt Power]

I guess if it's good enough for Arnold...

"FINGERBOARD: Should be wiped clean at the end of every playing session and whenever it feels sticky or dirty. A clean cotton cloth is best. No polish or oil is needed, though an occasional rub with linseed or mineral oil will help the fingerboard remain beatiful and impervious to moisture. 4/0 steel wool can be used to rub in the oil; it will also remove most residues present on the board. Any oil should be wiped off after 2-3 minutes, and the fingerboard and strings buffed with a soft cloth."

 

[Red Planet]

I'm no DB'er by any stretch but I was just about to say 0000 steel wool with a nice coat of Boiled Linseed Oil. Makes Ebony clean and fresh.

I'm enjoying reading up on all this. Getting ready to take the plunge.

 

[ClassicalBassNY]

Believe it or not I use lighter fluid on a velvet rag to clean the ebony fingerboard on my cello. Works great!

This is a cello dis right?

 

[Square Bear]

i've known a lot of violinists who use lighter fluid. it cleans the body of the instrument as well without harming the varnish is what i am told, but who knows. i use denatured alcohol and a rag for the fingerboard and kolstein polish for the rest of the instrument. when i polish my bass, i use the kolstein polish that's left on the rag on the board too, it seems to keep it from getting dirty as quickly. i clean my instrument pretty regularly. i really don't like rosin dust building up anywhere on it.

 

[bassphase]

Lighter fluid is really just naptha. It could mar some finishes if the user isn't careful.


bob

 

[Bijoux]

Lighter fluid is really just naptha. It could mar some finishes if the user isn't careful.


bob

Yup! and if you play too fast you can set your FB on fire!

 

[Peaceful]

You mean I shouldn't just swish it around in the swimming pool?

(Did you know that a double bass holds twice as much water as a cello?)










Only kidding guys. LOL

 

[macdeezy]

most simply, my teacher tells me to use just soap and water on a wet rag for the fingerboard and strings.

how often to you guys here clean the rosin off your strings? i kind of like it caked up on 'em.

 

[drurb]

soap?

 

[Jake deVilliers]

soap?

As Madge said, "You're soaking in it!"

Warm water and mild soap, squeeze out the cloth hard, rub vigorously, wipe dry. *Ping*

 

[AMJBASS]

I would think soap would leave residue on the fingerboard/strings... I just wipe down with a dry cloth when I am done playing. Always works just fine.