How to Clean Upright Bass Strings
A talented musician plucks the strings of an upright bass with his fingers or plays with a bow to produce quality sound. Taking care of an upright bass--an instrument that costs several thousand dollars--is an essential part of a musician's routine. Neglecting to clean and tune the upright bass could result in a poor performance from the musician while on stage. Whether you play an upright bass in an orchestra or a rockabilly band, an owner of an upright bass must protect the investment made in this instrument.
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Instructions
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Remove heavy deposits of rosin on the strings with a steel wool pad. Rub the steel wool pad onto the strings to break up and remove large chunks of rosin. Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol to a clean cloth and rub the strings where the steel wool pad removed the rosin.
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Loosen a string on the upright bass enough to make room for your hand between the string and the body of the bass. Place a dime-sized amount of petroleum jelly on a clean cloth. Grip the loose string with the petroleum side of the cloth. Rub the string--from the top to the bottom--with the rag while applying firm pressure. Tighten the string and repeat with the other three strings on the bass.
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Clean your strings after each practice or performance. Rub a dry, clean cloth up and down the length of each string. Cleaning the strings after each time the hands are in contact reduces the amount of acidity on the strings, resulting in a longer life for the strings.
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Tips & Warnings
Designate a time in your daily schedule for cleaning your upright bass.
Keep a clean cloth in your case for cleaning the upright bass while on the road.
Avoid contact of rubbing alcohol with the varnish of an upright bass to prevent permanent stains.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit standup bass image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com
