Does your double bass ever get dirty and nasty from all that rosin buildup?
I have been super bad about cleaning my bass in recent years. It’s developed this sort of nasty, crusty, dirty, filthy quality that I am not proud of!
So I decided to hop online and order some Kolstein Cleaner. This is what I used to use back when I was a teenager and in college to clean rosin off my bass.
This Kolstein cleaner has been my go-to for bass cleaning ever since I was in high school!
Kolstein advises a bit of caution before using either the cleaner or polish:
Kolstein cleaners and polishes are very stable and compatible with virtually all finishes on instruments. However, it is advisable to perform a small sample test for both the cleaner and or polish in an obscure part of the instrument to make sure there’s full compatibility with the varnish of the instrument.
My favorite cleaner for removing all the gunk from my double bass!
I have so many battle scars on this bass, and the Kolstein cleaner seems to do a great job of disguising them and really getting that rosin residue off the body of my bass.
After cleaning my bass thoroughly, there’s a little bit of “rosin gravel,” but visually it looks way better.
I think I’m going to make cleaning my bass a weekly or semi-weekly affair. Next time, I’ll try getting even more rosin off my bridge–it’s still a it nastier and stickier than I’d like!
If you want to clean your fingerboard, take a look at this budget-friendly overview from luthier Nick Lloyd!
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