String Bass Online: Bass Basics

How to take Care of Your Bass and Bow

Tighten your bow before playing by gently turning the tension screw. Avoid making the bow hairs too taut---the separation between the bow stick and hair should be about the width of a pencil.
Put a small amount of rosin on your bow before playing. Hold the rosin in your left hand, place the bow hairs flat on the rosin and slowly move the bow back and forth on the rosin.
After playing the bass, gently clean it with a soft cloth to remove rosin build-up on the strings.
Polish is rarely needed, and when necessary, only a commercial instrument polish should be used. Cleaning the bass with furniture polish or water could damage the varnish and acoustics of the bass (water could also cause the bass seams to open).
Put the bass endpin spike back in the instrument, and return your bass to its case.
Loosen the hair on your bow before putting it back in the case. If you have a soft case, be sure to put the bass in first, then the bow (when taking your instrument out, take the bow out first, then the bass).
Do not store your bass in extreme hot or cold locations (since your instrument is made of wood, it could crack, warp, or the varnish could melt).
If you live in a dry climate, you may want to consider using a humidifier made for musical instruments (excessive dryness can cause cracking or the seams of your bass to open).
If your bass ever has cracks or the seams begin to open, take it to a music store, bass maker or luthier to be professionally repaired. Never use commercial glue to repair cracks on your bass. Instrument makers use a special glue for bass seams and repairs.
If your bass bridge ever needs to be adjusted, it is important to note that the bass bridge is held in place by pressure and proper placement, not glue (tension from the bass strings holds it in place). Visit our bass bridge adjustment section for more information.
If you open your case and see that bow hairs are falling off, visit our Bow Bugs section.