Double Bass Love and Care Guide

Buying a double bass can mean an instrument to enjoy for a lifetime! Here are some simple tips to ensure you’re showing your double bass love and care throughout its lifetime with you. 

Following these tips will ensure you and your double bass enjoy a long life together, whether you intend on playing this instrument forever, or passing it onto the next child in your family to enjoy. 

Maintenance: 

In order to maintain your double bass, there are a few quick steps you can follow after every practice session. 

Before you play, be sure to wash your hands. Use a soft microfibre cloth to wipe down the body and strings after every time you play. This will ensure there is no sweat or rosin buildup on any part of your instrument. Be sure to gently wipe down the front, back and sides and fingerboard.

After every practice session or performance, be sure to loosen off your bow. Your bow hair will stretch over time and will need replacing, but you can help the hair last a little longer by loosening it off. This will remove the tension off the hair and ensure a long life for the stick too.

The bridge and soundpost are important components for the production of sound. The soundpost is harder to keep an eye on, but be sure to keep checking the bridge for signs of warping. If the bridge is not standing completely straight anymore, and warping towards the tailpiece or fingerboard, it most likely will need to be replaced. Keep an eye on the strings of your double bass too - if they are old or rusting, be sure to replace them. When you are replacing the strings on your double bass, make sure your bridge remains straight. 

Read our Double Bass Price Guide - What to Expect in Every Price Range.

Storage: 

There are a few storage considerations to keep in mind. 

We know it will only take a few minutes to run into the shops and grab milk and bread. But if you leave your double bass in the boot of your car, you could be potentially exposing your double bass to stress and damage. Double basses are constructed using speciality glues, which will negatively react to hot temperatures. Don’t risk it - never leave your double bass in a car. 

Try to avoid variations in heat and cool. Avoid placing your double bass case against a wall which is west-facing and exposed as these walls get hot in summer and can cause variation in temperature. Keep your cello away from air conditioners, heaters or open fireplaces.

Double Basses are crafted using timber, which means your instrument is susceptible to humidity changes. We recommend regular usage of a humidifier to ensure your double bass stays safe and sound in its case.

It might sound obvious, but don’t sit on your double bass case! 

When storing your double bass at home, whether you’re using a soft bag or hard case, be careful about its placement. If in a hard case, it is safe to leave the double bass standing up against a wall or in the corner, but be cautious when standing your double bass up against a wall if it is in a soft bag. Make sure everybody in the house knows that that is your double bass’s spot!  Although a double bass might seem big and strong, knocks can cause broken bridges, dislodged soundposts and worse. We recommend the use of sturdy double bass stands if you’d like to keep your double bass out of its case for easy access!

We hope you've found this simple love and care guide helpful! Read our Ultimate Care and Maintenance Guide, or visit our store in Red Hill to chat to our friendly team of musicians.