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No series on Jazz Appreciation would be complete without the bass. Like other stringed instruments (the violin, viola, cello, even the guitar), the bass is very sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature. A climate-controlled environment is the safest option.
Your bass needs a certain amount of humidity to prevent its wood from cracking. When you have the bass in your home, it’s best to use a dampit (a humidifier made of a sponge inside a long tube, which can be placed inside a violin, viola, cello or bass) to humidify the instrument. When the bass is stored in an environment where the heat is on, especially if the temperature outside is below zero, a dampit can be essential to the preservation of the instrument.
Obviously, however, if you are putting the bass into self storage for a long period of time, however, you will not be able to check the dampit every day. In that case, make sure you choose a unit that is humidified.
Prior to storing the bass, make sure that you clean it (in fact, it is a good idea to clean it after each use). Clean and polish the instrument, using varnish cleaner from a music store. Use a soft cloth to wipe rosin off the strings. If the instrument has any cracks or is in need of other repairs, take care of those before you store it, so that the damage does not worsen over time. You may also want to loosen the strings, especially if you think that the instrument might experience changes in temperature while it is in storage. Temperature changes, like humidity changes, can cause the wood of an instrument to swell and shrink.
To pack a bass for moving or shipping, and for storage, first set aside any accessories, such as extra strings, and pack them separately, in a small box, or place them in the accessory compartment of your case, if it has one. You may need to add some soft packing material to the accessory compartment, to prevent its contents from shifting during the move. Then place your bass in its case, adding soft packing material in any extra air spaces, to prevent the bass itself from shifting during the move. Try not to use packing “peanuts” or “popcorn,” as these can leave tiny crumbs in the case that can be difficult to remove later. Whatever packing material you choose to use, though, make sure that the neck of your bass, in particular, has plenty of support to prevent it from moving during shipping.
In addition, you may want to put some folded paper between the strings and the body of the instrument.
For additional protection, if possible, pack the case inside a larger box, such as a bass shipping box. You may be able to get one from a local music store. This box will not only provide the bass with extra protection against physical shocks, but will also help to protect it from changes in temperature and humidity. The box should have two or three inches of space around the bass case on all sides. Fill that space with more of your soft packing material. Bubble wrap works well for this purpose, but you can also use crumpled newspapers. Make sure that no part of the case is touching the box. You may be able to slide your small accessory box, if you have one, inside this larger box.
When you are preparing to store the bass, do not put it into the trunk of a car unless you are ready to immediately transport it to a storage unit. Leaving it in the trunk during cold weather can cause drying and cracking, while leaving it in the trunk when the weather is hot can cause the glue to soften, joints to come apart, and varnish to soften and stick to your case.
Finally, you may want to consider insuring your bass while it is in storage. Most self storage facilities offer some form of insurance for the contents of units. I recommend insuring these beautiful instruments for at least their replacement value.
Once you have taken all these steps, you are ready to store your bass — until you or someone else is ready to play it again.
Tags: bass, climate controlled, dampit, humidity, JAM, Jazz Appreciation Month, move, pack, self storage, ship, store, temperature