Is it bad to clean your bass/strings with a damp cloth???

[jebo]

???

If so, what is the best way to clean your strings, fretboard & body?

[BullHorn]

I use Dr. Duck's Ax Wax for all my basses. It's good for the woods, the metallic hardware and the strings. It also smells nice.

It's a must-have for nitro-finish basses, it helps keep it clean and smooth.

[SMILEYSIXX]

So you're asking if it's bad to let wood and metal get wet? OF COURSE IT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA!

Your strings will rust and the wood will warp. If you're body is finished, you might get away with that, but you still have to avoid all the electronics and metal parts.

Rule of thumb: don't get your damn bass wet.

[rodcheapo]

I wouldn't suggest it. I use Dunlop guitar polish on the body and wipe the rest off with a soft cloth.

[Floyd Eye]

Fast Fret. Don't use water or anything with silicone in it. Naptha works too.

[Turnaround]

Frank Ford has been in this business for longer than may of us have been alive. I recommend you take his advice.

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Musi...leaning01.html

Though it's about guitars, it applies to basses too....

[BassMan4Him]

Originally Posted by Floyd Eye

Fast Fret. Don't use water or anything with silicone in it. Naptha works too.

+1 Fast Fret will keep your strings clean and slick.. preserves them for a looong time IME.

[onionpuzzle]

and don't gunk up your roundwound strings too much either with any kind of polish. I like a dry cloth.

[walterw]

a little water is fine on finished stuff (most guitar polishes are mostly water anyway) but i wouldn't want it on exposed rosewood or ebony fretboards, where it can swell the wood. also, with strings, steel + water = rust.

it's good to wipe down strings, i just wouldn't use water to do it.