cleaning/fixing used bass

[RedGrange]

I traded for a used warwick (I got the far better of the deal).

When I got it, the stings were black... so I took them off... and I noticed the nut wasn't secured to the headstock anymore. Plus whatever was on the strings is all over the neck.

It is a warwick, wenge neck fingerboard, I know that much.

I want to know, if anyone could please help me.

how to clean the fingerboard properly? (I'm thinking soft wire brush with some cleaning fluid.. but not sure what would work and not hurt)

The original nut was a crappy plastic one... I'm going to change it anyway. Would it be best to have someone else do it, or should I just do it myself (I'm fairly skilled with these sort of things, but hesitant)?

What is the best cleaner to clean the whole bass with?

I'm also thinking about taking the electronics out and cleaning them up, too.

Should I do the work myself, or just have someone else do it, and not worry?

I hope i didn't make it should like it's a piece of crap, because it isn't, it's a damn fine bass.... just a little dirty.

[geoffzilla]

Hmmm..I'm sure someone will end up giving you a much better answer than I can, but I will mention this stuff I found last weekend called axwax. I got it at GC because my ususall repairman was out of town and I had to clean/setup my bass myself(something I really don't like to do, I don't like worrying about it) The stuff is recommended for cleaning the whole bass, and it came out REALLY well. I have a stingray with a really raw fretboard that soaks up a lot of dirt. It all came out with a cotton cloth and a bit of work. It might be worth looking into.

[Ryan L.]

I think this would be better answered in the Setup forum.

Off it goes......................

[Hambone]

Look further down in the forum for the thread about cleaning a rosewood fretboard. None other than Roger Sadowsky himself has some good suggestions for cleaning fretboards.

Here's the link:Rosewood Fretboards??? Need Help!

[gweimer]

What I've been doing on my fingerboards for years is to use a toothbrush with some very mild soap - like dish detergent - and scrub it down, then wipe with a mildly damp cloth, and dry it quickly. Then, you can use some Lemon Oil and wipe it clean.

[Bassmouse3]

A warwick with a plastic nut? I'm in shock!
Anyways, about cleaning the whole bass; I would avoid AxWax, if its a natural oil finish... Try thinning som boiled linseed oil up with thurpentine(50/50) and rubbing the dirty spots gently. This solution is gentle, but you probably still have to rewax it with warwicks wax( available from Dana B. Goods) If its a laquer finish go ahead and use axwax or whatever... Warwicks laquer is something near immortal And I wouldn't take out the electronics myself if I were you... Active electronics are very delicate, and should always be left alone if working properly.
Good luck, Bassmouse3

[Gallient Knight]

If you can find one I would suggest a brass nut. If you are a patient person, do it your self. If you want it to come out perfect the first time have someone else do it. Great info in this thread about finish cleaning so far. If its an oil finish I would use Warwicks cleaning stuff.

Don't break whats not broken. If the electronics are in good shape just blow out the control cavities with some compressed air and close it back up