Cleaning,Polishing and Maintaining your Bass

HosMan · #1 12-11-2009, 01:28 AM

I got lots of ideas and recommendations from the search I did but...

What do my fellow TBers recommend for quick and easy cleaning and maintenance of their beloved basses?

On my local music store guru`s advice I picked up some "Pro Shine Guitar Polish(by Clayton USA) and a Duck`s Deluxe cloth(w/polishing/application cloths).

I have heard a great(and inexpensive)method of cleaning the strings is to use plain old rubbing alcohol.

Pretty sure this polish is for the body only so what should I use for the fretboard(rosewood)?

Thanks in advance and a Merry Christmas!
HosMan

Stumbo · #2 12-12-2009, 02:43 AM

Cleaning strings: Cleaning strings with WD-40!
Waxing: Waxing your guitar/bass

Fletcher Lanning · #3 12-12-2009, 03:16 AM

I've had a million music store salesman try to sell me on guitar polish, wax, buffing cloths, etc. I've used a number of the products but I continually go back to plain old lemon oil (the stuff you can find just about anywhere). I use it on both my electric and my upright bass.

All you have to do is put it on some sort of lint-free cloth, then rub down the instrument (fretboard and all). I let it sit for a bit, wipe off the excess, process done. If you have some sort of scratch in the finish that you're trying to get out (or you have a super valuable insturment that need some rejuvenation), then the thread on waxing could be useful.

As far as strings go, I put my money on some sort of alcohol solution (plain old rubbing alcohol works in a pinch but some say that the water in the solution could eventually lead to rusted strings; I haven't had issues with it). Make sure that your don't get alcohol on the finish as it will definitely not do it any favors.

There are many products that are formulated for your specific type of finish/fretboard/strings/etc but these are what I use for an (as you put it) "...quick and easy..." solution that works great.

lolaviola · #4 12-12-2009, 05:02 AM

Baby Oil on a cloth to clean strings works for me.

t0t0m · #5 12-12-2009, 06:08 AM

For nitro finish basses; to polish and shine I use Fender by meguiars, really good stuff.
For oil finish basses / fret board; I usually only use johnson's baby oil / planet waves lemon oil, but the baby oil is much more cheaper though.

For strings, I never clean my strings, I wash my hand thoroughly before playing. and it helps a lot.