dirt on neck

mdc · #1 03-03-2011, 05:31 PM

Hi,

I was wondering if the dirt on the bass neck, which builds up over time due to playing, is in any significant way doing harm to the neck wood, not the frets or the strings. My friend told me the other day that if I keep having all that dirt on the neck, my bass has 6 more months to "live". The bass (20th anniversary squier jazz bass) has never been cleaned in 7 years and, to this day, it sounds great!
With the dirt on, I personally find the sound to be more mellow and fat, but that doesn't have to be connected with the dirt itself. Or does it?

jacostilllives · #2 03-03-2011, 05:32 PM

James Jamerson never cleaned the neck on his P-Bass. Said it kept the funk alive.

In other words. Your bass is fine.

Steveaux · #3 03-03-2011, 05:33 PM

Your friend is ...

A) kidding

or

B) a deluded fool who also believes in under-powering speakers and the "magic" of over-priced cables.

testing1two · #4 03-03-2011, 05:52 PM

It's more a matter of hygiene than tone. Your fingerboard will hold up just fine either way. If you decide to clean it up don't clean the strings as that can have a dramatic effect on tone.

oi_pride · #5 03-03-2011, 05:55 PM

I've thrown my bass across clubs and rooms without damage, if it's the dirt that's going to kill it i'm screwed.

mdc · #6 03-04-2011, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steveaux

Your friend is ...

A) kidding

or

B) a deluded fool who also believes in under-powering speakers and the "magic" of over-priced cables.

a deluded fool it is...
thanks for the input everyone

LilloEsquilo · #7 03-04-2011, 07:38 AM

The bass could easily outlive your friend