Questions about bass cleanliness...

[MistaMarko]

1. Does sweat/oil/dirt on strings affect tone or intunation?

2. What is the best way to clean strings?

3. What is the best way to clean all sweat and dirt off neck? I have a Cirrus 5 BXP with like a kind of lamination outer coat on it..if you know what I mean..what can I use to clean the back of the neck and not ruin the lamination?

4. Does sweat and stuff ruin the fretboard? Once again..what's best thing to use to clean the fretboard?

5. Thanks!

[Matthew Bryson]

Originally Posted by MistaMarko

1. Does sweat/oil/dirt on strings affect tone or intunation?

tone yes, intonation, no.

Originally Posted by MistaMarko

2. What is the best way to clean strings?

Denatured alcohol. Do a search of the strings forum using denatured alcohol as a your search word to find many good threads on how to use it.

Originally Posted by MistaMarko

3. What is the best way to clean all sweat and dirt off neck? I have a Cirrus 5 BXP with like a kind of lamination outer coat on it..if you know what I mean..what can I use to clean the back of the neck and not ruin the lamination?

This probably depends on what type of wood / finish. I'm not sure what you mean by lamination outer coat?

I have a maple neck with a glossy finish and I just use the same guitar polish that I use to clean the body. Same with my fret board, but other woods and finishes require different care and products (such as wax, or lemon oil)

Originally Posted by MistaMarko

4.a. Does sweat and stuff ruin the fretboard?

No, it keeps the funk in.

Originally Posted by MistaMarko

4.b. Once again..what's best thing to use to clean the fretboard?

See #3 and #4.a above.

[Poop-Loops]

You clean your bass?

[MistaMarko]

Uhh....when theres hardened sweat on my neck im going to clean it...

[Rocinante_x1]

Originally Posted by Poop-Loops

You clean your bass?

dude.. i keep my basses and guitars factory shiny. I clean in about twice a week.. i dont really like oils and fingerprints on my basses or guitars... :P i probably do 2 hours of cleaning a week

Shiny and perdy = fun fun fun

[MeYHymN]

One thing I've found to be PHENOMENAL for cleaning instruments, computer monitors and just about anything else are rags available from Dollar General store (you may have a local alternative). Look for rags with the words "MicroFibers" on them. They work splendidly well. As far as frequent cleaning, I don't. I wipe down with the rag after a practice or jam session. When I change my strings I do a full wipe down with lemon oil (can't recall brand) that you get from your local guitar shop. I've also come to realize that when my strings get nasty enough to require alcohol or boiling I just buy a new set. My $0.02.

[FreeSpirit]

I give my bass a wipe down every now and then, but just the body. The neck does not get touched unless by my fingers while I play. I am a firm believer in "The dirt keeps the funk in."

But, if I am going to sell a bass I will wipe down the fretboard. Just because I don't want my funk stolen.

[Audiophage]

Jebus, who cleans their bass that often? Not that theres anything wrong with it...