cleaning the skin build up off the fingerboard

[Alex Spradling]

you guys know what i'm talking about..

how do i do it?

[scottice]

Try a soft shammy cloth (cotton or synthetic)... slide it under the strings and pull back and forth. (Make sure it's not abrasive)

[Mmm...brAins]

Yeah...you want to be doing this every time after putting your bass down. Get a clean, soft cloth and wipe the strings and fingerboard down. Every couple weeks, take your strings off and apply either fingerboard cleaner or some sort of natural citrus oil to your fingerboard - letting it soak in before wiping it off. Get in the habit of cleaning your fretboard often - your strings may actually last longer due to to the reduced sweat buildup.

[Matthew Tucker]

Originally Posted by Mmm...brAins

Every couple weeks, take your strings off ... Get in the habit of cleaning your fretboard often

but what if my bass doesn't have a fretboard



search talkbass for
"smegma" and you'll get all the schpizz you need ...

[hdiddy]

I think some people have been saying to use a dab of alcohol on a rag and to be careful to not get the alchy on the bass since it might take the varnish off.

I've used both Kolstein bass cleaner (which smells nasty) and Martin Guitar Polish. Both are very very light and seem safe to use. I hate the smell of Kolstein's cleaner ... bleah! It smells like a demonic version of Pepto Bismol. *gag*

[zazz]

spit..and a cloth and some elbow grease!!

[Eric Rene Roy]

use at your own risk...and all that fun stuff...but when it's REAL bad mineral spirits work well.

[Matthew Tucker]

and when its REALLY REALLY bad you can use a chisel ...

[Chasarms]

I have found that the "shoe shine" method under the strings works pretty well.

I have found that a linen napkin works really best. They are abrasive enough to get the job done but not harsh. I also use them for my rosin rag.

[Marc Piane]

My understanding is that ebony is such a hard wood that the cloth doesn't have to be very soft. I just use a hand towel I keep in my bag.

Occasionally I'll do a good cleaning with mineral oil and a hand towel.

When I change my strings I use rubbing alcohol and fine steel wool. Works like a charm. Like others have said, be super careful not to get any alcohol on the finish. Also apply some mineral oil after the alcohol is all dry to help moisturize the wood.

[arnoldschnitzer]

Originally Posted by Mmm...brAins

Get a clean, soft cloth and wipe the strings and fingerboard down. Every couple weeks, take your strings off and apply either fingerboard cleaner or some sort of natural citrus oil to your fingerboard

One string off at a time please! Otherwise you might be looking for a luthier to put your soundpost back up.

[Chasarms]

Originally Posted by arnoldschnitzer

One string off at a time please! Otherwise you might be looking for a luthier to put your soundpost back up.

I actually thought about that when I read it. I think perhaps our esteemed poster was assuming this was a EBG question.

I know there are plenty of string neurotics around here, but removing the strings every two weeks on a DB seems a little over the top.

[hdiddy]

Originally Posted by Chasarms

I know there are plenty of string neurotics around here, but removing the strings every two weeks on a DB seems a little over the top.

Not to mention that it's a good way to probably kill string life. Not a great idea for Obligatos, Animas, Dominants, etc. etc.

[nicklloyd]

OOOO Steel Wool will take off the finger gunk, but not harm the fingerboard. You can also use the steel wool to remove finger gunk that builds up on the string itself. Rubbing alcohol applied to a paper towel works, as well. Just use a >>small amount<< of alcohol.

[Jeff Bollbach]

Originally Posted by Alex Spradling

you guys know what i'm talking about..

how do i do it?

GROSS

[Uncletoad]

Originally Posted by Mmm...brAins

Yeah...you want to be doing this every time after putting your bass down. Get a clean, soft cloth and wipe the strings and fingerboard down. Every couple weeks, take your strings off and apply either fingerboard cleaner or some sort of natural citrus oil to your fingerboard - letting it soak in before wiping it off. Get in the habit of cleaning your fretboard often - your strings may actually last longer due to to the reduced sweat buildup.

This is not a good suggestion.

....especially if you have frets.

Far more damage has been addressed in my shop from over oiled, over sanded, and "overmaintained" boards than those that have just been left alone.

Wipe down your strings if you like. Leave the chemicals alone.

[toman]

I think the answer might be not in the bass realm, but rather the washing of hands... I don't do much to my fingerboard, except when I change strings or clean the bass I wipe it off with a little rubbing alcohol and then maybe a tiny bit of olive oil, buffed off completely. I don't get much gunk on it in the first place, though, mostly just dust I think. My slab bass gets a lot more build up around the frets, but then, it also has a hard finished fretboard. That one I let my luthier take care of; it comes back sqeeky clean and I don't ask any questions...

[Chasarms]

Originally Posted by Jeff Bollbach

GROSS

I assume you don't have fingerboard de-funking on your standard rate card.

[robobass]

Citrus oil? What the heck is that? It sounds like a bad idea to me. I clean my strings and board with a little denatured alcohol on a cotton face pad about 3x/month, and sometimes treat both strings and board with a little mineral oil. I also keep a can of "fast fret" in my bag and use it often.
Robobass

[Marc Piane]

I'd love it if washing my hands and wiping down with a towel did it. Unfortunately I am a greasy, oily, sweaty Italian.