I've got two acoustic guitars and a mandolin and I know how to take care of them (especially in winter) but I'm new to the bass. It's a solidbody, in a semi-hardshell Gator case. Does a solidbody instrument require anything special? I keep little humidifiers in the acoustic instruments' cases. I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thanks.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
bass care?
- Thread starter tedgilley
- Start date
I've never really done much with any of my painted basses.
Other than keeping them clean with a rag.
I wax my warwick once every two weeks
I have it set up regularly during the wild temperature changes here and avoid taking them from hot -to-cold-hot-to-cold.
Basses seem to be hearty little things.
Other than keeping them clean with a rag.
I wax my warwick once every two weeks
I have it set up regularly during the wild temperature changes here and avoid taking them from hot -to-cold-hot-to-cold.
Basses seem to be hearty little things.
- Aug 14, 2008
- 698
- 12
- Disclosures
- Owner and Operator, Xylem Handmade Basses and Guitars
Like Phalex and mothmonsterman, I don't do anything special to my solidbody basses or guitars...they are pretty hardy, like moth says.
Watch out for rapid, large swings in humidity or temperature. For example, if you know the humidity in your house is going to jump or drop 30-40% in one hour, you might want to keep the bass in the case with a little humidifier until the humidity settles down. This situation is pretty rare in most modern houses though and even if it did happen to your bass it would probably only change the relief in the neck a little.
Of course, leaving a humidifier in with the bass never hurts...
You probably already know this, but also avoid leaving the bass in a hot or cold car for more than about ten or twenty minutes at a time.
Watch out for rapid, large swings in humidity or temperature. For example, if you know the humidity in your house is going to jump or drop 30-40% in one hour, you might want to keep the bass in the case with a little humidifier until the humidity settles down. This situation is pretty rare in most modern houses though and even if it did happen to your bass it would probably only change the relief in the neck a little.
Of course, leaving a humidifier in with the bass never hurts...
You probably already know this, but also avoid leaving the bass in a hot or cold car for more than about ten or twenty minutes at a time.
Agreed. Although take into account different finishes and woods which may react more drastically to said changes in humidity and temperature. My Elrick dried out a bunch but is recovering nicely in much moister air, but none of my other basses seem to react as much. In fact, I have to keep things a little too humid for the Elrick than I prefer for some of my stuff, but all it's companions are holding up fine.
I haven't measured it, but I don't think low-level humidity is a big problem here. We have two small humidifiers in the apartment that I keep running all winter, and the place heats up in a controlled way.
Thanks to everyone for their comments.
