Bass Maintenance...

[Gremson]

My only string experience comes from playing guitar, so excuse me if this is a total noob question.
But is there a general maintenance required on basses that guitarist wouldn't normally experience?
I've been switching between a Squier P-bass and a Univox hollowbody for the past few months, and with regular gigging and practicing, both of them are rattling themselves apart. I feel like I'm constantly re-tightening pot and switch nuts.

Is this normal?

 

[343 Salty Beans]

Not sure if anyone else has done this, but I had a problem with my jack coming loose occasionally, particularly when my bass and I travel. I bought a small bottle of blue Loctite (you can get it for under a few bucks at Home Depot, etc.). put a smidgeon of it on the threads where the nut will be tight, it helps tremendously. Same can be said with pots, etc. If any of the blue shows up on the thread where the nut isn't, you can scratch it off lightly with a sewing needle.

Another thing I did to prevent the strap nipples from coming off is take them off, put a small piece of toothpick in the strap hole, and put it back on.

I'm not sure if the large amount of low freqs make a difference, but I know when I hit my low E solidly I can definitely feel the vibration all the way through the neck. Not something I experience on a guitar.

Hope this helps!

 

[Stephent28]

I have never has pots or switch nuts come loose in 40+ years of gigging.
I have also never gigged a hollow body bass.

 

[megafiddle]

I use internal star lockwashers on the inside, between control and pickguard (or body
top plate). Use the right size wrench for hex nuts and get them good and snug, but
not tight like a nut on a bolt. The knurled nuts require a special tool, but they can be
rediculously expensive. You can use "gas" pliers (not needle nose), but you risk stripping
or damaging the finish. Gas pliers are also called slip joint, the ones with the curved jaws
for grabbing round objects. If you're careful, you can use them.

But no it's not normal.