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Care For Spalt Maple

W

Wooks67

Mar 1, 2008
8
0
#1
I've just got my hands on a gorgeous new unfinished open pore spalt maple 6 string bass. :hyper:
I was wondering if anybody out there had any good ways to keep the wood clean and in good condition? What should I use to treat and clean the wood after I've played with it? The reason I ask this is my other bass has a varnished finish, so I just use my Gibson Hi Gloss polish to clean it with. So I would be grateful if somebody could suggest something to keep my new baby looking great :) Thanks a lot!!
 
#2
hmmm....I'm curious on this one. Spalt is some "unstable" stuff given the nature of what it is.

Who made the bass? Did they seal the wood at all?
 
#8
The bass is "made" by a company called Hudsons guitar company, I bought it from a company here in the UK Invalid Link Removed
Apparently it is made at the same factory were they make Tanglewood and Cort guitars and if you check out the Tabnglewood site then you will see that it is a "copy" of one of their basses.
It does feel like it has a bit of a finish to it. I like the idea of speaking to a luthier though, so I'll have to find out if I've got one near to where I live. If anybody else has any ideas then they'd be welcome :)
 
#13
hmm...I still don't know. I don't think you want anything that will soak in. Spalt is very "punky".

On unfinished wood, i.e. a Music Man neck, I've always had good luck with Butcher's Wax. This is a wax that takes a set once it is applied and buffed. This adds a layer of protection to the wood and seals it from moisture/humidity etc.

They use it on bowling alleys.
 
#17
Chris2112 said:
Well, you don't want it to soak deep into the pores of the wood but you definitely want a nice smooth coat of it rubbed on!
Click to expand...

I think he means just damp, as in water, cloth. It sounds like this does have a sealer on it. I had never heard of the brand before so I didn't know if it was some custom "on-off". Being a "commercial" brand though, it has to be sealed.

So, yes, a damp cloth of regular polish would do fine.

Ebony neck? I think it is an ebony boad ...maybe. On the board, you can use some lemon oil or boiled linseed oil. Not a lot though. Put some on with a cloth, let it soak in a bit and then wipe off the excess.
 
#18
Wooks67 said:
what about tung oil? I forgot to mention the back of the body is mahogany with the spalt maple on the front of the body
Click to expand...

I would stay away from tung oil like the plague. Man, that stuff gets all tacky and such. Right when you think it has cured and taken a set, the humidity changes and it gets all messy again.

I think you're "over thinking" this. If they said "damp cloth", that's what I'd stick with.
They wouldn't have told you that if it didn't have some type of finish on it.
 
#20
Wooks67 said:
Thanks Hasbeen, I'll just stick to that. I just want to keep her in good condition, you know what's like when you get a new bass, you just want to do the right thing and look after them :D
Click to expand...

I understand exactly. Enjoy her and play her in good health.

Oh, side note: If you use regular, spray on polish, a good tip is to spray it on the cloth...not directly on the instrument.
 

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