This is all your fault, and you know who you are. About a week or so ago, I read a random post about a nice treatment for our natural finish basses, Howard's Feed-N-Wax. Strange name for a great product. I used it first on my brand new H-B fretless and it really made a difference.
Well, I have an audition coming up this Sunday, and I was in the process of trying to figure out which two to take. I was given three songs to prepare, and as I was playing on my Electra 5, I noticed that I was hardly using the B and when I did, it seemed to drive the song a bit too hard. I don't usually audition with a fretless, so I picked up my 40 year old Stingray, which hasn't been out of the house for ages. I have a long history of back issues including 5 surgeries, and it is only now through the correct meds and some weight lifting that I am feeling fairly normal.
Anyway, I decided to bring the 'Ray with the Electra as backup. Then I took a good look at the Stingray and realized that I had no idea how long ago it might be since the last time I gave it a thorough cleaning. In my own defense, the 'Ray up until the last two months had basically been furniture. Anyway, I gave it a very thorough cleaning, and now if my playing doesn't impress them, then the cleanliness of my old bass certainly will make an impression. lol.
Which of course led me to my next oldest bass, a Carvin all-Koa fretless. It really looked great after the Feed-N-Wax first coat. I will probably give it two more coats at least.
I ran out of energy, but the next one that is VERY overdue for a thorough cleaning is my Ergo EUB. LOTS of wood to polish on that one, for sure. I will keep you all posted.
So, I will leave you with this question - When was the last time you thoroughly cleaned your bass(es), especially the ones you don't play as often? And, how often?
Well, I have an audition coming up this Sunday, and I was in the process of trying to figure out which two to take. I was given three songs to prepare, and as I was playing on my Electra 5, I noticed that I was hardly using the B and when I did, it seemed to drive the song a bit too hard. I don't usually audition with a fretless, so I picked up my 40 year old Stingray, which hasn't been out of the house for ages. I have a long history of back issues including 5 surgeries, and it is only now through the correct meds and some weight lifting that I am feeling fairly normal.
Anyway, I decided to bring the 'Ray with the Electra as backup. Then I took a good look at the Stingray and realized that I had no idea how long ago it might be since the last time I gave it a thorough cleaning. In my own defense, the 'Ray up until the last two months had basically been furniture. Anyway, I gave it a very thorough cleaning, and now if my playing doesn't impress them, then the cleanliness of my old bass certainly will make an impression. lol.
Which of course led me to my next oldest bass, a Carvin all-Koa fretless. It really looked great after the Feed-N-Wax first coat. I will probably give it two more coats at least.
I ran out of energy, but the next one that is VERY overdue for a thorough cleaning is my Ergo EUB. LOTS of wood to polish on that one, for sure. I will keep you all posted.
So, I will leave you with this question - When was the last time you thoroughly cleaned your bass(es), especially the ones you don't play as often? And, how often?
