Cleaning your bass

[GnarwhalNick]

Every time I restring I use a microfiber cloth and rub every surface down on the body, neck, and fretboard (I really try to get as much of the dead skin and grime off the frets), but it's been a while since I've done a full on real deep clean. Honestly, I've only really ever done a true deep clean once on my main bass and that was when I switched out the pots and had the bass nearly fully disassembled anyways. I polished the body, used lemon oil on the frets and fretboard, and the back of the neck got a good cleaning too. The other two basses I have not done that with but have wiped them both down plenty.

But then again if I accidentally spill beer on my bass or something I will clean it up pretty much immediately after the session

 

[Strung_Low]

I’ll generally wipe down my bass before or after most rehearsals just w a rag.. changing strings once or twice a year I give the fb a good scrub and oil if necessary.

 

[el murdoque]

Every couple of years, when there is sufficient buildup of gunk on the fretboard, I take off the strings and clean that.
The rest of the bass cleans itself through usage.

 

[Dust2Dust]

Is it just dirty or rusted?

It's just Dirty . . . from sweat and stuff I guess.

 

[DrBnz]

Yeah, well... kinda.... OK.... so I have a phobia and have to have the tuners clean.... no fingerprints. Well almost none. And some of my older ones have something going on with the paint and a smudge of "I don't know what" gets built up right where your forearm rests on the body. I don't let it get built up, so a spritz of polish and a rag every 3-4 days maybe. Now that doesn't count the wiping down the back of the neck that happens quite often.

 

[JakobT]

I dust mine off regularly, and wipe off fingerprints etc. as needed. I also use guitar polish whenever I change the strings, and oil the fretboard at the same time if required.

A couple of years ago I discovered the Nomad Tool from MusicNomad, which has a soft dusting brush on one end and a double sided microfiber pad on the other. This tool is excellent for keeping my basses clean on a daily basis.

 

[denchiq]

Tbf I've only played 3 gigs since I started playing again and taking more of a  proper interest. Generally practice every week.

what do you use to clean your bass(es), and how thorough?

there isn't a vote option for me bc I don't actually have a time schedule, and why would I.
I clean an instrument when I change the strings, bc it is only logical: you get a better access to places when the strings don't stand in your way. Also, if you want a cleaner sound and install fresh strings, you want that gunk off the fretboard.
I clean an instrument before a gig, bc it is only logical: people come to see a show and a clean instrument looks better and fingerprints and all look worse.
I clean an instrument when it gets dirty to a point it bugs me.
Pretty sure there are other reasons that induce me to clean an instrument, but I can't say off the top of my head.
But a time schedule, nope.

 

[LEH - Ellis]

Keeping your fingerboard clean slows down fret wear. Dirt and grime are abrasives and chew into your fretwire more than just the normal string to fret wear. I vote for "clean it when you see it".

 

[jmartynuska]

Didn't Jamerson say the dirt keeps the funk?