Do you clean your basses regularly?

[Lazerrus]

So after checking out all the wonderful images on TB of people's basses I found it interesting at the mix of clean and dirty DNA infested basses. I am just curious to see what the tally may reveal. I know there are "played" instruments as well as "wall hangers" but I'm a guy that likes to wipe his wood down after I fondle it You?

 

[baba]

Never, unless I sell them or spill beer on them.

 

[Jazz Ad]

Once or twice a year they get full cleaning and buffing, hardware and electronic checkup, string change and setup.

 

[ClassicJazz]

I always give mine a good wipe down after use. Than once every couple of months I break out the Martin Guitar polish.

 

[JTFormula]

More importantly, for those who do clean then, what are you using to do so? I try to clean my guitars and basses on a regular basis. Mostly a slightly damp microfiber rag and once a year a coat of carnuba car wax (which may or may not be the right thing but I am a car guy with lots of car wax).

 

[Lazerrus]

I use Fender Mist & Wipe Finish Enhancer.

 

[Rocky McD]

My guess would be, those who have dirty instruments also have dirty cars, homes, etc.
It's hard for me to imagine because I am a cleaning freak. I wipe down my bass every time I touch it. I never have to clean it because it never gets dirty.
Rocky

 

[FunkMetalBass]

Fretboard: every string change (fret polish & fretboard clean/oil)
Body: before every show (EB guitar polish on a microfiber cloth)
Battery: I try to check them before every show, but I do sometimes forget.

 

[SactoBass]

I always wipe my basses after playing them. I try to keep them looking new as much as possible.

 

[oddgrowth]

never.

Basses are tools. They are for using, not cleaning.

I've never cleaned a cresent wrench or a hammer.

...And my Mini Cooper is immaculately spotless.

 

[unclejane]

So after checking out all the wonderful images on TB of people's basses I found it interesting at the mix of clean and dirty DNA infested basses. I am just curious to see what the tally may reveal. I know there are "played" instruments as well as "wall hangers" but I'm a guy that likes to wipe his wood down after I fondle it You?

I use compressed air to blow dust/dirt off, but I never wipe them with anything unless it's just absolutely necessary. Unless I'm actually trying to "relic" it, which is never the case with any of my basses. Constant cleaning and wiping really does a number on the finish over time; best to just leave the protecive layer of dirt on it to protect it .

LS

 

[M.R. Ogle]

Uhhhh... sometimes.
Not religiously, but whenever I'm looking anything else over, string change, whatever, I will clean them up.

 

[Staccato]

Found this poll right after cleaning some finger grunge from a maple headstock and heel of neck that have an unfinished maple appearance. (Mineral Spirits.)

 

[pedroims]

Fretboard: every string change ( fretboard clean/oil)
Strings: Always wash my hands before play and wipe them after practice/performance
Body: before every performance (a light buffer with Fender guitar polish on a microfiber cloth)
Me: Always take a shower before performance and wear clean clothes.

Me and my bass should look clean when we are on stage

beaten is different than stinky and dirty

 

[vinxbass]

I wipe my bass down after each gig.

 

[chrisrusty99]

I always give mine a good wipe down after use. Than once every couple of months I break out the Martin Guitar polish.

+1 - except I use the fender mist stuff. I'd much rather have a beat up bass than a dirty, fingerprinted one.

 

[BassBob1]

i voted no but i do occasionally wipe the dust off with a cloth,kinda. Probably once every few months. Ironically, I'm a clean freak. My apartment is spotless just not my bass.

 

[doctorpunch]

I clean as needed. After a really hot show there's a good deal of noticeable juice on the body. You know what I mean: if more than one drop of sweat hits the same area it runs down the body and makes this gross film. I'll give the body a wipedown when that happens. My fretboards get gunky after a while so every so often I'll bust out the Dunlop lemon junk during a string change.

Here's a weird one: I vacuum my case once a month to minimalise dust. You may proceed with the comments children.

 

[baba]

never.

Basses are tools. They are for using, not cleaning.

I've never cleaned a cresent wrench or a hammer.

...And my Mini Cooper is immaculately spotless.

Exactly. Clean office, home, vehicle, yard. Relatively clean bass even without ever cleaning. What is going to get on your bass other than oil, sweat, and body grime? If I had dirt on mine I would wipe it off, but that doesn't seem to happen.

 

[TinIndian]

My hands sweat ridiculously. So I always wipe down after I play; neck, strings and the body. When I change strings I get all the spots that are harder to reach and clean and oil the fret board.