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Guide to keeping your bass clean

TrueNorthMatt

TrueNorthMatt

Mar 7, 2004
305
120
Quebec City
#1
Hi guys.

I've used the search thread but couldn't find a complete guide. Only small advices here and there...

Ok. I've been playing bass for something like 7 years now. But I've never made a "good" cleaning to my instruments. And to be true, I don't have a clue of what should be done.

I'd like to have some advices on general cleaning (body, fretboard, strings...) and also ways to "hide" or repair minor scratches. Also, what products should I use to do all this work.

Thanks a lot guys! I love this place!
 
#2
Fill a bathtub with hot water and dishwashing liquid. Drop the bass in and let it soak for at least 20 minutes. Scrub with some steel wool, rinse, and blowdry. If you want the shine to come out compound it. Use a buffer if you've got one but sit on the neck as my bass flew out from under once and got scratched.


Uhhh.... or some people are nervous about doing all that... I actually prefer:

Ernie Ball guitar polish for the whole thing. If it's really gunked up I use a drop of of soap in some water and a damp sponge. I actually scrub my neck a bit with one of the coarse (but non abrasive) sides of a dishwashing sponge. I make sure though that it's just damp, and I dry immediately with a rag. I don't believe wood warps as quickly and easily as people tend to think, but I don't take any chances anyhow. I've used a Q-tip and windex to get around metal parts that are difficult to get to. Not sure what else there is?

When I first got my MM I painted the pole peices on the pickup with clear nailpolish. I read somewhere that it preserves the life and prevents them tarnishing and rusting. The polish has since worn off, and my girlfriend moved out - so there's no longer any nailpolish on them.
 
#4
I take all my strings off all the time. It's the only way I can really get the neck clean. I've also heard that you shouldn't do that, but I'm begining to think it's a myth. I've never encountered a problem doing it, and I've done it literally hundreds of times. I think bass and guitar necks are a lot sturdier than people give them credit for.

I wonder what other people's take is on removing all the strings?
 
#5
I've also done it once or twice, but then remembered what that guy had told me... But I really don't know if it's a myth or not.

I think that at least neck-thru or set-thru basses can handle it. I mean, the neck is independant and therefor it can't "separate" from the body... and I don't think the neck can "crash" on itself...
 
#6
Joe Nerve said:
I wonder what other people's take is on removing all the strings?
Click to expand...

I don't think it's a problem at all, particularly with modern basses.

I should say that I change strings one at a time... but that's simply out of habit. Some of my fingerboards are getting pretty grungy so I guess it's time to pull all strings off and clean 'em up... that, or trade the dirty basses in on brand new ones and save myself the bother. :D
 
#7
Depends on the bass. Some necks are more stable than others. I usually do one string at a time out of habit. I typically don't have trussrod issues this way. If you take all of the strings off a less sturdy neck, the neck may not return to the same relief when you restring it. That's not a myth.
 
#9
Joe Nerve said:
I take all my strings off all the time. It's the only way I can really get the neck clean. I've also heard that you shouldn't do that, but I'm begining to think it's a myth. I've never encountered a problem doing it, and I've done it literally hundreds of times. I think bass and guitar necks are a lot sturdier than people give them credit for.

I wonder what other people's take is on removing all the strings?
Click to expand...

In fact it is not a myth it was a problem with those bolt-on basses that came with three bolts, neck wrappage was so common (even without getting off the strings) that some players and guitar techs and then sellers started to tell people to be aware of inflicting big pressure changes such as getting all the strings off or turning the truss rod too much in a day, but nowdays some brands have incredyibly nice and well done instruments that are like tanks, just like modulus carbon fiber necks.
 
#11
I don't think anyone has said anything about the fretboard. I've read whole threads on just cleaning the fretboard. There seems to be some controversey: does lemon oil dry the fretboeard out? Don;t use the guitar poli=sh on the fretboard. They make a specific fretboard cleaner that has lemon oil in it. But don't use furniture polish with lemon oil in it. It dries out the wood.
 
#17
bluemonk said:
I don't think anyone has said anything about the fretboard. I've read whole threads on just cleaning the fretboard. There seems to be some controversey: does lemon oil dry the fretboeard out? Don;t use the guitar poli=sh on the fretboard. They make a specific fretboard cleaner that has lemon oil in it. But don't use furniture polish with lemon oil in it. It dries out the wood.
Click to expand...

It depends on the fretboard. They vary in composition and finish.
 
#18
Brad, if you check back in on this thread... or another MTD owner... what would you suggest for cleaning an MTD top (the satin-finish that looks like oil but is synthetic, iirc)? At an angle, I can see a shiny spot where my fingers brush the top on slap stuff.

The sheet that Michael Tobias includes with the bass offered some guides, but I somehow got the sheet for a different bass - I've mailed it back to the dealer and am awaiting the sheet for my bass. I remember that it said something about "butcher's wax" - never heard of the stuff... hmmm.

Thanks for any suggestions...
 
#19
bluemonk said:
I don't think anyone has said anything about the fretboard. I've read whole threads on just cleaning the fretboard. There seems to be some controversey: does lemon oil dry the fretboeard out? Don;t use the guitar poli=sh on the fretboard. They make a specific fretboard cleaner that has lemon oil in it. But don't use furniture polish with lemon oil in it. It dries out the wood.
Click to expand...

I've used lemon oil on all my guitars and basses for 20+ years with no ill effects. The trick is to make sure that the lemon oil that you're using DOES NOT contain drying agents. Also, don't saturate the fingerboard: wipe on, wipe off--don't let it soak for any great length of time. Also, don't apply it too often-- maybe once or twice a year.
 
#20
secretdonkey said:
Brad, if you check back in on this thread... or another MTD owner... what would you suggest for cleaning an MTD top (the satin-finish that looks like oil but is synthetic, iirc)? At an angle, I can see a shiny spot where my fingers brush the top on slap stuff.
Click to expand...

I don't know... my MTD 635 has the rare gloss finish.

I'd ask Mike.

The sheet that Michael Tobias includes with the bass offered some guides, but I somehow got the sheet for a different bass - I've mailed it back to the dealer and am awaiting the sheet for my bass. I remember that it said something about "butcher's wax" - never heard of the stuff... hmmm.

Thanks for any suggestions...
Click to expand...

On my Elrick's, "Briwax" is recommended. IIRC it's a combination of butcher's wax, carnauba and carcinogens;). From what I understand it's not something you just slap on, you have to follow directions carefully or major fun ensues. I found the best price for it on eBay. I still haven't tried it... my Elricks show practically no wear from playing (and they do get played, sometimes mercilessly). Apparently Briwax is great stuff for that kind of finish.

I have no idea if you should use it on an MTD.
 

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