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Maintenance: Waxing/Cleaning

I

iplaymetal

Jun 14, 2010
103
0
#1
So, I just got a Warwick Corvette Standard, it hasn't arrived yet. :bawl: Its a natural finish, and I live in Las Vegas, its dry here, like 4% humidity, and I usually play in the basement.

So here's my question:

1. I know that the bass usually comes with wax, but I bought it used, so what wax should i get, and how to apply it?

2. The fret board and neck probably need care as well, what would you recommend to clean the fretboard, and keep everything in tip top shape?

I really don't want it to crack, we have a large oak desk that just split from being in the basement for 8 months.
 
#2
Did you buy new? Contact Warwick directly. They be able to provide you the best answers to your situation.

Ironic, I have a Corvette Standard coming too--I got used tho. I'm in the KC area, so we've been having 90% humidity. My basement is about 40% humidity--so I have a much different issue.
 
#4
OO if you dont mind i was kind of wondering the same thing for my warwick corvette double buck. I bought it brand new from guitar center and they didnt give me wax (I would of went back and asked for it but i didnt find out that i was suppose to wax it until 4-5 months after i bought it). And where i live its about 80-90% humidity. Will it affect mine at all if i dont wax it? Ive had it for about a year and its never been waxed.
 
#5
iplaymetal said:
1. I know that the bass usually comes with wax, but I bought it used, so what wax should i get, and how to apply it?
Click to expand...

Bought it used, coming from Detroit, which has around 50%-80% humidity, I feel your pain, I lived in Kansas for a while, really high humidity with clammy basements...
Anyway, bought it used, need wax or something, Invalid Link Removed
But still need some info on the rest of it, and if the Warwick beeswax will be all i need for the body?
 
#7
Thanks Stringer, I performed a quick google search to reveal(drum roll):
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
They say for the first month, wax every week, then do it once a month, but im guessing im going to have to do it more often than that because its so dry, they say do the neck occasionally and then only use lemon oil occasionally on the finger board to clean it.
 
#11
chubrocker said:
Did you buy new? Contact Warwick directly. They be able to provide you the best answers to your situation.

Ironic, I have a Corvette Standard coming too--I got used tho. I'm in the KC area, so we've been having 90% humidity. My basement is about 40% humidity--so I have a much different issue.
Click to expand...

KC area and only 40% humidity in your basement? What's your secret (other than a dehumidifier)?

For the OP, I keep my 'Wicks at ~ 50-70% humidity wtihout issue, so a humidifier may be in order. Taking it out in the Vegas air won't be so bad as long as it's not for extended periods of time.
 
#17
I seem to recall a warwick guru recommending waxing at least once a month when bought brand new, for an average user living in average climate conditions (bearing in mind Germany can get awfully humid during the summer months!). Then after the first year a little less frequently.

After 2 or 3 years it'll have built up enough wax, grease and sweat that it'll rarely, if at all need waxing. From here on in it's down to the owner to decide whether it looks or feels dry and needs doing.

As a matter of fact, I've had my Thumb since 2001, and my Corvette since 2003 and I can't remember the last time I waxed either, and they're both in fine condition.

The fretboard however gets more attention, just a bit of lemon oil when I change strings.

Like I said though, this is guidance for average climate conditions. As recipe books would say, 'adjust to taste'.
 
#18
I use a standard paste-based furniture wax for my '96 Corvette, which still looks as good as it did when I bought it. This is for natural finish only though.

For my Streamer that has a colored oil finish, there really isn't any option available to keep it nice, which is why colored oil basses from WW don't have the can of beeswax in their booklets. I'm wiping it with the WW cloth that came with it, but after seven months of solid playing, I still have some major glossy spots in a finish that is matte.

For fretboard use, I've used Dr. Stringfellow Lemon Oil fretboard cleaner for years. I don't use it a whole lot; a couple sprays on a rag keeps for a good number of months as long as you keep it in a bag. I wipe the fretboard and strings down with this rag about once every two weeks or so, sometimes longer. More regularly I just use a regular cloth to keep things nice.
 

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