Regular Bass Care

[Stampy]

My strings are off because I am currently switching and I am finally going to give her a good cleaning. It is dusty and im going to polish it up to new. Is there anything else I should do while the strings are off? I'm a newbie so I dont want to take anything apart.

 

[savit260]

Give it a good cleaning while the strings are off with a quality guitar polish.

If you are using a different brand or different guage strings , you'll want to adjust the truss rod to suit the new strings, and adjust the intonation. Even if you're using the same brand and gauge strings, you might want to give that stuff a quick check to make sure the relief is within spec.

That's about all I ever do.

Maybe go around it and make all the screws are reasonably tight. Not over tight, just snug.

 

[Stampy]

How do you adjust the truss rod and adjust the intonation ive never done it before. The old strings I believe are the stock ibanez'. The new ones are going to be Rotosound 66's 45-105

 

[BELLATOR]

When I change strings I change them one by one and clean the fretboard with a rag and some fretboard cleaner. I also scrub on both sides of each fret with q-tips and fretboard cleaner. Try cleaning with q-tips and you'll know why it's a good idea (they turn black from all the filth). If your fretboard is looking dry you can rub in a little lemon oil too. To reduce the amount of grime, I use a microfibre cloth for the polished areas of the entire bass and I use another cloth to wipe down my strings after each playing session.

 

[DeanT]

I'd use a good guitar polish on the body and a fretboard conditioner for the fretboard.

As for truss rod adjustments, check this thread.

 

[Stampy]

Wow that seems pretty overwelming to a beginner.