Frequency and types of bass maintenance

Agapeguy

Agapeguy

Jan 19, 2018
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#1
Salutations, all! I am wondering what others do as far as frequency and types of maintenance? I'm a relatively new bass player (started playing on a Worship Team about 8 months ago) and I'm a heavy sweating player. Right now, for preventive maintenance I just wipe down my basses with some Martin or Dunlop guitar cleaner fluid about once a month. What do you do for regular PMs?
 
#2
Well, it really depends on your definition of (preventative) maintenance. For me, I do not like the look or feel of super-clean basses, so I tend to just wipe them down with a microfiber cloth briefly after playing. For other maintenance, I measure string height, intonation, and nut slots once per month, and make adjustments based on results. New roundwound strings are installed once I can no longer achieve a "brighter" tone. Active basses receive new 9V batteries every three months, maximum. Basses that do not get played often will get a conservative cleaning/coating of fretboard oil once per year. Etc.,
 
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#3
Warpeg said:
Well, it really depends on your definition of (preventative) maintenance. For me, I do not like the look or feel of super-clean basses, so I tend to just wipe them down with a microfiber cloth briefly after playing. For other maintenance, I measure string height, intonation, and nut slots once per month, and make adjustments based on results. New roundwound strings are installed once I can no longer achieve a "brighter" tone. Active basses receive new 9V batteries every three months, maximum. Basses that do not get played often will get a conservative cleaning/coating of fretboard oil once per year. Etc.,
Click to expand...
Thx, Warpeg. Makes sense. I don't have fretboard cleaner or a microfiber cloth (just those regular yellow cloth wipes), but I will get those two items my next trip to GC.
 
#4
I'm a don't fix it if it ain't broke player. I play thru all my basses often enough that I can keep track if any of them need some work, I keep them relatively clean, and clean/oil the board when I remember, or change strings. I keep the batteries fresh, and a bit of big bends nut sauce in the nut grooves, and on exposed tuners.
 
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#9
You say you're using guitar polish to wipe down your strings?? I probably wouldn't do that. Old Spice aftershave (if it smells good to you), or some other alcohol based cleaner would be best to keep the strings clean (rubbing alcohol works).

EDIT: Never mind. I re-read your post and I read it wrong the first time. I don't wipe down my basses because they don't really get dirty. I don't sweat a lot, though. Just a cloth should be good enough for you. I've never had good luck with the Martin or Gibson polishes.
 
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#12
I'm sure the whole "lemon oil on the fretboard" thing is something the industry has bandied about to sell product.
I don't do it & I don't have any problem. I do wipe down the fretboard with a damp cloth when I change strings.

You don't need to do maintenance until there's a problem.
You'll know, something won't feel right, or you'll notice the action getting higher.
 
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#14
Killed_by_Death said:
I'm sure the whole "lemon oil on the fretboard" thing is something the industry has bandied about to sell product.
I don't do it & I don't have any problem. I do wipe down the fretboard with a damp cloth when I change strings.

You don't need to do maintenance until there's a problem.
You'll know, something won't feel right, or you'll notice the action getting higher.
Click to expand...
Lemon oil isn't lemon oil, it's just mineral spirits with lemon scent added. While it will clean dirt off a soiled fretboard I wouldn't use it otherwise.

I do use automotive polishes to wax my basses.
 
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#17
I don’t maintain routinely. I wait for a string to break, then I do everything:
  • Take off old strings
  • Clean fingerboard with bore oil and super finest steel wool
  • Wipe down body with felt
  • Replace battery
  • Install and stretch new strings
  • Check intonation with a Conn Strobotuner
  • Check neck relief with a capo and credit card
  • Check pickup balance and side-to-side adjustment with a VU meter
  • Road test
 
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#19
Agapeguy said:
I'm a heavy sweating player.
Click to expand...

If your bass has a pickguard you may want to apply a thin coating of wax (paraffin) to the underside of the pickguard. This can help prevent sweat from creeping in to the electronics. Probably only needs to be re-applied every half-decade or so.
(This tip courtesy of Tommy Caldwell.)
 
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