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Old 12-19-2017, 06:57 AM
ajhodge ajhodge is offline
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Default Caring for my bass

Hi there. I'm wondering what I can use to clean the neck of my bass. Sometimes when I'm playing I feel little "bits" gathering under my thumb...

I'd like to clean the neck off but I'm afraid to use something that might damage it. It's a 1987 BT6.

I have some Old English Lemon Oil (This stuff: http://www.oldenglishpolish.com/sf2_conditioning.shtml) ...

Tips? Tricks?

Also, wiping it down after playing? Just a J-Cloth enough?

Thanks.
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Old 12-19-2017, 11:28 AM
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We make a polish for cleaning. If the finish is damaged from salty sweat, nothing can help but a full re-finish until that sand paper sweat does it again. If that is what you are asking.
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Old 12-19-2017, 03:47 PM
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It's a 30 year old bass, but it's very new to me, so I guess the finish has been worn off on parts of the back of the neck.

It's not likely that I could get it to you for a full refinish. I'm in Canada, and with that rosewood fretboard, crossing the border is an issue

Would that Lemon Oil be a good thing to rub on the back of the neck? Also what about the rest of the body? Is there something in particular that I can use to clean it up?

I also asked about wiping it down after playing, and what you'd recommend as far as a cloth... would J-Cloth be OK for that or should I have a small cotton towel or something?

Thanks.
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Old 12-20-2017, 12:28 AM
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Exclamation ?? Rosewood??

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Originally Posted by ajhodge View Post
It's a 30 year old bass, but it's very new to me, so I guess the finish has been worn off on parts of the back of the neck.

It's not likely that I could get it to you for a full refinish. I'm in Canada, and with that rosewood fretboard, crossing the border is an issue

Would that Lemon Oil be a good thing to rub on the back of the neck? Also what about the rest of the body? Is there something in particular that I can use to clean it up?

I also asked about wiping it down after playing, and what you'd recommend as far as a cloth... would J-Cloth be OK for that or should I have a small cotton towel or something?

Thanks.
What Rosewood Fretboard? Show me the FINGERBOARD, and I will ID the wood for you. Rosewood is is NOT!

Also, cleaners do NOT replace worn away finish. They can only make things worse.
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Old 12-20-2017, 08:12 AM
ajhodge ajhodge is offline
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This is the bass I now own: https://reverb.com/item/6407367-ken-...-6-string-bass

I thought the fret board was rosewood, but maybe not?

I'll have to grab one of your little polish and cleaning kits then. Maybe, based on the photo, you could tell me which of your cleaning/polishing products to get for the neck and the body.

Thanks. Let me know what that fingerboard is.

Last edited by ajhodge; 12-20-2017 at 08:48 AM.
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Old 12-20-2017, 02:41 PM
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Macassar Ebony FB

Lacquer finish but not thickly applied.

Use the Pro Polish on the Lacquer and not on the worn thru areas.

Use the Wax Polish for the Fingerboard.
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Old 12-20-2017, 04:23 PM
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Thanks for the info! What about the back of the neck? The Wax polish? The photos at the link I sent earlier do show photos of the neck back condition. I've only had it a few weeks so that's basically the current condition.

Understood about the Pro Polish not being used on the worn thru Lacquer areas.
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Old 12-21-2017, 04:26 AM
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Any polish or wax or oil rubbed into wood next to finish can creep under the finish and lift it and make things worse. Same thing for a car missing paint. Washing and waxing doesn't help. It needs paint!
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Old 12-21-2017, 07:06 AM
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The finish on the neck appears to be worn away around the 3rd fret area. What would be involved in getting that refinished, or barring that, protecting it as much as possible from further wear?
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Old 12-21-2017, 11:37 AM
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The finish on the neck appears to be worn away around the 3rd fret area. What would be involved in getting that refinished, or barring that, protecting it as much as possible from further wear?
Re-finish is expensive. Very. Call me to discuss it. The current finish, materials and process is different now than back then as well.
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Old 12-21-2017, 12:11 PM
ajhodge ajhodge is offline
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Understood. There are no issues with the bass at all. It's well-loved.

Do you have a recommendation for wiping it down after playing? Just a clean microfiber cloth? Maybe something else?
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Old 12-21-2017, 01:19 PM
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Originally Posted by ajhodge View Post
Understood. There are no issues with the bass at all. It's well-loved.

Do you have a recommendation for wiping it down after playing? Just a clean microfiber cloth? Maybe something else?
We use a cloth but with any sweat or DNA on the bass, dust or dirt, it might need more. Worn finish basses are less easy to clean as things get pushed into the pores of the exposed raw/dry unfinished, unprotected wood.
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Old 12-21-2017, 01:33 PM
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Thanks for all the info. It's pretty awesome to be able to talk to you about this stuff. And thanks for being so quick with the replies
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Old 12-21-2017, 01:57 PM
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Thanks for all the info. It's pretty awesome to be able to talk to you about this stuff. And thanks for being so quick with the replies
No problem. It's what I do.
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