In praise of wax and oil.

[PocketGroove82]

Well, I hate to say it but lately my musicmans haven't gotten much playing time, with the exception of my 30th. I've been busy with lots of army gigs and instead of risking damage to my own basses I've been using the ones provided for me by the band.
One of them has a satin neck and the other has (i'm pretty sure) a tung oil finish.

After playing both for hours a day for two weeks, I guess I got conditioned to the feel because last night I had a gig right up the street from my barracks, so I thought it was safe to pull out the SR5, which I hadn't touched in 2-3 weeks.

Only then did I realize just how silky smooth and perfectly functional the gun oil/wax neck finish really is. I swear, it just felt so natural.

I then realized how the two other neck finishes feel ever so sticky in compairson to my EBMMs.

People say that the oil/waxed necks are more reactive to humidity changes, but that can be fixed with a 1 second wheel adjustment and a 30second tuning.
But that neck just feels so creamy and dreamy. I love it.

 

[PocketGroove82]

No one has chimed in, but that's ok. I know you all feel the same way.
When you go on a business trip, coming back home feels so right.

 

[timmy5strings]

I think we should write G.W. and demand that EBMM's be standard issue for all military bands After all ,our boys deserve the best

 

[cdb]

I was really apprehensive about applying the oil/wax deal the first time... but i had owned my SR5 for a year and thru the change of seasons ... i felt it needed something, it felt too raw... so I took all the strings off, did the fretboard and neck, rubbed the crap out of it and wow... feels brand new again... I have since stripped the neck on my franken5 and applied the same treatment.

 

[Wingviper]

Hey all,

I am a Stingray newbe, just got 1 three weeks ago its black with maple neck,
could you tell me what kind of oil and wax you are using to clean the necks?

Also, what strings come from factory on these baby's, pretty sure they are Ernie Ball Slinkies but not sure.

Thanks

 

[Jodizzle]

^^People use different products on their basses and guitars
Of course, i would suggest Ernie Ball Wonder Wipes!!

As for strings .. Ernie Ball Super Slinky!
Congrats on the bass and welcome to the forum. Ask all the questions you want!

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Hey all,

I am a Stingray newbe, just got 1 three weeks ago its black with maple neck,
could you tell me what kind of oil and wax you are using to clean the necks?

Also, what strings come from factory on these baby's, pretty sure they are Ernie Ball Slinkies but not sure.

Thanks

Welcome to the Forum.

The neck wood is protected with gunstock oil and wax. EB recommends "Birchwood Casy".

"Wonder Wipes" (orange oil) or lemmon oil can be used to actually clean the fretboard.

Your Bass comes fitted with "Super Slinky" Bass strings (45,65,80 &100).