the joy of taking care of your basses

[MrMusashi]

tonight i had a session with my 30th sr4 fretless.. took the strings off, washed her down, removed dust and gave the fretboard some oil.. clean as a whistle
then i put on new strings, adjusted relief and pickup height. finally i took out a credit card and a good tuner and intonated her. i have always thought that fretless basses didnt need much care in the intonation department but boy was i wrong!
the nice fretlines made it easy, just press down the creditcard on the fretline and voila.. some small adjustments and i was in heaven.
now i actually play (more) in tune than ever

but what is even more enjoyable, the time spent was like balm for my soul.
just me and the bass, everything else faded away, became unimportant.
relief from stress at work, kids that.. uhm.. show eachother brotherly love, snow that wont stop falling..

so, give your bass some deserved love this christmas.. both you and the bass deserve it

MrM

 

[Holdsg]

just like human relationships, your basses need, and appreciate, a little TLC from time to time.

 

[supadave]

My stingray is a bit like Rihanna. It looks all pretty and everything and likes to be held gently in front of the fire at night....but on the weekends its dirty, swears a lot and likes to be pushed over and knocked around....

 

[AnthonyD]

Agreed! Spent some time just a few days ago getting the Bongo ready for 2012! We've got BIG plans!

 

[projectapollo]

Agree. I just bought myself a setup tool kit and am finding that I'm getting better and better and fine tuning my basses. I used to setup to factory string height but find I can coax it lower and lower for better playability.

 

[mmbassplayer]

They made a 30th Anni. Fretless? Never saw one of those.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Nothing like a bit of TLC on your guitar. But I have to say the other day it all got a bit fraught when I decided to restring an old 30's guitar and give it a bit of a clean. The creaks and groans were worrying ... ... ... .... and that was me!!!!

 

[LawDaddy]

I hadn't heard of the credit card method. My daughter has a fretless SR4 and I wondered how you guys intonate those. I was considering a capo at the lines but that sounds easier, thanks for the tip.

And, yes, the process of cleaning, oiling, etc is a great way to spend a holiday.

 

[five7]

Nothing like a bit of TLC on your guitar. But I have to say the other day it all got a bit fraught when I decided to restring an old 30's guitar and give it a bit of a clean. The creaks and groans were worrying ... ... ... .... and that was me!!!!

try some WD-40

 

[MrMusashi]

try some WD-40

on the bass.. ON the bass!
do not drink it.. hehehe

MrM

 

[fly]

actually cleaned all my rosewood boards in the house........only the guitars got new strings though.....and the maple neck was the worst.......as my buddy said......"you got so much crud on there,you could plant potatoes."

very enjoyable though.......almost therapeutic.

 

[drTStingray]

Mr M you inspired me to attend to my SR4 fretless in the same way new years eve. The intonation was out on the A string and the neck needed a bit more relief. Pick up height needed adjusting.

I really enjoyed playing it at a gig later that night - sounded excellent and action/intonation just right - I actually managed to play more in tune than usual!

 

[MrMusashi]

Mr M you inspired me to attend to my SR4 fretless in the same way new years eve. The intonation was out on the A string and the neck needed a bit more relief. Pick up height needed adjusting.

I really enjoyed playing it at a gig later that night - sounded excellent and action/intonation just right - I actually managed to play more in tune than usual!

man.. it brings a big grin to my face

MrM

 

[five7]

Put a new set of coated slinkys on the bongo today, why don't I do that more often. Thanks Mr. Musashi for the inspiration!

 

[MadMatt]

You guys motivated me... just did a desperately needed string changed and fretboard TLC on both the fretless.