Replies

1. 
   fussy | Feb 28, 2011 05:27pm | #1

   Janet,

   You take care of it the same way you take care of any stringed instrument.  DON'T WAX IT!  Wipe down with a clean, soft cloth, and if you must clean it occasionally, use a damp cloth with a little bit of Ivory soap.  Wipe in small areas, wipe again with a damp clean rag, and dry.  The emphasis is on DAMP, NOT WET.  Try to not get any moisture inside.  The finish is chosen to maximize freedom of movement (vibration, thus improved tonality and volume--not seasonal wood movement).  A really durable finish like polyurethane, would greatly reduce tonality and volume.  If you simply must use a polishing product, Use only Martin Guitar Polish available at any guitar store.  It goes without saying that you must protect it from extremes of temperature and humidity, and if you travel, keep it in a case or bag, and reduce string tension to prevent problems caused by heat softening the glue.  If you do reduce the string tension, don't do so to the extent that the bridge falls off. In case you're wondering, I sold fine guitars for years, have one of my own worth thousands, and have treated it this way for 34 years and it still looks new.  Sounds AWESOME!!

   Steve

2. 
   jyang949 | Mar 03, 2011 01:11pm | #2

   Good thing I asked first! Thanks for the information. 

   Funny thing is, the finish on the neck of the bass shows no wear at all. What kind of finish has the acoustic qualities you mentioned, yet stands up to the acids and perspiration left by handling?

   The fingerboard does show some wear: Some of the black color is gone. That didn't happen on the violin I played 45 years ago, so I always assumed that the wood was naturally dark. Does the fingerboard need work?

   Janet

1. 
   fussy | Mar 04, 2011 12:04am | #3

   Janet,

   Usually bowed instruments (we're talking old ones here) were finished with some version of an oil-based varnish.  Some of the best with some of the original finish remaining (very rare) show the texture of the wood.  In other words, the finish had a long curing time, and as it cured, it shrank and settled into the wood.  Original finishes are rare, because a finish that allows an instrument to work wears quickly.  Most older instruments have several layers of finish from touch-ups. Your, being relatively new, was probably finished with either nitrocelulose laquer, or polyurethane varnish.  I'm betting laquer.

   The finger board, if it's loosing its black coloration is not ebony.  Probably maple dyed black.  This was done on lower priced instruments to keep the price down.  A piece of Gobon ebony the size of a bass fingerboard costs more than most people wanted to pay for the whole instrument.  The fingerboard needs work only if it's worn to the extent that it is becomong hard to play.  If it's just loosing a little color, don't worry; it's fine. 

   Good strings are the most important link to getting the best out of your instrument.  When I was in the business, I recommended Savarez strings.  They were the best then (20 years ago) and probably still are.  I don't know what you paid for yours, or what brand or quality it is.  I do know that you can extract a lot of pleasure form one.  I played Mancini's "Walking Bass" for my final in music performance my freshman year of college. Got an A.  When I was in the business, the hot bass here, think Bluegrass, was a Kay solid top.  They stopped making solid tops sometime in the '60's, I believe.  Twenty years ago, it was nothing to hear of someone paying $1,000.00 for a beat-up example.  They shook the stage. 

   Anyway, I sincerely hope you enjoy your bass for at LEAST as long as you have enjoyed your violin.

   Steve

1. 
   jyang949 | Mar 04, 2011 09:56am | #4

   Actually, the violin was too difficult for me. Years of piano lessons helped with finger coordination, but I found the piano much easier because no matter which part of the key you hit, you get the same note. On a violin there is no leeway; your finger has to be placed at the right spot--and without looking! I never achieved that level of precision.

   Janet

   Hmm. Athletes have coordination and precision. Could they be good violinists? Would they? (Let's see: Salary of a quarterback versus salary of a violinist. Nah.)

3. 
   jyang949 | Mar 04, 2011 10:27am | #5

   I still have the classical sheets from my years of lessons, but what I really like is, well, Barry Manilow.  :)

   Janet