Looking after Bass guitar with Polyurethane finish

street

Hi, I recently bought a Vintage Modified Jazz Bass 70s which has a polyurethane finish on the body and neck http://www.fender.com/squier/series/vintage-modified/vintage-modified-jazz-bass-70s/.

Just picked up a Snark SN-5 tuner that clips onto the headstock (rubber pads on clamp) and the instructions recommend removing it from the instrument as soon as you're finished tuning, and that any lacquer type finish can be adversely affected by rubber/vinyl if in contact with the finish for a period of time. They mention Polyurethane as one of the finishes NOT to use the tuner with. Do you think I could get away with using the tuner once I don't leave it clipped on indefinitely? Also, my FMSE-1 stand uses velveteen rubber, would this cause any damage?

On a side note, what would be the best way to clean the body and neck (finger prints, smudges etc) would a lint-free cloth do the trick?

Ravelleman

I sincerely doubt that either the tuner or the stand would affect the poly finish of your bass. Were it finished in nitro you´d want to take precautions to protect the finish but poly is much, much more resilient. You have nothing to worry about.

street

Ravelleman wrote: »

I sincerely doubt that either the tuner or the stand would affect the poly finish of your bass. Were it finished in nitro you´d want to take precautions to protect the finish but poly is much, much more resilient. You have nothing to worry about.

Nice one, thanks Ravelleman : ]

il gatto

Ravelleman is right. Poly finish shouldn't be affected. Having said that, there's no reason to leave a tuner on more than the few seconds it take to tune really.
As for marks and prints, I use Gibson Pump Polish. Suitable for nitro or poly finishes. Smells nice and doesn't cost that much. Just make sure it's a soft cotton cloth.

SamBrugha

I actually didn't know about this! I'm happy with all the random crap i'm learning in this section of boards!

KeithTS

You won't have a problem with the finish, even the nitro finishes are a lot more durable than people give them credit for.

If you're unsure you could always do what I do with my stands and that, get a chamois leather cloth, you'll pick one up in Tesco or somewhere, usually in the car maintenance section for under €2.
This is fine for any finish really, you can cut out a section and place it under the grips for the tuner/stands.
It will have no adverse affect on the finish no matter how long its in contact with it.

street

il gatto wrote: »

Ravelleman is right. Poly finish shouldn't be affected. Having said that, there's no reason to leave a tuner on more than the few seconds it take to tune really.
As for marks and prints, I use Gibson Pump Polish. Suitable for nitro or poly finishes. Smells nice and doesn't cost that much. Just make sure it's a soft cotton cloth.

Lovely, thanks il gatto.

street

KeithTS wrote: »

You won't have a problem with the finish, even the nitro finishes are a lot more durable than people give them credit for.

If you're unsure you could always do what I do with my stands and that, get a chamois leather cloth, you'll pick one up in Tesco or somewhere, usually in the car maintenance section for under €2.
This is fine for any finish really, you can cut out a section and place it under the grips for the tuner/stands.
It will have no adverse affect on the finish no matter how long its in contact with it.

Thanks a lot KeithTS that's great to know : ] From what everyone's saying it seems like I'm ok for now. I wonder why the Snark instructions made such a big deal about the whole thing..

kevin65

street wrote: »

Thanks a lot KeithTS that's great to know : ] From what everyone's saying it seems like I'm ok for now. I wonder why the Snark instructions made such a big deal about the whole thing..

It's called 'covering your ar*e'. Unfortunately, companies have to try to warn against even the most unlikely events in case they might get sued.

street

kevin65 wrote: »

It's called 'covering your ar*e'. Unfortunately, companies have to try to warn against even the most unlikely events in case they might get sued.

Yeah but surely they've some experience with instruments?