Gear Care Archives

GHS Strings has a new Fingerboard Care Kit for cleaning and maintaining your frets and fingerboard. The set, which joins their line of string cleaning products, includes a fret buffer, a cleaner/conditioner solution, and a cloth. “The GHS Fingerboard Care Kit makes it easy to maintain your instrument’s frets and fingerboard,” they write. “The kit is ideal for all stringed...

Boveda has announced a new humidity control system for acoustic stringed instruments including acoustic bass and guitar, upright bass, ukulele, and more. The device prevents warping and cracking while requiring no maintenance. “The humidity control system is unique in that it responds to ambient temperature and moisture by adding OR removing humidity to regulate the pre-determined RH% engineered into each...

Dunlop has introduced the System 65 line of tools for bass and guitar maintenance. The lineup includes a neck cradle, a micro fret cloth, a magnetic parts tray, a setup mat, and a superlube gel pen. “Keep the moving parts of your stringed instruments working smoothly with the System 65 Superlube Gel Pen,” Dunlop writes. “With its flexible spatula tip,...

Q: I have several basses that I keep out of the case both on wall displays and on a Hercules stand for easy access. I’m wondering if there are any ill effects on the neck of the bass if it is left suspended by the headstock on a hanging stand for an extended period. Music stores do this all the...

Rotosound has expanded their lineup of guitar and bass care products with a new guitar polish, a string lube, and a lemon oil. Each product can be used on both guitar and bass. The guitar polish is formulated to clean instruments of fingerprints, streaking, dust and grime. Rotosound says the polish continues to work after application and preventing dust build...

Q: I’ve played a Fender ’61 Anniversary Precision the last year or so. It sounds great and is very comfortable to play, but I have drama with the G note on the E string being noticeably “plonky” sounding. A slight truss rod adjustment clockwise moves this down a semi tone. I’m fearing a dead spot… I’ve had a few guys...

While there are certainly deals out there, an upright bass can cost. Even a “student model” plywood bass, properly set up, can easily set you back around $2000 US. The prices only go up from there. Needless to say, most of us would like to protect this investment. The suggestions below are a continuation of Basic Care of Your Upright...

While there are certainly deals out there, an upright bass can cost. Even a “student model” plywood bass, properly set up, can easily set you back around $2,000 US. The prices only go up from there. Needless to say, most of us would like to protect this investment. Here are some basics everyone should know about owning an upright bass....

Many people who have been playing for an extended period of time may be guilty of this. Many may have learned quickly, or still do it after 30 years of playing. But what happens when you use an instrument cable instead of a speaker cable to run your amp? And, furthermore, what are the differences between them? This month we’ll...