[Website addition: Original Maintenance Information provided with purchased Travis Bean Guitars/Basses.]
NECK:
The important thing to remember in the care of the Travis Bean neck assembly is to keep it clean. We suggest wiping it clean with a damp paper towel and drying it with a dry paper towel until the residue of dirt is no longer visible on the dry towel. This should be done after each use and after each time you polish with the recommended aluminum polish, with is listed below. Again, remember that the ideal condition you're after is clean, bare aluminum, free from dirt, acid and polishing materials. Polishes are merely controlled forms of abrasive (dirt), or chemical cleaning agents (acid), and, as they are polishing aluminum, they create a black film. This film must be completely removed, or the process will continue the next time the neck is handled. So again, CLEAN is the answer. CLEAN off all dirt, CLEAN off all polish residue, and your neck will stay bright and shiny. Many musicians choose to leave the back of the neck completely alone. You'll find, although a dulling build-up will occur, that the surface will stay slick and ideal for playing.
FINGERBOARD:
Any type of lube or fingerboard oil may be used. Just make sure you CLEAN any oil from the aluminum.
THE NUT:
The nut is made of soft brass and may be filed, removed, or shimmed and re-glued with any epoxy in the same manner as convential guitar nuts.
BODY:
The body is finished in straight lacquer. For polishing, we recommend TURTLE WAX. Rather than supposedly special and over priced guitar polish. Again CLEAN any polish residue off the neck before playing.
[Website addition: Turtle Wax website for more information about their product]
RECOMMENDED ALUMINUM POLISH FOR PERIODIC RESTORATION OF ULTRA-SHINE:
Nevr-Dull Magic Wadding Polish (can)
Manufactured By:
The George Basch Co.
Freeport, N.Y. 11520
[Website addition: Nevr-Dull website for more information about their product]
Happich Simi-Chrome Polish (tube)
[Website addition: Happich Simi-Chrome (simichrome) Polish can be purchased at Gray & Holt ]