[quote name='Duarte' post='683565' date='Dec 13 2009, 11:59 PM']I would prefer it if it was clean, but in the end it really doesn't matter. It's a great bass. It sounds and plays great which is all that really matters.[/quote]
I know this is all personal taste but i hate to play a dirty bass, first of all for the feel, clammy under your hands eeeuuuuwww , and second of all the maintenance issue, fingerboards drying out, hardware rusting and seizing up etc. issues with the finish, clean off your acidic sweat and it will last longer.
Watch your quality builder or craftsman when they finish work, tools CLEANED and then put away. Tools are expensive and only really need to be bought once if respected, and after all basses are our tools of the trade.
Dave