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Tried dryer sheets, various cleaners and polishes.
Will probably try leaving it outside when it gets warmer.
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02-10-2023 08:55 AM
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The problem is that the smell is most in the inside, in the non-lacquered part of the body. I once had a Gibson 175 from 78 and whan I got it, it smelled like it has been inside all the pubs in the world at least twice. Stained beer and ashtray smell were all over it. I did two things. At night I put it on a stand in the smallest part of the house and lit a couple of tea-lights. Make sure the guitar will not get overheated. That worked to some extend.
The other thing I did was buy me some odor bags that you can put in the dryer and have two of them at the end of a small rope and get them trough the f-holes. After a couple of weeks, the smell did get acceptable, still there, but acceptable. The vintage case I had to sell. The fluffy interior got too smelly.
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Put it in a clean case with Charcoal bags; they will draw the smell out of the nitro. Dryer sheets will just add to the existing smell, not extract it.
If the case smells, leave it outside in the sun. If that doesn’t work, call local dry cleaners and cleaning professionals and ask if they have an an ozone treatment service for the case.
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in this case, it's not coming from the inside of the guitar. It's coming mostly from the waist of the guitar and some on the bout. I'm guessing the previous owner used some type of bro-deodorant and the smell is from where his armpit and arm rested on the instrument.
Originally Posted by hotpepper01
The problem is that the smell is most in the inside, in the non-lacquered part of the body. I once had a Gibson 175 from 78 and whan I got it, it smelled like it has been inside all the pubs in the world at least twice. Stained beer and ashtray smell were all over it. I did two things. At night I put it on a stand in the smallest part of the house and lit a couple of tea-lights. Make sure the guitar will not get overheated. That worked to some extend.
The other thing I did was buy me some odor bags that you can put in the dryer and have two of them at the end of a small rope and get them trough the f-holes. After a couple of weeks, the smell did get acceptable, still there, but acceptable. The vintage case I had to sell. The fluffy interior got too smelly.
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There may be something that will work, but the only thing I know of is time. Lots of it. I would be happy to learn about something that takes less of it, though.
Some people just get carried away with the Axe. Axe on the axe is not a good thing.
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I am pretty sensitive to guitar smells and have found that when I get a guitar that has an objectionable smell, the only real solution for me is to sell it and find another guitar that doesn't have an objectionable smell.
I have tried cleaners, sun treatment and baking soda left in the case with the guitar. My experience is that while these methods reduce the smell, none gets it out completely.
Good luck!
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I prefer gear that smells like cigs myself. Smells more like gigs and money than it does like cigs to me.
I don't know what bro-spray is. I usually carry a 9mm.
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That's funny, when I read "bro-spray" I could literally smell this post... Originally Posted by DawgBone
My wife got a moldy smell out of an old wooden chest using charcoal shoe deodorizer bags. I'd think you could definitely tie a string to them as hotpepper was showing...might be worth a try.
Edit: saw later that it's on the armpit spot of the guitar...maybe a few of those bags and put in the case?
I'm not a chemist, but if it was indeed the spray and not just a deodorant, i wonder if there's enough alcohol in that stuff that it literally got into the finish?Last edited by mr. beaumont; 02-10-2023 at 11:50 AM.
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Originally Posted by DawgBone
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That would damage even the nicest cig patina on a lacquered guitar when combined with sweat. The previous owner probably gigged in the heat. A hundred sweaty gigs wearing a double shot of axe takes a while to go away. Mine smelled like whatever oils I was wearing as I don't care much for cologne. It did dissipate over time but I also switched cases. Poly finishes are easier cleanup but I potentially lost money on some gigs or perhaps lost a few gigs because I switched from a lacquered instrument last year so there is that. Originally Posted by jzucker
It needs charcoal as omphalopsychos suggested, maybe a new case or at least serious airtime for the axe and the case both. Maybe smoke a few cigs near it or just get some in person lessons from Jimmy Bruno and do a lot of playing so it smells more like your favorite fragrances instead of axe. Enjoy your guitar!
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cigs are the worst IMO. And this guitar has zero signs of being played out so I doubt it was seriously gigged. Originally Posted by DawgBone
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I purchased a Fender Robben Ford years ago that spent way too much time in smoke filled bars. I could smell it when I purchased the guitar and figured I could rid the guitar of the smell. It was a great guitar but as it turned out I never did rid the guitar of the stink. I tried all the usual methods including the ones listed above Over a years time I did manage reduce the intensity but the smell still remained. At that point, I was disgusted with the smell and parted with the guitar.
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i've gotten rid of both axe-spray and cig smell on guitars with poly finishes. Lacquer such as this case may be a different story. Originally Posted by rob taft
On the bass that smelled of axe-spray, I took it outside in the sun during the spring weather and left it outside 8-10 hours a day for a month. That did the trick.
Not sure if i'd be comfortable leaving an archtop outside in the sun and elements.
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I guess the previous owner thought Axe spray was meant to be taken literally and imperatively.
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that checks out. Originally Posted by DawgBone
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Sunlight and moving air have been the only things that have consistently worked for me on smelly guitars and cases, but it takes a long time.
If the smell is only on the outside of guitar it should dissipate quicker than on the inside.
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Can't say as I've seen a hex nut as big as 9mm on a guitar. I usually carry a 1, 3, 4, and 5mm to cover all my Allen wrench needs. Originally Posted by DawgBone
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The main ingredient in sunlight that works is UV. Perhaps putting the guitar in a room or closet with a UV light for a few days might help. Do it at your own risk, though, I've never tried it, just a thought that occurred.
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How about in the shade? Or a garage? Originally Posted by jzucker
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Personally I am already turned off by the description and this guitar it might have to go. I would wipe the entire finish off with Naphtha that will clean it and should help with the odor. Probably repeat this proces a number of times as you leave it out on a stand. Charcoal seems like that would be great help. Then when you get all done remove all the hardware and wipe it down. Finally get some Meguires polish this stuff it smells good and will make the guitar beautiful no issues with the finish.
Meguiars M205 Ultra Finishing Polish, final polish, car polish, M205, Meguires (autogeek.net)
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Hope it works out Jack.
I've had girlfriends back in the day that I had to have ditch the perfume or they had to go. I have a serious problem with perfumes. I think they're made out of whale puke or turds found on ocean beaches or some such substance. Absolutely horrid.
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i like perfume and cologne but not when you're playing guitar. Originally Posted by skykomishone
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I know one thing that might be helpful, but I have no idea if there's a downside.
There is something called "activated charcoal" which I have heard is very efficient at reducing biological odors. It's cheap to buy. It's charcoal which has been heated to very high temperatures, making it more porous, or something. The additional porosity makes it more absorbent of odor, I think.
I have no idea if it will destroy the finish on the guitar, or not. I doubt it, but I don't know for sure.Last edited by rpjazzguitar; 02-12-2023 at 04:38 PM.
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+1 on naphta.
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It should come as no surprise that it is almost impossible to buy an unscented men's deodorant in local stores. Mennen unscented is great but you have to buy a 5 or 6 pack from Amazon. Arm& hammer makes an unscented which will leave you with white powder inside any clothing you wear, including underwear, bed sheets and furniture. Stick with the mennen.
You have to wonder if Jack is better off with the deodorant funk vs the funk deodorant is supposed to combat?
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