Smelly Gibson ES-175 (1990)

**msr13** · 05-15-2010, 09:30 PM

So, as I shared in another post, I picked up a 1990 ES-175 last week. I am very happy with it's sound and playability. My problem is that it smells. It has a pungent, woody smell. Kind of like fresh cut wood, but sour. Not like BO or sweat. I thought it was an odor from being in it's case for a while. It wasn't noticeable in the store. I don't think it got worse, but certainly in the confines of my home, I am paying more attention. I used Sadowsky's cleaner and polish. I went away for five days and left it on a stand to air out. Got home yesterday, and it still smells. Cleaned it again. It's a little better, but still there. For what it's worth, the case doesn't smell. I just checked it. The smell doesn't go beyond the guitar, nor does it affect my hands ir clothes. Any ideas on getting rid of the smell, or what it is? Weird.

**randyc** · 05-15-2010, 09:38 PM

How about focusing a small, low speed fan on the "f" holes for a few days? Get a little air circulating inside the body ...

Randy

**billkath** · 05-15-2010, 09:52 PM

Good idea of Randy's. If you were to buy some little sandalwood dowel roundels-you could hang them over the f-holes and blow through the sandalwood.

**msr13** · 05-15-2010, 10:19 PM

Great ideas. Thanks, Guys. I will begin Operation Sandelwood tomorrow.

**Doctor Jeff** · 05-15-2010, 11:02 PM

On one of my guitars when I play it I get a distinct smell of garlic. I'm pretty sure one of my son's friends borrowed it right after they had pizza or somesuch.

It's not a BAD odor--I love garlic, but it is weird. On the positive side--no vampires come around when I play...

**msr13** · 05-15-2010, 11:34 PM

That's funny-- the vampire part.

I am sorta hoping I don't figure out what the smell actually is. Although, my imagination is coming up with some pretty disgusting things.

**franco6719** · 05-16-2010, 12:21 PM

You don't like that smell of the wood?

**msr13** · 05-16-2010, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by franco6719

You don't like that smell of the wood?

I love the smell of wood. This smell is sour, pungent, and not good. I would categorize it as woody, but don't think it is originating from the wood.

**billkath** · 05-16-2010, 02:00 PM

You've shook the guitar? It is not entirely unknown for a disgruntled wife to drop a prawn into a guitar.

**Drifter** · 05-16-2010, 02:04 PM

That smell must come from something...? Since it is a used guitar, did you check the inside with a dentists mirror for stains or whatever? Maybe somebody pulled a 'joke' on the former owner and hid something bad inside? It might also be the sweat of the former owner that has been absorbed by the wood, though. Do your left hand and right forearm smell the same after playing?

**Drifter** · 05-16-2010, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by billkath

You've shook the guitar? It is not entirely unknown for a disgruntled wife to drop a prawn into a guitar.

Disgruntled wife maybe, but this sounds more like spoiled milk or something.

**riovine** · 05-16-2010, 02:26 PM

hmm, yeah, maybe the previous owner had some small kids who thought daddy's guitar needed a drink,

**Squint** · 05-16-2010, 02:30 PM

Febreze the case! Do the case and the guitar should absorb it.

Or call an exorcist...

**billkath** · 05-16-2010, 02:37 PM

We have a product caled Oust-it's like an air freshner but it doesn't just mask the smell-it actually clings to it and kills it. You must have something like that? Fabreze?

**Bill C** · 05-16-2010, 03:31 PM

I used to own an old 125 that smelt like wood, tobacco and mildew ...

**Jazzophobe** · 05-16-2010, 06:08 PM

C'mon folks. What am I missing? I love the smell of my ES 175 right after I open the case. It smells like WOOD! Am I the only one here who loves the smell of WOOD! Fresh cut wood! Sorry, but, again, maybe I'm missing something...

**billkath** · 05-16-2010, 06:37 PM

His smells of wood and something smelly.

**msr13** · 05-16-2010, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by Jazzophobe

C'mon folks. What am I missing? I love the smell of my ES 175 right after I open the case. It smells like WOOD! Am I the only one here who loves the smell of WOOD! Fresh cut wood! Sorry, but, again, maybe I'm missing something...

If it were a fresh cut wood smell, I would be happy. Can't really place the smell, except to say that I originally categorized it as woody, but bad. BTW, don't ever ask me to categorize smells, I usually only work on a bi-nasal scale: Good --- Bad.

An update, I have a couple pieces of Sandelwood and a fan going. we will see. Maybe I am just not used to "vintage" smells.

**SamBooka** · 05-16-2010, 08:28 PM

Old tube amps used to smell funny when they warmed up.. now it is a sweet sweet smell

**Alder Statesman** · 05-16-2010, 08:42 PM

Originally Posted by Bill C

I used to own an old 125 that smelt like wood, tobacco and mildew ...

I had a '65 335 and it really smelled as well. Kind of moldy smelling, but it sounded great!

Archie · 05-17-2010, 03:34 AM

All my guitars smell different. My 59 Gretsch Clipper smells woody and dusty, like an old library book; my 2006 6120 smells a bit like vanilla; my 2009 Strat has a kind of burnt smell; I don't notice any smell from my 335 or my Yamaha AES620. I think part of it may be the finish, and part from the case material.

**fivebells** · 05-17-2010, 07:08 AM

I reckon I know exactly the kind of smell you're talking about, msr13. I have the same thing going on in a chest of drawers: the wood is bone dry, but it smells like it was salvaged from a swamp.

Old household remedies like bicarb of soda powder, sachets of herbs etc. will help but I fear that once the evil odour is in the wood, it's there for good.

**derek** · 05-17-2010, 01:04 PM

If it were mine, I would pick a mild, but sunny day and set it outside, face up for a few hours. Sunshine is a natural disinfectant, and I imagine it would make a difference without using chemicals.

**BigDaddyLoveHandles** · 05-17-2010, 01:29 PM

I remember reading about a clarinet that was owned by a well-known player, now deceased. Whenever anyone played it, the smell of garlic wafted from the clarinet! It was like the ghost of the original owner was paying a visit.