My guitar case stinks

TinPan

TinPan

New member
Wife gave me a Reverand guitar for Christmas great guitar but the case has a bad smell, it is a brand new out of the box case, I watched them unpack it. I was hoping that the smell would be gone by now but is is not. The guitar doesn't carry the stink, it's just the case.
 
Re: My guitar case stinks

What's the inside material made of?

If it's anything other than the fluffy carpet looking stuff they use in old fender style hard cases, I recommend a steam cleaner and scent killer hunters laundry soap.

I've done it to a few cases to much success, you would just have to make sure to get all the water out and dry the case with a hairdrier slowly to be absolutely sure. Alternatively the spray might work just fine if it's brand new, and that doesn't require water or a steam cleaner.
 
Re: My guitar case stinks

StoRMiE said:
What's the inside material made of?

If it's anything other than the fluffy carpet looking stuff they use in old fender style hard cases, I recommend a steam cleaner and scent killer hunters laundry soap.

I've done it to a few cases to much success, you would just have to make sure to get all the water out and dry the case with a hairdrier slowly to be absolutely sure. Alternatively the spray might work just fine if it's brand new, and that doesn't require water or a steam cleaner.
Click to expand...

I was thinking of using the spray that takes the pet smell off the rug "natures miracle" Clear liquid no smell to it, it takes out smells & stain.
 
Re: My guitar case stinks

If it is just the chemical smell of the new case, I'd put it outside for a few hours and leave it open. Eventually what is causing it will evaporate.
 
Re: My guitar case stinks

Pick a sunny day, and leave it open facing the sun. The smell is likely the adhesives and binders used in manufacturing of the careboard/pressboard structure of the case, adhesion of the tolex, and binder for the carpet inside, they need to exhaust off and the best way is exposure to the air and sun.

-also typically those binder fumes -like formaldehyde based glues are known Carcinogens. which is why "new car smell" was regulated to reduce it about a decade ago in the US.

Not trying to scare you, just leave it out and get the new smell gone after several days.
 
Re: My guitar case stinks

It's a sweet smell, right? Fish glue.... Yes, an afternoon in bright sun will usually take care of it. Or you can sprinkle some baking soda in it and let it sit overnight, then vacuum it out. In extreme cases - sprinkle in a box of Fresh Step kitty litter and let it sit overnight, then vacuum. But then your case (and your vacuum) will smell like laundry soap.
 
Re: My guitar case stinks

I bought a used guitar a couple of years ago, and the inside of the case smelled very badly of cigarette smoke. I got the idea from someone, but coffee grounds worked really well. I ground up a bunch of whole beans and set them down inside the case on a sturdy paper plate, closed the lid, and didn’t open it for a week. When it was over, the smoke smell had been replaced by a coffee smell, which dissipated rather pleasantly before too long.
 
Re: My guitar case stinks

Your cat is jealous...

Or, if you don't HAVE a cat, maybe wifey is more adventurous than you realized... (in that case, imho, just roll with it)
 
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Re: My guitar case stinks

You can buy activated charcoal from a pet supply store. Then steal one of your wife's panty hose, fill it up with the activated charcoal, and stick it in the case. After a couple months, throw the charcoal out.
Activated charcoal is great at absorbing smells.
 
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