software

Hey here is an odd one but one i'm sure has an anwser as there is tons of strats like mine out there... How can i get the smell of tobacco smoke out of my guitar.. past owner must of smoked more the Keith Richards......

I bought this 1988 USA Fender strat a few years ago for a cheap cheap price! Came with a Charvel hardshell case-(which was a match for my 87 Charvel!!!! The strat had 3 EMG 81's in it which i took out and on a new pickguard i put Fender and Duncan pickups.. Guitar was rough..... I had to spend a long time cleaning it up... The bridge saddles were so baddly rusted that after a night of soaking in oil i still had to drill some screws out of them....

When i first got the guitar i gave it a fret dress and then took the guitar apart... There was so much dirt i used soap and water to get the junk off it.... Then i used guitar polish and cleaners...... still the guitar 3 years later smells like smoke and i can hardly stand the smell of it..... Any ideas what i should try?

WhoFan

I don't know, but I'd think that car detailers or professional cleaners should know.


Originally Posted by CurlyI don't know, but I'd think that car detailers or professional cleaners should know.

Kind of the funny part is i'm a professional cleaner... well a Caretaker for a large building, but i have yet to remove smoke.... But you gave me an idea, as a girl i work with used to work cleaning buildings after fires..... Maybe she'll know something.....

And you'll right the car lots may know what to use as well... Another guy i work with has a part time job cleaning a car lot at night.... he told me that when the used cars come in they use a pressure washer inside and leave them outside to dry for 3 days....

WhoFan

i say don't worry about it, it's part of the guitar's character

If you have a newish SKB case with the black furry stuff inside, leave the guitar in it for awhile. It'll come out with that really weird vanilla-y smell that might mask the cigarette smell for awhile. It works for a bit, but definitely not a fix.

Here's your answer-lots of club gigging.

My old peavey classic from '75, '72 telecaster, and Ibanez lawsuit all smell like cigarette smoke and all share one trait-they were gigged for over 20 years. The wood between the frets on the maple freboard is stained a light grey from all the smoke!

I think that Clapton's Blackie also had this black stain between the frets.

...............or you could start smoking youself........smoke smell won't be a problem after that................

my 82 standard reaked of smoke from all the gigs it was played at,well from when my dad still used it. Anyway, i just left it out of its case for about a week under a fan and occasionally rubbed it with my palms(...dont ask) and it seems to have all but vanished.

Thanks guys....

WhoFan

pot pourri or something under the scratchplate? i'd be putting something semi-permanent in, i hate that smell..

tom

From my experience (not with guitars, but with furniture etc.) the only permanent solution is a complete refinish. I'm sure that's not what you wanted to hear ... sorry . I hate the smell too.

step one: buy potpourri
step two: dump potpourri in fuzzy case
step three: leave guitar in fuzzy case for a week.

Mmm. Cinnamon strat freshnesss.


Originally Posted by Imppot pourri or something under the scratchplate? i'd be putting something semi-permanent in, i hate that smell..

tom

Being a non-smoker it really smells bad to me for sure! After being in a bar where smoking is allowed i can't stand the smell of my clothes the next day.... Smoking does not bother me when people are smoking around me. it's later after that smell has stuck to my clothes that i can't stand it..... A girl i was dating used to pop a Tic Tac mint after every smoke because she knew i hated it...

I think i'll pull the strat apart one more time and give it a really good wash again and polish.... I'll be careful not to get water in the wood..... After playing that strat for about an hour i was feeling sick from the smell.. Oddly it is my favourite strat i own... I have 4 Fenders.... this American and 3 Mexicans..... The American has so much more tone and better feel of quality to it over the Mexicans i have...... Think i'll sell my 3 Mexicans and buy another USA strat.....

WhoFan

I've heard of two home remedies: Wash with vineger amp; water (where possible) and Vicks vapo rub. I would test on a place under the pickguard where it won't show.....it's worth a try.


Originally Posted by bungalowbillI've heard of two home remedies: Wash with vineger amp; water (where possible) and Vicks vapo rub. I would test on a place under the pickguard where it won't show.....it's worth a try.

I was thinking vinegar and water! The guitar was a inca silver colour at one time in the 80's and it has aged green.... It has a great feeling Maple neck! It's been refretted a few times and whole guitar looks older then 17 years... Soon it will be just right for Keith Richards.... Looks great but smells.... The guitar that is...

WhoFan

I'd try giving it a good rub down with denatured alcohol, let it sit for a while outside of a case.

Then start applying thin coats of wax, buffing after each coat amp; let it sit for a while after each coat.

Eventually, you'll have a nice hardened protective coating that is both shiny amp; sealed.

Maybe rub it down with some lemon oil .....Hell, I don't know what I'm talking about, but it sounds like it might atleast mask that smoke.

Good luck amp; keep us posted!

OK here we go again.... When i had bought this USA Strat that smells like smoke it came in an old Charvel case.... since i had a 1987 Charvel i put the Charvel in the hardshell case and the Fender is now in a Godin Gig Bag...... I opened the case to get my Charvel out and now that guitar just stinks to high heaven too...... It's a beast!!!!! Also not only does my Charvel now smell awful so does the Godin gig bag that i put the Fender in.... can't win...... I'm going to try some of that Frbreeze smell remover spray in the case and leave it open in the basement for a while.... Last night with the Charvel on my lap i felt like throwing up..... I'm a smoke wimp

WhoFanWhoFan

I'd try spraying your case with febreeze or something heavily then put it in there.
When my guitar comes back from the shop it smells I kinda like the smell though) and it goes away after a week or so. Also, what about outdoors?? Has it been there?? Nothing like fresh air.

Hey, did you ever figure out how to get the smell out of the Strat?

I took this strat out of it's case tonight and the thing's smokey smell made me start choking and coughing..... i was dying... i wonder why i'm so sensitive to the smell this strat puts off.... Maybe there is more to the smell then just cig smoke..... I may have to sell it! It seems to get a little better after a cleaning and a polish but then it still stinks and the polish just masks the smell