How do you get a smoke smell out of a guitar?

Manfred-Klose

i recently bought a very old guitar, the guitar is awesome , it just has a smell of smoke from the previous owner that i would like to get out.

Any ideas ?

i've searched some other forums on the internet for answers , but got some real dogdy answers that i dont want to try.
some suggest vinegar, other suggest putting it in a bag with "sodium bicarbonate" haha and throwing baking soda on the guitar

is there an easy way without putting the guitar in danger ?

dirkv

I know that bicarb does absorb dodgy smells, perhaps you should try putting some in a small bowl that would fit in a guitar case and put the guitar in the case and leave it over night

Reinhard

I've heard people use naphta/ lighter fluid to clean vintage guitars gently, supposedly helps with smell. A guitar case is a pain, leave it in the sun to air it out. Maybe leave one of those little fabric softener bags in the case.
Old guitar? We need pics.

Manfred-Klose

reinhard its this one:
http://www.guitarforum.co.za/setup-mods-and-repair/project-sanox-upgrade/

someone also suggested using a Ozone machine ?

ezietsman

Manfred Klose wrote reinhard its this one:
http://www.guitarforum.co.za/setup-mods-and-repair/project-sanox-upgrade/

someone also suggested using a Ozone machine ?

The smell will go away. Just wait. My guitar had a smoke smell too in the beginning...

singemonkey

Play Smoke on the Water for a couple of minutes each day.

vic

singemonkey wrote Play Smoke on the Water for a couple of minutes each day.

LOL ! "Smoke gets in your Eyes" also works wonders.

More serious....put a few pieces of charcoal with it in the case for a few days. It adsorbs odours. And polish it with a good guitar wax...just don't wipe it with solvents like meths as it will ruin the finish.

slyd

Give the entire axe a good rub-down and polish with your fave guitar oil. They're usually lemony scented or something, which will have it smelling shop-fresh in no time.
(or . . . start smoking yourself ???)

Chris-Mason

Easy solution, got a strat several years ago that smelled like it had been used as an ashtray for 10000 years. solution to get rid of the smell, vacum the case out, then spray with lady's perfume, let it dry and place the guitar back. Do this several times and on occasion leave the case open in the sun, minus the guitar. The smoke smell will disappear. hope this works for you.
saddle and nut

Renesongs

I have discovered the only way to stop my guitar smelling of smoke is to play a little slower. 8)

singemonkey

Renesongs wrote I have discovered the only way to stop my guitar smelling of smoke is to play a little slower. 8)

*Rimshot!*

guidothepimmp

singemonkey wrote
Renesongs wrote I have discovered the only way to stop my guitar smelling of smoke is to play a little slower. 8)
*Rimshot!*

:roflmao:

brilliant

Manfred-Klose

Ok just so i tried the charcoal thing with the guitar, and it seems to be working, the smell is still there, but its not as bad.
so this week i'l take the guitar apart and clean it nicely. and then smell again :-\

Keira-WitherKay

As already said above , i'd vote for just waiting , but keep it out of the case and let the guitar hang on your wall to air it and allow nature to take it's course the other alternative is to take it to band practice and then if you spill enough beer on it , eventually the beer smell will be take over ?

Manfred-Klose

i'd prefer the smell of tequila 8)