Official Luthiers Forum!

OK, I have this '74 L6-S in the shop. A previous owner sprayed so much paint on the thing that the finish cracked and wrinkled. I can handle fixing that part.

He must have left the guitar in the case for a long time... because it just REEKS! I tried propping the lid open and letting it air out in the garage for a couple weeks, but it still stinks. Anyone ever filled an old case with baking soda to suck up the stink, and then vacuuming it out later? How about clean kitty litter?

Other options, folks?

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Chris,

Had the same problem with a fiddle case. Over three months:
left it open with a fan blowing on it. Helped but still stunk.
added a heater in the area, with the fan blowing warm air. Better but still stunk.
sprinkled with baking soda, closed it for a week. A bit better.
sprayed it with cat spray enzyme. Closed it for a week, repeat.
left it open with a fan blowing on it for a week with heater again.

It never got rid of the smell, but it was much better. I don't know which of the steps helped the most.

Good luck!

Pat

_________________
formerly known around here as burbank
_________________

http://www.patfosterguitars.com

In addition to all of the above - try out Febreeze. That stuff is magic.

The sheets, or the spray? And if you meant the spray - will it react with the new finish?

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Problem solved! I bought the tall box (1 lb, 14 oz) of Arm & Hammer "Double Duty Litter Deodorizer" - it looks and smells like laundry detergent. Poured the whole box in, and rotated it every day for a week. Dumped out and vacuumed this morning. Smells like fresh laundry now, and that's a big improvement. I'll let you know if the stink returns.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince