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Maybe my nose isn't as good as it used to be or perhaps this observation is correct? I've got about 6 sets left of fairly old BRW. It was cut in the 1950's and is exceptional quality stuff. I also have some newer BRW and when I compare them I can't really smell the old stuff while the new stuff has that definitive BRW smell.

Has anyone come across this? Is this even a thing?

I am simply sanding the surface with 220 grit to break it open, perhaps I have to get further down on the old stuff IDK.

most likely a little more rubbing but I have not seen BRW that didn't smell

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John Hall
blues creek guitars
Authorized CF Martin Repair
Co President of ASIA
You Don't know what you don't know until you know it

And what a fine aroma!

Slight tangent. I used to have one of the original PRS 513 electric guitars that had a solid BRW neck. Not just the fretboard, the neck too. The neck was unfinished bare wood. It smelled glorious for about two years and then the smell went away. Very sad.

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Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right - Robert Hunter

As wood ages and oxidizes the smell becomes less apparent. You simply need to scrape or sand down past that to release that aroma again.

Have the surfaces been exposed to air wherever they were stored? If you stack them directly on top of eachother (make sure the endgrain is sealed) or put them in an enclosed space for some time, the smell will probably build back up.

Guitar soundholes are small enough to maintain some wood smell inside the box while hanging on a wall, but it's a lot stronger if kept in a case.

I just stack wood on top of itself when it's aged well like these are. I'll dig a bit deeper in and see if the aroma comes out.