Help with the stench!

[Manfred_Man]

I can't find my post (maybe it was on another Ric site?), but I had asked for advice/help/miracle for saving my Ric bass. I bought a used 4003 FG on eBay, and the owner didn't mention that it smells of dog & cat. The case also smells, and I've used Febreze on it (and followed up with a tonload of vacuuming it after it dried), and Carpet Fresh (and a ridiculous amount of vacuuming, again!) I've place baking soda in a coffee filter, and left it in the case, also. It still wreaks!!!

On the bass itself, I've used naptha, Virtuoso Premium Cleaner, and Febreze (not all at the same time), and left it out on a stand with an air ionizer pointed right at it. It still wreaks!!!

Any suggestions? Someone suggested refinishing it, but that would be ridiculously expensive. Also, isn't the nitro finish rather porous? Would that mean the stench is into the wood now? Would using wax help since it would create a coating on the finish, while filling any of the pores? Meguiar's, Turtle Wax, or MinWax?

Someone recommended leaving it out in the sun, turning it over every 20-30 minutes, and leaving the case open outside, too.

I am absolutely frustrated with this, and I love the sound and feel. But I can't play with noseplugs... unless I want to look like an absolute idiot! Also, my clothes wreak after playing it, and I don't like having to change my clothes that often at a gig...

Please HELP!

[wayang]

I dunno, Manfred...looking like an absolute idiot has been a tremendous boon to many a successful career in music...but of course, the choice is entirely yours.

Seriously, Dr. Jingle Jangle will no doubt be stopping by here soon to give you some real advice. (He'll also probably point out that your bass actually 'reeks'...'wreaking' would apply to the sonic havoc you unleash with it...)

In the meantime, how about more of my inane advice? For example, consider playing only fundraising gigs held in animal shelters...no one will notice the stenchy bass!

[doctorwho]

Yep, Paul W. should have some remedies for this ... in the meantime, for the case only with the guitar removed, you might try to put a cloth dampened with imitation vanilla extract in a plastic container upright in the case (the case will have to remain flat during this), close the case, and wait overnight ...vanillin, the odor-causing substance in vanilla extract (both real and imitation) is a powerful odor-neutralizing substance. The case will need to be fully aired out after this treatment, as vanilla extract contains ethyl alcohol which might react with the finish on the guitar.

[cjj]

I don't know what it would do to a guitar finish, but it might work on the fabric in the case. I know it worked really well on carpets that had been well "used" in a place we rented a few years ago...

http://www.naturemakesitwork.com/home/index.php

-cj

[Manfred_Man]

Hey, thanks for the quick replies and suggestions, wayang, doctorwho & cjj!

Appreciate your comments and willingness to help.

doctorwho, if I give the vanilla remedy a go, how long should I air out the case. I guess it doesn't hurt to air it out over the week. Anyone have any idea what effect the ethyl alcohol might have on the finish?

cjj, thanks for the link to Nature's Miracle. I'll head over to Petsmart this afternoon.

Hey, wayang, I think the "wreaking" is the sound of my angst-ridden voice as I gaze brokenheartedly, and with great bewilderment, at this mistreated Ric. And, yes, you're right, it reeks!!!

Have a great week, everyone!

[headbanger]

Give it a dose of UV. Put it out in the sun.

[Manfred_Man]

thanks, headbanger!

it'll have to be later this week since it's overcast, and a little drizzly...

[admin]

This is my next product to try unless PW comes up with something I already have under my sink.

Force Out. Notice guitar case odor testimonial at the bottom of the page.

[Manfred_Man]

Hey, Peter!

Thanks for the link on Force Out! Loved the testimonial about the guitar case! I actually have renewed hope!

Although it lists its advantages, as I list below for all to see, any idea how this would be on the finish of my 2005 Ric 4003 JG? They do claim it works on all surfaces... as far as getting rid of the stain or odour, but will it maintain or enhance a finish, or damage it?

• Works on all surfaces
  Completely odorless
  Does NOT contain harmful chemicals or enzymes
  Biodegradable
  Non-toxic
  Non-corrosive
  Non-staining
  Non-masking
  Non-allergenic
  Oil-free

Thanks, again, for your encouragement!

[kiramdear]

A similar product is "Nature's Miracle", available at PETCO and elsewhere. It comes in regular and cat formula. It works pretty well, but on a bass?

If that doesn't work you could always start playing punk music

[jingle_jangle]

Sorry I've been late to the party, but I have house guests; the computer is in the guest room right now, so I can't sit at it like I previously did. Should be caught up by next week this time when they have left.

My own methods are Febreze, Carpet Fresh, and baking soda. These have not failed me, but sounds like you've got a real "case-reek" (note spelling...) problem here. I'll therefore defer to those who have given you alternate solutions.

[admin]

I would treat the case and keep the bass out of it for an extended period. I suspect that there is significant transfer from the lining to the instrument.

I can't imagine that the odor has penetrated the finish. Can you localize the odor more to one area of the bass than another?

I believe that you will be successful and the problem most likely lies in the case, and I don't mean the bass.

[Manfred_Man]

A similar product is "Nature's Miracle", available at PETCO and elsewhere. It comes in regular and cat formula. It works pretty well, but on a bass?

If that doesn't work you could always start playing punk music

Thanks, kiramdear, for your recommendation! (cjj also recommended Nature's Miracle! The more the recommendations, the greater the confidence in the product's reputation, I suppose!)

As for playing punk, I've been there and done that through the early 80's (I think I just dated myself). I've had to teach some of the youth in my youth group the history of real punk music, not just music that is really loud and trying to be "rebellious"! They even think I'm "kinda cool." I guess that's better than not being cool at all!

[Manfred_Man]

My own methods are Febreze, Carpet Fresh, and baking soda. These have not failed me, but sounds like you've got a real "case-reek" (note spelling...) problem here. I'll therefore defer to those who have given you alternate solutions.

Thanks for jumping into the discussion, PW (jingle_jangle)! Great ideas, suggestions, help & camaraderie here! Thanks, everyone!

PW, I think it was you would suggested the Febreze, Carpet Fresh, and baking soda/coffee filters through another site/forum (I can't remember which one). Or, maybe someone quoted you, and that's how I found out...

Still, my concern is whether or not I should be concerned about any of the aforementioned ideas with respect to the finish of my Ric's finish. I'd hate to get the stench/reek out, but end up with another issue/problem/situation/challenge... I think you know what I mean...

Thanks, everyone!

[Manfred_Man]

I would treat the case and keep the bass out of it for an extended period. I suspect that there is significant transfer from the lining to the instrument.

I'll probably keep the bass out, hanging on the wall, for the rest of the week, and maybe longer...

Can you localize the odor more to one area of the bass than another?

Unfortunately, the smell is throughout the body, neck & headstock...

I believe that you will be successful and the problem most likely lies in the case, and I don't mean the bass.

I've really contemplated getting a new case, but the cost for a new one, or a used one in good shape, is yet another challenge. I'd hate to get a new case, and the bass still has the stench, and it transfers to the new case's lining...