Help with the stench!

[paologregorio]

My two wonderful cats got in a literal pissing match a couple of years back, and my Vox teardrop happened to be out in a stand; I had to use Nature's Miracle on it. Make sure you remove the hardware et cetera and clean around that as well. You could probably saturate the inside of the case with the product without issue, and it should get rid of the stench. I've had musty cases before, and carpet fresh and Febreze were the ticket, but in this case, I'd use Nature's Miracle, or Force Out, whichever you prefer.

[kiramdear]

Emmanuel, be sure to make a small test against the finish before you dose it with anything. I don't know what location on the instrument would be the least noticable incase there's a solvent issue, perhaps under the pickguard you can apply a drop or two and let it dry to see what happens.

[johnallg]

Emmanuel, be sure to make a small test against the finish before you dose it with anything. I don't know what location on the instrument would be the least noticable incase there's a solvent issue, perhaps under the pickguard you can apply a drop or two and let it dry to see what happens.

That was to be my suggestion also - maybe try the products in a small spot under the pickguard to see how the finish handles it. Conversion Varnish, what you Rick is finished with, is really durable, but it is better to be safe. After you get the odor out, and you will - take heart - give this baby a good cleaning with Meguires Scratch-X to polish out the scratches and hazing in the finish, then top off with 2 or more coats of Zymol car polish. Both are available from Wal-Mart, AutoZone, and other outlets that sell car waxes. Use clean cotton baby diapers, no fabric softener when you wash them. All this is Paul's (jingle-jangle) advice - search the forum using those two product names and you will get more info and endorsements with pictures than you care to read!

And welcome aboard!

[Manfred_Man]

Hey, paolagregorio, kiramdear & johnallg!

Sorry for not thanking you for your replies sooner than this!

I ended up getting two of the Nature's Miracle products:
1) Advanced Dual-Action Hard Floor, that I used on the bass itself, after testing under the pickguard in the pickup cutout.
2) 3-in-1 Odor Destroyer (The Ultimate Pet Odor Eliminator), that I used in the case, after testing in a corner, and under the pickguard in the pots cutout (just to make sure it doesn't react with the finish once I store the bass in its case...)

I've done this every other day for the last 2 weeks... just to be neurotically safe... and all seems to be fine.

So, I've used the products, and have had to go over this process over 3 days, once a day, to happily say that she's almost smelling as clean as my daughter's freshly changed diaper! (Yes, I use clean diapers...)

A big "THANK-YOU!" to all of you for your replies, concerns, and encouragement.

Now, I have a carefully-executed note I need to play... in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1...

[johnallg]

Great news, Emmanual! That has to be satisfying to say the least.

[doctorwho]

Great news, Emmanual! That has to be satisfying to say the least.

+1

Your experience will be very helpful in the future when someone else has the same problem.