New guitar's case smells like weed

[kriso77]

So I'm sure this will lead to some laughs and some memorable comments, but I am hoping I get some real insight here as well.

I bought 2 new guitars from an authorized dealer (no pun intended). I'd prefer to keep the guitar make and dealer anonymous here. The first one, a dread, and its case were fine. The smaller 00 style plays great, sounds great, but man the case smells like weed. I've had some cases smell like anything from chocolate to harsh chemicals but never had the pot smell.

My guess is it has something to do with the glue in the case. Has anyone ever had this experience and were you able to get the smell to go away? I've tried charcoal bags and letting sit out in the sun to no avail. The more I open the case, the hungrier I get.

[jseth]

Just keep airing it out... you can try sprinkling baking soda on the plush interior; brush it into the nap and then vacuum it out... but keep airing it out... not necessarily in the sun but outside... may take days of this to reduce the odor.

Was this case more expensive, or did you get it "from a friend"? Ha!!!

[pukematrix]

Authorized dealer...solid.

Can't say I've had that experience with a guitar case. I did pick up a Kobalt air compressor hose last year from Lowe's that smelled like that. Something in the rubber they used, I suspect. It's been in a cabinet in my garage for a year and I still get a whiff of it whenever I open that cabinet, though it's mellowed out a bit. When I first got it, my wife thought I was sneaking out to the garage for a toke.

You're probably right on with it being the glue. Hopefully it dissipates.

Austin

[pagedr]

Did you check all the compartments?

[jschmitz54]

Is that what people mean when they talk about that new guitar smell?

[Rosewood99]

So where do I get one of these cases?

[Mark L]

Put it outdoors in dry warmth, but in the shade, not in direct sun.
Stand it up open as best you can safely, case pocket open as well.

Let a fairly strong fan blow on it constantly. This is “forced evaporation”, and will work a lot quicker than just letting it sit open. After you’ve done all you can this way (days to weeks) and if odor persists, you can close it up flat in a warm spot with some open tubs of baking soda and or activated charcoal. You might have to change out those materials a time or 2. They’re cheap.

Another good odor reduction option is ozonation. You might buy or rent an ozone generator and put the open case in a booth (shop closet?) with the ozone going. May work quickest and best of all. Problem might be ozone effect on plastics or other synthetics in the case lining, handle, or shell. Got to think this one over carefully first. Evaporation is the KISS way.

It’s likely a compound inherent in the glue, lining, padding or shell. It may be part of those raw or finished materials or ....may have been absorbed into them at some stage of manufacture or storage.

Just curious, but is the “weed” smell that of the raw herb or the burning/smoking plant material. That can give you a clue as to the class of compound causing the odor, and thence the likely source.

Or, if it’s a good guitar and a cheap case, just get yourself a Hiscox.

Good luck with it.

[leew3]

I've had cases smell like weed but I was well aware of how that happened!

[LeDave]

Just be glad it isn't cigarettes. Marijuana will air out much much easier than cigarettes.

[Bob Womack]

Walks like a duck, quacks like a duck... Just don't take it across the border. Those sniffing dogs know their stuff.

Bob

[rokdog49]

What’s weed?

[UncleJesse]

I believe the hipsters use the word cannabis now. Marijuana has unwanted connotations and weed, pot, and reefer is what your parents called it

[MickZ]

Originally Posted by pagedr

Did you check all the compartments?

I loved those SNL skits! LOL

[steelvibe]

[Steve DeRosa]

Betcha Martin could move a whole load of D-420's that way...