CF guitar smell?

[jjhturbo]

Maybe it's just me being overly sensitive....and I don't know if this just applies to Emerald or CF guitars in general....but is anyone else bothered at all by the CF smell? Not a huge issue, but it is pretty noticeable for me when I play my X20, esp in contrast to the sweet smell of wood acoustics...and it actually does have slight physiological effects from time to time.

Anyone else notice this or affected at all by this?

[jdinco]

I have a Sable and have not noticed it, but there have been similar complaints/posts from others concerning smells from their CF guitars.

[NoodleFingers]

When my RainSong was brand new, there was a bit of a smell for a couple of weeks. But it went away quickly.

[Tøf]

If it can make you feel better my Sable smells worse than my ex-X20
I have no idea if it’s more dangerous than a fresh nitro finish with solvents still evaporating, but I clearly prefer the smell of a wooden instrument!

[jjhturbo]

Originally Posted by Tøf

If it can make you feel better my Sable smells worse than my ex-X20
I have no idea if it’s more dangerous than a fresh nitro finish with solvents still evaporating, but I clearly prefer the smell of a wooden instrument!

Absolutely agree. Even with nitro finish, the natural wood smell from the unfinished interior still comes through...and like you said...much more pleasant than CF.

Originally Posted by NoodleFingers

When my RainSong was brand new, there was a bit of a smell for a couple of weeks. But it went away quickly.

I thought it would dissipate on my X20....but after a year...still noticing the odor.

Are you sure the smell is coming from the guitar and not the case/bag??

[RP]

Originally Posted by jjhturbo

....but is anyone else bothered at all by the CF smell?

Anyone else notice this or affected at all by this?

Not me, but I'm a bachelor....

[boneuphtoner]

Originally Posted by EvanB

Are you sure the smell is coming from the guitar and not the case/bag??

I’m a firm believer that at least 80% of guitar smells come from the case. The wood, glues, epoxy, etc. make a contribution, but my experience is that the case contributes the most. Most of the experience I draw these observations from is with Martins - the Geib cases have a strong yankee candle vanilla/cinnamon smell, the plastic cases have more of a glue smell, and the cheap Martin cases have a subtle musty vanilla scent. Guitars with the same tone woods e.g., spruce/rosewood smell different depending on the case.

Oh and RainSongs seem to have a stronger glue/finish scent compared to Emerald.

[jjhturbo]

Originally Posted by EvanB

Are you sure the smell is coming from the guitar and not the case/bag??

Yep, that was my thought too previously. But, a while ago, as an experiment, I left my X20 out of the case for about a week and still noticed it to be the same. But again...maybe it's just me being overly sensitive to the CF smell in particular.

[redi]

My X20 did not smell to be noted. Neither did the case. You could detect a different eau if you sniffed directly in the sound hole but it didn't go much further.

I bought a spec Collings fresh from the factory a long time ago where the case really smelled bad. I even emailed Steve about it it was so bad. Ended up having the Collings live in a different case and letting the original air out or about a year before finally gassed off.

Letting newly manufactured stuff sit in the air should take care of it, but the new wood and lacquer smell is a nice one to have stay around as long as possible.

[jdrnd]

Originally Posted by jjhturbo

Maybe it's just me being overly sensitive....and I don't know if this just applies to Emerald or CF guitars in general....but is anyone else bothered at all by the CF smell?

Anyone else notice this or affected at all by this?

yes. I commented on it when I first got my X-30. Its a chemical odor. But its fading and it is not an issue for me.

[steelvibe]

My RainSong had a slight smell. Nothing too odd or off-putting. But nothing smells like a new Martin. Goodness that is intoxicating! I've always said that Spanish Cedar, mahogany and rosewood could be sold in "mandles", car fresheners or essential oils. Maybe a little satchel to throw in the sound hole?

[JerryM]

I returned a McPherson travel model as the gassing off was so bad it made my eyes irritated and was coughing whenever I played it. We hold them close to our faces so some can be sensitive. Curing resins can be volital.

[jjhturbo]

Originally Posted by jdrnd

yes. I commented on it when I first got my X-30. Its a chemical odor. But its fading and it is not an issue for me.

Exactly. It's definitely a chemical odor. I was hoping it would fade on my X20...but like I said...it's now over a year and I still notice it

So, dumb question -- what is the chemical in CF that is causing this?

So, given the gassing that seems to be taking place, can we assume that there is a change that occurs in our CF guitars as they age?