Your vote on why US-made Martins smell good?

[Cool555]

Hi, As a Part 2 to the thread below, here are the 3 reasons that posters gave for the sweet scent coming from their Martin guitars.

1) The kerfings that Martin uses is likely Spanish Cedar.

2) The scent is from the guitar case, not the guitar.

3) The scent is added to the finish that Martin uses.

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=596265

Please feel free to vote if you have US-made guitars (boutique guitars included) that has a nice scent on the guitar.

Thank you for your votes and comments!

[Cool555]

Bump!

Please vote if you think you know the answer to the sweet scent.

[Brucebubs]

What about the wood used for the body?
My Rosewood Martin smells different to my Mahogany Martin.

ps - both are nice.

[DukeX]

I said this in the other thread, the 15 series is often made of Sipo/Utile. If you have a 15 series, that is probably what you smell.

[warfrat73]

This is not a mystery.

[Cool555]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

What about the wood used for the body?
My Rosewood Martin smells different to my Mahogany Martin.

ps - both are nice.

Yes, Rosewood is supposed to smell nice. I think that’s where it got its name from...smelling like rose. If you had posted earlier in the other thread, I would have added “wood used for the body” as an option too.

[Mike McLenison]

Their cocktail of smell is this:

The binding solvent/adhesive, one part case adhesive for liner, one part lacquer thinner, paste wood filler solvent and the smell of their polishing compound. The biggest aspect is the polishing compound mixed with solvents.

Add those together and you get new Martin guitar smell.

[Cool555]

Originally Posted by Mike McLenison

Their cocktail of smell is this:

The binding solvent/adhesive, one part case adhesive for liner, one part lacquer thinner, paste wood filler solvent and the smell of their polishing compound. The biggest aspect is the polishing compound mixed with solvents.

Add those together and you get new Martin guitar smell.

Interesting observation! I definitely can smell a different smell from the guitar case. I prefer the smell from the guitar.

[BillyMays]

I'm pretty sure it's the cedar. My grandmother keeps small blocks of cedar in her dresser drawers to keep all of her clothes smelling good.

Martin guitars remind me of my grandmother, which is a reason why I'll probably pick one up one day. It seems silly, but the smell is comforting.

[Cool555]

Originally Posted by DukeX

I said this in the other thread, the 15 series is often made of Sipo/Utile. If you have a 15 series, that is probably what you smell.

Thanks DukeX. I’ve replied to your other post already.

[Cool555]

Originally Posted by BillyMays

I'm pretty sure it's the cedar. My grandmother keeps small blocks of cedar in her dresser drawers to keep all of her clothes smelling good.

Martin guitars remind me of my grandmother, which is a reason why I'll probably pick one up one day. It seems silly, but the smell is comforting.

Hi Daniel. I like your post. My brother shared with me about an article he read about smell. It is the last sense to go. We smell about 1000 different types and combination of smells. These smells can trigger different parts of our memory bringing back memories related to that particularly smell.

[Cool555]

Originally Posted by warfrat73

This is not a mystery.

Hi Warfrat73. I noticed you have 3 Martins. Do all of them smell good?

[Cool555]

Hoping for more votes and comments? Thanks.

[dnf777]

Originally Posted by BillyMays

I'm pretty sure it's the cedar. My grandmother keeps small blocks of cedar in her dresser drawers to keep all of her clothes smelling good.

Martin guitars remind me of my grandmother, which is a reason why I'll probably pick one up one day. It seems silly, but the smell is comforting.

Everyone has their own reasons, but cedar is an alternative to moth balls. My parents home has cedar lined closets for that reason.

[beatcomber]

Originally Posted by DukeX

I said this in the other thread, the 15 series is often made of Sipo/Utile. If you have a 15 series, that is probably what you smell.

There can be no doubt that the 15 Series body itself is adding to the aroma.

When I open my 000-15SM's case, the aroma wafting out is like a (gentle) punch in the face. After playing for a while, if I set the guitar down and leave the room for a few minutes, upon my return I notice that the room itself has become scented with the sweet, woody aroma from the guitar.

Spruce/mahogany guitars I've owned weren't nearly as pungent. Yet one more reason to love my 000-15SM!