Smoking odor

[RagtopGT]

Aside from the obvious "don't smoke", what's the best way to neutralize tobacco smoke odor from guitars? Should something be placed in the case, the soundhole, or both?

[fazool]

search this forum for "ozonator" I've written several posts.

[Graham H]

I would just throw a dryer sheet like Bounce or Gain in the box and leave it there for a while, I don't think that would harm the guitar and it sure would smell better !!! Good Luck

[nitram]

I bought a guitar some 4-5 years ago and the seller admitted that he was a smoker. After getting home I thought-that's not too bad. But then the funky odor crept into the air and I went fishing inside the body of the guitar and found - behold -six Bounce sheets ensconced within the cavity.
Luckily for me I don't have asthma. And fortunately for the guy who bought it,plays in a band and smokes-it wasn't a problem.
These days it's more of an anomaly to find smokers than in my day when almost everybody smoked or lived with at least one of them.
PTL.

[fazool]

good gosh........just search what I said. There is actual science behind odors and how to remove them vs just cover them with perfumes.

[Luckymud]

Perhaps one of those bags of activated charcoal used for room and shoe odor removal? Search Amazon for “air purifying bag.”

[aknow]

Originally Posted by Graham H

I would just throw a dryer sheet like Bounce or Gain in the box and leave it there for a while, I don't think that would harm the guitar and it sure would smell better !!! Good Luck

Personally, I'd rather smell the old tobacco than that noxious, toxic stuff. Broken pothos plant leaves, or citrus peels over time will neutralize and eliminate the smell. Many other organic things will too.

[nitram]

Originally Posted by fazool

good gosh........just search what I said. There is actual science behind odors and how to remove them vs just cover them with perfumes.

It was an anecdote...don't take it personally.

[fazool]

Originally Posted by nitram

It was an anecdote...don't take it personally.

I don't take it personally. I pointed to the actual correct solution to electrochemically remove odor particles in the really only accepted scientific way. It was followed by suggestions to mask the odors with perfume.

I think that's just confusing to someone looking for answers.

[chippygreen]

+1 on the activated charcoal.

This is OOS on Amazon but you can find similar and it worked for me - the smaller bags fit between the soundhole and E strings. Takes a few weeks and you have to sun them to "recharge" them but this significantly reduced a strong smoke odor on my Japan market K Yairi (which I purchased on a trip to Japan last year).

[chippygreen]

with link!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[guitar george]

Wash and vacuum first and then leave the guitar and case outdoors, in a safe place such as on a balcony, for a few days. Keep an eye on the weather and humidity levels. I think you will be surprised.

[Kronbauer]

I had a fire in my shop a couple years ago and I was able to salvage a couple guitars but they seriously smelled of smoke. I was able to get most of the smoke smell out with an ozonator. It took 3 overnight sessions but it did work. I rented it from a restoration company. Good luck!

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by RagtopGT

Aside from the obvious "don't smoke"...

Just be thankful you don't have to deodorize Neil Young's D-45 or Willie's "Trigger"...

[ManyMartinMan]

Buy something else. Too many great guitars out there to bother with something that's already a put off.