Cigarette smoke odor in sound hole of guitar

mesquivel · #1 03-17-2019, 02:03 PM

I just picked up a taylor GC4 that plays and sounds fantastic but it has a pretty bad cigarette smoke odor coming from the sound hole. Surprisingly the outside body of the guitar does not smell like smoke at all. Even the inside of the case does not smell like smoke either but the outside of the case does. My main concern is the guitar though. Anyone have any suggestions or remedies to get this cigarette odor out of the guitar or at least suppressed significantly? Thanks for the help!

383roller · #2 03-17-2019, 02:16 PM

Put it in direct sunlight for as long as it takes, try rice at night, it may never fully go away.

lonecedar · #3 03-17-2019, 02:21 PM

Try coffee - in a ziplock bag. Crack the bag open and put it in the soundhole in its case and let it sit a week or two.

Worked for me.

-Pat

Taylor007 · #4 03-17-2019, 02:26 PM

I used to play a Martin D41 in a smoke filled bar. The rosewood seemed to really absorb the smoke. I had the same issue that you described. Baking soda worked for me. With your guitar in it’s case, carefully put a plastic bag about 1/3 full of baking soda into the sound hole of your guitar. Keep the bag open. Close the case. Place a post it note on the case so you remember it’s in there. This step helps avoid a mess. Leave it overnight or longer. Remove carefully next time you play the guitar. Repeat as necessary.

personatech · #5 03-17-2019, 02:31 PM

Any chance it's just one of those rare Taylors made of ash?

(...sorry, couldn't help myself!)

Steadfastly · #6 03-17-2019, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taylor007

I used to play a Martin D41 in a smoke filled bar. The rosewood seemed to really absorb the smoke. I had the same issue that you described. Baking soda worked for me. With your guitar in it’s case, carefully put a plastic bag about 1/3 full of baking soda into the sound hole of your guitar. Keep the bag open. Close the case. Place a post it note on the case so you remember it’s in there. This step helps avoid a mess. Leave it overnight or longer. Remove carefully next time you play the guitar. Repeat as necessary.

So, are you speaking from experience and thus, the post it note?

Sloplay · #7 03-17-2019, 03:32 PM

I have an early Martin DXM (USA) that was used by the previous owner as the main tool for gigging in all kinds of smoke-filled "honkey tonk" bars. I left the thing, original TKL included, outdoors for some time...it still smells like a pack of Marlboros, LOL. Maybe it's why the guitar plays and sounds so good?

RagtopGT · #8 03-17-2019, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sloplay

...it still smells like a pack of Marlboros, LOL. Maybe it's why the guitar plays and sounds so good?

Smoke gives it mojo. Add stale beer and a bullet hole and you're at a whole new level.

Sloplay · #9 03-17-2019, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RagtopGT

Smoke gives it mojo. Add stale beer and a bullet hole and you're at a whole new level.

Hmmm...gettin' there then, I s'pose, LOL.

Tahitijack · #10 03-17-2019, 03:51 PM

if old guitars could talk...oh the stories they could tell......

Villamarzia · #11 03-17-2019, 03:52 PM

If it has torrified top, put coffee, otherwise baking soda is ok.

rstaight · #12 03-17-2019, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tahitijack

if old guitars could talk...oh the stories they could tell......

I for one am glad they can't.

Atomnimity · #13 03-17-2019, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RagtopGT

Smoke gives it mojo. Add stale beer and a bullet hole and you're at a whole new level.

You must play in one of those bars they ask if you have a weapon when you go in... If you say no they ask if you prefer a knife or a gun.

guitar george · #14 03-17-2019, 04:34 PM

Leave it outside, in a safe place, for as long as you can over a period of a few days. It's like hanging clothes on a clothes line. The fresh air does the trick.

If it is really bad you might want to wipe the inside with a damp cloth and non-perfumed soap before putting it outside. Remove any soap residue with another damp cloth.

leew3 · #15 03-17-2019, 05:02 PM

after playing my last and only cigar bar gig I used activated charcoal to fumigate my gear, but the advice about fresh air will work for your guitar. Nearly 40 years ago playing out when you could still smoke in a bar my acoustic typically smelled like an ashtray. Even that would go away given enough fresh air and sunlight. I never put the guitar outside, but merely in the sun indoors as I don't smoke. Good luck!