Oil & Smoke?

Darkstrike · #1 10-28-2011, 01:30 PM

A thought I failed to consider before now...

While I'm really digging the oil/poly finish of my Century Standard Plus, I'm somewhat worried. I plan on bringing it to a jam/party tomorrow, give it a proper run for its money, as it were. I'll probably(hopefully) get to match it up against acoustics, driven electrics(both Fender style and modern) and some aggressive drums, at one time or another.

The problem? The people I jam with are smokers, I'm wondering if the smoke smell will get ingrained into the finish/wood. Something that's no issue with my usual solid finished basses, a quick wax and polish has 'em perfect again.

Thoughts?

Gard · #2 10-28-2011, 02:36 PM

Hmm...I really don't know. I'd imagine that a quick wipe will address any potential issues though!

Darkstrike · #3 10-28-2011, 03:07 PM

I guess I'll find out soon enough!

Gard · #4 10-28-2011, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkstrike

I guess I'll find out soon enough!

That you will!

If all else fails, you can re-oil it.

Darkstrike · #5 10-28-2011, 03:36 PM

That's what I was thinking, but I'm reaaaallly lazy! Hahahaa!

RocketMusic · #6 10-28-2011, 04:32 PM

I have not noticed any such effect, Bill, and I've gigged in many a smoky bar with mine...

I have noticed you can smell Spanish Cedar through the oil finishes, though, so smell is definitely able to get out through the finish... I'm not sure why it doesn't seem to go in.

Darkstrike · #7 10-28-2011, 04:41 PM

That's one of the things that got me thinking of it in the first place, hearing about the Spanish Cedar effect.

Glad it doesn't work in reverse though!

VroomVroom · #8 10-28-2011, 04:42 PM

Ugh. And no offense to anyone who smokes....your call, and I pass no judgment. But...yuck. The chemicals permeate and the smell gets everywhere. As a veteran of many smoky bars, may I offer....

- Hopefully the area is well-ventilated. If not, carefully consider where you can store the bass when not playing, and where you can store the bag/case even when you are playing.

- Consider some time at home after the shindig to be the opportunity to tune-up the bass. First priority...change the strings. Not sure if it's the oil in our skin or what, but strings are magnets for that odor. Include the pickups, bridge saddles, etc... in your quick-wipe efforts. If you're deodorizing the case/bag, don't forget the strap.

Have fun, man! I can't wait to hear the details.

VroomVroom · #9 10-28-2011, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RocketMusic

I have noticed you can smell Spanish Cedar through the oil finishes, though, so smell is definitely able to get out through the finish... I'm not sure why it doesn't seem to go in.

No expert here for sure, but assuming it's a polyurethane oil finish, that doesn't surprise me. In the auto paint world, that's referred to as, "off-gassing," which is simply a part of the curing process. Something with the chemical bonding creates a reaction, and the odors are surprisingly noticeable. I'd imagine - again, no scientific fact offered here - that with an organic and porous base material, the odors from the wood may simply become imbedded in the oil finish.

Darkstrike · #10 10-28-2011, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VroomVroom

Ugh. And no offense to anyone who smokes....your call, and I pass no judgment. But...yuck. The chemicals permeate and the smell gets everywhere. As a veteran of many smoky bars, may I offer....

- Hopefully the area is well-ventilated. If not, carefully consider where you can store the bass when not playing, and where you can store the bag/case even when you are playing.

- Consider some time at home after the shindig to be the opportunity to tune-up the bass. First priority...change the strings. Not sure if it's the oil in our skin or what, but strings are magnets for that odor. Include the pickups, bridge saddles, etc... in your quick-wipe efforts. If you're deodorizing the case/bag, don't forget the strap.

Have fun, man! I can't wait to hear the details.

Excellent advice there Jerry, cheers! That's exactly what I'll do, give the entire bass a nice going over after the weekend, string change too, especially as it still has the strings that came with it on.

JOME77 · #11 10-29-2011, 07:53 AM

Good advice here Bill! I would be anything that a fresh coat of Warrior anointed oil (that's what use) and a new set of strings wouldn't fix.

I always hated the smell of my bass cases when I gigged in clubs.

**Ryan L.** · #12 10-29-2011, 09:55 AM

Or, simply start smoking yourself, and you won't notice the smell...

Gard · #13 10-29-2011, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan L.

Or, simply start smoking yourself, and you won't notice the smell...

...you've been living in that ND cold too long, hm?

**Ryan L.** · #14 10-29-2011, 10:49 AM

Quite possibly......

LilRay · #15 11-01-2011, 07:25 AM

Saran wrap????

God Bless, Ray

RocketMusic · #16 11-01-2011, 05:28 PM

So whatever happened, Billy? Did you notice the smoke smell getting into the bass?

Color me curious...

Darkstrike · #17 11-01-2011, 05:47 PM

Sadly enough, I didn't really get enough time to properly see.

We had two days, but the first was dominated by a fancy dress party, and the 2nd, I was nursing a surprisingly vicious hangover, so we only had a quick jam.

That all said, I didn't notice any ill effect in the short time, further exploration is necessary, but this time with the playing *before* drinking stupid amounts of ale and whiskey.

BartmanPDX · #18 11-01-2011, 06:21 PM

Oregon joined Washington in going smoke-free in bars a few years ago, right as I started gigging regularly.

Sometimes I forget how great it is not to come home with gear and clothes reeking of cigarettes. Thanks for reminding me of how much better it is now.

FWIW, it doesn't appear to have affected bars much in terms of business. They all have an outside smoking section, and here in the NW the winters are mild enough that it's not such a hassle to step outside for a few minutes. Half my band smokes and I'll hang outside with them and occasionally enjoy a small cigar myself.

It is very nice to be smoke-free inside though.

BTW, my cigar humidor is lined with Spanish cedar, which is pretty much considered the only wood to use for the inside of the humidor precisely because of its aromatic properties. Mine smells great inside. I was surprised to see spanish cedar used on the back of my bass but it looks fantastic!

Darkstrike · #19 11-01-2011, 06:26 PM

Talking about Spanish Cedar, Roscoe did make humidors one time, IIRC it's where they got the idea to use it on basses.

I don't have a pic handy, but they made a special bass one time, with a humidor built into the back.

RocketMusic · #20 11-01-2011, 07:56 PM

That's one of those great stories that you get to hear if/when you get the chance to hang around the shop in G'boro. Keith was so big into humidors at one point that he bought an entire 18-wheeler truckload of Spanish Cedar. Looking at that big pile of wood when he was back making basses, he thought "I should try that on a bass". I'm paraphrasing heavily, of course, but I just think that's such a cool story. It's not quite "necessity is the mother of invention", but it is very cool that a happy accident led to one of my favorite sounding body woods becoming heavily used by Roscoe.