My bass smells bad!

Phil Zone · #1 01-24-2011, 10:50 AM

Ok, I think the gig bag the store sold me is mildewy. I've been putting dryer sheets in with the bass, but frankly it smells like feet every time I take it out.

Getting a new hardshell case but I'd love to get the smell out. Any suggestions?

If finish matters it's an blonde wood Yamaha RBX 260

HeadyVan Halen · #2 01-24-2011, 10:53 AM

That's how you know your funky.

Peepaleep · #3 01-24-2011, 10:53 AM

You can go to PetSmart and get something called "Nature's Miracle." It uses enzymes to eat organic material.

Spray the bag well and let it dry. Sit it in the sun for a few days if weather permits. The sunshine zaps all icky smells (at least it does down here in the southwest - I don't know how the cold might change things in VT).

How about bringing the bag back to the store and saying "hey buddy - this is nasty..."

FletcherML · #4 01-24-2011, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Zone

Ok, I think the gig bag the store sold me is mildewy. I've been putting dryer sheets in with the bass, but frankly it smells like feet every time I take it out.

Getting a new hardshell case but I'd love to get the smell out. Any suggestions?

If finish matters it's an blonde wood Yamaha RBX 260

I know citrus ie grapefruit, oranges, etc will absorb assy smells

try cutting a grapefruit in half and putting in in the case with the bass.

also, have you cleaned the bass?

Phil Zone · #5 01-24-2011, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadyVan Halen

That's how you know your funky.

Hee, that's pretty funny.

I have not cleaned the bass. What should I use?? I'm pretty new to playing bass.

Thanks for all the helpful answers everyone.

Kabal · #6 01-24-2011, 10:59 AM

If the bass smelled while you were playing it before you bought it I think there's a Seinfeld episode you can consult on what to do. If it was the bag that made your bass smell return the bag. Don't worry about how to get it out just get rid of it.

Pilgrim · #7 01-24-2011, 11:22 AM

The bass will air out. It's the bag you need to focus on. I like the suggestion of Nature's Miracle from the pet store - I've used it and it's pretty great stuff.

Phil Zone · #8 01-24-2011, 11:23 AM

I will try that, thanks!!

sneha1965 · #9 01-24-2011, 11:36 AM

Sounds like it just needs to be left out of the mildew bag and allow some sun to hit it.

Rick Auricchio · #10 01-24-2011, 03:38 PM

+1. Leave the bag outside in the fresh air and plenty of sunshine. Open the bag wide so the interior is exposed to the sun.

TheSuzie · #11 01-24-2011, 05:48 PM

Chuck the stinky bag or return it. It is full of mold spores and can continue to give you problems any time it gets the slightest bit humid. Clean the bass off with vinegar. It shifts the PH so that the mold won't grow on the bass (at least for the short term). Give the bass plenty of fresh air and some sunlight. If the bass continues to smell, ozone treat it.

Peace,
S

**xed** · #12 01-24-2011, 05:59 PM

Get this at your local walgreens ...

Ozium Original Glycol-ized Air Sanitizer

keep bass out of the case in open air.

spray the case with ozium and let sit but make sure to leave the case open

respray every day

after a few days you'll only be able to smell the ozium, stop spraying the ozium and just leave the case open for a couple more days

that should do it.

rojo412 · #13 01-24-2011, 09:37 PM

Goo gone, guitar polish, or Pledge on the bass body.
Lemon oil on the neck/fingerboard.

Ozium sounds good in the case, but a new case would be better.
Also, baking soda is a great unfunkulation material. I believe they make non-spill fridge ones that would fit in a case.

Activated charcoal is your extreme measure.

Phil Zone · #14 01-27-2011, 11:27 AM

Thanks again for all the great input.

I know you are all dying to know how it turned out : I moved it to a new case and it already smells better.

I'm tempted to throw the old gig bag in the washing machine, but I think I'm better off just throwing it away.

thesilence · #15 01-27-2011, 12:26 PM

if you have a deep freezer you can throw it in there the cold will kill the the smelly bacteria

TheSuzie · #16 01-29-2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Zone

I'm tempted to throw the old gig bag in the washing machine, but I think I'm better off just throwing it away.

Best to chuck it IMO. There are plenty of organisms that produce spores that can survive hot water, freezing etc. Don't want to end up with a funky washer or clothes.