Removing smell from Rosewood fingerboard

[Matthew_84]

Hmm, that actually looks like a great product, but I'm a sucker for good advertising. Do you have any experience with it? And should I shove the bass in there while I'm at it?

Thanks

[Randyt]

the volcanic rock works...I use it primarily in my kids hockey/lacrosse bags.. but I wouldnt leave my bass in there with it!!..
Some of the things I have used: dryer sheets..also...during this time of winter I usually put in HERCO guitar humidifiers...and to make the case smell great...I add a little scented Humidifier liquid..(found in Home depot/home Hardware in the air filter/humidifier section)

[Matthew_84]

Tried dryer sheets, in fact I think that may have made the case smell worse. The dryer sheets didn't mask the smell, instead it sort of blended with it and made it smell worse. The strength of the odor may have increased as well, but that may just be because of the added fragrance, and the scent of the dryer sheets dissipated after only a few days. Hmmm, but that does make me wonder if that's a clue as to if the odor may be a base.

I do wonder about those volcanic rocks though. I'm guessing that it would work wonder for acids, but not if the odor has basic properties. Guess I'll just see what happens when I finally get the baking soda out.

With that said though, my main concern is the bass... I'm actually just being so diligent on the case so that I know how to proceed with the bass.

[Matthew_84]

Okay, well I just vacuumed the baking soda out of the case. It's hard to say what to make of it. The odour is still there when I put my face into the case and sniff, but I do feel the overall strength of it may have reduced a bit. It's hard to say, but I think the basic properties of the baking soda, may have worked against the odour, but it is so embedded in the fabric and foam that the baking soda wasn't strong enough to remove it completely. I will buy those volcanic rocks, if I can find them at a decent price, and shove them in the case.

But I do need something for the bass. I will wipe it with water to determine what kind of a product I should use on it. For the lighter fluid (naphtha) should I splash a bit on a cloth and rub it on the board anyway, or should it only I wait until I try to determine if it's soluble in water or not?

[Matthew_84]

Okay, well bass was wiped down, and the verdict is... tobacco. I really didn't think it smelt like tobacco, but I did think the odour was just as stubborn. Maybe the way it mixed with the fabric an dthe case, the raw rosewood, an poly finish and what-not tainted the smell. Plus it has aged for a couple of years... May have also mixed with musk.

Anyways, it was pretty clear once I put water on a white t-shirt and rubbed it down and got nasty yellow and brown stains on the shirt. It is definitely soluble in water too.

My next steps will be to drop a tad of lighter fluid on a cloth and rub down the fingerboard, then use lemon oil. I do have some Old Enlgish Lemon Oil in my house, but it is linseed oil with a lemon scent.

Can anyone recommend an authentic lemon oil that is made of lemon peels? As I assume that that would be better. Thanks everyone!

[Matthew_84]

UPDATE:

So I rubbed the fingerboard down with lighter fluid, allowed it to dry and then hit it with Dunlop's Fretboard Lemon Oil. I gotta say that the board has never looked better. It is nice and rich and looks very healthy. The smell is still there though. it has certainly dissipated a bit, but when I stick my nose to it, I can still smell it.

As for the case, I went out and bought some pure white vinegar and pure lemon extract, got two bowls, mixed about a 10:1 ratio of vinegar to extract, put the two bowls in the case, and locked it closed for 3 days. I just opened it up, and it smells better, but I can still smell it.

I think the case is garbage. I'm certain if I put the bass back in it and left it for a week, the smell form both would get stronger again.

I really think cigarette smoke odour is nearly impossible to get rid of. I will likely buy another hard shell case, but will only use it when I'm transporting basses. Otherwise, they can sit in a softshell case, and the hardshell will be left somewhere wide open... It also makes me less enthusiastic about buying used basses. Anyway, just thought I'd update you guys. Thanks for all of your help.