Bass Case Stink

snackbandit · #1 06-06-2006, 02:47 AM

Recently bought a used ESP bass case, and upon opening it at home...well, let's just say that it smells like something may have died inside. Anyone have remedies on getting rid of bass case odor w/o ruining the inside lining?

Aussiephoenix · #2 06-06-2006, 08:02 AM

pot pourri bag inside the case for a while. no bass inside.

mimaz · #3 06-06-2006, 08:09 AM

Febreze! I'm not sure that I spelled that correctly, but its the best product that I've ever found to knock down any odors, and it doesn't really leave an odor of its own either. It just kind of smells fresh, and it seems to kill the odor rather than just covering it up.

Diego · #4 06-06-2006, 08:27 AM

I have fixed this problem once with a case that smelled like tobacco/humidity (and I am very allergic to cigarette smoke/odor, so it had to be fixed). Get 3-4 cans of lysol and spray the inside of the case util it is moist. Let it dry in open air. Believe me, it will take a lot of Lysol. When dry, get some rubbing alcohol and wet a rag with it. Rub the isnide of the case with the wet alcohol rag. This will help remove the quaternary amines/saccharinate in the lysol. Let dry again in open air. When thoroughly dry, get some dryer/fabric softener sheets of the smell you like best and toss some inside the case. Let them inside for a week or so. Let me know if this works.

tZer · #5 06-06-2006, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diego

I have fixed this problem once with a case that smelled like tobacco/humidity (and I am very allergic to cigarette smoke/odor, so it had to be fixed). Get 3-4 cans of lysol and spray the inside of the case util it is moist. Let it dry in open air. Believe me, it will take a lot of Lysol. When dry, get some rubbing alcohol and wet a rag with it. Rub the isnide of the case with the wet alcohol rag. This will help remove the quaternary amines/saccharinate in the lysol. Let dry again in open air. When thoroughly dry, get some dryer/fabric softener sheets of the smell you like best and toss some inside the case. Let them inside for a week or so. Let me know if this works.

Now THAT is a process! My cab, strabs, cords and cases reek like the stinkin' bars we play... smoke, stale beer, stinky bar people... I have a ritual now of taking all my gear out of the truck and laying out all cases (open), speaker cab (pull grill off and lean it against the cab), straps, cords, etc. in the garage with the door open and fans blowin'... Then I hit them all with Febreeze. It only 'kinda' works... more or less reduces the initial impact of the stink that just won't die.

Bars stink - They are like big old dumpsters in which people like to go and drink. Yeeeech....

Diego · #6 06-06-2006, 08:47 AM

tZer.-

Try this method, you'll be happy with the results but BEWARE OF THE FOLLOWING:

Lysol has quaternary amines in a saccharinate compund dissolved in about 80% ethanol. This is a strong solvent for some finishes so NEVER SPRAY YOUR BASS WITH THIS!. Secondly, it can also dissolve or cause an irreversible "haze" on some plastics or rubber materials...SO TRY IN AN UNCOSPICOUS AREA BEFORE YOU SPRAY THE WHOLE THING!. Just be VERY CAREFUL on WHICH SURFACES to use it. Straps (fabric or leather) are OK, but it may discolor the leather. Cables are just find. In fact I have dunk my cables in 95% ethanol (not denatured alcohol) to clean them and it works very good without damage to the cable. Cases...well I just described the process. I guess it will also be safe for speaker cabinets (Carpet or metal)...but please be careful with painted finishes and certain plastics.

tZer · #7 06-06-2006, 10:01 AM

Diego - Thanks for the warning list - that is just as important, if not more, then the process itself! When I see a period of 'down time' where I am not going to be gigging and stinking it all up again, I will do the whole shebang as you described - ensuring all precautions are taken!

Thanks!

Now if only there were a way to 'de-funk' the bars I am playing... Maybe I will just bring a large fan - I mean LARGE - and set it up behind me blowing out in an attempt to fend off the offending funk... Or maybe I could become the 'Bass player in the Plastic Bubble' and bring my own 'sterile environment tent'... hmmmm... intersting gimmick...

Diego · #8 06-06-2006, 10:37 AM

Juneau · #9 06-06-2006, 10:40 AM

Get some bounty sheets (the ones with febreeze in them are awesome). Put a coulple sheets in the case, maybe even one under the foam insert if easy to get too. Should clear ya right up in a day or so. Works for stinky shoes, laundry hampers, trash cans, all sorts of stuff. Keeps bugs away if you put a sheet in your pocket while out in the wilds too

ashbory · #10 06-06-2006, 05:31 PM

If you put the case (open) in direct sunlight the UV rays should kill stuff like mold and bacteria. It might fade the colour of the fuzzy stuff though.

Bob Lee (QSC) · #11 06-07-2006, 05:46 PM

I'll bet your rig doesn't fart, right? Your case is the flip side of that. It's just part of the balance of the universe.

bassbully43 · #12 06-08-2006, 07:37 AM

We do a gig were they fry alot of food its a bar /rest place and my case and gear smells like fries for a week after the gig mmmmmmmmmmmm fries......fuuny i took an old Fender squier from the 80's to a shop to sell and the owner opened the case and stuck his head in there and sniffed he said love the old musty guitar case smell

fenderx55 · #13 06-08-2006, 07:57 AM

I think the febreeze method is probably the best. Hey, it works for my pothead/cigarette smokin' roommate.

But the old guitar smell IS awesome. Like old books...