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Cleaning pet urine from bass

S

SeattleDiver

Jul 19, 2007
1
0
#1
Okay, this one is probably a new one for you guys...

I just bought a used 62 reissue from a post on craigslist and when I played it, it was outside with the wind blowing, plays great, some minor cracks in finish, etc., but otherwise excellent.

I got it home and opened the case and Peeee U! Apparently the previous owner had a cat or dog who, at least once, favored the bass as it's litter box...:crying:

I need to clean it, but what can I use that will not destroy the finish or the wood. The smell seems to come from the fingerboard as well and I'm concerned the pet bacteria has penetrated the wood.

Please advise...

Thanks,
Seattle Diver
 
#4
Uh, wow. Yeah, that's a new one.

I would take it to a luthier or carpenter or something like that. For all you know, since wood is porous, whatever Fluffy sprayed on that baby might be stuck. Odor solvents might just mask the odor and not reverse the damage.

Contact the original owner and find out what happened, and take it to a luthier. If they say that the damage is irreversible, get your money back (I doubt they disclosed that something turned it into a fire hydrant). If the damage is fixable, decide what you want to do.

This reminds me of when my mother bought some gems on eBay, and the box reeked of Mary Jane.
 
#6
oddly enough not a first for me... my aunt's (now ex) boyfriend has a load of guitars and basses (nice guy, I should look him up some time) anyway he has a Gibson Black Beauty which was/is his pride and joy, sadly one of his dogs urinated on it... no idea how he got the nastyness off, but I think it was just a soap and water job because he was at hand. but for yours where it has really gotten funky I would suggest one of the afore mentioned Petco products...
 
#8
As suggested, something like "Odor-b-gone" from Petco in the case and maybe just wipe down the bass with the same stuff, with several LIGHT applications on the rag, but not letting it soak in.

Maybe some of the dry chemical stuff; but I would try it on some sample woods first, or just on the back in a controlled spot.

Also, sunlight and fresh air do wonders, with moderation.

Good luck!
 
#10
For the bass:

Remove strings.
Mild solution of Lysol or Mr Clean
Use lots of elbow grease.
Dry.
Rinse with sponge and clean water.
dry
Lemon Pledge or some kind of funiture polish.
New Strings

Case:
Try the spray on carpet cleaner. Let dry and vacuum out.


Yeah, that one is a first.
 
#16
I think soap and water should do the trick, just use a damp rag.

If it still smells like piss, wash it some more and place it in an extra bass case you might have along with some airfresheners.

I wouldn't trust a nitro finish with chemicals.

Just my 2 cents
 

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