Help! My Bass Has Body Odor!

[Smallmouth_Bass]

And so I managed to pick up a nice '91 Stingray 5. The problem is that it smells pretty bad. Yup, B.O. . And I haven't been able to get it off and it's actually preventing me from playing it.

I've changed the strings (fresh set of Slinky's), cleaned up the fretboard with lemon oil, placed some fabric softener sheets under the strings and on the bass, wiped it down with pet deodorizer spray and I have also wiped it down with alcohol/sanitizer. It has helped a little but is still pungent. What do I do?

I have managed to spray and air out the case outdoors, and it is not as bad. It's the bass that's really bad.

 

[Aussie Mark]

I'd leave it outside in a sunny place for a few hours. A few hours of sunlight won't bother the finish at all.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

It's still kind-of cool here right now.

 

[five7]

Is the case the problem and it spread to the bass? I have seen that happen.

 

[OldManMusic]

Oh man, that's a new one. Maybe some Right Guard? I bough a bass from a heavy smoker once (not the BP smoker either) and eventually sold it to another smoker. I could never get it to stop smelling like an ash tray no matter how hard I tried. Part of it was the case, like 57 mentioned already, but the smell never came off the bass.

 

[kevins]

i heard of molds making it smell pretty bad too, especially on chipped up or natural finishes. a lot of molds and bacteria smell pungent like that. your best bet might be some kind of antimicrobrial spray of some sort but make sure the antimicrobial spray doesnt contain anything that'd screw up the bass' finish or wood

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

The case doesn't smell as strong as the bass, so the bass is the major culprit. If worse came to worse, I could just get rid of the case and order a new one, but that's not "the case". I really don't know what to do. I am going to bring it in for a setup soon and I'll ask the tech, maybe he'll have some ideas.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

The upper right arm bevel has been sanded down to the bare wood a bit - kind-of a relic type of thing I guess - and that is where the most offensive area of smell is, but it is all over the bass too.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

Then you should sand it all down and apply a layer of sealant and a nice new colour finished with some poly lacquer to conceal it.

p.s.: this thread is turning my stomach, I do feel for you man.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I like the bass the way it is (minus the stench) and I don't want to pump too much money into it. It's also one of the ones with the finished necks. I guess it's the pre-Classic series classic.

 

[spencer]

oh, dude if its sanded that makes it so much easier, sand the neck and if you wish sand the body.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

It's just sanded in that one spot. There's just a little play wear on the back of the neck, but nothing major.

 

[spencer]

I would buff the whole thing.. Basically a super super super super fine sand.

 

[Aussie Mark]

It's still kind-of cool here right now.

Take your bass south for the winter.

 

[laneline]

Have you called any refinishers? I would think since the whole bass smells whatever process will remove the smell would require having all the hardware removed before the process is applied. Man I've never heard of this happening.
Too late to get a refund?

 

[brasco68]

You're probably getting the added bonus of having the stink on you after you've played it. You might even have to go as far is rubbing it down with some coffee grounds if you get desperate.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

You're probably getting the added bonus of having the stink on you after you've played it. You might even have to go as far is rubbing it down with some coffee grounds if you get desperate.

Ooh, there's an idea. I might have to try that one.

Too late to go back - it was a trade.

 

[ivbenaplayin]

old wive's tale - try wiping it down with vinegar, shouldn't hurt the finish and it's a cheap attempt to avoid refinishing...

 

[ekb16b]

Try putting a handful of coffee beans or even charcoal in your case with the bass in it, that stuff absorbs odours so it might be worth giving it a crack.

 

[sitonmybass]

I take no responsibility for the after effects of this question:

Are you saying that it possibly smells like its previous owner? If so, YUCK!