[powe6563]

Hi all!
I recently offered to keep my brother-in-law's guitar at my house because he moves alot and doesn't play it anyway. It's a pretty nice takamine that his father bought for him years ago. Here's the problem: The thing has been sitting in a room untouched for several years. Along with the dust and grime that would be expected, it smells like somthing peed on it! I mean this thing is rank! So two questions... :

1. I need to take all the strings off to clean and re-string this swamp thing, but I've heard that that will dammage the neck. Is there a way around it or should I even be worried about it?

2. Any ideas how to get the rank smell to go away? Is there a household polish or wax that will help?

I wouldn't bother with it, but his father just passed away and I know it means alot to him and my wife to hold onto those things.

[Rockerbob]

Take the strings off! It won't hurt the guitar. I take all the strings off regularly. The strings themselves might be part of the smell. They can get pretty funky.

[mcollett]

There are a few heavy duty cleaners available for wood instruments but I believe you have to watch out for areas without finish. You said it was older.
The light duty instrument cleaners are less unforgiving.
You could do as Rockerbob suggest then give her a good rubdown and inspection. Maybe just needs that and a good air-ing out. Check the case for funk too.
mc

[powe6563]

Thanks, MC. That's part of the problem is that it was never in a case! You think some pledge or other scented furniture polish would hurt it?

[allthumbs]

I have heard that it is not a good idea to use furniture polish. Can't remember why.

[si16]

Take a look at UGBs cleaning advice.

[powe6563]

thanks that did help!

[bluesguy]

Did something die inside of it?

[Ultimate Garage Band]

[Grump]

UGB,

LOL, that's a hoot.

[nocat]

Moth balls could do the trick...!!!

(Please don't ask me how you go about gathering Moth Balls...!!!!)... ;o)

[powe6563]

Originally Posted by bluesguy

Did something die inside of it?

Lol... I don't know what happened to it. He doesn't have any pets and to the best of my knowledge he's not in the habbit of peeing on guitars! I think it's mildew or somthing like in a basement???

[Ultimate Garage Band]

You have to kill mildew; you can't just clean it.

WARNING - THESE PRODUCTS ARE HIGHLY FLAMABLE - USE OUT DOORS IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA DISPOSE OF RAGS IN AN OPEN CONTAINER THAT'S WELL VENTILATED

When you have to go after a guitar like this you really need to be able to attack the outside, the inside, every area with a cleaner that will not damage the wood. The question/problems becomes, what can you use that's wet enough and strong enough to work, but not soak the wood and damage it? For finished parts, like the body, back of the neck, headstock, etc., you can use virually any household cleaner that's nonabrasive like Windex, Formula 409, Simple Green, etc. The raw, exposed wood will soak too much of that type of cleanser so you need something that will dry quickly, in fact, you need something that will evaporate. Naptha and/or denatured alcohol are great for this. Wear rubber gloves when using because prolonged contact will actually evaporate moisture from your skin.

[powe6563]

Hi all! Just figured I'd update you on the stank fiddle. I took the strings off and cleaned the neck with rubbing alcohol and gave the rest a good scrub down with glass/surface cleaner. The strings were the major funk factor but it still smelt bad so I sprayed a little Fabrize in the soundhole and that helped but still wasn't good enough since most of the smell was comming from the neck. Most guitar lovers will have to brace themselves for this next part... Ready?... Heregoes... I rubbed in a light coat of J&J's baby lotion on the fret board! I know, I know, It sounds crazy, but it did the trick. So far so good. It's been about 3 or 4 days since I did it and there doesn't appear to be any visible dammage so I guess it'll be ok. My fingers smell baby fresh!