Used guitar, cigarette smoke smell - need your input

[The Hoff]

I purchased a used guitar off of TGP. I opened up the box and you could instantly smell the cigarette smoke. Of course the fretboard, body, everything reeks of it. I am thinking about sending this e-mail to the seller:

Overall I am happy with the Dano. I mean it looks and sounds fantastic. I can't really play it much though, it smells of smoke pretty bad. It's on my fingers now, can't really get it off. I'm going to be leaving it out with fabric softener wrapped around it. I hope that works. I really wish you would have said something about the smokey environment. I am one of those people who just can't handle the smell, it literally makes me gag. If the smell doesn't subside I will have to demand a refund which I would hope and assume you'd understand. Sorry to be so emotional about this but it is something that is unbearable to me. I'll send you an update in a couple days.

Am I being unreasonable here? I feel like I might be a little bit here...? Just wanted some input before I send it out. Don't want to come off as unreasonable. Seems like this kind of thing should be mentioned in an ad...?

 

[Chris6870]

I'd maybe change "demand" to a little less confrontational word,but other than that,if that's how you feel...

 

[The Hoff]

I'd maybe change "demand" to a little less confrontational word,but other than that,if that's how you feel...

Yeah, I'll change it to "ask for" if I end up sending it. Thanks for the input.

 

[VoodooChild24]

Ryan, unfortunately it's hard to remove cigarette smell on gear. That is actually a deal breaker for me. I usually ask if it ws kept in a smoke free environment. I mean the smell sips through the frets and imbed itself. You might want to wipe the frets with lemon cleaner and air out the case under the sun. Spray febreze inside the case, its worth the try.

 

[The Hoff]

Ryan, unfortunately it's hard to remove cigarette smell on gear. That is actually a deal breaker for me. I usually ask if it ws kept in a smoke free environment. I mean the smell sips through the frets and imbed itself. You might want to wipe the frets with lemon cleaner and air out the case under the sun. Spray febreze inside the case, its worth the try.

Yeah, definitely a deal breaker for me as well, I should have asked

I'll try the lemon cleaner (just happen to have some). Hopefully letting it air out will help as well. Bummed because otherwise, it's just what I was looking for/hoping for.

 

[Lord Toneking]

I bought a smokey guitar once and though it smelled like..well...smoke, it was beautiful and played perfect. I couldnt imagine sending a guitar back because it smells of smoke myself. It wont smell like smoke forever you know. Give it some airing out and it will be fine

To the smokers defense, they just dont smell the cig 'smell' like we do. He proabably thought nothing of it, idk

 

[HMJ]

really?.. you guys would of never survived the good ol days of rock -n roll !

 

[the rossness]

If you "can't handle the smell of smoke" I think it should have been your responsibility to ask if it came from a smoke free environment or not. If you were deftly allergic to cat fur, would you ask if the guitar came from a pet-free home? The seller shouldn't have to make sure that you like the smell, only that everything works as described and they answered your questions about the instrument honestly. If the seller lied, it would have been a different story.

If everything works as described, I don't think the seller has an obligation to to accept your return. Maybe you can ask the seller to reimburse you for some cleaning wipes and a scented air freshener, but beyond that, if you can't deal with the smell, I'd turn around and sell the Dano yourself.

 

[vultures]

I received a guitar that reeked of cigarette smoke and MAPLE SYRUP. What the fuck, right? I left the case outside for a day or two, spraying it with fabreeze every couple hours. Took the guitar apart and cleaned up the body real good. The case is fine, but the guitar still reeks of that maple syrup type smell, and a little bit of smoke.. Oh well, sucks ass but the guitar slays

 

[just42dave]

OMG what if it smelled like pot I guess that would be different..

 

[just42dave]

rip the case apart migh be some stinky buds stashed

 

[The Hoff]

If you "can't handle the smell of smoke" I think it should have been your responsibility to ask if it came from a smoke free environment or not. If you were deftly allergic to cat fur, would you ask if the guitar came from a pet-free home? The seller shouldn't have to make sure that you like the smell, only that everything works as described and they answered your questions about the instrument honestly. If the seller lied, it would have been a different story.

If everything works as described, I don't think the seller has an obligation to to accept your return. Maybe you can ask the seller to reimburse you for some cleaning wipes and a scented air freshener, but beyond that, if you can't deal with the smell, I'd turn around and sell the Dano yourself.

That's what I was thinking. I was a little upset when I opened it (towards him) but you're absolutely right, it is not like he lied or tried to hide anything, I really should have asked.

 

[The Hoff]

OMG what if it smelled like pot I guess that would be different..

Nope, wouldn't be different. I'm a square, believe it or not, I've never smoked anything in my life (or shot, slammed, etc. ).

 

[The Hoff]

I received a guitar that reeked of cigarette smoke and MAPLE SYRUP. What the fuck, right? I left the case outside for a day or two, spraying it with fabreeze every couple hours. Took the guitar apart and cleaned up the body real good. The case is fine, but the guitar still reeks of that maple syrup type smell, and a little bit of smoke.. Oh well, sucks ass but the guitar slays

Maple syrup......!?

Yeah, this guitar plays like a beast as well, I was loving it for the 15 minutes I played it but I'd get a whiff of the smell and bwahh!

 

[jcj]

If you "can't handle the smell of smoke" I think it should have been your responsibility to ask if it came from a smoke free environment or not. If you were deftly allergic to cat fur, would you ask if the guitar came from a pet-free home? The seller shouldn't have to make sure that you like the smell, only that everything works as described and they answered your questions about the instrument honestly. If the seller lied, it would have been a different story.

If everything works as described, I don't think the seller has an obligation to to accept your return. Maybe you can ask the seller to reimburse you for some cleaning wipes and a scented air freshener, but beyond that, if you can't deal with the smell, I'd turn around and sell the Dano yourself.

That's what I was thinking. I was a little upset when I opened it (towards him) but you're absolutely right, it is not like he lied or tried to hide anything, I really should have asked.

Yep...think you've come to the right conclusion.

In a lot of states, it's still legal to smoke in bars, so that thing may have just been gigged a lot in that enviroment....hell, back in the day, every piece of gear smelled like smoke sooner or later...it'll pass.

 

[rsm]

so, OP, are you thinking what I'm thinking? it's time to start smoking!







j/k.

seller should have stated, you should have asked.

Many smokers may not be able to smell it, but they should be able to see the dingy yellowish-brown tint to everything around them in their smoking rooms.

I see many ads with smoke-free mentioned but rarely mention pets or if they smoke...these days I would ask, but I don't usually buy used guitars...other gear I have is used, but not guitars...my current amps were all purchased new too...ah, nevermind.

 

[gbsmusic]

Put the case outside in the sun for a couple days and Ive also put bounce sheets in the case at night. The smells take a while but it will go away.

 

[jabps]

Call a guitar repairman, see what they say. Somebody like Greg at Classic Ax...if Greg doesn't know how to rid it of the smell probably nobody does. http://www.classicax.com/

 

[OUTLAW1969]

really?.. you guys would of never survived the good ol days of rock -n roll !

Yeah, back in the day most music equipment smelled like a smokey bar room, because that is where it was used.

 

[Juggernaut]

really?.. you guys would of never survived the good ol days of rock -n roll !

Yeah, back in the day most music equipment smelled like a smokey bar room, because that is where it was used.

even now....... no problem here, easily taken care of with a little fabreeze and drier sheets.