A question of smell

[Echoes]

Has anyone ever had a custom shop G&L and it smell kind of like fruit, or a sweet smell? Anyone have a clue as to what it might be?

[Craig]

Has anyone ever had a custom shop G&L and it smell kind of like fruit, or a sweet smell? Anyone have a clue as to what it might be?

It's likely the polish or cleaner the factory uses during final check/shipping. Or perhaps, the dealer used some polish on it after receiving it.
Another possibility is the smell in the interior of the case.

Which Custom Creations model did you get?

If you would, please post a photo of the guitar and the case, too.

[meursault]

If you would, please post a photo of the guitar and the case, too.

and a sample of the smell...

[Echoes]

Well, the guitar is actually from 05, and it doesn't seem to be the case itself. I myself cleaned the guitar several months ago to see if it would have any affect on the smell, and it did not. It isnt a bad smell, like I said, it is kind of fruit-ish, though not exactly. I was wondering if it was one of the finishes that was being used.

[Elwood]

and a sample of the smell...

...looks for the Smellcloud BBcode tag

I know Nitro finishes have a very slow "off gas half life" , and have a nice light sort of fruity smell .
yours is probably poly though ?

It's probably a combination of a product and being in the case for a long time.
Dr.ducks AxWax has a weird smell that is hard to define .Fingerease has a bit of furniture smell with a silicone twist .
I know Ken prefers Walnut oil on the rosewood boards (sounds nice). ...just brainstorming .
I'd guess it was volatile fretboard oils (folks don't always use Lemon) that got imbibed in the case fibers.

Unless its a Nitro finish *see above

[repoman]

That must be the new Scratch-n-Sniff finishes I've heard about.
Not recommended with swamp ass, err... I mean swamp ash wood bodies.

[Echoes]

*scratches the forum*

Well it doesn't smell as bad as this place!

I'll admit, I don't know if it is nitro or not, though from your description, it sounds like it may be. The neck is vintage tinted (very dark) as well, has an ebony fretboard. Not sure if any of that matters.

[Elwood]

That must be the new Scratch-n-Sniff finishes I've heard about.
Not recommended with swamp ass, err... I mean swamp ash wood bodies.

LOL !! good 'un !


I think you might be on to something with that idea; scratch and sniff pickguards !...Daisy Rock guitars yada yada yada...

[Craig]

Well, the guitar is actually from 05, and it doesn't seem to be the case itself. I myself cleaned the guitar several months ago to see if it would have any affect on the smell, and it did not. It isnt a bad smell, like I said, it is kind of fruit-ish, though not exactly. I was wondering if it was one of the finishes that was being used.

Please post a photo. See: Tutorial: Posting photos.

There were no official Custom Creations models released in 2005.

I'll admit, I don't know if it is nitro or not, though from your description, it sounds like it may be. The neck is vintage tinted (very dark) as well, has an ebony fretboard. Not sure if any of that matters.

Nope, the Rustic models did not come out until 2009, so it would be a Poly finish.

[Echoes]

Well, the guitar is actually from 05, and it doesn't seem to be the case itself. I myself cleaned the guitar several months ago to see if it would have any affect on the smell, and it did not. It isnt a bad smell, like I said, it is kind of fruit-ish, though not exactly. I was wondering if it was one of the finishes that was being used.

Please post a photo. See: Tutorial: Posting photos.

There were no official Custom Creations models released in 2005.

I'll admit, I don't know if it is nitro or not, though from your description, it sounds like it may be. The neck is vintage tinted (very dark) as well, has an ebony fretboard. Not sure if any of that matters.

Nope, the Rustic models did not come out until 2009, so it would be a Poly finish.

I've actually posted the guitar on the forum before:



So when did G&L start doing custom shop?

[Craig]

So when did G&L start doing custom shop?

The Custom Creations models started in 1998 with the ASAT Classic Three.
Here's the link to the G&L Custom Creations webpage.

[Echoes]

So when did G&L start doing custom shop?

The Custom Creations models started in 1998 with the ASAT Classic Three.
Here's the link to the G&L Custom Creations webpage.

So then why wouldn't an 05 have been possible? Or maybe there is some confusion, what I said was this was a custom shop, meaning custom built order...

Besides that, you wanted me to post a pic, not sure how that would help with the smell issue, but I have done so. Any help?

[Craig]

So when did G&L start doing custom shop?

The Custom Creations models started in 1998 with the ASAT Classic Three.
Here's the link to the G&L Custom Creations webpage.

You might be confusing G&L custom ordering (see: Thread on TGP says G&L now exclusively special order. ?)
with G&L's Custom Creations custom shop.

Hope this helps.

[Echoes]

So when did G&L start doing custom shop?

The Custom Creations models started in 1998 with the ASAT Classic Three.
Here's the link to the G&L Custom Creations webpage.

You might be confusing G&L custom ordering (see: Thread on TGP says G&L now exclusively special order. ?)
with G&L's Custom Creations custom shop.

Hope this helps.

It wasnt me who originally said custom creations, I just said custom shop... really its neither here nor there, I just want to figure out what the smell is..

[Craig]

So when did G&L start doing custom shop?

The Custom Creations models started in 1998 with the ASAT Classic Three.
Here's the link to the G&L Custom Creations webpage.

So then why wouldn't an 05 have been possible? Or maybe there is some confusion, what I said was this was a custom shop, meaning custom built order...

Besides that, you wanted me to post a pic, not sure how that would help with the smell issue, but I have done so. Any help?

This confirms your custom shop reference is really a custom built (from standard options) and not a Custom Creations model.

Here's my 2005 JD-5 with the same finish as your Comanche:


It's devoid of the smell you describe. Which case did your Comanche come with?
Maybe others can check their 2005 built G&L's and see (smell) and report back.

[KenC]

Last summer I picked up a '00 L-2K with OHSC. There is an odor to that case that hasn't completely gone away yet, and I can catch a whiff of it on the instrument. Leaving the case open and the guitar on a stand for about a week helped quite a bit.

Somebody could have tried to clean your guitar, or more likely your case's lining, with an aromatic solvent. They are easily available (Home Depot, hardware stores, auto supply shops, etc.), and have an odor that many people perceive as fruity (thus the name "aromatic"). The odor can stay in shop rags for a long time, so I'd assume the same would be true for a guitar case. Regardless of the source, airing the case out would probably be your best option.

Ken

[Echoes]

Last summer I picked up a '00 L-2K with OHSC. There is an odor to that case that hasn't completely gone away yet, and I can catch a whiff of it on the instrument. Leaving the case open and the guitar on a stand for about a week helped quite a bit.

Somebody could have tried to clean your guitar, or more likely your case's lining, with an aromatic solvent. They are easily available (Home Depot, hardware stores, auto supply shops, etc.), and have an odor that many people perceive as fruity (thus the name "aromatic"). The odor can stay in shop rags for a long time, so I'd assume the same would be true for a guitar case. Regardless of the source, airing the case out would probably be your best option.

Ken

It came with the Hard Shell G&L case, I will try airing it and the guitar out and see what happens, I just hate leaving the case open because I just know my cat with go live in it lol..

[Echoes]

Last summer I picked up a '00 L-2K with OHSC. There is an odor to that case that hasn't completely gone away yet, and I can catch a whiff of it on the instrument. Leaving the case open and the guitar on a stand for about a week helped quite a bit.

Somebody could have tried to clean your guitar, or more likely your case's lining, with an aromatic solvent. They are easily available (Home Depot, hardware stores, auto supply shops, etc.), and have an odor that many people perceive as fruity (thus the name "aromatic"). The odor can stay in shop rags for a long time, so I'd assume the same would be true for a guitar case. Regardless of the source, airing the case out would probably be your best option.

Ken

It came with the Hard Shell G&L case like this one: http://images1.americanlisted.com/nlarg ... 469075.jpg

I will try airing it and the guitar out and see what happens, I just hate leaving the case open because I just know my cat with go live in it lol..

[Echoes]

Oops not sure how that double post happened..

[SouthpawGuy]

I have a sweet smell in maybe two of my G&Ls, both bought used. One is a late '90s Legacy, in clear blue. The other I can't remember off hand which one it is to be honest. It's almost like a lavender scent.



Maybe there's something in the blue finish ?

Both guitars have the same style case.

[HowlinWolf]

I'm gonna guess that the smell is from a fretboard conditioner/string cleaner/body polish etc., some sort of maintenance product and it has been preserved in the case. Airing it adequately will probably get rid of it.

[Echoes]

I don't know, it's pretty strong, we shall see

[Craig]

I don't know, it's pretty strong, we shall see

Try Searching the G&LDP with Search term used: case +smell.
This will find some other suggestions for removing smells from inside the case.

Hope this helps.

[darwinohm]

South Paw, what happened to the knobs on that guitar?????????? It is a beaut --Darwin

[louis cyfer]

Has anyone ever had a custom shop G&L and it smell kind of like fruit, or a sweet smell? Anyone have a clue as to what it might be?

all g&l's are custom built to order, except maybe some of the special editions and custom creations. i would leave the guitar out to see if the smell goews away. even if it doesn't seem to be the case (pun intended), maybe something is interacting. i have noticed different smells after guitars sat in cases too long. that is one reason i keep them out.

[SouthpawGuy]

South Paw, what happened to the knobs on that guitar?????????? It is a beaut --Darwin

? The blue lefty Legacy Special ?

As far as I'm aware it's 100% stock. Bought used from one careful lady owner. It's a three bolt neck, late '90s as far as I know, probably never played at all.

[Elwood]

South Paw, what happened to the knobs on that guitar?????????? It is a beaut --Darwin

Mu guess is that Darwin's computer is in a light room , he might have the monitor brightness up a little , that
with the somewhat overexposed picture you first posted made the knobs evaporate in to the white guard.

am I close Darwin ?
oh...and maybe some beer goggles ??

elwood

[darwinohm]

Now I see them SP. Elwood is right!!!!! -- Darwin

This would make a good poll. The choices are

Computer wash out.

Beer goggles

Both.

[SouthpawGuy]

If in doubt always go for both

[MJ Slaughter]

My 2012 Legacy Special has an odor like you described. It doesn't bother me, actually kind of mild and plesant, but it is odd.

[Elwood]

My 2012 Legacy Special has an odor like you described. It doesn't bother me, actually kind of mild and plesant, but it is odd.

I was using Virtuoso polish last night, I thought of this thread. It's good stuff, maybe someday pick some up and see if it smells familiar. Many folks use it and I could see it getting a good polish before it gets put away for a while in the case.

[smellcloud]Virtuoso.com[/smellcloud]
*hmmm...sorry , can't get the tags to work

[supereiv]

Yeah, swamp ass is everything a 50's guitar wish to be.

My 2013 S-500 deluxe and my 2010 classic custom smell both the same, and they both came with the G&G case, maybe is it a product used by the case manufacturer ? Go ask horacio caine