Why does Gibson's nitro smell so much better/last longer than Fender's nitro out of the box?

[smithfactory]

Hey all - sorry if this was posted, but I couldn't find it anywhere.

This isn't a troll post, just a genuine curiosity. I've had a LP and a couple of SGs for a while, and just recently picked up an American Original Tele, and American Original Strat and a 70th Anniversary Esquire. I noticed that they all have that sweet nitro smell out of the case, but I've noticed that over the time I've had them on the wall, the Fenders have completely lost that nitro smell while the Gibsons have retained them. I appreciate that Fender does the poly undercoat thing, but I always assumed nitro was nitro.

Not a complaint, but really just an observation. What am I missing?

 

[KelvinS1965]

I don't know if anyone else can confirm it, but I have read that Gibson use a scent in their nitro mix? I know my SG still has a 'sweet' smell when I open the case, though I've also read that it could be the case itself that smells.

I do know that all the guitars I've sprayed myself using various brands of nitro don't smell like my Gibson (never had a new Fender in nitro to compare though). After the initial few weeks of a more 'chemical' smell they stop smelling of anything particular, at least to my nose anyway.

 

[Uncle Daddy]

The smell is in the case. If I put any of my other strats in my CS case, they end up smelling like play-doh.

 

[musicalmartin]

My Gibson Midtown tooks ages to lose its lovely smell .I want to get it back ,any ideas

 

[Reedo]

I always thought Gibson nitro smelled of bubblegum, and Fender of cherries, go figure lol.

 

[john_cribbin]

Nitro is like beer, it's all called beer but a different mix of ingredients.

Er, don't get confused and drink the nitro.

 

[gimmeatele]

Gibson smells like chocolate to me.

 

[Dostradamas]

The one that loses the smell faster is likely the one in which the solvents used evaporate out faster (IE cure faster.)

Often the "new" smell is the chemical formula still actively curing and or outgassing.

 

[oldunc]

The smell is in the case. If I put any of my other strats in my CS case, they end up smelling like play-doh.

My LP came with a heavy smell- somewhat reminiscent of chocolate, to one in an optimistic mood, but strongly chemical; I finally decided that it was from the case, maybe something with the flocking? At any rate, took some doing to get rid of it. Lacquer thinner evaporates so quickly, hard to imagine a guitar coming to market still smelling of that.

 

[GeneB]

I bought a Gibson 339 new in 2020 - one of the first out of Nashville (moved from Memphis). I opened the case to examine the contents - the smell!! then hung the guitar from a Hercules hanger. I am going to open the case now for the first time in ~ two years. And ...

It does NOT smell like it did when it was first opened two years ago. It has no discernible odor. So with a sample of one, I can say it was the guitar, not case, that had the sweet smell of successfully being able to afford a Gibson.

 

[bgmacaw]

I may have to make a nitro scent guitar deodorizer/cleaner spray. That way I can spray it on my cheap guitars and make them smell like an "authentic" Gibson! It would be just like using a "new car" scent hanger in your 15 year old car.

 

[Hey_you]

I'm going to find out about that New smell in a couple hours or so!

 

[Killing Floor]

Because Nashville is also home to Prince's Hot Chicken.
Prove me wrong.

 

[schmee]

Well............. in my case........... it never completely hardened on my 'bought new' Gibson archtop. So I suppose it smelled better..... albeit unplayable...

 

[Tele-friend]

Never had a new Fender guitar with fresh nitro finish, but Gibsons nitro smells so nice!

 

[loopfinding]

dunno, my gibsons are about 20 years old and have a faint elmer's glue smell. there is some nitro-y smell too (like a sweet-ish smell?), but mostly i think the smell is from glue in the case.

a buddy of mine has two gibsons from the mid 60s that straight up smell like fresh laid oil based poly (ironic).

my guild from the 60s just smells like an attic. same with another friend's early 60s es-125.

 

[PennyroyalFrog]

I thought it was just the buffing compound.

 

[Uncle Daddy]

I had a nitro finish American Original Strat and neither the guitar nor the case smelled.

 

[KokoTele]

It's not the nitro you're smelling, it's the polishing compound they use. When nitro gases off, it smells like the solvents that are evaporating.

I don't know that Gibson's nitro finish does last longer than Fender's, but I think that Fender's film thickness is thinner and that Gibson owners tend to be more likely to baby their guitars.

 

[willietheweirdo]

Er, don't get confused and drink the nitro.

Do it. Guinness is good for you.

My Gibson smells like cotton candy; my Fender smells more herbal... almost like Peychaud's, now that I think of it.