How To Get Cigarette Smell Out Of A Guitar Amp?
If you’ve ever had the unfortunate experience of picking up a guitar amp and taking a big whiff, you know it can be really unpleasant. Many used guitar amps have been owned by smokers or used in places that had a lot of smokers like bars and taverns.
Cigarette smoke has a unique odor that is difficult to remove from the most porous surfaces like leather and wood.

How To Get Rid Of Cigarette Smell In A Guitar Amp
The best way to get rid of the cigarette smell in a guitar amp is with this simple formula:
- Remove all the electronic components and speakers from your guitar cabinet
- Scrub the entire cabinet with white vinegar and water.
- Cover the Tolex on the front of the cabinet with baking soda and let sit a couple of days. Then thoroughly vacuum it off.
- Let the cabinet sit outside in the sun for a couple of weeks.
- Reassemble the guitar amp.
This method should remove 95% of any smells the guitar amp may have.
Step One: Remove the Electronics and Speakers
Start by removing the electronics and speakers from your guitar amp. Remove all of the input cables that are plugged into the amp’s jacks.
If you have a combo amplifier, be sure to unplug it from any electricity source by pulling out its power cord.
Unscrew the amplifier components and the speakers from the cabinet. You can wipe down the metal components but do not touch the speakers themselves.
Step Two: Scrub the Cabinet with Vinegar and Water
Mix together white vinegar and water in a bucket or spray bottle.
Scrub the entire cabinet with the vinegar and water solution. Use a brush to get into all of the corners and crevices.
Be sure to pay special attention to the grille cloth on the front of the cabinet. The smoke will have stained it and it will be difficult to remove.
Step Three: Cover the Tolex with Baking Soda
Cover the front of the cabinet with baking soda. You can use a paintbrush or your fingers to apply it.
Leave it to sit for a couple of days.
The baking soda will help to absorb the smell. After a couple of days, thoroughly vacuum the baking soda off of the cabinet. You may need to do this step a few times to remove all of the baking soda. You can also use an air compressor to blow out the Tolex.
Step Four: Let it Sit in the Sun
Leave the cabinet outside in the sun for a couple of weeks.
The sun will help to naturally deodorize the cabinet and remove any traces of cigarette smell. This step is optional but it does work well. Be sure to thoroughly dry out the inside of the cabinet before putting your amp back together. You can pour some uncooked rice into it as an easy way to absorb the moisture.
Step Five: Reassemble the Cabinet
Reassemble the cabinet by screwing in the amplifier components and speakers. Plugin the input cables and you’re ready to go.
Your guitar amp should now be free of any unpleasant cigarette smells.
If you follow these simple steps, your guitar amp will be smelling fresh and new in no time. Be sure to tell your friends so they can get the smell out of their amps too!
Alternative methods to remove cigarette smell.
Use An Ionizer
Many professionals suggest using an ozone generator like the Enerzen Ozone Generator. You can buy them for around $100 or rent them from some other companies. ALDIOUS Ozone Generator is another device that has been designed to help people get rid of cigarette smell in cars, houses, and just about any place you need it gone quickly.
The device works by releasing ozone gas, which is a highly reactive element that attacks and breaks down the odor-causing particles.
One downside to this method is that it can be harmful to your health if you are exposed to it for prolonged periods of time.
Baking Soda
Baking soda works to absorb smells and it’s completely safe. If you prefer this method, place an open box of baking soda at the bottom of your guitar amp.
Let it sit for at least 24 hours then check the smell. If your still smell something like cigarette smoke, repeat the process until there is no smell left.
Write a conclusion to this blog post on how to get cigarette smoke out of a guitar amplifier.
Conclusion – How To Get Cigarette Smell Out Of A Guitar Amp
If you are looking for a quick and effective way to remove cigarette smells from your guitar amp, try one of the methods discussed in this blog post.
Each of these methods is simple and easy to follow. You don’t need any special skills or tools, just a little time and some patience.
Good luck and thanks for reading our article on How To Get Cigarette Smell Out Of A Guitar Amp!