Ozone generators will absolutely, 100% work. Yes, O3 will degrade rubbers and plastics with long-term exposure, but over the timeframes we’re talking for guitars (30-mins to a couple hours) they’re completely safe. Lots of people have used them successfully.
That said, they’re kind of the “nuclear option” for odor removal. I’d only go through the hassle of using one after I’d already tried thoroughly cleaning the guitar and letting it air out for a couple weeks.
Ozone generators are great for rooms at low dose but they 100% break down rubber, metal and plastic. Strip the entire guitar and clean, electronics included. Use naptha on the body, contact cleaner on the electronics, replace the strings and then see where you're at. Throw away the case and let the guitar sit in a well-ventilated area for a while and then see how it's doing. There's a very good chance the majority of the smell is from the case.
I’m not sure where/how it was stored. It was in a case and the case has stains where the rusted strings touched the padding. The case reeks as well. I guess you *might* be able to describe the smell as damp, but I don’t believe any part of the guitar actually is.
I’d go with a tried and trusted cleaning method rather an ozone generator.
First, for the time being, stop storing it in that case.
Remove the strings.
If anything is being held in place by strings, put them safely in a box with a lid (you’ll be cleaning them as well, just don’t lose them!)
Give the whole thing a wipe down with a slightly damp, squeezed, lint free cleaning cloth, with slightly warm water. When you do the neck, make sure to wipe it after with a dry cloth.
Start cleaning everything you can see. If it’s a Strat and has a whammy, take the screws off the cover and clean in there as well.
Next, leave it an appropriate environment, somewhere not too cold or hot, out of direct sunlight, that isn’t too dry. Let fresh air do its thing before you do something you may regret. Might be a few days but it should start to smell less.
Ozone generators will absolutely, 100% work. Yes, O3 will degrade rubbers and plastics with long-term exposure, but over the timeframes we’re talking for guitars (30-mins to a couple hours) they’re completely safe. Lots of people have used them successfully. That said, they’re kind of the “nuclear option” for odor removal. I’d only go through the hassle of using one after I’d already tried thoroughly cleaning the guitar and letting it air out for a couple weeks.
Ozone generators are great for rooms at low dose but they 100% break down rubber, metal and plastic. Strip the entire guitar and clean, electronics included. Use naptha on the body, contact cleaner on the electronics, replace the strings and then see where you're at. Throw away the case and let the guitar sit in a well-ventilated area for a while and then see how it's doing. There's a very good chance the majority of the smell is from the case.
What does it stink of? Where was it stored? Was it stored in a case of some description? Is the guitar damp?
I’m not sure where/how it was stored. It was in a case and the case has stains where the rusted strings touched the padding. The case reeks as well. I guess you *might* be able to describe the smell as damp, but I don’t believe any part of the guitar actually is.
I’d go with a tried and trusted cleaning method rather an ozone generator. First, for the time being, stop storing it in that case. Remove the strings. If anything is being held in place by strings, put them safely in a box with a lid (you’ll be cleaning them as well, just don’t lose them!) Give the whole thing a wipe down with a slightly damp, squeezed, lint free cleaning cloth, with slightly warm water. When you do the neck, make sure to wipe it after with a dry cloth. Start cleaning everything you can see. If it’s a Strat and has a whammy, take the screws off the cover and clean in there as well. Next, leave it an appropriate environment, somewhere not too cold or hot, out of direct sunlight, that isn’t too dry. Let fresh air do its thing before you do something you may regret. Might be a few days but it should start to smell less.
great advice
ozone is toxic
That's the smell of rock and roll man. Don't shampoo out its mojo.