My male kitty smells

I've adopted another stray, this time a very handsome little male. He's probably about 8 months old, one of a litter we think was dumped when they stopped being cute/started being work. 

He's a little timid but super affectionate. In good health except for some chapped/cut paws... and he smells!! It's not a nice smell. It's not terrible, but it's kind of rank/musky and very strong. It seems to just be coming out of his fur in general, not any part of him in particular. 

I've never had a male cat before, and maybe this sounds stupid, but do they tend to be this smelly? Is it because he isn't fixed yet? (He's booked in to pay that 'entrance fee' on Thursday). Should I be worried or is this stink normal? Thanks for your time! 

Malt said:

 
I've adopted another stray, this time a very handsome little male. He's probably about 8 months old, one of a litter we think was dumped when they stopped being cute/started being work. 

He's a little timid but super affectionate. In good health except for some chapped/cut paws... and he smells!! It's not a nice smell. It's not terrible, but it's kind of rank/musky and very strong. It seems to just be coming out of his fur in general, not any part of him in particular. 

I've never had a male cat before, and maybe this sounds stupid, but do they tend to be this smelly? Is it because he isn't fixed yet? (He's booked in to pay that 'entrance fee' on Thursday). Should I be worried or is this stink normal? Thanks for your time! 

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Yes, that is the most probable...   the other alterative is his anal glands being coming now when he is almost adult.

But the most probable its his maleness.  If he isnt minutious scropously cleaning himself, he will smell.

I've never had a male that wasn't fixed as a "baby", so never noticed any smell.  Hopefully once he's fixed, it will go away.  My two 6 year old males smell just as sweet as their sister

Has he had a bath? Tomcat urine stinks to high heaven but HE shouldn't stink unless he has urine on him, and even so, he's a bit young to have a really strong odor. He might have slept in a smelly spot or rolled in something icky. If you really don't want to give him a full bath, try wiping him with a damp cloth, and when he licks himself to get the dampness off that will help even more, and the rest of the odor should wear off in time.

Also have the vet take a look at his teeth while he's out for the neuter. Stinky mouth = stinky fur.

It doesn't feel like he's rolled in anything icky, but he and his siblings were living in an old storm drain so I guess it wouldn't be a big surprise. Your hands do tend to feel a little dusty after petting him. I will wipe him down with a cloth later, when it's warmer. I don't want to give the poor thing a proper bath, especially not while I'm trying to develop a bond with him. I hope it's nothing to do with his teeth. 

Thanks for your input everyone!!