If you’re like me, you get a lot of dirt and sweat on your fretboard, especially when gigging regularly. High pH acid levels are a major contribution to this issue. One thing is definitely for sure, and it’s that fretboards definitely don’t take well to human perspiration!
I’ve always struggled with getting my fretboard clean. In case you don’t already know, dirty fretboards can compromise your tone and playing ability. If you restring with a fresh pair of strings without cleaning your fretboard properly, the new pair will go dead instantly. This is why it’s very important to have the correct cleaning solutions.
I heard about a supposedly miracle product called “Gorgomyte” via a clinic with Francis Steuber (guitar technician for KISS). He swore by the product, claiming it will clean even the dirtiest fretboards in a matter of minutes. I had been spending hours cleaning my fretboards, so at that point I was prepared to try anything.
When shopping for Gorgomyte, I discovered that it’s packaged under a few different names. Apparently it’s also sold at horn stores as a polishing cloth, which is the exact same product. I have read up about this and many people are skeptical whether it’s the exact same cloth. Let us know in the comments if you have any info in regards to this. I normally purchase the Jimmy Johnson version although it’s also sold by GHS in different colored packaging.
Gorgomyte doesn’t seem to be very well known amongst the general public. It claims to be the “best kept secret in rock and roll”. It must, however, have some worth if bands like Megadeth, Bullet for My Valentine, ZZ Top, The Foo Fighters, Aerosmith, Pete Townshend, Trivium, Ted Nugent and Bob Dylan are endorsing it. Is it really everything it claims to be? Let’s find out…
Using the Product
Gorgomyte promises ultra-shiny frets and a spotless fretboard when you’re done using it. When removing the cloth from the packaging for the first time, I became almost intoxicated by the strong smell and feel of the chemicals in the cloth. This is more proof that it’s a quality product. Apparently Gorgomyte does contain a small amount of lemon oil as well as other ingredients that they won’t share with us.
The instructions state that you should remove all of your strings before applying the cloth to your neck. Personally I leave my strings intact in order to stop my neck from losing its tension. This is normally not something you would need to concern yourself with unless your neck is prone to losing its tension. It can be a bit of a hassle as you need to rub the cloth underneath the strings when doing things this way.
As per the instructions, I rubbed the cloth down my entire fretboard while turning it occasionally. My neck became quite oily from the cloth, which helped to loosen up the dirt and condition my fretboard. The yellow Gorgomyte cloth turned completely black as it reacted with the dirt on my fretboard. I then used my fingernail to apply the cloth to the sides of every fret.
Afterwards, I wiped my fretboard clean with a separate dry cotton cloth. I was amazed at how the dirt rubbed off with the utmost ease! This was something I had never seen in all my years of cleaning fretboards. Not only that, but my frets were shining better than ever. The product had definitely lived up to its standards for the cleaning process. Now all that was left was to discover how my guitar played…
I restrung and stretched my guitar with a fresh pair of strings. The first thing I noticed was how much better a new pair of strings looks with a perfectly clean fretboard. I also noticed that the conditioning from the Gorgomyte cloth had somehow managed to improve the action and playability of my neck.
As the product promised, my notes ended up ringing truer and my sustain had improved. A new pair of strings coupled with a perfectly clean fretboard sounds and feels great! Not only does Gorgomyte make your fretboard shine and sparkle, but it also boosts your confidence because you’re more comfortable. And as a performing musician, you should be doing everything it takes to be perfectly confident and comfortable. This is why Gorgomyte has becoming an important asset for me as well as many others.
The Pros
Gorgomyte is by far the best cleaning and conditioning solution for guitar fretboards that I’ve come across. I also share this opinion with many of the world’s best guitar techs and players.
- Gorgomyte is nonabrasive. You can use it daily without wearing out your fretboard.
- It cleans the dirtiest frets and fretboards with ease. You don’t need individual products for your frets and fingerboard.
- Shiny frets not only look great but also feel great.
- Gorgomyte saves you a ton of time in comparison to other cleaning methods.
- You can simply dispose of the product when you’re done using it.
The Cons
It’s very difficult to come across anything bad being said about Gorgomyte. The only negative things I’ve heard originate from people who are using it improperly. It’s very important to follow the instructions on the back of the packaging. You should use a separate cotton cloth (an old t-shirt) to wipe off the dirt when you’re done applying the Gorgomyte cloth to your fretboard. With that being said, there are 1 or 2 negative aspects…
- Gorgomyte is difficult to come by. No shops sell it where I live so the only option is to import it. This means additional postage fees.
- Because the cloth contains chemicals, it won’t last forever. I’ve read, however, that even a dry Gorgomyte cloth can work well.
- A single package of Gorgomyte will last for around 7 or 8 uses. Afterwards you’ll need to repurchase the product.
Final Verdict
Gorgomyte has become a very necessary tool for me as a performing guitar player. I use it to clean my frets and fingerboard every time I change strings. My guitars playability improves by atleast 50% when I have a clean fretboard, so it’s important that I use the best cleaning solution I can get my hands on. Gorgomyte is the best cleaning and conditioning solution I have discovered and I would recommend it to anyone. It’s a no-brainer for anyone who wants a clean and shiny fretboard.
