Gorgomyte fret polish/ fretboard conditioner $19 for 8X11” sheet, enough for 22 uses per instructions
Seeing that some rave about this stuff, I tried it. A letter paper-sized sheet of heavy paper, slightly damp with a mild detergent smell. Cut a 2” square, scrubbed frets on a one-piece maple neck. Immediately, out of nowhere, black ink smeared out over the fretboard. Ever use a piston-fill fountain pen? Ever gut a squid? I’ll admit the video on utube showed to do a couple frets at a time, cleaning up as you go along. I went down the whole board, figuring to clean up after. Went back to 1st fret with cotton cloth. Ink has dried; most comes off, but leaves the fingerboard looking dirty. Scrubbed with guitar polish, still dirty. Used naptha, then light machine oil- can’t get board clean again. Ever see the cover of Jeff Beck you had it coming? We should try to find out what he uses to clean his fretboard.
I have to concede, the frets were slick and shiny. But I can’t say how glad I am I tried this on a project neck, not my beautiful R9 LP.
So, I want to ask anyone who can say from direct experience:
I suppose if you used this on a lighter colored rosewood board, this gunk would be hopelessly impregnated in the grain. How about abalone, pearl, or ivoriod inlay? Binding? Does this stuff leave it looking like hell?
Let us know, please, before someone gets a nasty surprise.
Seeing that some rave about this stuff, I tried it. A letter paper-sized sheet of heavy paper, slightly damp with a mild detergent smell. Cut a 2” square, scrubbed frets on a one-piece maple neck. Immediately, out of nowhere, black ink smeared out over the fretboard. Ever use a piston-fill fountain pen? Ever gut a squid? I’ll admit the video on utube showed to do a couple frets at a time, cleaning up as you go along. I went down the whole board, figuring to clean up after. Went back to 1st fret with cotton cloth. Ink has dried; most comes off, but leaves the fingerboard looking dirty. Scrubbed with guitar polish, still dirty. Used naptha, then light machine oil- can’t get board clean again. Ever see the cover of Jeff Beck you had it coming? We should try to find out what he uses to clean his fretboard.
I have to concede, the frets were slick and shiny. But I can’t say how glad I am I tried this on a project neck, not my beautiful R9 LP.
So, I want to ask anyone who can say from direct experience:
I suppose if you used this on a lighter colored rosewood board, this gunk would be hopelessly impregnated in the grain. How about abalone, pearl, or ivoriod inlay? Binding? Does this stuff leave it looking like hell?
Let us know, please, before someone gets a nasty surprise.
