scalloped fretboard

[Vikunt]

Hey guys im looking to get a half scalloped fretboard for my sub1. that is to say a fretboard that is only scalloped after the 12th fret or there abouts. does anyone know where i could get one (keep in mind im in australia so it'd have or be in aus or an online business)

[DrGonzo5150]

Showing my ignorance here
But out of curiousity, why from the 12th fret?
I get the whole neck, or the last few frets... Not having a go just curious

Sorry to say I'm not a 100% on any aussie luthiers that specialise in that sort of thing.

I've seen this on the bay plenty of times but can't vouch for it and have never used it: I Will Scallop Your Guitar Neck, Scalloping, Scalloped, - eBay (item 280316294531 end time Mar-25-09 14:27:38 PDT)

[Progdude]

I can recommend Dean Cascione of 2008 DCCustomGuitars He did a full scallop on my fretboard! Quick work and a Good price too.

If you go with him tell him Nick Sinski sent you!

[Vikunt]

Showing my ignorance here
But out of curiousity, why from the 12th fret?
I get the whole neck, or the last few frets... Not having a go just curious

Sorry to say I'm not a 100% on any aussie luthiers that specialise in that sort of thing.

I've seen this on the bay plenty of times but can't vouch for it and have never used it: I Will Scallop Your Guitar Neck, Scalloping, Scalloped, - eBay (item 280316294531 end time Mar-25-09 14:27:38 PDT)

yeah thats cool man. the half scalloped neck is a Malmsteen thing, i think he invented it, well not invented it but was the first to use it alot. i like the idea because i love the feel of a scalloped neck for soloing and shredding but for riffing and rhythm work i find it a little strenuous. As i solo pretty much 90% past the 12th and play most my rhythms before it i figured it makes sense to half scallop.

[whitestrat]

yeah thats cool man. the half scalloped neck is a Malmsteen thing, i think he invented it, well not invented it but was the first to use it alot.

First guy I knew who used scalloping would be Richie Blackmore. Malmsteen did it later because he got the idea from an antique lute. That's it. He didn't invent it. Then Steve Vai had it for his upper frets on his JEMs.

[Vikunt]

Sorry Well there u go. Learn something every day. It must be an old technique then. Wierd that it has been marketed as somekind of technological breakthrough.what other instruments have scalloped frets? Oud's, bazooki's etc

[Grand Wazoo]

Careful that a full scalloped neck will only be good for soloing, in fact you can't hold a chord in tune with a full scalloped neck unless you play 3 finger chords barre' right on the fret, which is why Steve Vai had it done only on the last few frets.

You try and fret a normal chord on say.... 5th fret and the whole thing will sound like its out of tune because the pressure of your fingers will dig in the scalloped neck in an uneven manner hence it will sound bloody horrible, I once tried a F€nd€r Yngwie M signature in a shop and it was yucky, my two pence worth.

Same goes for fretless guitars, useless unless you are Adrian Belew or Robert Fripp

[GHWelles]

Careful that a full scalloped neck will only be good for soloing, in fact you can't hold a chord in tune with a full scalloped neck unless you play 3 finger chords barre' right on the fret, which is why Steve Vai had it done only on the last few frets.

You try and fret a normal chord on say.... 5th fret and the whole thing will sound like its out of tune because the pressure of your fingers will dig in the scalloped neck in an uneven manner hence it will sound bloody horrible, I once tried a F€nd€r Yngwie M signature in a shop and it was yucky, my two pence worth.

Same goes for fretless guitars, useless unless you are Adrian Belew or Robert Fripp

I have a scalloped Blackmore Strat and it works fine for chords, you just don't press too hard.

[Matt Gillis]

I have a scalloped Blackmore Strat and it works fine for chords, you just don't press too hard.

Yeah, I've played the YJM strat as well, and when I played it I never had a problem--actually I thought it was a pretty decent guitar for the money. The thing is though, that (super) jumbo frets do the same thing as a scalloped board, but having played both, I know there is a difference, so I won't refute why you want them. Not my "cup o' tea" but at the same time it was A LOT of fun to play on a scalloped board while I could.

That said, I don't really have any info for you, sorry I just thought I'd jump in to testify that I have never had a problem with scalloped frets and that as long as you don't over-compensate for not being able to feel the fretboard it will be fine. Because on any guitar, if you press the strings down too hard and the frets are tall enough, it will go out of tune. And I have noticed that people who arn't used to scalloped board press extra hard on them (harder then they normally would) because they can't feel the wood like they are used to.

Anyways, good luck with the search!

[the24thfret]

I had an old Ibby ripoff that had scalloped frets 20,21,22,23,24 I think. It was pretty awesome up there, but I would never scallop anything more than that.

[ScoobySteve]

I'm here with most of the guys around here. Playing a full scalloped neck is kind of a pain because you have to adjust finger pressure all the time. When playin at a gig, or playing live, for me personally I find it a huge convenience to be able to apply a good amount of pressure and grip when playing chords because I know it doesn't create a tonal difference in the end. When you get pumped up, the finer motor functions tend to decrease.

But on the other hand, I suppose the finger discipline that comes from playing a scalloped fretboard is a benefit then, but not really my cup o tea. Maybe at 12+ but definitely not anything before that.

Good luck mate!

[GHWelles]

as long as you don't over-compensate for not being able to feel the fretboard it will be fine. Because on any guitar, if you press the strings down too hard and the frets are tall enough, it will go out of tune. And I have noticed that people who arn't used to scalloped board press extra hard on them (harder then they normally would) because they can't feel the wood like they are used to.

The Yngwie Scallop is too much for me. The Blackmore Scallop is progressive: it leaves a lot more of the wood on the lower frets and the lower strings. Plus I had mine re-radiused from 7.5" to 10" and it brought the frets even closer to the board, leaving an even shallower scallop. The result is you can feel the wood, but you still have a scallop. Pretty good. The Problem with the Blackmore Strat is it is much quieter than my MM's, with a different tone, so I don't use it much. Too many settings to change.