The Scalloped Neck Chronicles

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The Scalloped Neck Chronicles, Maybe not Chronicles, but fun :P

MattE View Member Profile	Jun 16 2008, 11:24 PM
Jun 16 2008, 11:24 PM	GMC:er Posts: 173 Joined: 16-May 07 From: North Carolina, USA	Good day GMC Musicians! Today was quite a day. I finally received my scalloped neck in the mail today; but came to a grim realization... The neck was perfectly scalloped, exactly to my specifications, however the woodworker I sent the neck to forgot to: 1)Correctly cut the tuner holes for the string tuners (there is a small locking bar that requires a tiny hole) 2)The frets themselves were not sanded down 3)The string trees were not drilled in 4)The neck was not pre-drilled to be screwed onto the body as originally planned A minor drawback, so I decided to document the 5 hours it took me to get this neck clean, outfitted, and ready to play :] I did not use a wide array of tools for this project, all I really needed was: A set of Phillips-head screwdrivers one adjustable clamp (for the tuners) a power-drill a hammer a pair of needle-nose pliers a pencil a steady hand and A LOT of patience Who says you need a lot of fancy tools to work with guitars? ;] The first order of business was to get the guitar sanded down. I used three sheets of 220 grit sandpaper and carefully sanded top to bottom the headstock, individual frets, and the sides of the guitar (they were very splintery) Approx. section time: 20 minutes The second item on the agenda was to get the tuners in. As you can see from the picture below, right next to the pre-drilled tuner hole I needed a very tiny hole. The tuners had some kind of a bar that was used in place of a screw to hold the tuner in place (i.e. keep it from freely rotating in the hole) So the first thing I did was lined up each tuner in the hole and pressed down hard enough to make a small indention in the wood, a reference point for where the small hole should go First I took a very thin nail and pounded it down, very slowly and carefully, into the reference point. Afterwards I used the power drill with a very small drill bit (hence the nail, my first drill bit snapped trying to break the wood surface) Approx. section time: 2 hours (It took a great deal of brainstorming ^__^) Even with the drilling and hammering, the tuners refused to slide into place. To remedy this, I took an ordinary adjustable clamp, positioned the tuner, then tightened the clamp slowly until the tuner was forced down into the correct position Repeat and redo for the rest of the tuners Approx. section time: 40 minutes (The clamp did not always want to work ) After the tuners were installed, the next things to add were the string trees. This required a lot of precision and accuracy, as they needed to be perfectly placed for the strings. Using an old tape measure and the old neck I had on the guitar as a reference point, I used a very thin-leaded pencil to make access points, then grabbed my trusty drill with the thin drill bit and drilled the holes into the headstock. From there I simply placed the string trees carefully into the drill points, replaced the drill bit, and began to drill the trees down. Easy enough no? :] Approx. section time: 10 minutes The next thing to do was to get the neck drilled to be attached to the neck. This gave me a lot of grief as I was very nervous about drilling too quickly and splitting the neck (then it would be $150 down the drain ) The access points were made by actually positioning the neck in the neck pocket and very carefully drilling the original screws until contact was made. Afterwards, the screws were pulled back a bit, the neck was removed, drill bit replaced, and holes were drilled. Only what space was needed was added Finally, the neck was set in, screws drilled down, and the neck was finally done! Approx. section time: 20 minutes The final order of business was to string up the guitar and get to playing! Although this step would be much harder than I anticipated. The adjustable bridge clamps (the little stands with the adjustable screws that the strings sit on) somehow managed to screw up as far as how they sat on the bridge. The stringing process was easy enough after the clamps were set to the proper height and screwed back in Approx. section time: 30 minutes And that's it! Hope you enjoyed this little adventure -MattE Forgot to add my critique! Initial playing was a lot easier than I anticipated. The feel of the neck was amazing, even compared to my Ibanez ARX320 neck, which was my main guitar. The original rumor I heard about difficult chords was quickly dispelled, as I found no issue at all. I also, suprisingly, noticed a 20 bpm speed difference! Could this be practice, or the neck? (I'm banking on practice, but at first I was shocked and thought it to be the neck ) Anything else you would like to know, just ask! See you all around, -MattE You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Ivan Milenkovic View Member Profile	Jun 16 2008, 11:30 PM
Jun 16 2008, 11:30 PM	Instructor Posts: 25.396 Joined: 20-November 07 From: Belgrade, Serbia	Cool man, nice to see that you managed to work your way out of the problem yourself. COngratulations on you new neck. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- - Ivan's Video Chat Lesson Notes HERE - Check out my GMC Profile and Lessons - (Please subscribe to my) YouTube Official Channel - Let's be connected through ! Facebook! :)

Nick325 View Member Profile	Jun 16 2008, 11:54 PM
Jun 16 2008, 11:54 PM	GMC:er Posts: 1.996 Joined: 24-July 07 From: Long Island, NY	nice job on fixing the problem You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Praetorian View Member Profile	Jun 17 2008, 01:38 AM
Jun 17 2008, 01:38 AM	Learning Apprentice Player & Challenge Star Posts: 1.995 Joined: 10-March 08 From: Albany NY USA	Awesome! I am curious to see what you think of the scalloped neck. I have always wanted to try playing one. I have never seen one in person. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Ben ___________________________________________ "PLAY YOUR DAMN GUITAR!!" - Kirk Hammett Fender American Standard Stratocaster Ibanez RG4EXQM1

MattE View Member Profile	Jun 17 2008, 03:54 AM
Jun 17 2008, 03:54 AM	GMC:er Posts: 173 Joined: 16-May 07 From: North Carolina, USA	@Praetorian: I personally like it. It's much easier on vibrato and legato, and really teaches you to only press as hard as you need to. The actual scallop is very important, as if you go too deep, you could destroy the tunality (as it was described to me ) You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Praetorian View Member Profile	Jun 17 2008, 04:03 AM
Jun 17 2008, 04:03 AM	Learning Apprentice Player & Challenge Star Posts: 1.995 Joined: 10-March 08 From: Albany NY USA	QUOTE (MattE @ Jun 16 2008, 10:54 PM) @Praetorian: I personally like it. It's much easier on vibrato and legato, and really teaches you to only press as hard as you need to. The actual scallop is very important, as if you go too deep, you could destroy the tunality (as it was described to me ) Cool! I'd love to try one! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Ben ___________________________________________ "PLAY YOUR DAMN GUITAR!!" - Kirk Hammett Fender American Standard Stratocaster Ibanez RG4EXQM1

Nick325 View Member Profile	Jun 17 2008, 04:08 AM
Jun 17 2008, 04:08 AM	GMC:er Posts: 1.996 Joined: 24-July 07 From: Long Island, NY	wait why did u sand down the frets? were they too high? You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Marcus Lavendell View Member Profile	Jun 17 2008, 08:43 AM
Jun 17 2008, 08:43 AM	Instructor Posts: 2.537 Joined: 27-May 07 From: Gothenburg, Sweden	That's a beautiful neck! Great job fixing the problems Matt! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- I use Elixir® Strings Check out my video lessons and instructor board!

Bogdan Radovic View Member Profile	Jun 17 2008, 09:24 AM
Jun 17 2008, 09:24 AM	Bass & Beginner Instructor Posts: 15.614 Joined: 30-November 07 From: Belgrade, Serbia	Congrats on a job well done Matt! It was quite a luther adventure You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- For GMC support please email support (at) guitarmasterclass.net Check out my lessons and my instructor board. Check out my beginner guitar lessons course! ; Take a bass course now!

-Zion- View Member Profile	Jun 17 2008, 09:33 AM
Jun 17 2008, 09:33 AM	Learning Roadie Posts: 713 Joined: 20-May 08 From: copenhagen	great work I didn't even know such a neck existed. how cool is that. now i want to try one. haha btw.. if you sanded the neck, shouldn't you protect it by putting on a coat of finish?? You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Trond Vold View Member Profile	Jun 17 2008, 11:01 AM
Jun 17 2008, 11:01 AM	Instructor Posts: 3.497 Joined: 16-February 08 From: Norge!	Nice job Looks great You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Guitars: Schecter Stiletto Classic, Jackson SLSMG, Ibanez RG-380 Japan, Gibson Les Paul Studio Amp: Marshall JMP-1 -> Rocktron Velocity 100 -> Marshall JCM-900 Lead 4x12 FX and stomps: T.C Electronics G-Sharp, Korg SDD-1200, Emma Transmorgrifier, BYOC Tribooster, GGG Green Ringer, Dinosaur Overdrive, Voodoo Lab SuperFuzz, Sovtek Bassballs, Line6 Tap Tremolo, EHX Screaming Bird. ___________________________________________________ My Lessons! My Instructor Board! My Myspace!

Danilo Capezzuto View Member Profile	Jun 17 2008, 11:58 AM
Jun 17 2008, 11:58 AM	Instructor Posts: 1.829 Joined: 16-February 08 From: Italy	Great work, and congrats for the new awesome neck! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Check out my video lessons!

kaznie_NL View Member Profile	Jun 17 2008, 04:55 PM
Jun 17 2008, 04:55 PM	Experienced Tone Seeker Posts: 4.809 Joined: 8-December 07 From: Hedel, Netherlands	Nice Chronicle Thanks for sharing!! You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- My YouTube Channel Here My Rec Takes Here --- GEAR --- Ibanez SA08LTD2 BAR Vox AD50VT Pod Farm Line 6 Pod Studio GX El Cheapo Strat Dunlop Slide Korg Toneworks AX5G

MattE View Member Profile	Jun 18 2008, 05:16 AM
Jun 18 2008, 05:16 AM	GMC:er Posts: 173 Joined: 16-May 07 From: North Carolina, USA	Thank you all! @Nick325: No, the frets themselves were extremely rough. My buddy who did the actual scalloping forgot to smooth them out @-Zion-: I did, actually not too long after doing the sanding. It slipped my mind at first, and a few hours after writing this post I said to myself "DOH! The finish!" I was scatter-brained from being so excited You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

AIB234 View Member Profile	Jun 18 2008, 05:25 AM
Jun 18 2008, 05:25 AM	GMC:er Posts: 388 Joined: 5-March 07 From: Canada	That's pretty wicked! Not just the neck, but the handy work you had to put into it! I wonder if this would be a good neck to beginner to start out on so they quickly learn about excess pressure and muscle tension? You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Ibanez RG350DX Alvarez RD8BR Behringer V-Ampire LX1-112 DigiTech JamMan

somecrazyguy09 View Member Profile	Jun 18 2008, 06:13 AM
Jun 18 2008, 06:13 AM	GMC:er Posts: 83 Joined: 21-January 08 From: Dallas, texas U.S.A	i've never played a scalloped neck before, but now i really want to. i think i'll go to guitar center tomorrow and see if they might have one i can try. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

MattE View Member Profile	Jun 19 2008, 04:22 AM
Jun 19 2008, 04:22 AM	GMC:er Posts: 173 Joined: 16-May 07 From: North Carolina, USA	@AIB234: For a beginner, I'm not really sure. I've had a good number of years behind me, and I also have a much easier time adapting to new things than others, so a scalloped neck for me was an almost instantaneous switch. However, I believe that if a beginner were to learn on a scalloped neck, they would probably learn to control their pressure on strings a lot quicker than one on an unscalloped neck. It is also a very nice neck for legato and vibrato, however I have the feeling that if said beginner were to switch from a scalloped neck to an unscalloped neck, they may find the vibrato a bit harder. I trained myself on an unscalloped neck with custom made .15-.72 strings (they were massive ) and when I made the switch, vibrato felt like I was pushing on feathers. (I also downgraded to .10 strings ) I know that is a lot of opinionated feedback, hope it helps @somecrazyguy09: They are amazing! I dont think I have ever seen one in a guitar store though But if you find one it's quite an experience You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content!

Nemanja Filipovi... Nemanja Filipovic View Member Profile	Jun 19 2008, 01:35 PM
Jun 19 2008, 01:35 PM	Singing Instructor Posts: 3.391 Joined: 23-January 08	Looks great,job well done,thanks for the pic's and the guiding trough text for this job. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Check out my video lessons and instructor board! Participate im my new Crazy Blues Collaboration

jacmoe View Member Profile	Jun 19 2008, 02:08 PM
Jun 19 2008, 02:08 PM	GMC:er Posts: 562 Joined: 2-December 07 From: Denmark	QUOTE (MattE @ Jun 19 2008, 04:22 AM) @somecrazyguy09: They are amazing! I dont think I have ever seen one in a guitar store though But if you find one it's quite an experience I saw one yesterday. An Yngwie Strat. Did not try it, because I wouldn't want to ruin my purchase of my Ibanez RG350EX. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- QUOTE ("Steve Vai") Start by playing something - a bend, a riff, a scale, a song - very slowly; if you make a mistake, start over; do this over and over, until you can play it flawlessly - and I do mean flawlessly - many times in a row. Next, gradually increase the tempo. Eventually you'll be flailing like a madman.

Gerardo Siere View Member Profile	Jun 23 2008, 02:59 AM
Jun 23 2008, 02:59 AM	Instructor Posts: 2.424 Joined: 20-December 07 From: San Juan	Thanks for sharing, I hope some day I have some neck like that. You are at GuitarMasterClass.net Don't miss today's free lick. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! Don't miss today's free blues, jazz & country licks. Plus all our lessons are packed with free content! -------------------- Check out my video lessons!

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