Ok,
I've had some time to tweak my scalloped neck (the back contour). This is my first experience with a scalloped neck.
I've spent some time playing it and here is my take on it.
To start with, performing the scallop job was pretty simple. I have worked with tools (not woodworking) all my life. This may or may not need to get factored into my assessment that its easy. I just kinda jumped in and performed the surgery with a minimal of tools and as much patients as I could muster at 4:00Am. Four hours later I had a scalloped neck in my hands. Still need to apply a finish to the wood ( its kinda nice unfinished though
Its maple and you need to be careful with maple necks. The wood is a bit prone to warping without a hard finish.
Second I took a rasp and destroyed...i mean removed a major portion of the back of the neck. I tried to flatten it out on the back similar to my s prestige neck. Its not quite as thin but im becoming increasingly conserned that the truss rod is near. The original contour was a bit of a "v" shape and really fat (picture a baseball bat sawed in half). I have not noticed any instability at all in the neck. I performed a slight truss rod adjustment and its nice and straight, no buzz plays great.
Playing.... at first it felt really wierd and I didnt like it at all. After spending a couple hours going over some of Mr lavendell's amazing compositions (seemed only fitting) It started feeling better (less goofy). Bending notes is definately different. You can get a mighty grip on the strings, however sliding up the neck is going to take some getting use to. Its a fairly bumpy ride....I hope that makes sense as im not sure how else to explain it. I have some serious jumbo frets. The biggest concern that I have heard people voice is that playing chords is tough....not so..its pretty much the same as with a normal neck. Also a concern that I had was that pushing on the strings to hard would make the notes go sharp. Good luck, the distance between frets and the tension of the strings makes this pretty much a non issue. You would have to be trying to intentionally do it IMHO. All in all its a fun toy for me right now. Im sure that it wont just collect dust because it is fun to play, however nothing I have found yet will replace my s 2170 prestige or my Les Paul and Im not taking the files to those.
Peace,
Patrick.