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Posted by: Praetorian Aug 21 2008, 05:43 PM

What do you think?

Posted by: Henry Dietzel Aug 21 2008, 05:56 PM

I've played on one and think if I was to do it I would only want from 9 or 10th fret up

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/wiki/index.php/Scalloped_fretboard

Posted by: Jose Mena Aug 21 2008, 07:46 PM

I played one that I did myself long time ago, it allows you to control vibrato much more, however it didn't help me play faster. Many companies that sell guitar necks, or guitars with scalloped necks, advertise them as it would allow faster play, certainly it was not the case for me. I believe Yngwie Malmstenn himself has said that it makes you play slower, but he uses it because he has more grip on the strings

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Aug 21 2008, 07:56 PM

I scalloped my strat recently - and I agree that it does not in any way increase your speed.

However it does give a lot more strength and note separation in my legato runs - which has a much cooler effect than increased speed: increased tone!

This is the same concept as having really fat/high frets (as can be seen on Ibanez guitars for instance).

edit - I don't see any cons other than the costs of doing it professionally. Also if you do a deeper scallop it can somewhat affect the tone of the guitar. A medium scallop was more than enough for my needs though.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Aug 21 2008, 10:21 PM

pros - better control of bends and vibrato, better note separation
cons - difficult to fret chords, requires a softer and more equal fretting touch.

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Aug 21 2008, 11:21 PM

This argument is a valid one for beginners and is something I have heard myself when cosulting guitar stores about scalloping.

However - if your chordal technique requires you to press so hard so that the chord goes out of tune because of the scalloped neck, then something is wrong with your technique.

If someone has that problem - I would actually recommend them to get a scalloped guitar to get rid of the hand tension, as playing more advanced voicings or embellishing melodies in your chords will be a hassle with a "high tension" grip!

PS Ivan I know you are aware of this - you have done some fantastic chord lessons I just had to present these arguments.

edit - I just thout of another con. Because not many people see value in a scalloped guitar, you can not count on getting back the money you invested in the scalloping when selling the guitar. (so an alternative is to have a go at the scalloping by yourself)

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Aug 21 2008, 11:58 PM

No problem Kris, you're absolutely right about it. It just felt strange for me playing chords on scalloped neck, probably because I wasn't used to it.
Thanks for clarifying!

Posted by: Gerardo Siere Aug 22 2008, 01:53 AM

Another cons is that the fret wears faster, and fret dressing7changing demands a more skillful job.

Posted by: bsamn Aug 22 2008, 02:39 AM

What kris says is very true.

I got a scalloped neck earlier this year, but did not really have an issue with chords whatsoever.
The only con i can think of is sliding but thats about it (only on the high strings due to their thinness).

But in all honesty the cons that people present are usually the same kind of cons anyone may face when purchasing a new guitar or any new instrument - what i mean is that its ALIEN to you. And you will get "USED" it.

Though the period of getting used to will depend on how much u practice. If you practice a couple of hours a day then i can assure you, that you will get used to it. If not then there is unique u are facing, that only you can deal with specifically.

Moreover, the control on vibrato is just something u have to exprience to know, i heard alot of people talk about, but really got it when i first play a scalloped, its just an amazing experience, and your control will increase alot.

Posted by: Marcus Lavendell Aug 22 2008, 08:07 AM

cons - When you're used to play on a scalloped neck, you'll probably find it a bit harder to go back to a "normal" neck (unless you've got tall frets on it). Or rather, It feels like something is wrong with it. There's so much resistance, and you can't play as smooth. At least that's how it's like for me...

pros - I could talk for hours about all the pros

Posted by: Muris Varajic Aug 22 2008, 08:50 AM

Off topic,there was a guy and he came to local music store with his dad,
he tried beautiful LP which was tuned tho but when he played Am chord
it sounded SOOO out of tune.
So he said to his dad "Dad lets go,this guitars isn't tuning"

Yep,you need to do it right.

Posted by: DeepRoots Aug 22 2008, 09:49 AM

Guess he was an expert

Posted by: Marcus Lavendell Aug 22 2008, 09:49 AM

Good one

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Aug 22 2008, 03:05 PM

Poor little guy

Posted by: Kristofer Dahl Aug 22 2008, 06:49 PM

Yes I feel with him as well - I hate going into guitar stores! I think that comes from how I was met in those stores when I was younger.

In protest - I nowadays always order things from the web instead!



I guess what I was trying to say is that if you think that scalloping sounds like a good idea except for the chord argument - I wouldn't worry too much: from my teaching experience it doesn't take many weeks of practicing until you are able to fret chords with a lighter touch.

Posted by: Marcus Siepen Aug 24 2008, 12:25 PM

I only tried a scalloped fretboard once, an old student of mine, who loved Malmsteen beyond everything, got his strat scalloped. When he showed it to me I of course tried it but I have to say I didn't like it at all As Marcus said, something felt wrong But since I only played it for a minute or so I can't really comment on any pros or cons.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Aug 24 2008, 04:42 PM

Still, it's good that we covered the topic about chords. At least for the people who are interested in getting a scalloped neck, so they know what to expect in the first couple of weeks
I'm with Marcus on the scalloped feel part, it seemed to strange for me, I guess because I'm used to fret heavily, and feel the wood behind the strings.