10-16 Compound Radius w/ Scalloped Neck?

[Diminished Triad]

Anyone try one of these and if so what's it like?
Thanks!

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: 10-16 Compound Radius w/ Scalloped Neck?

Well I've not tried the scalloped aspect, but the one 10-16" radius fingerboard I have, I find works very well. That said, I've got such a varied collection anyway, I'm really not stuck on one radius over any other. The only one I ever really notice is the SA2200 which has a slightly unusual 13 3/4" constant radius on it. Even then it's only really noticeable when doing bar-chords, which are mostly going to take place lower than the 12th fret. On a compound radius neck, you really shouldn't encounter anything uncomfortable in the lower reaches doing that. Further up the neck, it just becomes easier to do bends with a very low action, without the risk of fretting out.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: 10-16 Compound Radius w/ Scalloped Neck?

I have compound radii on a couple of instruments. I have tried the scalloped fingerboard on a Fender Malmsteen signature Strat (constant 9.5"). I have not tried compound and scalloped together.

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: 10-16 Compound Radius w/ Scalloped Neck?

I have a CP radius neck from Warmoth and my only gripe about the radius is that it's to flat up on the higher frets for me I like to be able to chord up their when wanted but if you only play leads up past the 12th the yea this neck is awesome. Very easy to bend but I don't have very low action either.

 

[Bludave]

Re: 10-16 Compound Radius w/ Scalloped Neck?

I don't think the compound radius should really matter too much, however I think it would play more consistent if it were a constant(like 9.5 or 10")what I would be more concerned with is the Scalloping. I have way to heavy a touch to play scalloped boards.

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: 10-16 Compound Radius w/ Scalloped Neck?

In theory bends would be so effortless you could do it with your mind but I gotta say I've never heard of it. I can guarantee it won't get in the way though. If you like both seperately then you'll probably like both together.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: 10-16 Compound Radius w/ Scalloped Neck?

I have a compound radius on my "Super Esquire" Amira, and to be honest I hate the compound radius. I might later down the road just swap the neck for one that is fatter, has like a straight 10" radius, no finish, and possibly an ebony board. I may or may not end up doing the swap but it'd be years from now until I decide.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: 10-16 Compound Radius w/ Scalloped Neck?

If you like both seperately then you'll probably like both together.

this

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: 10-16 Compound Radius w/ Scalloped Neck?

I don't think the compound radius should really matter too much, however I think it would play more consistent if it were a constant(like 9.5 or 10")…

It probably would, if everything else were equal. But it's not. Fretboard width, neck back profile, string height, distance between frets, the way we grip the neck in different positions, not to mention we generally don't play the same thing in every position. I have three compound-radius guitars that I've been playing for 7-10 years, and they're the most comfortable guitars I've ever owned. YMMV.

Also, scalloped necks can be cool, too. Definitely not friendly to a too-heavy touch.

I haven't tried a scalloped, compound board.

 

[AlexR]

Re: 10-16 Compound Radius w/ Scalloped Neck?

Ah, this is probably called - luthier's nightmare neck.

Maybe you could ask for different fretwire size/shape as you went further up the neck, just to be a bastard

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: 10-16 Compound Radius w/ Scalloped Neck?

Ah, this is probably called - luthier's nightmare neck.

Maybe you could ask for different fretwire size/shape as you went further up the neck, just to be a bastard

And go stainless steel while you're at it!

 

[AlexR]

Re: 10-16 Compound Radius w/ Scalloped Neck?

You'd probably get punched....in the nads

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: 10-16 Compound Radius w/ Scalloped Neck?

Ah, this is probably called - luthier's nightmare neck.

Maybe you could ask for different fretwire size/shape as you went further up the neck, just to be a bastard

There was a guy in VA Beach/Norfolk area that used to do something similar w/the fretwire
& refrets..

Dunno if he did scalloping or not,tho...

 

[Juanhanglo]

Re: 10-16 Compound Radius w/ Scalloped Neck?

I have 2 compound radius fingerboards (10-16), a straight 17, and a 16 currently. I had a 9.5 and a 12 that sold. The only radius i don't care for is the vintage fender 7.25".

I play chords up to about the 14th fret or so. After that, my fingers stop fitting between the frets properly. I use jumbo frets in all but one. the jumbos are all different sizes. I guess the manfacturers have different ideas of jumbo. The lone hold out is a warmoth compound radius on a fatback profile with 6130 low wide frets.

That is the only neck i have ANY problem chording on. It is not from the neck shape but the frets that give me fits.
there is just not enough height to the fret to allow me to exert enough pressure to fret a barre chord cleany sometimes. I have to conciously push harder and this puts me out of tune.

Bottom line?

Flatter radii work just fine with jumbo frets. My easiest fretting guitar is my carvin holdsworth with a large neck, 20" radius, and 6100 sized frets......and a lighter touch.
In my experience, the compound radius plays like a 16" radius with better chord-ability

Scalloped frets are kinda nice if you like larger frets and have a light touch. I've played a malmsteen strat and liked the scallops but hated the rest of the neck.

When i get around to it, i will most likely replace my fatback, low fret neck with a scallop job.

 

[Juanhanglo]

Re: 10-16 Compound Radius w/ Scalloped Neck?

Ah, this is probably called - luthier's nightmare neck.

Maybe you could ask for different fretwire size/shape as you went further up the neck, just to be a bastard

Too funny!

Perhaps a 6230 down low for the nice vintage fender chording.
Then a medium jumbo in the middle
And finish off with a 6000 super jumbo above the 12th fret.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: 10-16 Compound Radius w/ Scalloped Neck?

I have 2 compound radius fingerboards (10-16), a straight 17, and a 16 currently. I had a 9.5 and a 12 that sold. The only radius i don't care for is the vintage fender 7.25".

I play chords up to about the 14th fret or so. After that, my fingers stop fitting between the frets properly. I use jumbo frets in all but one. the jumbos are all different sizes. I guess the manfacturers have different ideas of jumbo. The lone hold out is a warmoth compound radius on a fatback profile with 6130 low wide frets.

That is the only neck i have ANY problem chording on. It is not from the neck shape but the frets that give me fits.
there is just not enough height to the fret to allow me to exert enough pressure to fret a barre chord cleany sometimes. I have to conciously push harder and this puts me out of tune.

Bottom line?

Flatter radii work just fine with jumbo frets. My easiest fretting guitar is my carvin holdsworth with a large neck, 20" radius, and 6100 sized frets......and a lighter touch.
In my experience, the compound radius plays like a 16" radius with better chord-ability

Scalloped frets are kinda nice if you like larger frets and have a light touch. I've played a malmsteen strat and liked the scallops but hated the rest of the neck.

When i get around to it, i will most likely replace my fatback, low fret neck with a scallop job.

The least comfortable guitar I've ever owned, in the low-fret chording scenario, was the Peavey Wolfgang Special EXP I used to have. It was a fine guitar, but between the smaller frets and my particular fret-hand geometry, I often found chording to be almost painful. Some of my Ibanez RG's are kind of like that, but the effects are somewhat mitigated by the larger frets. Still, they're not nearly as comfortable for me as a Soloist neck -- even the RG270DX with its thicker Wizard II profile.

 

[Juanhanglo]

Re: 10-16 Compound Radius w/ Scalloped Neck?

If the wolfgang is anything like the ebmm van halen signature then i see what you mean. That had to be the worst neck i have ever played. Narrow with small frets. Yuck!