Any Scalloped Neck Fans? Please Show Yours!

[Mincer]

Re: Any Scalloped Neck Fans? Please Show Yours!

My idea of a scalloped neck guitar player is John McLaughlin. I never laboured under any delusions that I could match his playing touch.

Johnny Mac is what got me into scalloped necks. Both Shakti and Mahavishnu Orchestra did it for me. However, he hasn't used any for like 40 years.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Any Scalloped Neck Fans? Please Show Yours!

What is the main purpose behind scalloping? Is it so you can bend easier?

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Any Scalloped Neck Fans? Please Show Yours!

What is the main purpose behind scalloping? Is it so you can bend easier?

It removes the friction of the entire fretboard so that your fingertips don't even have to touch it.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Any Scalloped Neck Fans? Please Show Yours!

Hmm... Does it have any effect on the fretboard related tone?

Sent from my MotoE2(4G-LTE) using Tapatalk

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Any Scalloped Neck Fans? Please Show Yours!

You know, I'm not really sure. I associate my scalloped Strat with kind of a subtle thin, scooped, metallic "zing", but that could be psychological. I didn't exactly pick it for great tone in the first place, and I didn't play it much before I did the scallop job. So I don't have a good basis for comparison.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Any Scalloped Neck Fans? Please Show Yours!

Just wondering, because I always thought that string contact with the fretboard contributed to the overall tone.

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[ant_riv]

Re: Any Scalloped Neck Fans? Please Show Yours!

Thanks for the replies and great discussion!

I don't have much experience, as I have only played my scalloped neck but a few posters have said the same thing that I have noticed. There is a bit of 'zing' to the notes, that I can only attribute to metal fret and metal string without any dampening. It is definitely different. I'm not sure how many audience members would be able to tell, as it is not a huge difference.

I have always had a light fret hand touch, for whatever reason, but on regular frets, my fingers do make intact with the wood.

Yes, the main advantage seems to be the ability to get hold of the string for bending without any fretboard friction to push against. It also helps with speed, for the same reason. There is minimal downward force, just enough to get a clear note, and no fretboard friction.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Any Scalloped Neck Fans? Please Show Yours!

What is the main purpose behind scalloping? Is it so you can bend easier?

Vibratos absolutely weep.
The "zing" that's being referred to equals more clarity,at least to my ears.No fretboard "scraping" noise whatsoever.
Rosewood & Maple boards still maintain their tonality.
Speed is speed,either you have it or you don't (not that there's anything wrong with that).I don't think scalloping makes me play faster,once you get used to them they're just "easier" to play.

 

[greekdude]

Re: Any Scalloped Neck Fans? Please Show Yours!

What is the main purpose behind scalloping? Is it so you can bend easier?

Vibrato. You can do it by pushing vertically against the fretboard.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Any Scalloped Neck Fans? Please Show Yours!

It also facilitates quarter tone bends for Indian and Arabic music.

 

[greekdude]

Re: Any Scalloped Neck Fans? Please Show Yours!

It also facilitates quarter tone bends for Indian and Arabic music.

Which are ripoffs of the genuine Ancient Greek music, presently found in eastern Christian Orthodox Church melodies.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Any Scalloped Neck Fans? Please Show Yours!

For me, it makes bending a lot easier (I have tiny, girl hands) and allows a really light touch once you realize you just gently touch to the top of the fret. Once you stop waiting to feel the wood under your fingers, you stop using the effort to feel it. I would have all of my guitars scalloped if I could afford it.

 

[greekdude]

Re: Any Scalloped Neck Fans? Please Show Yours!

Personally, I think that the differences perpetuated are far fetched. Never had any adjusting period to the scalloped neck. I miss it sometimes, but can live without.
All in all, I think scalloping has some effects when the strings are 0.09's or thinner *and* we are playing in lower (bass) frets. On higher frets, the finger never touches the wood anyway.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Any Scalloped Neck Fans? Please Show Yours!

Well, try playing with my clumsy meat hands and see what you think.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Any Scalloped Neck Fans? Please Show Yours!

With all of this excitement about scalloped fingerboards, you have to wonder why the Bond Guitar never caught on.

Oh, wait a minute. I remember. High price, cold aluminium touchboard, unreliable electronics.

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: Any Scalloped Neck Fans? Please Show Yours!

My Yngwie sig..

I did'nt really find it that big of a deal to get used to as far as playing it went..if anything it's very comfortable to play higher up the neck..



The tone..

 

[ant_riv]

Re: Any Scalloped Neck Fans? Please Show Yours!

Beautiful Guitar Phantasmagoria!

That is one of my GAS guitars!

Thanks for posting the pics!

 

[ant_riv]

Re: Any Scalloped Neck Fans? Please Show Yours!

Thanks for all the replies!

I am enjoying hearing everyone's opinions and experiences with scalloped necks.

I suppose it isn't surprising that some love them, some not so much, some notice a difference, others not as much!

I count myself as a fan now, and I am definitely GASing for a maple neck version!

 

[uOpt]

Re: Any Scalloped Neck Fans? Please Show Yours!

What is the main purpose behind scalloping? Is it so you can bend easier?

I rarely bend. I prefer a violin style "shake the hand" lateral style vibrato.

For me the scallop is just about having more "grip" on the strings. It also makes string access more uniform both when it comes to low and high strings and up and down the fretboard.

However, I really need to put smaller frets.

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: Any Scalloped Neck Fans? Please Show Yours!

Beautiful Guitar Phantasmagoria!

That is one of my GAS guitars!

Thanks for posting the pics!

Thanks! ...& no problem. Scalloped necks need more love :bigthumb: