Fretboard radius and scalloping

3

357mag

New member
My Malmsteen neck has a 9.5 radius. The neck is scalloped of course. Very beautiful neck and easy to play. Most of us have noticed that the earlier vintage Strat necks that have the sharper 7.25 radius are harder to execute bends on. I simply can't play them. At least normal necks anyway.

But if a guy has a 7.25 neck scalloped that would pretty much negate the sharp radius wouldn't it? I mean does the sharper radius even have any effect any more?

I'd like to know this beforehand to keep it in mind for my next purchase. If the 7.25 radius still would not be as comfortable to play even after it's scalloped maybe I would be better off going with another 9.5 radius or even a nice and flat 12 incher.
 
Re: Fretboard radius and scalloping

HughesJB4 said:
If you don't like 7.25 inch radius necks, you're not likely to enjoy it scalloped either.
Click to expand...

Sums it up perfectly.

It would not "negate" the sharp radius in any way, as these t2 factors are more or less independent of each other. If it would somehow counteract the curvature, then practically every modern guitar with a vintage radius would be shipped with much taller frets than vintage ;)

With scallops you´ll be able to get a better grip on the string making bends a hair easier, but it will still fret out on large bends and the steep "uphill" effect of bending will still be 100% present.

If you don´t like the vintage radius, either have the neck refretted and re-planed to a flatter radius, or buy a new neck.
 
Re: Fretboard radius and scalloping

One thing that should be mentioned too, is that Malmsteen uses a very high action to pull off the huge vibrato and bends he does on vintage strat necks with scalloping.
Personally, I'm not a fan of action that high, I prefer 16 inch radius or more for big bends while still retaining a lower action.
 
Re: Fretboard radius and scalloping

357mag said:
My Malmsteen neck has a 9.5 radius. The neck is scalloped of course. Very beautiful neck and easy to play. Most of us have noticed that the earlier vintage Strat necks that have the sharper 7.25 radius are harder to execute bends on. I simply can't play them. At least normal necks anyway.

But if a guy has a 7.25 neck scalloped that would pretty much negate the sharp radius wouldn't it? I mean does the sharper radius even have any effect any more?

I'd like to know this beforehand to keep it in mind for my next purchase. If the 7.25 radius still would not be as comfortable to play even after it's scalloped maybe I would be better off going with another 9.5 radius or even a nice and flat 12 incher.
Click to expand...

This analysis is off.

Bending on 7.25" is not more difficult. The problem is that at the same action a bent note would fret out earlier and for that reason guitars with 7.25" fretboard radius tend to be set up with higher action.

I find that tall frets (or scalloping) are needed with flatter fretboard radius because when I bend I need the next string to be properly positioned on my fingertip. Too low frets in combination with flat radius lead to the string slipping under my fingertips.

I think that the discomfort you feel is either from the high action (see above) or from other factors. Many 7.25" necks are V shaped necks.

I am pretty sure that you are an even radius guy for the back shape, just a C with just a semicircle on the back.
 
Re: Fretboard radius and scalloping

According to Mr. Cascione a curved board is easier to bend than a flat board. I was quite surprised at his answer. I've played non-scalloped 7.25 boards and I find them really hard to solo on. I would have to disagree with his statement.

I think to be safe I should pick up a neck with either a 9.5 or a 12 inch radius instead.
 
Re: Fretboard radius and scalloping

357mag said:
According to Mr. Cascione a curved board is easier to bend than a flat board... I would have to disagree with his statement.
Click to expand...

I think MOST players would disagree with that statement. I prefer radii between 12" and 14" for electrics. I think that offers the best balance for me personally between chording and soloing. I can get along fine with down to 9" and after that it becomes very difficult. Radii like 16" and such I can bend all day on but chording is less comfy.
 
Last edited:
Re: Fretboard radius and scalloping

If you get a 12" board with small frets I can guarantee you that you won't find bending easy. Unless you actually want the other strings under your fingers.
 
Re: Fretboard radius and scalloping

Gibson usually uses a 12" radius on their electrics, and fret height varies by guitar, but it's usually around .4x" high.

As for what's his name saying bends are harder on a flatter board...my heads blowing smoke trying to find that logic.
 
Re: Fretboard radius and scalloping

uOpt said:
If you get a 12" board with small frets I can guarantee you that you won't find bending easy. Unless you actually want the other strings under your fingers.
Click to expand...

Scratching my head...
 
Re: Fretboard radius and scalloping

357mag said:
Scratching my head...
Click to expand...

with larger frets and a flat board, during a bend you kinda "run under" the other strings while with smaller frets you're unable to get under, so you run into them. It causes bending to be a tad bit harder.

The way I look at it, find something that allows you to bend without fretting out, and suck it up. Bending will become easier over time.
 
Re: Fretboard radius and scalloping

IIRC Suhr uses a 10-14 compound radius. I havent played one, but it sounds like that would be very comfortable and usable for me ...... for chording and bends.
 
Re: Fretboard radius and scalloping

Warmoth uses a compound 10-16 as standard on their necks.
 
Re: Fretboard radius and scalloping

Speaking of compounds, I used to have a strat neck with a 10-20 radius, that thing was sweet. Especially for someone like me who plays a lot of chords and throws in a solo every once in a while.
 
Re: Fretboard radius and scalloping

Well since medium jumbos are kinda halfway between small frets and jumbo frets what do you think? Those would work pretty good on a 12 inch board without fretting out?
 
Re: Fretboard radius and scalloping

beandip said:
Speaking of compounds, I used to have a strat neck with a 10-20 radius, that thing was sweet. Especially for someone like me who plays a lot of chords and throws in a solo every once in a while.
Click to expand...


20" radius ............. wow!
 
Re: Fretboard radius and scalloping

357mag said:
Well since medium jumbos are kinda halfway between small frets and jumbo frets what do you think? Those would work pretty good on a 12 inch board without fretting out?
Click to expand...

If the frets are properly dressed any neck with a radius of 10" or greater should essentially not fret out at all, even when doing minor third bends in the higher registers.
 
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