How to Scallop a guitar neck

[danielz]

hey guys

somehow my brother (who doesnt even play guitar) ended up with this neck.
which is the same exact size of the one in my forgotten squier

Im a big ritchie blackmore fan so I´ve been thinking in scalloping it.

I really dont know any thing about how to do it.

has any body ever done it??
What tools do i need??
any comment or advise is welcome

 

[krankguitarist]

Re: How to Scallop a guitar neck

Just because It's gonna happen anyways, I might as well post it first.

NOT like this:

But here's a good link

 

[jmh151]

Re: How to Scallop a guitar neck

hey guys

somehow my brother (who doesnt even play guitar) ended up with this neck.
which is the same exact size of the one in my forgotten squier

Im a big ritchie blackmore fan so I´ve been thinking in scalloping it.

I really dont know any thing about how to do it.

has any body ever done it??
What tools do i need??
any comment or advise is welcome

If you want to be like Ritchie Blackmore, do it like Ritchie Blackmore. He taped up the frets, then wrapped sandpaperaround a stick, and scalloped it by hand. Other rumors are that he used a sharpened butter knife, but it took him about 4 days.

Do a search on the internet- there's a gut that shows how to do it- but he uses a special electrical sander with a triangular tip.

You can also use round filed as well.

Basically, tape up the frets and take your time.

 

[mrturtle_91]

Re: How to Scallop a guitar neck

Just because It's gonna happen anyways, I might as well post it first.

NOT like this:

But here's a good link

that looks like it was melted.

 

[tc]

Re: How to Scallop a guitar neck

that looks like it was melted.

somehow it looks like a rotten banana peel...with frets

 

[vinterland]

Re: How to Scallop a guitar neck

search function

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: How to Scallop a guitar neck

If I remember correctly Frantic Rock has done a number of DIY scallops?

 

[danielz]

Re: How to Scallop a guitar neck

thaks for the feedback!!!

Im actually following all the insctruction in from project guitar, as much as i can.
i already went to the hardware store to get some sand paper and a 1/4" Round File, taped the freds, and started sanding with the round file and with the sandpaper warped around the stick
im doing everything by hand but its not as easy as it looks. hopefully it might end up as something usable hahaha

any advice is welcome!
thanks!

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: How to Scallop a guitar neck

i was really hoping whoever posted the worst scallop ever would have the pic of it that says PWN'D!! across the top. that made me laugh beer out of my nose last time i saw it.

 

[Mincer]

Re: How to Scallop a guitar neck

the problem with scalloping maple is that you take the finish off. to do it right, you have to re-finish it after you are done. i sent mine away to have it done right.

 

[StrangeSound]

Re: How to Scallop a guitar neck

But here's a good link

That reminds me of some good times, back then , haha! I loved the thread.

 

[danielz]

Re: How to Scallop a guitar neck

anybody knows how deep should i go???

can any body explain me the diferences between the regular scallop and the blackmore scallop in simple words??

 

[danielz]

Re: How to Scallop a guitar neck

the problem with scalloping maple is that you take the finish off. to do it right, you have to re-finish it after you are done. i sent mine away to have it done right.

yup
if dont mess it up am pretty sure that my next treat would be
how to refinish a maple neck

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: How to Scallop a guitar neck

i would only make it deep enough to tell it's scalloped. otherwise you might start fretting notes out of tune and stuff.

 

[JohnnyGuitar]

Re: How to Scallop a guitar neck

The Blackmore scallop is compound it's deeper on the higher string and has almost no scallop when it gets to the lower strings.
I think he uses normal sized frets not the crazy jumbo fret you can find on a YJM strat.
If the frets are thin or even medium jumbo you might need to re-fret the guitar first, plus if you put bigger frets on the guitar you might even get what you want without scalloping.
Steve Vai used scalloping on his higher frets - it's more effective there I guess - so if you DIY start from the highest frets, see if you like it there - and then progress to lower frets.

 

[Aceman]

Re: How to Scallop a guitar neck

Well - first, it's a ROCKWOOD PRO neck. Are you SURE you want to mess that up?!?!?!?

As with all projects of this nature - go gently. That should be all the advice you need. Really. Scalloping is an 8th grade woodshop project. Just don't hurry.

A few key points:
1) It doesn't actually have to be very deep - just enough to get the wood out from under the strings, which is why lot's of scallopers put Jumbo frets on - less to scallop. That and that all of the playing wears the frets exclusively!
2) A slightly asymmetrical scallop is preferred. You want more wood gone just before the fret (where you finger) than just after, where your fingers should not be.

The real benefit here is that you MUST play lighter, which will increase speed and precision. Also, you'll really be able to grip the strigs and dig for vibrato - plus the will totally slide on the fret smoothly (did I mention wear?).

Gotta keep those frets smooth too!

Good luck man - you can do it - post th finished version.

 

[Karmadog777]

Re: How to Scallop a guitar neck

hahaha I love that pic reminds me of my first guitar,I was 17 when I read in either hit parader or cream magazine that Eddie Van Halen filed down his frets to make it easier to play faster...well I went to my dads workshop , got me a file and sat down and very carefully and painstakenly,absolutely DESTROYED my guitar neck , well that was before the information superhighway and all the instructions I had was "file the frets down"
nowadays therse no excuse GOOGLE GOOGLE GOOGLE

Peace!

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: How to Scallop a guitar neck

The higher frets are easier,start up there!
You may wanna get some different widths for the lower register frets,ie wider.
A big +1 for taping the frets,too,although I F'd up & used Duct tape..."DON'T" use that!!!
As far as the depth goes,I recommend leaving as much wood as you can,mainly for tonal reasons.Some friends & I destroyed a great neck by taking WAY too much wood out of it...

Good Luck!

Edit for pic:

 

[Diego]

Re: How to Scallop a guitar neck

If I was you I'd buy a crappy neck somewhere over the net and practice on that one. You don't wanna ruin that nice piece!

 

[danielz]

Re: How to Scallop a guitar neck

thanks for all the advices!!
Now im afraid for what i´ve done. I already scalloped 2 frets, i didnt know the neck was something good. The thing is from a what i thought was a crappy strat replica.
but since i already started im gonna finish it. im only scalloping from the 21 to the 12th fret.