SlashRules
New member
Is it worth scalloping your frets
Scalloping
- Thread starter SlashRules
- Start date
3
3 cent hero
Guest
Re: Scalloping
i've got scalloping question as well. does the neck have to be on the guitar when it is scalloped? cause my axe is in pieces all over my workbench lol, its getting a full overhaul
i've got scalloping question as well. does the neck have to be on the guitar when it is scalloped? cause my axe is in pieces all over my workbench lol, its getting a full overhaul
kmcguitars
GuitarArtologist
Re: Scalloping
If you play heavy handed (I do) you won't like scalloping!Your notes will go sharp on
you. I would have the tallist frets put in B4 I'd scalloped my neck. Once you scallope
it's a done deal. So make sure you play on a scalloped neck B4 you have it done.
If you play heavy handed (I do) you won't like scalloping!Your notes will go sharp on
you. I would have the tallist frets put in B4 I'd scalloped my neck. Once you scallope
it's a done deal. So make sure you play on a scalloped neck B4 you have it done.
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M
Mattt
Guest
Re: Scalloping
Yeah... try out something like an Yngwie Malmsteen signature Stratocaster to get a feel for it, though bear in mind that like everything, it takes a while to get used to but after that it's easy.
Basically... it'll allow you to play stuff more easily, esspecially fast stuff, and you can get better vibrato.
If you're gonna do it, you'll eventually want to do it to all your guitars, as changing your fretting style with each guitar becomes impossible!
Yeah... try out something like an Yngwie Malmsteen signature Stratocaster to get a feel for it, though bear in mind that like everything, it takes a while to get used to but after that it's easy.
Basically... it'll allow you to play stuff more easily, esspecially fast stuff, and you can get better vibrato.
If you're gonna do it, you'll eventually want to do it to all your guitars, as changing your fretting style with each guitar becomes impossible!
Majestic
New member
Re: Scalloping
You also have the option of only scalloping the upper frets, if you like.
Warmoth actually sells necks that are scalloped from the 12th fret up.
Steve Vai's JEM guitar used to be scalloped on like the upper 3 or 4 frets.....don't know if it's still produced that way, though.
It would kinda be nice if my fingerboard was scalloped from about 15 and up.
You also have the option of only scalloping the upper frets, if you like.
Warmoth actually sells necks that are scalloped from the 12th fret up.
Steve Vai's JEM guitar used to be scalloped on like the upper 3 or 4 frets.....don't know if it's still produced that way, though.
It would kinda be nice if my fingerboard was scalloped from about 15 and up.
BombsAwayJ
New member
Re: Scalloping
I was actually thinking about getting this done for my 20th-24th fret, but was afraid it would mess up my binding and crack the wood or something. Where would I send my guitar to have this done?
I played a yngwie strat awhile back and it was kinda like...handling glass. I didn't wanna press too hard because I thought I would break the strings. I think it would be worth it if you do alot of shredding-type work, but if you're gonna be playin rock shows and running around with it, you might throw sharps in there and possibly break your strings.
I was actually thinking about getting this done for my 20th-24th fret, but was afraid it would mess up my binding and crack the wood or something. Where would I send my guitar to have this done?
I played a yngwie strat awhile back and it was kinda like...handling glass. I didn't wanna press too hard because I thought I would break the strings. I think it would be worth it if you do alot of shredding-type work, but if you're gonna be playin rock shows and running around with it, you might throw sharps in there and possibly break your strings.
Re: Scalloping
I like scalloped necks. I used to play a Malmsteen strat as my primary guitar. It took me about 3 months to get used to the scalloping. In my OPINION, I couldn't play as fast on the neck because I had to pay more attention to the pressure applied to each note. However, I found that I did play much more cleanly; I don't know if it was that I slowed down so much as the neck was very crisp and I had to be more attentive to mechanics. If I was to have a scalloped neck now, I'd never do it myself cause if you cut too deep, the damage is done. I think I'm going to try a Warmoth...I've heard from guys I trust that they do a good job with the necks and that they sound good.
Farkus
I like scalloped necks. I used to play a Malmsteen strat as my primary guitar. It took me about 3 months to get used to the scalloping. In my OPINION, I couldn't play as fast on the neck because I had to pay more attention to the pressure applied to each note. However, I found that I did play much more cleanly; I don't know if it was that I slowed down so much as the neck was very crisp and I had to be more attentive to mechanics. If I was to have a scalloped neck now, I'd never do it myself cause if you cut too deep, the damage is done. I think I'm going to try a Warmoth...I've heard from guys I trust that they do a good job with the necks and that they sound good.
Farkus
Jono_L
New member
Re: Scalloping
If you're only scalloping the top few frets or so, this tutorial; http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/scalloped.htm , is great. I scalloped 17-24 on my RG, without problem, and this is coming from a 17 year old with no woodworking experience.
The result:
If you're only scalloping the top few frets or so, this tutorial; http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/scalloped.htm , is great. I scalloped 17-24 on my RG, without problem, and this is coming from a 17 year old with no woodworking experience.
The result:
Re: Scalloping
I recently had the opportunity to play a very unique guitar... It was a Gibson Les Paul (with a nice flame maple-amber top) with EMG's and a fully scalloped fretboard. I had only played a guitar with a scalloped board once before and then didn't really get a chance to get a hang of it... but I actually got to sit down with this one and this is what I can tell you.
Scalloping offers TOTAL control over the strings. Therefore it also allows you TOTAL control to screw up
I play with a fairly light touch and it only took me a few mintues to adjust to the fact that there was no wood under my fingers. Here was my experience:
PROS-
- Vibrato and bends were waaaaay easier and allowed total freedom of movement so long as you didn't fall off the fretboard. It was pretty liquid smooth. You could even get vibrato by pushing down harder on the strings!
- Tone seemed to sustain just a little bit longer.
- Attack and percussiveness of notes were pronounced and made for a more "open" tone.
Cons-
- My only gripe was that having such total control over the strings made it seem like I'd been playing very heavy-handedly, so I had to get used to not pressing quite as hard or else the strings would slip out from under my fingers or my fingertip would fall off the string into the scallop! Also the note would go out of tune if I pressed too hard. But once I relaxed ajdusted my grip a little bit I was playing much better, as sweeps, trills, and legato techniques became easier. My energy wasn't focused on force now as much as it was on accuracy.
- Playing barre and open chords felt a little bit weird.
In a ntushell... it took a little getting used to but after adjusting my style I was able to play just as well (and possibly just a little bit better) on a scalloped board. However scalloping is not for everyone so I'd recommend you try it first.
I recently had the opportunity to play a very unique guitar... It was a Gibson Les Paul (with a nice flame maple-amber top) with EMG's and a fully scalloped fretboard. I had only played a guitar with a scalloped board once before and then didn't really get a chance to get a hang of it... but I actually got to sit down with this one and this is what I can tell you.
Scalloping offers TOTAL control over the strings. Therefore it also allows you TOTAL control to screw up
I play with a fairly light touch and it only took me a few mintues to adjust to the fact that there was no wood under my fingers. Here was my experience:PROS-
- Vibrato and bends were waaaaay easier and allowed total freedom of movement so long as you didn't fall off the fretboard. It was pretty liquid smooth. You could even get vibrato by pushing down harder on the strings!
- Tone seemed to sustain just a little bit longer.
- Attack and percussiveness of notes were pronounced and made for a more "open" tone.
Cons-
- My only gripe was that having such total control over the strings made it seem like I'd been playing very heavy-handedly, so I had to get used to not pressing quite as hard or else the strings would slip out from under my fingers or my fingertip would fall off the string into the scallop! Also the note would go out of tune if I pressed too hard. But once I relaxed ajdusted my grip a little bit I was playing much better, as sweeps, trills, and legato techniques became easier. My energy wasn't focused on force now as much as it was on accuracy.
- Playing barre and open chords felt a little bit weird.
In a ntushell... it took a little getting used to but after adjusting my style I was able to play just as well (and possibly just a little bit better) on a scalloped board. However scalloping is not for everyone so I'd recommend you try it first.
