Yngwie Malmsteen Strat

[BS123]

Hey guys, this is a spinoff from my "Strat guy" thread.

I have been really interested in this guitar for a long time. However, I have been swayed in other directions by other players who, for one reason or another, said, "It's not you." They say, "It's for shredders." Well, okay, I'm not a shredder; but would it be good for me? I have a light touch. My vibrato style is a lot like Gary Moore's. I have heard that pull-offs are easier. What about double-stops?

 

[JeffB]

Re: Yngwie Malmsteen Strat

Hey guys, this is a spinoff from my "Strat guy" thread.

I have been really interested in this guitar for a long time. However, I have been swayed in other directions by other players who, for one reason or another, said, "It's not you." They say, "It's for shredders." Well, okay, I'm not a shredder; but would it be good for me? I have a light touch. My vibrato style is a lot like Gary Moore's. I have heard that pull-offs are easier. What about double-stops?

Well Gary has a really strong vibrato as does John sykes (mentioned in the strat thread, and Gary was big influence on John)..so if yours is similar you may run into the same problems the other poster did. I've modeled mine after those two players as well, but I don't remember it being an issue for me. John Norum also is a Gary disciple with a strong vibrato, and I believe he plays (or did) a scalloped board...at least partially.

Pull-offs definitely easier, I don't recall doublestops being any better or worse for me.

My suggestion would be to head the local Fender dealer and play it as much as possible to prove or ease your concerns, as we are all different. You may find a heavier string guage helps. I personally would go up a guage on that guitar. I know Yngwie uses a heavy top/light bottom set.

 

[kevlar3000]

Re: Yngwie Malmsteen Strat

Is it scalloped the whole way up or just after the 12th? Been many years since I played one. I don't think I could ever dig in and get funky with with it, I need to feel the fretboard to make the greazy junk come out. It seems set to much for finesse which could compromise other elements of playing style. It is a big investment to make on something that might not inspire you in the long term and I would guess it would be harder to sell if you didn;t like it.

 

[BS123]

Re: Yngwie Malmsteen Strat

You may find a heavier string guage helps. I personally would go up a guage on that guitar. I know Yngwie uses a heavy top/light bottom set.

Interesting.... As far as the vibrato goes, I was listening to a little Yngwie today and he has a very strong vibrato too.

Is it scalloped the whole way up or just after the 12th? Been many years since I played one. I don't think I could ever dig in and get funky with with it, I need to feel the fretboard to make the greazy junk come out. It seems set to much for finesse which could compromise other elements of playing style. It is a big investment to make on something that might not inspire you in the long term and I would guess it would be harder to sell if you didn;t like it.

Yes, it is scalloped all the way....

Digging in is a problem huh? Makes me think a bit....

 

[JeffB]

Re: Yngwie Malmsteen Strat

Yngwies Vibrato sounds stronger than you would think if you look at him actually doing it. At least it seems that way to me. It's not like watching Gary or John Sykes shake a note or chord. However he does bend pretty agressively.

I love his subtlety: sometime's he'll do something with the vibrato bar, and you hardly see him move the thing and yet the pitch change is HUGE. Very smooth. Or maybe it's just so darn fast I can't see it

Love watching that guy play

 

[Biu]

Re: Yngwie Malmsteen Strat

I have a scalloped board (scalloped it myself *SX Strat). It doesn't feel too different. Besides easier vibrato and bends, it's pretty much the same as having huge frets. Make sure you use a proper string gauge suited to your touch! I put 9's on mine at first and it was so floppy, everything I played was slightly sharp from the pressure I put to the strings. Then I put on 10's and it was smooooth sailing! I think the biggest advantage to be had is the possibility of using heavier strings while retaining the same tuning and feel as lighter strings.
Best thing to do would be to try them out. I don't think I will ever need to go scalloped again, but it's fun every so often.

 

[BluesGuyJ]

Re: Yngwie Malmsteen Strat

Just because the guitar is the signature guitar of a shredder, doesn't mean it can only do shred. I have an Ibanez JS1000BP (Joe Satriani), and I play ALOT of Jazz on it and it sounds amazing for jazz, nice and warm. I also play a lot of blues with the single coil switch on it. It's all about you man.

 

[BS123]

Re: Yngwie Malmsteen Strat

Just because the guitar is the signature guitar of a shredder, doesn't mean it can only do shred. I have an Ibanez JS1000BP (Joe Satriani), and I play ALOT of Jazz on it and it sounds amazing for jazz, nice and warm. I also play a lot of blues with the single coil switch on it. It's all about you man.

Very astute advice....Thanks....

 

[kevlar3000]

Re: Yngwie Malmsteen Strat

Interesting.... As far as the vibrato goes, I was listening to a little Yngwie today and he has a very strong vibrato too.





Yes, it is scalloped all the way....

Digging in is a problem huh? Makes me think a bit....

For funky stuff it would not be my choice. I know some folks scallop above the twelth fret which could be a cool thing to try. Maybe buying one at Guitar Center with the ability to return it would be the way to go. You could really see if it is for you or not. You can always get a different neck for it.

 

[stratobastard]

Re: Yngwie Malmsteen Strat

yngwie who?

 

[BS123]

Re: Yngwie Malmsteen Strat

Maybe buying one at Guitar Center with the ability to return it would be the way to go. You could really see if it is for you or not. You can always get a different neck for it.

Good advice.... :headbang:

yngwie who?

Malmsteen? :cool2: