Scalloped Fretboards

[darkshadow54321]

I've never played a guitar with one before and it sounds interesting...

It looks impossible to play! Is there a huge difference? What essentially is the difference?

[Metalblaze]

Neither I played one but I heard people saying that is easier to play, faster, articulation with less press of the strings and easier bending and vibrato. It must be very good.

[Mojoe01]

Isn't a big drawback that you aren't making contact with the fretboard as much? I've been under the impression that the wood used on the fretboard plays a huge role in defining your tone, so wouldn't that effect it in some way?

[Farkus]

I had a Malmsteen strat for awhile...I really liked the scalloped fretboard. It took me a month or so to get used to. But bends are easier, notes are clearer. If you use alot of pressure when you play, it's very easy to go sharp, though. Faster? I don't think so...maybe each note ringing more clearly lends to that vibe. Overall, I wouldn't want to mess up one of my old strat necks, but I have considered getting one made at Warmoth to retrofit, just to take care of some GAS'ing...heheh.

If I had the chance, I'd get that strat back, rip out the DiMarzio's and put in some rails or maybe even full sized humbuckers...it had a great unplugged tone.

Farkus

[3 cent hero]

Isn't a big drawback that you aren't making contact with the fretboard as much? I've been under the impression that the wood used on the fretboard plays a huge role in defining your tone, so wouldn't that effect it in some way?

you're not sposed to touch teh board, string on fret. if your fingies are touching the board your notes are gonna be sharp

[fusion101]

i have a scalloped fretboard and it is the greatest thing ever. I cant even biggen to explain how great it is, quicker arpeggios triplets and all around easiear playability(u just have to get use to having light hands.)

[Hellion]

I've used them before and I like them, but they don't improve your speed. What they do allow though, is for you to get each string by the balls. What I've found with a scalloped board is that you put your ear into action a bit more, because it's so incredibly easy to go out of tune just by pressing too hard on the string.

[the prozac kid]

everyone's different I guess, because my fretting speed DID improve when I got my scalloped Warmoth neck.

the reason is simple really...when you play on a scalloped fingerboard, you have to play with a lighter touch or you'll go sharp. lighter fingering equals less tension in your hand and arm. less tension equals faster, more "at ease" fingering at lightning speeds (when you want it). that's been my experience anyway.
and don't think scalloped necks are just for the Yngwie stuff, they f-ckin rule for blues! radical bends and tearjerkin vibrato that's just pure sick.

another cool trick is pushing straight down on the strings, intentionally going sharp. experiment around with this and you can get some cool pedal steel-type sounds going on!

oh and I'd like to add that it took me all of 2 minutes to get used to playing on scallops. it's really no big deal. unless your fingering hand has the weight and clumsiness of an iron hammer, it's not as easy to go sharp as some people make it out to be. it's really no big deal.

[kmcguitars]

If you play heavy handed ( I Do )You'll have make major adjustment
in your playing. I had a Fender Lead I neck that I got cheap Cuz' it was
scalloped. It was a total nightmare for me Double stop bends whent
Sharp on me,And it seems the faster I play the HARDER I play so my
Intonation whent wacky !! Be sure to play a few scalloped boards to
be sure it fits your style/technic of playing.

[strat_master]

how is chording with a scallopped fret board?

[Mincer]

Isn't a big drawback that you aren't making contact with the fretboard as much? I've been under the impression that the wood used on the fretboard plays a huge role in defining your tone, so wouldn't that effect it in some way?

Actually, the wood has a very small effect..and the wood is still there, you are just digging into it. I don;t think you need to touch the wood on a regular guitar either- if you do you will pull the notes sharp, or at least wasting a lot of energy fretting.
I love my scalloped board- i think the reason they aren't more common is that guitarists lean on the conservative side.

[fusion101]

strat master, chording just like every thing else on the scalloped fretboard takes some getting use to but whats whats u got it down, its either then its ever been. When i first got my scalloped fretboard it took me a while to get used to but ever sence then i havent looked back and firmaly believe that its much easiar to play on, infact i plan on using a scalloped fretboard on all my strats.

[B2D]

I've played a few scalloped boards and I liked them a lot... my only gripe was that when doing vibrato on the top 2 strings kept falling off the fretboard! Vibrato end bending are waaaay easier so I was used to having to do the extra work when it wasn't needed on a scalloped board... so my now overly-wide vibrato resulted in the top 2 strings falling off the fretboards at one end of the sweep! LOL

You really have to adjust your style to be able to get the maximum benefit out of one. But once you do you'll find vibrato and bending are way easier (although you have to be careful controlling the two) and you'll be able to play with less sress on your fretting hand. it is NOT like playing with big frets at ALL.