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Post subject: What's the deal with scalloped fretboards?
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:28 am
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I know that R. Blackmore used these and Malmsteen has a signature model, but what do they actually do and how tdo they work?

I read an interview with Ritchie Blackmore where he said that it helped with the bending, but how exactly does it help?

More importantly, hoew does it feel to play one?

Any comments from users?


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Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:33 am
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Quote:
Strat God

The guitar is a few hundred years old and the lute has been played about twice as long. Before metal frets were developed all of these instruments incorporated a scalloped fingerboard - with the 'point' of wood as the fret. This was the norm for centuries. Obviously, the wood wore out quickly, but while it held it's shape it functioned properly.

Even though most guitarists do not know much about scalloped fingerboards they have been in use far longer than today's flat fretted boards and have been a success far longer than guitars have existed.

At first they will feel wrong and odd, but soon you'll see the merits and huge value of a design that is centuries old. Believe me~ if it sucked nobody would still make them. Once you get comfortable with a scalloped neck, I can almost guarantee you'll never go back to a coventional neck again - really. My main reason is this:

Imagine the control you have when you fret a note and your finger only touches the string as it hovers over the wood like a tight-rope act. Every nuance~ every micro-tonal change from pressure jumps out of your amp. Your level of control is unsurpassed. After you learn how to harness this technique you can play lines and phrases with a style, speed and structure level much higher than you currently play. That means more of "YOU" comes through in your playing.

To me, that's what it's all about - Cool


thats what user Strat God said in another thread....

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Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 10:14 am
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Thanks. This explains it. There is also a good explanation on wikipipedia. I just wondered how it felt, but I guess I'll just have to try for myself.


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Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 11:51 am
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bluestube wrote:
Quote:
Strat God

Believe me~ if it sucked nobody would still make them.



thats what user Strat God said in another thread....



You mean no one still makes anything that sucks? Apparently, you haven't driven a Ford lately.

Nah, I keed. But that aside it was informative. On another thread regarding the Malmsteen sig with the scallops I could not understand any explaination regarding any benefit with it. I got the impression that it was just "something you need to get used to" and then you play faster?

Then I saw a youtube interview with Billy Sheehan talking about his Yamaha sig bass..with scallops. His explaination was it allows him to "dig" more effectivly for bends.

I still have not played a scalloped neck yet and if I can find one I want to see what the hype is about for myself. As far as "action" I can't see it making much difference since all physics dictate that the string has to hit the fret first..regardless of how the fretboard is cut.

As far as the statement...
"Imagine the control you have when you fret a note and your finger only touches the string as it hovers over the wood like a tight-rope act. Every nuance~ every micro-tonal change from pressure jumps out of your amp. Your level of control is unsurpassed. After you learn how to harness this technique you can play lines and phrases with a style, speed and structure level much higher than you currently play. That means more of "YOU" comes through in your playing"

... I guess that's a pretty broad claim. None my favorite players (SRV, Hendrix, Frusciante) and others felt the need to use a scalloped neck. Has far as Yingvee/yawgvnie whatever...I would have no desire to ever sound like that. So perhaps it is more a preferance or gimmick..not a crutch.

Anyhow I couldn't care less about how many centuries they used scalloped necks in the stone age or Medieval times...technology has come a long way..it probably took 6 months to build a guitar back then..now we "bang em out" by the gigaton per minute..and they seem to do a pretty good job.

Ok my 2 cents, sorry for rambling.

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Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:22 am
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Yeah, I've played them before. Not a fan of them myself.

They were originally made for, and did well for, instruments that played a much different style of music that the modern electric guitar is made for. IF I wanted to sound like Yangfooey (sp?) and did nothing but that.... I might look into one. For the vast majority of other styles I play, a 9.5 radius neck with nickel frets is perfection to me.

The first vehicles had square wheels on them, far before our "cars" were invented. That doesn't necessarily mean I want to stick to tradition when I drive 45 miles to work every day though.


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Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 9:35 am
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I've been pretty curious about the scalloped fretboards. i just don't want to pay for someone else to do it or replace a neck.
How hard would it be to DIY?
What are the basic dimensions? I have the tools and have some pretty good carpenters on hand for help.
It can't hurt to have at least one scalloped in the stable.


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Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 3:00 pm
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BastardN wrote:
I've been pretty curious about the scalloped fretboards. i just don't want to pay for someone else to do it or replace a neck.
How hard would it be to DIY?
What are the basic dimensions? I have the tools and have some pretty good carpenters on hand for help.
It can't hurt to have at least one scalloped in the stable.


Do a little research on line..I remember reading somewhere not too long ago about some bands that have done it themselves..I guess how it comes out depends on your level of craftsmanship.

I would probably have the "huevos" to attempt this myself but I can bet some here will strongly advise against doing this yourself..but hey..it's only a guitar neck.

I actually am thinking about scalloping a few frets way up on the neck (on my MM SR4 bass..won't butcher my Fenders, lol)... perhaps from the 15th fret on..and just over the D and G string area. In theory (and according to Sheehan) it should give me a little more "dig" when I am playing bends up there..which is not often. But honestly I really want to do it cause I think it will look cool and the bass is already modded to the point of no return anyhow. Sometimes form is placed over function just for "cool" factor... my opinion anyhow.

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Posted: Thu Sep 25, 2008 10:00 am
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I've played a couple of scalloped necks and they are interesting but not for me. It seemed to me like it's more of a speed thing because you don't actually hit the fretboard so with light strings, and a light touch (and practice) you can really blister up a fretboard if that's what you are into. Unless you are a fairly competent woodworker I wouldn't try doing it yourself though.


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Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 2:09 pm
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They do take some getting used to, and it depends on what you're using them for--personally I like the feel of the fingerboard under my fingers.

Also there were fretted, non scalloped instruments before metal frets. They used tie on frets. Of course the back of the neck was "bumpy"--but it was one way it was done before scalloping.

Many Asian instruments have scalloped fingerboards as well.

Check out this site for more info-

http://www.atlasofpluckedinstruments.com/

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Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 3:39 pm
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zontar wrote:
Many Asian instruments have scalloped fingerboards as well.

Check out this site for more info-

http://www.atlasofpluckedinstruments.com/


Hey, that's cool. Thanks.

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Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 3:45 pm
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orvilleowner wrote:
zontar wrote:
Many Asian instruments have scalloped fingerboards as well.

Check out this site for more info-

http://www.atlasofpluckedinstruments.com/


Hey, that's cool. Thanks.


+1...thanks also.

I'd like to see yingvwee shred on one of those....lol

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Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 4:09 pm
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ebaysux wrote:
bluestube wrote:
Quote:
Strat God

Believe me~ if it sucked nobody would still make them.



thats what user Strat God said in another thread....



You mean no one still makes anything that sucks? Apparently, you haven't driven a Ford lately.

Nah, I keed. But that aside it was informative. On another thread regarding the Malmsteen sig with the scallops I could not understand any explaination regarding any benefit with it. I got the impression that it was just "something you need to get used to" and then you play faster?

Then I saw a youtube interview with Billy Sheehan talking about his Yamaha sig bass..with scallops. His explaination was it allows him to "dig" more effectivly for bends.

I still have not played a scalloped neck yet and if I can find one I want to see what the hype is about for myself. As far as "action" I can't see it making much difference since all physics dictate that the string has to hit the fret first..regardless of how the fretboard is cut.

As far as the statement...
"Imagine the control you have when you fret a note and your finger only touches the string as it hovers over the wood like a tight-rope act. Every nuance~ every micro-tonal change from pressure jumps out of your amp. Your level of control is unsurpassed. After you learn how to harness this technique you can play lines and phrases with a style, speed and structure level much higher than you currently play. That means more of "YOU" comes through in your playing"

... I guess that's a pretty broad claim. None my favorite players (SRV, Hendrix, Frusciante) and others felt the need to use a scalloped neck. Has far as Yingvee/yawgvnie whatever...I would have no desire to ever sound like that. So perhaps it is more a preferance or gimmick..not a crutch.

Anyhow I couldn't care less about how many centuries they used scalloped necks in the stone age or Medieval times...technology has come a long way..it probably took 6 months to build a guitar back then..now we "bang em out" by the gigaton per minute..and they seem to do a pretty good job.

Ok my 2 cents, sorry for rambling.


The YJM is the most popular signature model and has sold more than any other to date. You don't seem to understand that if a product sucks it won't sell - that means no dollars to the company, so yes- if it sucks they will stop making it.
Whether you care about history or not is irrelevant - that's what happened to get us where we are now.


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Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 4:33 pm
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The fact that both malmsteen and blackmore have a passion for classical music and that their guitars use a historicaly correct construction method, seems no coincidence. Their styles are very exacting and are immitated by no slouch. It can only lead you to believe theres something in it.


Anybody remember vai's 12 interval octave or satch's attempts at playing fretless guitar, all in the name of hitting some super mystical 1/8th tone note tone those are what i'd call gimmiks.

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Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 5:02 pm
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Strat God wrote:
ebaysux wrote:
bluestube wrote:
Quote:
Strat God

Believe me~ if it sucked nobody would still make them.



thats what user Strat God said in another thread....



You mean no one still makes anything that sucks? Apparently, you haven't driven a Ford lately.

Nah, I keed. But that aside it was informative. On another thread regarding the Malmsteen sig with the scallops I could not understand any explaination regarding any benefit with it. I got the impression that it was just "something you need to get used to" and then you play faster?

Then I saw a youtube interview with Billy Sheehan talking about his Yamaha sig bass..with scallops. His explaination was it allows him to "dig" more effectivly for bends.

I still have not played a scalloped neck yet and if I can find one I want to see what the hype is about for myself. As far as "action" I can't see it making much difference since all physics dictate that the string has to hit the fret first..regardless of how the fretboard is cut.

As far as the statement...
"Imagine the control you have when you fret a note and your finger only touches the string as it hovers over the wood like a tight-rope act. Every nuance~ every micro-tonal change from pressure jumps out of your amp. Your level of control is unsurpassed. After you learn how to harness this technique you can play lines and phrases with a style, speed and structure level much higher than you currently play. That means more of "YOU" comes through in your playing"

... I guess that's a pretty broad claim. None my favorite players (SRV, Hendrix, Frusciante) and others felt the need to use a scalloped neck. Has far as Yingvee/yawgvnie whatever...I would have no desire to ever sound like that. So perhaps it is more a preferance or gimmick..not a crutch.

Anyhow I couldn't care less about how many centuries they used scalloped necks in the stone age or Medieval times...technology has come a long way..it probably took 6 months to build a guitar back then..now we "bang em out" by the gigaton per minute..and they seem to do a pretty good job.

Ok my 2 cents, sorry for rambling.


The YJM is the most popular signature model and has sold more than any other to date. You don't seem to understand that if a product sucks it won't sell - that means no dollars to the company, so yes- if it sucks they will stop making it.
Whether you care about history or not is irrelevant - that's what happened to get us where we are now.


Ok, didn't mean to ruffle anyones feathers, I am sure it is a fine ax for those who like it. But not to open any more cans of worms..there are plenty of things that sell....that suck regardless.

But the remark was not meant to be directed at the Yuywgnie signature strat itself..but in regards to the comment that scalloped necks in general were used for hundreds of years..therefore must not suck. May be true , I was being sarcastic for comic relief..not meaning to insult anyone or any product. But yeah..some things do suck no matter how long it is made..unfortunatly.

If you re read my replay carefully.you will see that no insult was intended..I even said "I keed" about the Ford comment. You will also see I am open minded about trying a scalloped neck. And the last comment where I state "Anyhow I couldn't care less about how many centuries they used scalloped necks in the stone age or Medieval times..." didn't mean to intend I don't care about the history. I agree the remark sounds strong so perhaps I should have rephrased it. I mean it to come across as "regardless" of how many years they were used or made..didn't nessecarily mean that it doesn't suck, and in all fairness..it may not..it depends...and the technological advances in just in the last 50 years or so alone..shadow anything made for millions of years prior.

But my apologies if I was misunderstood..no insult was intended..just a silly debate about sucking vs history I guess...lol

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Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 6:48 am
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In fact, I almost like the opposite end of the spectrum better. I love fretboards that have almost worn out, super short frets, and an almost fretless feel. Those are the ones I play the fastest one.


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