I'm a noob. Haven't seen much if any discussions on the Yngwie Signature Series. I'm very interested in adding one to my collection. Does the scalloped fretboard scare people? Never played one and am very interested in trying one out.

One guy posted not too long ago that his YM Strat was weaker sounding. However, if you really want an opinion, check out this link and look up reviews on stuff. I really use this before I even CONSIDER buying something.

http://www.harmony-central.com/

As far as the fretboard goes, you have to watch the tension you put on the string when you hold it down. Holding it down too hard could cause it to change pitch. The action is (supposedly) meant to be high on them, and lowering the action just makes knocking the string sharp much easier.

But that's just what I've read. And if you consider buying a YM Signature, well...good luck finding one. I went to a GC a few months back and never saw a sight of one. The dealer in the next town (which carries the Am. Fender and Gibson stuff), don't carry none. And I've been a loyal customer to them for a year, so...I'd know.

I have seen many people complain about their YJM strats because they sound weak and have no punch at all.... but thats due to the fact that Yngwie matches his strats with nice tube amps and gets the extra gain with the breakup range of his valve amps.... thats how he gets his nice sound... so if you are gonna use the YJM strat with a solid state or a cheaper amp I wouldnt recommend you getting it

Wonder what causes them to be weak(no punch)? Isn't the Dimarzio HS-3 and YJM pickups suppose to be hot?

I did the scalloped neck thing back in the 80's and it was alright (took some getting used to). I went back to regular necks once I got over my "faster than a speeding bullet" phase.

It's a gimmick that works pretty well, but it's not necessary for speed playing (IMO)

It does look neat

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

I did the scalloped neck thing back in the 80's and it was alright (took some getting used to). I went back to regular necks once I got over my "faster than a speeding bullet" phase.

It's a gimmick that works pretty well, but it's not necessary for speed playing (IMO)

It does look neat

YJM Model...again in my opinion, too much money for too little guitar.
If he's your idol then it's a different story of course

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

Your right its way to much money!

Hi bradymoore....i own one of them.The new ones with machine screw neck mounting.
Yes the pickup is rather weak compared to the other Fenders i own cos the YJM and the HS-3 has a low output compared to other DiMarzio pickup i've tried.But i managed to overcome this by playing thru a heavy distorted tube amp and with a tubescreamer.....not metal but sounds good enuff for me playing rock and heavy metal.
As for the scalloped neck...well its the reason why i bought the guitar.I wanted to try and feel whats the hype about scallop neck.Initially when i played, kinda like regretted ever buying but after running thru it a day or two...its not so bad after all.Needs sometime to get used to playing scalloped neck as i've never tried it before....its much easier and kinda "effortless" playing hammering and pulling off...

Give me an example of a Dimarzio with a higher output than the YJM or the HS-3.

IMO the Tone Zone Strat, Area 58 and the Virtual Vintage HB2 are worth trying....not to heavy but still able to get the straty sound..

The YJM's and HS3 are weak as hell. Their output is only 93. Yngwie ain't about power, he's about fast.

The Pro Tracks I use are way higher output at 275.
The area '58 outp ut is 125
The area '61 output is 142
The area '67 output is 120

I like the sound of the pro tracks more than the YJM or HS3 as well. They are single coil size. I've got two of them in my '06 Strat and a Tone Zone at the bridge. It really rocks.

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

HS-3 and YJM and designed to be played live situations, like playing at 10" full on, so hey dont break up and sound like mud, they are suppose to be clean and have good string separation. So the HS-3 is very versatile pick-up its the user that doesnt understand its full potential.

I used the Malmsteen Strat for a number of years. I didn't use the stock pickups though. I replaced them with Area 67's and a Virtual Vintage 54 Pro. Sounding awesome. Not weak at all. The stock pickups are lower output though and kinda gritty sounding like his tone is.

Scalloped necks are nice but they are not without their drawbacks. It's real easy for the high E string to veer off the side of the fretboard since there is no wood there. Also I felt it was a little more difficult to fret some chords since the wood is gone. That wood there really helps give you a sense of stability. Also when fretting you will need to nail the note squarely or it's game over. Not much room for error otherwise your finger will fall off the string.

And the brass nut sucks. Strings will get hung up in the nut. Not a good material to fashion a nut out of so keep it lubricated with graphite.

I'd answer yes, the scalloped neck scares me.

here are my fender yngwie malmsteen signature strats :


- 1989 (early production) FENDER "YJM" YNGWIE MALMSTEEN SIGNATURE USA, SONIC BLUE, ROSEWOOD FINGERBOARD



- my "NUMBER ONE" : 2000 FENDER "YJM" YNGWIE MALMSTEEN SIGNATURE USA LARGE HEADSTOCK, VINTAGE WHITE



- 2007 THE NEWEST VERSION FENDER "YJM" YNGWIE MALMSTEEN SIGNATURE USA LARGE HEADSTOCK, ROSEWOOD FINGERBOARD, VINTAGE WHITE



- 1995 FENDER "YJM" YNGWIE MALMSTEEN SIGNATURE USA, CANDY APPLE RED



- 2000 FENDER "YJM" YNGWIE MALMSTEEN SIGNATURE USA LARGE HEADSTOCK, CANDY APPLE RED


and finally, all of my guitar collections are :








notes:
Guitar :
- FENDER USA CUSTOM SHOP 1960 STRATOCASTER NOS DAPHNE BLUE
- 1997 GIBSON LES PAUL STANDARD TOBACCO SUNBURST
- 1993 GIBSON LES PAUL STANDARD HERITAGE CHERRY SUNBURST
- 1989 (early production) FENDER "YJM" YNGWIE MALMSTEEN SIGNATURE USA, SONIC BLUE, ROSEWOOD FINGERBOARD
- my "NUMBER ONE" : 2000 FENDER "YJM" YNGWIE MALMSTEEN SIGNATURE USA LARGE HEADSTOCK, VINTAGE WHITE
- 2007 THE NEWEST VERSION FENDER "YJM" YNGWIE MALMSTEEN SIGNATURE USA LARGE HEADSTOCK, ROSEWOOD FINGERBOARD, VINTAGE WHITE
- 1995 FENDER "YJM" YNGWIE MALMSTEEN SIGNATURE USA, CANDY APPLE RED
- 2000 FENDER "YJM" YNGWIE MALMSTEEN SIGNATURE USA LARGE HEADSTOCK, CANDY APPLE RED
- 1995 FENDER AMERICAN STANDARD ROLAND GR READY USA
- WASHBURN N4 NUNO BETTENCOURT SIGNATURE GUITAR USA

Amp:
- MARSHALL JCM800 2203, 1995 LIMITED EDITION RED COLOR, ENGLAND
- MARSHALL VINTAGE MODERN 2466 100WATT HEAD , ENGLAND
- MARSHALL 1960 LEAD cabinet (Celestion G12T-75 speaker , 4 x 75 W)

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http://public.fotki.com/Gooswyn