Hey!

Just finished scalloping the frets on an old Rockwell Stratocaster-copy, and was just wondering what the experienced Strat-people out here was thinking about it!

It's all done by hand, meaning file and sand paper.

I'll just post the pics and let the experienced guys do the talking!

I can see you put a lot of time and effort into this, but not for me. If you like it that's all that really matters.

I used 4 days.

Haven't tested it yet, since the body is about to be painted.

Just thought to hear what the experienced was thinking about the work, if it is preposterous or whether it is usable, hehe.

Edit: Just fixed som wrong spelling

Looks like something you would use to grate cheese with.

Sorry. I think scalloped frets serve no useful purpose, ranking right up there with "microtonal" guitars in pretentiousness.

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Bill

Looks interesting!

I'm contemplating a minor, one-sided fret-roll, partial scallop for better thumb-over access on a Squier neck that's squared off way too hard along the fret line.

Keep us up-to-date on all that, post pics of your progress!

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"The individual is handicapped by coming face to face with a Conspiracy so monstrous he cannot believe it exists. The American mind simply has not come to a realization of the evil which has been introduced into our midst." J. Edgar Hoover

Oh well, to each his taste in other words?




Thanks!

This is also a Fender reproduction, so i thought "What the hell, why not?!"

The pictures are of the finished product, except the painting of the body. It will be repainted asap.

I don't really get on with scalloped frets, but nice job!

I can see why some people would love them, and for certain things they're superb. Not my personal cup of tea though, I feel lost when I can't feel the fretboard.

Honestly, it made me think of my meth days. However, put me on the list of being happy for you if you like it. Enjoy playing it. Should make for some interesting vibrato notes.

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I have some Fender gear.
(Telecaster, Jaguar, Villager 12 String. Mustang l, Bronco, SCX2, Rumble 350, HRDIII, Rumble 2x8 Neo Cab)
http://www.reverbnation.com/modwiz

I can only judge by looking, I've never actually PLAYED a scalloped fretboard.

From my optical impression I'd say that the scalloping got a little too deep.
It also looks like some spaces between frets are rather boatshaped than having a nice round radius but for doing it by hand it's a fairly good job.
Well, in fact, the shape doesn't matter since the "bottom" of the scalloping has no influence on the playing, it's merely an optical thing.

I guess scalloping is nothing for myself, I even don't like jumbo frets very much. Always wanted to check it out but never got a hold of one.

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Kindest regards from Germany, Dee
My recordings --> http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_mu ... dID=564337
STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!

Very deep scalloped board but great job done.
Roll the fretboard edges it really helps to improve the feel and playability esp. of a scalloped fretboard.

Cheers,
Robin

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http://www.youtube.com/robinstrower
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You're welcome, thanks for sharing!

Curiosity educated the human being, so yeah, why not!

The fretboard looks rough, I'd smooth it out a bit!

Are you going to strip the paint off before you repaint it?

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"The individual is handicapped by coming face to face with a Conspiracy so monstrous he cannot believe it exists. The American mind simply has not come to a realization of the evil which has been introduced into our midst." J. Edgar Hoover

Hey Robin, sorry if I'm asking, but with a scalloped fretboard you don't even touch the fretboard when playing, so why rolling the edges?? It's the rounded fret ends one should worry about, not the fretboard edges, at least that's what I thought!?!?!?
As I said, I never played one!

With a normal fretboard, rolled edges are just wonderful but what does it improve on scalloped fretboards??

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Kindest regards from Germany, Dee
My recordings --> http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_mu ... dID=564337
STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!

I have only ever once played a scalloped neck guitar and hated it. I play a lot of rhythm rather than lead. Most chords did not sound right, I guess I was always pressing one of more strings insufficiently consequently it sounded off key or muted on almost every chord I played. I guess it would help soloing but I just don't do enough soloing to need the help.

Enjoy.

I can see how an unscalloped 'board might prevent the fingertips from pulling the string sharp.

The whole scalloped fingerboard thing tenders to a certain type of playing.. which seems illogical in a kind of sense. (I guess one might argue the same thing about slide guitar.. and so to each his own.) Guys like Malmsteen can go ahead and shred the heck out of them.. I'll enjoy playing chords.

I also think you went a little too deep - be prepared for some work with the truss rod when you string it up.

I get the idea of scalloping the higher frets, but not across the first 12 or so, but, as they say, to each their own.

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Mater tua criceta fuit, et pater tuo redoluit bacarum sambucus