Do I want a scalloped fretboard?

  • Thread starter Thread starter GJgo
  • Start date Start date
GJgo

GJgo

Well-known member
Hey guys,

So I just sold a guitar and I have a hole to fill. I'm looking at a couple possibilities. One I'm looking at is one of the newer KH-2 models, which I'm a BIG fan of that neck profile, but the ones I'm looking at have scalloped frets from 17-24. I've not played a scalloped board before.

Now, I play kind of heavy handed and there's no way I'd want this at the lower frets as I have problem enough squeezing out of tune with rhythm playing & XJ frets. Up high however you're not squeezing as hard and the spacing is so short I imagine it's hard to squeeze sharp anyway, but still I'm concerned about dropping many Gs on a guitar to find I don't like that feature.

Does anyone have experience with playing a guitar that's scalloped up high? Words of wisdom?
 
IMHO your thinking is sound; the narrow spacings up there should ameliorate to a large extent your fear of pressing too-hard.

I've been toying with the idea of scalloping a couple o' super-strat boards I have for many years 'cause it seems no matter what I do, my fingers stick to the boards when I bend, especially upwards. Down is never a problem 'cause there's skin behind (below) the contact point and it all gets dragged towards one's fingernail/s. Bending upwards pulls the skin away from the nails 'though, so in order to avoid "stuttering" / sticking, you either have to have higher frets, a lighter press or calluses that form a slippery pad on your tips that allows your finger to glide smoothly.

I've tried the callus option - playing more & using methylated spirits to dry and harden fingertips, but this approach isn't sustainable for me, and it's inconvenient, which brings me back to toying with the scalloped idea, which is where I'm at right now and have been for years, as I said.

Hopefully there's something in that for you mate. Just thinking out 'loud really...

I should note that I thought this was a problem unique to me 'cause after much YouTube searching I couldn't find anything on the subject. In the end I just had to figure out what I've shared with you.
 
I have a light touch and still hate them. I have played my whole life perfectly fine and play as fast as I need without them, not something I need now. IMO YMMV.
 
I've only tried scalloped once. I was playing with once Dean Cascione and he let me try one of his guitars and I felt lost - I just pressed everything sharp. it was if I'd never played guitar before. Slop galore.
 
If you are heavy handed you really won't like scalloped feet boards.
 
Thanks guys. I am heavy handed, for better or for worse..
 
GJgo":7oml63eo said:
Thanks guys. I am heavy handed, for better or for worse..
Click to expand...

It's neither good or bad really. But heavy hands and scalloped frets will not go well together. Everything will be sharp.
 
My hands aren't the lightest but I've never had a problem with scalloped frets...I freaking love them!
I wish it were cheaper to get a guitar scalloped, I would scallop them all from 12-24.
It's one of those things that you're just going to have to check out for yourself. The Yngwei strats are pretty common, try to get your hands one and give it a shot before dishing out for the KH
 
I found it a great tool to develop a lighter touch. I had a Warmoth strat neck that was fully scalloped DEEP and it took some serious getting used to but it was cool.
 
I had a scalloped neck . Didn't care for it.
I do however love jumbo frets. To me it gives you the same advantage as a scalloped neck with a better feel.
 
Good point.

I've never had the finger-sticking-whilst-bending issue on Les Pauls, but unfortunately I've also never owned one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top