232cap
Well-known member
How much difference is there playing on a scaloped fretboard? Love to get a Malmsteen strat but would hate to have to flip it only a few weeks due to it being a pain the the ass to play. Thanks
Code001
Well-known member
That really depends on your playing style. You're going to need a light touch with the scalloped board.
Digital Jams
New member
Yeah you will need a light touch to start, if you are really gripping the snot out of your fret board you will take the guitar out of tune.
Strat+Marshall
Active member
I have one and its a great guitar. The scallop doesn't bother me too much and is great for some things but I still don't feel completely at home with it but its not my main guitar. You just have to try it for yourself.
thiswaythatway
Well-known member
I might want to try another one with a maple fretboard, but that 3 way toggle it pretty bogus IMHO. Gotta swap that out for a 5-way. I like the pickups because they don't make a lot of noise and they got some balls to them. Vintage tone snobs can suck it. 
The 07 models have some cool upgrades like the bullet truss rod. Playing legato licks was strange at first on the neck but it just takes a little time to get used to it. But bends and vibrato are a pure JOY to play on the scalloped neck. I noticed the Blue finish ones aren't as in demand as the Vintage White models so they sell for a little bit cheaper.
The 07 models have some cool upgrades like the bullet truss rod. Playing legato licks was strange at first on the neck but it just takes a little time to get used to it. But bends and vibrato are a pure JOY to play on the scalloped neck. I noticed the Blue finish ones aren't as in demand as the Vintage White models so they sell for a little bit cheaper.
Code001
Well-known member
danyeo":1kgloty4 said:I like the pickups because they don't make a lot of noise and they got some balls to them. Vintage tone snobs can suck it.
Balls? Those pickups are EXTREMELY low output. The last thing I'd say is that they have balls.
* velcro-fly *
Well-known member
Digital Jams":1yv8p3et said:
Not really true at all...and I say that based on having owned two different guitars with scalloped boards. The only way you will be taking your guitar out of tune is if you play with a set of .007's on a regular basis. There isn't any less tension on the strings, and as soon as you play one of these you realize just how much tension is actually there along with the inability to actually push a string down between two frets in order for it to go sharp.
The only reason a light touch is favorable is because you don't have the fretboard below to actually make contact with your fingers - which is why the wide vibrato is so easy with these guitars. Yeah, you might get a bit sloppy with the side to side at the outset, but that goes away.
Having said that - they are really fast necks to play, but not all that comfortable. In the end I found I liked the wood beneath my fingertips.
As usual, YMMV. How bout' scalloped, Floyded and pointy
thiswaythatway
Well-known member
Code001":1cvnjfhl said:danyeo":1cvnjfhl said:I like the pickups because they don't make a lot of noise and they got some balls to them. Vintage tone snobs can suck it.
Balls? Those pickups are EXTREMELY low output. The last thing I'd say is that they have balls.
Compared to other vintage style singles they have "some balls". That neck pickup is really smooth sounding for leads, not too twangy or gangly sounding. Just because they're low output doesn't mean they can't rock out.
70strathead
New member
Great guitar with good tone and playability. I have about 4 scalloped strats, mostly vintage and they all play/sound differently because of the nature of thickenss of necks and aged wood choices. The YJM strat i have is a 2000 and is absolutely perfect. Intonation, playabilty and tone. I put a titanium block on it and it is just pure definiton of string clarity and sustain. Its really up to u to try scallop fingerboards and if u dig it or not. I compare to eating Sashimi..u either love it or not. Once i tried the early malmsteen signature series in 88', i was taken by it primarily because i could express myself more with endless control and finese of bending and vibrato. I also think sweep arpeggios are way easier to execute then a conventional neck...less resistence. I prefer a med/high action because it will sound better on that guitar for some reason. A light/relaxed touch is required. I think the pickups are warm and have a "PAF" quality to them, although they are very single coil sounding. low output for sure which i like, but bubbly and big sounding especially in the neck position when driven by a good OD pedal.
stay away from the 2004-2005...the scallops were very shallow ( squared off ) and the necks seemed thinner.
I played the latest ones and honestly i wasn that blown away because the shape of the neck is different from the earlier models which i find resemble a 71' /72' strat. thinner necks in the newer ones.
Go play it before u buy it.
A
stay away from the 2004-2005...the scallops were very shallow ( squared off ) and the necks seemed thinner.
I played the latest ones and honestly i wasn that blown away because the shape of the neck is different from the earlier models which i find resemble a 71' /72' strat. thinner necks in the newer ones.
Go play it before u buy it.
A
Digital Jams
New member
* velcro-fly *":lhcqerl5 said:Digital Jams":lhcqerl5 said:
Not really true at all...and I say that based on having owned two different guitars with scalloped boards. The only way you will be taking your guitar out of tune is if you play with a set of .007's on a regular basis. There isn't any less tension on the strings, and as soon as you play one of these you realize just how much tension is actually there along with the inability to actually push a string down between two frets in order for it to go sharp.
The only reason a light touch is favorable is because you don't have the fretboard below to actually make contact with your fingers - which is why the wide vibrato is so easy with these guitars. Yeah, you might get a bit sloppy with the side to side at the outset, but that goes away.
Having said that - they are really fast necks to play, but not all that comfortable. In the end I found I liked the wood beneath my fingertips.
As usual, YMMV. How bout' scalloped, Floyded and pointy
I wanted that guitar for shits and giggles when you spammed it
I do want a Yngwie sometime just because well I can and I what to see what I can do on one 