Scalloped necks : Blackmore strat or Malmsteen strat ?

[stompboxfreak72]

I decided it was time to buy a proper strat. I played a Fender Elite in the SSS configuration and I loved the neck on it. I wanted a humbucker though so I tried a HSS one a few days later and the guitar did not speak to me. I went back and have visited that SSS Elite strat 4 times now and I love it. The problem is the price. $1899 for a strat seems awful steep. You can get a custom shop or go Suhr or Luxxtone when you get in the 2k range. Then I tried a Blackmore strat.......

The Blackmore Strat was used and tuned down a half or whole step. It was not very versatile like the Elite but I was cooking on that scalloped neck. I mean I hit a new gear on it. Again it was detuned and needed some work so I left to perform my due diligence.

I decided I wanted the Black ore so I called Sam Ash the next day and asked that they set it up in standard tuning and hold it for me for 24 hours but I would be in that afternoon. Im disabled and of course I had a bad few days and I did not make it in until 2 days later. Apparently the set up was great because the guitar sold and an employee told me that after the setup he wanted to buy it too but it got snagged. I was so bummed.

The Blackmore is notorious for being poorly set up out of the box and it seems to have a few quality control issues. $1199 is a lot for a MIM strat but boy could I get down with that neck. I have only played a Malmsteen strat one time and it was used and set up so horribly that it was unplayable. I know scalloped necks take a bit of getting used to but the Blackmore put me in a new gear. But for $1699 Im thinking I should consider the Malmsteen. Of course now I cant find either one locally and the Fender Elite is still calling my name. Its more versatile but shredding makes me so happy versatility be damned.

Anyone have a Malmsteen vs Blackmore opinion ? I am not big on signature instruments and Im no Blackmore fan but that neck was sick. I would love some strat opinions before I get trigger happy and get the Blackmore.

 

[Dave L]

At least if we´re talking the current Malmsteen they are very different. U-shape on the Blackmore versus modern C on the Malmsteen, vintage frets versus super jumbo and also the scalloping on the Malmsteen is much deeper all over the board.

 

[sandman]

I'd love to have a Malmsteen Strat. I get along with large frets and scalloped necks just fine.

 

[snowdog]

I have 2 Warmoth scalloped necks, can't stand Fender's 9.5 radius. I'd skip the newer YJM strats also, the scallops are too deep.

 

[stompboxfreak72]

The Malmsteen I played was not pleasing but I attributed it to a very poor set up. The Blackmoore scalloped neck was way less pronounced and played like butter. Based on my experience it would be the Blackmore hands down but I know the Malmsteen I played was a mess. Of course since I cannot find either to demo I thought I'd pose the question on here.

 

[Dave L]

I´d say the older Malmsteen you can find the more it would be like the Blackmore you tried. I know the scalloping has gone deeper and the frets grown bigger, but I also think the neck has become flatter and/or thinner as well.

 

[stompboxfreak72]

I´d say the older Malmsteen you can find the more it would be like the Blackmore you tried. I know the scalloping has gone deeper and the frets grown bigger, but I also think the neck has become flatter and/or thinner as well.

Thank you Dave L ! You definetely possess a knowledge of Fenders that I do not.

I would just order a Blackmore but I know that out of the box Im going to be disappointed if the reviews I read mean anything. The one I played was great but detuned and bringing it up to standard might kill the fun I had playing it. I think I really want to play before I buy in this case which will take awhile as nothing seems to be popping up in my area.

Ive still not ruled out the Elite. The neck on that is sick but I played 3 and only loved one of them. It was way more versatile but the scalloped Blackmore was more fun......its always something.

 

[Dave L]

Yeah, don´t discount the fact that it was detuned. The lower tension might be why you liked it so much, just as much as the scalloping. The scalloping really doesn´t make something more effortless to play, if that is what you were experiencing.

 

[stompboxfreak72]

Yeah, don´t discount the fact that it was detuned. The lower tension might be why you liked it so much, just as much as the scalloping. The scalloping really doesn´t make something more effortless to play, if that is what you were experiencing.

Completely agreed. A half step can make a world of difference and although I definitely was shredding up and down the neck I knew that the detuning might be responsible for that. Its why I called and asked them to set it up in standard but unfortunately someone else beat me back to it. Im not sold on it. Its MIM and not historically accurate to Blackmore and I'd like it better if it was not a sig strat. It was not very versatile. I have found a company that scallops necks and I might just send in a low end superstrat and have it scalloped to Blackmore likeness for giggles. Id only be out $150 and if it ruins the guitar or neck Im not really out much.

If nothing else this whole project keeps me distracted and busy for awhile until another piece of gear strikes my fancy.

 

[mooncobra]

new yngwie frets are scalloped too deep, look for an older model.

check this, good deal, but there is a stacked humbucker in the bridge.
https://reverb.com/item/498493-fender-y ... sonic-blue

look at this 89, the frets are not nearly as deep. its from ishibashi music and they will definitely deal and go lower in price.
https://reverb.com/item/2046226-fender- ... aster-1989

I have played the newer and older yngwie strats and I found the super deep scalloped frets harder to play than the shallower scalloped frets.

 

[mooncobra]

what about rock n roll relics blackmore? I have seen some online that looked cool, but I don't remember if they have scalloped neck. there was a couple on guitar center website used. both were good deals I remember. probably gone but worth checking out.