How to scallop your guitar?

[funktastic]

hey all!

anyone has any scalloping experience they could share? would appreciate some light on this topic. seems its hardly discussed...

i've done my research but still unclear about some aspects.
whats the difference with a regular scallop and a Ritchie Blackmore scallop?
- i mean in terms of the scalloping.
cos i've read that the Bloackmore scalloping allows one to hold a chord easier as compared to regular scalloping, but didnt find much info on the difference on the scalloping details.

 

[yucki8aby]

bracing or fretboard?

 

[faekildare]

I wrote up something similar a while ago. Not the best guide out there but, I guess the rough idea is there.
http://soft.com.sg/forum/gear-guitar/116580-my-self-scalloped-squier-neck.html

To answer your question, Blackmore does half scallop if i am not wrong, and malmsteen does full scallop.
Now, if you ask me, a scallop is a scallop, the feeling is pretty much the same. It's like,whether u are in a 2m deep pool or in the middle of the ocean. Yur still in water ^^.
Now, personal experience, full scallop are easier in bending, because the fretboard doesn't obstruct your fingers when u do really high bends. All scallops are easy to chord imho. Thats about as all as i can think of. feel free to just drop me a pm if u have any questions. I will do my best to answer.

 

[funktastic]

i mean the fretboard.

so the difference is just the half scallop and full scallop?
in terms of the actual process? its just the same right, only less scalloped?

and thanks for allll your replies guys!

 

[dhalif]

you can use a round file.. but it gets much much harder going down the frets.. if you have a dremel it would be easier.. but just have to control the machine..

 

[funktastic]

i think my dad has a dremel. but i'm sure if i'm up to use it to scallop the fretboard, probably using tools and manual work would allow me to be more precise?
i'm not sure...
arghhhh. confused!

 

[LadyInTears]

LADYINTEARS IS BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


on a side note, do scallop my ibanez for me

 

[faekildare]

Honestly.. even when u use a dremel.. it takes a while before u get to see that scallop shape. It makes your hand less painful when u use the dremel..

 

[relinquish69]

you can try practicing your scalloping using a junk guitar but please dont try it on your no. one guitar for the first time! it needs a whole lot of practice and patience to do so.

anyway, I have tried a Ritchie Blackmore stratocaster a couple of times before. the thing about his scallop is that it is very gradual. flat to round from the last string to the first respectively.

I wouldnt really say that chording would be easier. I felt that it was quite uncomfortable to play on as compared to a Malmsteen stratocaster. very weird to play from the forth string to the 3rd string down. I've concluded that the only thing good about it is the idea to do such a thing to your finger board. I prefer guitar necks either fully scalloped or with some radius. I can definitely feel comfortable changing from on string to another with ease.

you might beg to differ. my opinion after all

 

[firdaus]

hey man wat is the reason for you scalloping your guitar it is much harder for you to play it but it has a better grip and this will definitely improve your left hand coordination

 

[relinquish69]

hey man wat is the reason for you scalloping your guitar it is much harder for you to play it but it has a better grip and this will definitely improve your left hand coordination

I don't really get the question that you are asking cos it really has no head or tail. just random statements popping out here and there. well, I would explain using my assumption.

I assume that you are asking why is it harder to play even though it has a better grip as compared to a non scalloped guitar. nothing to do with improving you left hand coordination by the way.

basically why is it harder to play is due to the fact that your note would sometimes tend to be a little sharp cos you are so used to applying the same strength on the string like you always do on a non scalloped guitar. the trick to playing is to play lighter.

better grip I would say its in terms of bending. you could bend a few step with ease as compared to a non scalloped guitar.

 

[funktastic]

hey relinquish
so a blackmore strat is more scalloped on the higher E string side as compared to the lower E?
i'm just considering what scalloping would be nice, would love to own one without burning a hole in my pocket. hence i'm trying to diy. lol!

and i'm scalloping cos i'm trying something new. and probably gain more experience from this, hopefully learning some skills which can help me earn some money in future?

 

[relinquish69]

actually can go to either music theme or guitar connection to see see kua kua how the neck actually looks like.

scalloping your own guitar not funny man. a truckload of work. even if a shop tries to rush the job for you, it would also take them at least 4 - 5 days. easiest way to get a scalloped neck is buy an allparts one from Guitar Connection. got the old and new Malmsteen kind of scallop neck available.

what Blackmore actually did was use sand paper to sand down the rosewood finger board. super tedious la!

if you really wanna try out yourself, by all means no one can stop you

 

[faekildare]

Yes. I agreed super tedious. I couldn't write properly after scalloping for a day..

 

[superpotato_30]

Pros and cons of a scalloped neck guitar vary accordingly based on the players.

But in general there are a few which are agreed upon:

Scalloped necks provide easier headroom for bending. Players no longer have the risk of finger slipping due to too low action as there is room for them to dig in to the strings to bring out that beautiful bend.

Chord playing will be a bit more difficult as there is a gap between the strings hitting the fretwires and the fret board unlike last time where the guitarist could actually press down all the way till he hits the fretboard.

Moreover, pressing too hard will bring the note of out key.

Scalloping your neck is also irreversible and not everybody desires a fully scalloped neck as it takes too much time and effort to adjust to.

Others prefer a semi scalloped neck. Those who know local guitar tech/teacher Uncle Beez can try his 4 single coil DIY strat. It has a semi scalloped neck.

Fret scalloping has to be even to provide a consistent feel. Amature DIYers may encounter this as a problem. Tryin to scallop the neck is already troublesome, talk about evening it out.

 

[relinquish69]

Others prefer a semi scalloped neck. Those who know local guitar tech/teacher Uncle Beez can try his 4 single coil DIY strat. It has a semi scalloped neck.

that is the allparts neck that I'm talking about. very nicely done cos its factory made. no need to worry about unevenness. Beez got it from guitar connection along with the yellow body. Beez has unique taste .

 

[funktastic]

wowz.
i tired scalloping my neck last night, took me 2hours for 4frets!
but i think i might have gotten the hang of it. just takes more time to even the frets...

 

[faekildare]

The last time i timed myself.. It took me about 20 mins per fret.. But i used Glass paper + wood rasp.

 

[relinquish69]

that is why guitar stores charge so high for scalloping.

 

[faekildare]

Yea... after scalloping the fretboard myself.. I decided never to do it again... LOL.