I'm back, with another handy instructable if you're in the mood of cutting up your guitar even more.
This time I will explain how I scalloped my fretboard, and how you can too.
Scalloped fretboards are not very common these days, but have been around of hundreds of years (like the veena, an indian instrument with a mad crazy scalloped fretboard) Recently scalloped fretboards have been introduced to the world of electric guitars through plays such as Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple, and Yngwie Malmsteen. However, they both use full neck scalloped guitars, and this instructable is for a standard scallop, meaning frets 14-21 are scalloped.
So what exactly are scalloped frets? Scalloping a fretboard is when you remove wood from the fretboard so that when the guitar is played, the fingers only contact the string, not the wood underneath, eliminating massive amounts of friction. It is much easier to bend strings with a scalloped guitar, and many guitarists do claim that scalloped fretboards allow you to play faster, as minimal contact with the string is needed (though I have not experienced this, nor have other guitarists I have talked to).
DISCLAIMER: I am not responsible for any harm that may come to you or your guitar. You can scallop you guitar beautifully with absolutely no previous experience as a luthier. Minimal experience with wood is suggested (we've all taken shop one time in school).
Take you time and be patient.
You might want to do this on that old guitar sitting in your garage rather than your brand new guitar
Thank you to everybody who voted in the Art of Sound contest!
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Signing UpStep 1Materials
-Some duct tape, or masking tape
-A rounded metal file (meaning its round all around) Mine was about 5/16" in diameter at the widest section.
-Murphy Oil (any wood cleaner can do I think)
-A toothbrush
-Sandpaper of many variates of fine grit.
-Dremel with a buffing wheel attachment, or a buffing wheel of some sorts. (A rag can work too)
-Screwdriver
-Wire clippers
-New guitar strings
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just did it to my Artcore AF85 an I gotta say, after a couple of days getting used to it, I can freaking SHRED riffs faster than ever, with crystal clarity... (went all the way down to the 4th fret).
Thank you so much for allowing me to take my playing to a whole other level!
I've printed this 'ible and taken it and my Ibanez to my axe-smith...he'll be doing the mod on my other rigs for me, and possibly offering it to his other clients.
5 stars...all the way...good job!
I'm glad the mod worked out for you. One note though, I'm not a full blown luthier though (just a DIY'er who plays guitar), so I didn't mention how to properly finish and treat the wood after you file it. I'm sure your axe-smith (awesome word btw) will know what to do though.
Rock on my friend!
To finish mine out, I just re-sealed the rosewood with a nice wood conditioner, followed by two coats of Minwax ultra poly with a run of 1000 grit between and after. Then I rubbed the whole board down with some super hard beeswax before I restrung it....
Plays like a rocket...xD
But, seriously man, other than beating on my guitars every day for the past 10 years, nothing has ever improved my game as much as this did.
Thanks a bunch.
i have an ibanez S
i dont think it has that
Oh, well- life goes on!
Again, great job!
oh, top-notch 'ible too.
(sorry for my bad english)
i like how it looks....bad whats with the sound?
Great instructable! I may try this, but not on the guitars I have now- (Washburn electric, BC Rich Warlock NJ Series)... I'm going to have to go pawn shopping for a scalloping experiment now! :)