Scalloped Guitar Fretboard

Scalloping is a process of ‘Scooping out” grooves off the top layer of fingerboard wood between frets, creating a “U” or “Concave” shape instead of a flat surface.

The technique produces a similar feel to Tall or Jumbo frets, leaving the player with finger string contact only and generally less to no finger contact surface with the fretboard itself. (See image)

Hand & Pre Done

Commonly, this process is done by a Luthier carefully filing the wood between frets with considerable time/energy and by hand.

Still, with the advent of the Modern Milling process, the player can purchase pre-scalloped guitar necks as replacement aftermarket options at affordable prices.

History Of The Scalloped Fretboard

Although Scalloped necks are not a standard option, especially on most production-line main-brand models, this feature existed in the East before guitars were invented.

The  Veena (also spelled Vina) style Chordophone is one of India’s oldest instruments, going back to approximately 1500 BC.

Chordophone is a name that refers to a class of instruments in which a string is stretched producing sound. (i.e., Bows, Harps, Lutes etc.)

This Instrument has little or no wood between the frets and is designed to produce rapid micro-tonal note variations significant to traditional Indian music. (See image)

Not All Scalloping Done The Same

Scalloping is not the same across the board; you have different process variations for specific needs and wants but it generally falls into 3 categories.

• Extreme Scalloping – This type has lateral intrusions along with the standard vertical hollows, which provide additional versatility in note control but can come at the cost of substantially reducing the rigidity of the neck.
• Full Scalloping – This is a more popular version of this neck design wherein the entire fingerboard is done the same from the first to the last fret, as you would see on a Yngwie Malmsteen Signature Stratocaster. (See image)

• Partial Scalloping – This keeps the traditional fretboard mostly unchanged except for the higher neck regions where scallops appear as half or full frets, designed for better string grab access and control, making it easier to execute high-register solos, like on Megadeths Kiko Loureiro’s guitar neck which is partially scalloped from the 12th to the last fret.

More Signature Guitars With Partial Scallops

The Steve Vai JEM/PIA has a scalloped fingerboard only on the 21st to 24th frets, with that option coming directly from the factory. (See Image)

Michael Schenker has a semi-scalloped fingerboard on his 1984 Greco MSV650 Signature model from the 12th to 23rd frets, but only on the first strings. (See image below)

Different Genres  & Artistic Expression

Despite how we associate this type of design with shredding /virtuoso rock guitarists, Scalloped fingerboards are used in many other modern/alternative musical genres. They can become a part of a player’s unique artistic expression and style.

Scalloped Guitars & John Mclaughlin

John Mclaughlin – Used fully Scalloped fretboards on acoustic and electric guitars in live performances from 1978 to 1979. His music blended Jazz fusion, Classical Indian, Flamenco and Blues.

The exotic Eastern sound he wanted could not be created on a non-scalloped guitar neck without sliding the string sideways on the fret.

Because there is no wood behind the finger as a barrier, McLaughlin found that the Scalloped neck design could provide similar rapid microtonal note variation as on the Veena.

Is A Change Of Technique Required?

Yes!

Transitioning to a Scalloped fingerboard may have a slight learning curve, requiring a change of technique and time to adapt to the new feel.

Also, note that even though some techniques will be more challenging, some will be easier.

Here are some of the areas that we found most relevant.

Change Of Finger Pressure

Getting the wood of the fretboard out of the way leaves you with just a fingertip sitting on the string for contact and not the fretboard itself, affecting feel and play.

Playing aggressively and digging into the fretboard can result in pressing the strings out of tune, causing variances in intonation.

Intonation Variances

Because of the greater sensitivity in the relationship between finger pressure and fretboard, intonation variances are when you accidentally press the notes “out of tune,” which can happen quickly.

The fret itself lets you know when to stop applying pressure based on the sound of the notes, which emphasizes the importance of a good Ear.

Too much finger pressure can push beyond the pitch you are trying to reach by raising the fretted note too sharp. A tonal division of a 1/2 to a whole tone can be expected, affecting your solo play.

Change On String Bending & Vibrato

Your fingertips slide under the strings more comfortably than on a regular fretboard enabling the player to gain leverage or grip with a lot more ease and control,

This results in pulling off some upward-pitch bends that you can’t do on a regular neck, along with Vibrato techniques feeling more effortless, giving rise to more expression over the notes.

String bending, while feeling more effortless, can be challenging to control intonation and require focusing on your technique and Ear.

Change In Chord Playing

Like soloing, playing chords on this fretboard style is more difficult because applying too much pressure can cause you to bend chord notes out of pitch. This detail makes playing chords rather tricky.

Generally, a scalloped board is less suitable for rhythm guitar playing, chord strumming, and fingerstyle techniques and is far better suited to the lead or melodic guitarist.

Change of Touch

Your touch will need to be lighter by reducing the tension in your fretting hand, typically much more than what the average player doles out, and this will change your technique and become apparent in scale playing, legato, hammer-ons/pull-offs and overall style.

Does This Mean You Will Play Faster?

No!

This type of fingerboard is not a ticket to speed/dexterity or to faster playing, and in the beginning, it probably will slow you down based on how heavy-handed you are.

The only way this can contribute to the speed of play is by paying attention to your technique, mastering left/right-hand control, and being deliberate with your touch and attack.

Although many guitarists will be disappointed that a Scalloped fretboard isn’t the key to faster playing, they should appreciate that it will help them refine their technique, which in the long run is better.

Does String Guage Help?

Yes!

Because playing a Scalloped fingerboard requires careful pressure, your string gauge will help in getting control over your touch and sound.

If you play with a heavier gauge string, you will need to stress less about finger pressure; conversely, the lighter the string gauge results in more finger pitch variances.

Guitar virtuosos like Yngwie Malmsteen have a signature string line that starts at .08-.46 to accommodate his playing preference.

Do Scalloped Fretboards Affect The Tone?

Yes!

The reduced amount of wood-dampening between the strings and the frets allows for more vibration, improved sustain, crisp sound and increased clarity, along with enhancing the guitar’s harmonic overtones, which can be particularly appealing for expressive lead guitar work.

Can Scalloping Be Done With Specialized Inlays?

No!

Depending on your level of Scallop and how intricate your inlay designs are, filing away the top wood can affect the inlays of the guitar.

Simple dots or block inlays usually survive the modification well, and again, if you are unsure, talk to your guitar luthier before looking to get this done.

Are Scalloped Fretboards Suitable For Anyone?

No!

If you are a new player, you may find these too tricky and opt for a traditional fretboard until you establish some technique.

For more established players, Scalloped fingerboards are not universally preferred. Many guitarists find it challenging to control and like the traditional feel of an unscalloped fingerboard.

What’s The Point Of Having A Scalloped Fretboard?

A Scalloped Fretboard has nothing to do with playing faster and everything to do with control, precision and freedom of tonal variance, especially for certain types of guitar playing styles.

How Much Does A Scalloped Fretboard Cost?

Personal Preference

Scalloped guitar fingerboards can offer advantages in terms of playability and tonal characteristics, especially for lead guitarists who desire a brighter and more expressive sound.

It requires adjustments to playing technique and varies from player to player.

Some guitarists love the enhanced playability and tonal characteristics, while others find it more challenging to control and prefer a traditional fingerboard.

As with any guitar customization, it’s essential to consider your preferences, playing style, and musical goals before deciding whether a Scalloped fingerboard is the right choice.

For those who do not want a Full Scalloped Neck and have to adjust their entire playing technique & style to accommodate the new fingerboard, look at a Partial scallop, especially in the higher registers of the neck’s fingerboard.

This, I think, gives you the best of both worlds.

• You will not have to worry about playing chords in the higher registers
• Intonation will be less of an issue, for your focus will only have to be on the select fewer frets
• You will not have to change your playing or technique completely; also…
• The extra finger grab in the high fret regions is an added plus.

Ultimately, shooting for impeccable guitar technique and partial Scalloped frets is a great combination.

Did You Like This Article?

Check out my article on Truss Rod Adjustment

Also…

Leave me your comments in the section below, and if you would like me to review a favourite guitar or have any other guitar shop questions that were not answered in the above article.

As always, stay the course and keep playing.

Feature Image Scalloped Maple Fretboard On a YJM Strat Courtesy Of Wikipedia

Guitarist bending a string on a fingerboard Image by Joel from Pixabay

Yellow Hotrod and Guitar Image by Lisa Johnson from Pixabay

Guitarist singing live Image courtesy of stocksnap from Pixabay