Reviewing A Guitar I've Hated For Years

[@ashleyjohansson230]

I hope to be so successful to the point where I even buy guitars I hate someday.

[@marticimus]

Haha

[@johnnewton1830]

Well it’s part of his job.

[@17Codiferus]

@@0000song0000 or... You can buy a guitar you intend to hate, so you can modify it. But it arrives, and you love it. Then you modify it anyways, so you can hate it.

[@kirkscobey3031]

@@0000song0000 that just leads to GAS

[@ramshackleshack751]

I did. It's called a fender. Junk. Bought it cuz someone needed money. Now it's a coffee table.

[@mainframe8962]

Testimony: I was a huge Yngwie fan as a kid, but his signature strat was always out of reach for me in those days. When I finally got enough money to get one, I did without hesitation. I didnt even play it in the store, it was a used 2008, vintage white with rosewood. I drove it home like I was being chased practically, strung it with EB 10's, got it set up perfectly to my liking and played for two hours. When it was all said and done, I was heartbroken. It was not the instrument I was either imagining or expecting. It was so difficult to play. I kept it out of pure love for Malmsteen but for the next several years I barely touched the thing. I kept it on a stand in my room just so I could look at it basically. Finally after 4 years or so, I decided to sell it because I simply couldnt justify keeping it around, they do hold their value, and I hd other things I wanted to fund. I sold it for a very decent price, I think I only lost about $150 on it, said and done. But let me tell you, I was so haunted. From the minute the guy I sold it to walked away, I felt a knot in my throat and for years on it grinded away at me. Ive bought and sold plenty of guitars but this one really bugged me bad. About 5 years ago, I'd had enough. I began hunting on ebay for another one, it was burning me up. Finally I found one in Texas, and I kid you not, it was the twin of the one I sold, it had a serial number that was one higher than mine. I did the exact same thing, I bought it blind and rushed it home, the entire childish routine all over again. Its basically my main guitar now, but now I was mature enough to realize that playing it wasnt highlighting the flaws of this guitar, it was highlighting my flaws as a player. I stuck with playing it patiently, improving my fretting accuracy, minimizing my picking hand movements, cleaning up my chord and note transitions... it did make me a better player, vastly better in fact. It forced me to come to terms with bad habits I'd been able to hide on different guitars, not just in playing but in sound. The single coils hide nothing, they're like knives. Im never selling this one. Its perfect in every way and I wouldn't change a single thing.

[@rainypath96]

Sounds like you forced yourself to like it because of your love for Malmsteen

[@AaronEddieHYo]

​@@rainypath96 that is not the moral of the story that I got at all

[@AaronEddieHYo]

That was beautiful

[@terryhenry4432]

I remember taking lessons at your store off Dobson and Chandler Blvd in the early 2000s. Bought my 1st guitar there and am stoked to see you doing well!

[@dead_yami]

I didn’t even know this guy was in the valley till now haha sick

[@stevebouche4375]

Just as a note. The Richie Blackmore strat has the type of gradual scallop you mentioned. And as a further note Steve Vai lightly scallops his guitars as well. Great Vid!!!

[@RushfanUK]

YM and Vai were copying Blackmore in this.

[@jeroenbron8271]

Well, Flo 3 is fully scalloped.. for a long time already 😊But production models are indeed only scalloped at the last frets..

[@BrunoGarciaMusic]

@@MrSoulauctioneer ive seen a video interviewing his tech backstage and i remember him saying that his pia black and gold has a light scallop in there.

[@wafflehousemafia3814]

Billy Sheehan's Yamaha Attitude basses have scalloped frets starting at the 15th fret.........

[@ThinPicks]

In the very early 70s John McLaughlin had an acoustic with a heavily scalloped fretboard on which he did some amazing sitar-like bends (it also had several sympathetic drone strings inside!) but this was also "post Blackmore".

[@TheRockinDonkey]

I'm so glad Yngwie J Malmsteen includes his middle initial in his name to differentiate himself from all the other Yngwie Malmsteens. -- Michael McKean

[@johndef5075]

That joke goes to 11.😅

[@GreenJeep26]

'Were STAAAARRRRZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!' >> 'I got pipe's I ain't even used yet.'

[@jeremybaker195]

Yah. Definitely. You don't want to be sayin how much you love Yngwie Malmsteen's work and people think you're talking about Yngwie K. Malmsteens thats in prison for gruesome serial murder. Every one might think you're a real sick-o.

[@TheRockinDonkey]

@@jeremybaker195 🤣

[@sea-ferring]

I always thought his middle name was "Fuckin'"...

[@kimmorgan379]

I really like that the YM strat really REALLY is a signature instrument, like, it's not a few standard Fender parts shoved together - it's unique to him and you could not get anything like it without a lot of modding. Not my thing, not my music, but I do admire it.

[@Unchainedmaple888]

This is why I'm a fan of half depth scallops that an artist named Takayoshi Ohmura uses on his signature ESP Snapper, it greatly decreases that cheese grater feeling from fully scalloped fretboards. Just scalloping from the 12th or 9th fret down is also a really nice compromise between chording and shredding. With scalloping, I think companies should still do their best to roll the fretboard edge on scalloped fretboards. There are companies out there that also do half width scallops that only scallop the treble side of the fretboard.

[@-Thunder]

Phil's going to have to keep his eye out for one of those to review now!

[@theharvardyard2356]

The Ormsby RC-1 is like this as well. Only scalloped around the pentatonic solo area up the neck.

[@FangPaw]

You should try a Ritchie Blackmore Strat. The scallops are shallower, deepest on the treble side and also deepest just behind the frets.

[@NK-nk3xe]

@@-Thunder Yeah except that ESP doesn't sell the Ohmura model overseas. I live in Japan, and they are even hard to get here. However, they pop up on Reverb once in a while, so you'd have to keep your eyes open. Another thing, they are VERY expensive. $2000 to $3000.

[@guitar_gnome]

I did a Warmoth build with a scalloped neck. I absolutely love it.

[@hamsterman64]

The timing of this video is hilarious. I recently bought a Richie Blackmore signature Strat, and it has exactly the scalloping you describe, Phil. From the 1st fret up to the 11th, the first three strings have the full scallop. The lower strings have hardly any scalloping at all. From the 12th fret up to the 21st, you've got a full scallop. This guitar is a lot of fun. It inspired me to start scalloping some other fretboards as well.

[@theharvardyard2356]

My experience: I bought a random scalloped LTD off Reverb on a whim for cheap, never having played scalloped. I instantly loved it and am NEVER going back. Had a custom guitar made to my specs with scalloped frets and it's my dream guitar. Any other guitar just feels wrong now. And for the record I play Zippy Slinky strings. So, it all comes down to your technique and your preference, but it's worth trying if you never have.

[@guitar_gnome]

I never had a problem going to scalloped frets playing chords out of tune. It just felt natural, since I never pressed the strings down to the wood anyway. (I do tend to like medium jumbo or jumbo frets anyway). I love my scalloped neck. My one scalloped guitar is a warmoth build with Dimarzio humbuckers (air norton and tone zone). I'm thinking of two more warmoth builds to have scalloped necks: one with dual P90s, and one with classic strat single coils.

[@THEItchybruddah]

Congrats on this milestone in both your playing and awareness of HOW you’re playing. I’ve spent most of COVID time Re-mapping both my physical and mental approaches to the instrument. (Larry is not only a virtuoso but a super sweet human being!). The whole point of the exercise is to grow and learn! You’re sounding great!

[@ericsedei4884]

Glad you’re revisiting the guitar. I have a YJM strat and a Performance that are scalloped. They teach you awesome fret hand control (especially chords),and are great for bending. Now I can switch between scalloped and non-scalloped without any issues.

[@millermmsdj]

That’s my question, how is this guitar for a rhythm player who primarily plays chords.

[@michaelkarlsson5966]

@@millermmsdj if you're more of rhythm player I see no real use for a scalloped fretboard type of guitar. You could try the Blackmore signature strat that has a gradual scallop where most of the scallop is on the treble strings. Meaning you can play the open chords and rock chords like a standard flat fretboard.

[@theharvardyard2356]

Regarding upper frets scalloped vs. lower: Warmoth as well as some other builders offer necks scalloped only from the 12th fret up. Also, some Ormsby guitars feature scalloping only on the upper strings (G, B, e) up around the 12th-17th range. I have one like this and it's pretty cool. Might be worth checking out, Phil.

[@deanmccaskill5495]

I literally can’t play light on one side and heavy on the other. I just tried for like 15 minutes. Never thought of that before. I’ll have to work on that for sure.

[@guitarboomer88]

I love the scallops so much that I’ve done it myself to a few different guitars. It’s mind blowing how much it opens up the bends. Just magical

[@ryanlayton3868]

Hold on… this guitar actually sounds amazing. I’m not a YJM fan so I have never sought out this guitar, but I’m very pleasantly surprised and impressed.

[@Guitarsgunsandghosts]

The yjm fury pickups are great for anything

[@otisotis5016]

@@Guitarsgunsandghosts I agree and mine has the SD’s but this one Phil has is with the Dimarzios 👍

[@sonsauvage]

If you’re thinking of buying this guitar as your main instrument, not just something to add to your collection, you absolutely must put the guitar in your hands and play it before you buy it. Or buy it from a place with a good return policy

[@keithmiller1828]

@@Guitarsgunsandghosts he said it was a 2007 model, that would make these the dimarzio pickups.

[@donbishop6994]

Be careful Ryan, YJM has a habit of getting people's negative statements about him removed and any videos demonitized. He's a huge prick when you hurt his little ego. 🤣😂

[@REXYLAB]

That was the smartest thing I have ever heard anyone say about scalloped necks. The same thing kind of applies to jumbo frets. You can bend a note out of tune just by pressing hard on a guitar with jumbo frets.

[@malamute8257]

Pressing too* hard Everybody should be shooting to fret notes only hard enough to bring the string down to the fret and no further

[@kremepye3613]

Man I'm going ham and sending the finish on my fretboard to the shadow realm

[@REXYLAB]

@@malamute8257 i agree with you. Personally I have kind of a light touch compared to most (super light when you consider i started on drums, then bass, the. Guitar). It is nice to be able to push a little harder on jumbos for effect or vibrato. But yeah, a nice light touch is great for any size fret or even scalloped fretboards. I’m sure you and I can agree that we have both seen people that grab the neck like they’re trying to choke a cat. People who like to play hard like that would probably benefit from heavier strings and smaller frets (imho). Neither approach is more or less correct to my way of thinking. My only point is that scalloped fretboards require a more disciplined approach to not bend the note out of tune.

[@REXYLAB]

@@kremepye3613 Jeepers!

[@maxmustardman298]

Now imagine deep scallops and big ass frets..

[@zanthir1393]

I scalloped my very first Strat when I was just learning as a teenager. Partially to learn a bit of woodworking, but partially because I couldn't stand the glossy finish on the maple fretboard. It really taught me a lighter touch when fretting and I still play it regularly to this day. I only have the one with a scalloped fretboard, but I do really enjoy how easily it plays.

[@chrisdurham6517]

This is why your content is so awesome - You've explored the mysterious scalloped phenomenon before, and then dived in again to update what you've learned. Your practical, honest and humble assessments of gear and concepts is useful in real life. Thanks! And I got the War Party for Christmas - great pedal even at bedroom volume. Another great review.

[@Durzo1395]

So, I've played around with scalloping some of my own guitars in the past after playing a Fake Fender Malmsteen at a guitar store and being intrigued by it. I've come up with a hybrid scallop that's perfect for me; It's on a real mutt of a Strat, too. Zebra print body that was from a guitar I won at an arcade, cheap Chinese neck, and a high-output ceramic Tele pickup from an Indio Tele clone in the bridge. Anyway, I've found that scalloping to a medium depth only under the plain strings from the 5th fret up to the 12th, then under all strings from the 12th to the 22nd was exactly the perfect blend for me. Much better than the mega deep, full-board Yngwie style I tried to replicate in the past. The wound strings stay nice and solid feeling for chords, and the medium depth lessens the sort of "walking on a tight rope" feeling of a deep scallop. It's fantastic!

[@revsharp777]

The whole video is a testament to why matching your technique to what you're playing is so important. It's easy to blame the instrument, the strings, the scale length, etc (pick your poison)...but it's often the player not realizing that one style of playing doesn't fit all instruments or situations. I love that Phil recognizes that his technique plays a major factor on "liking an instrument." Case in point, I've played several Yngwie guitars and while they aren't for me, I could still play just fine on them because I'm already used to big frets, thin necks, super light gauge strings and the lighter technique needed to play them accurately and in tune. And to think, I started out on giant necks and 13 gauge strings. In short, adapt your technique to accomodate a wide variety of instruments and you'll be rewarded.

[@KimmeU]

You would probably love the "Fender Ritchie Blackmore Stratocaster" with "7.25”-radius rosewood fingerboard with graduated scalloping and 21 vintage-style frets. Only the lower part of the neck is scalloped.

[@ransombaggins9301]

It definitely teaches one to play a little differently. And I LOVE that big fat headstock. I'd love to have one of those, but doubt I will ever be able to work that out. Maybe one day! And ya! Let's hear about those other guitars you've disliked so. :)

[@danthegeetarman]

I felt the same since all the scalloped fretboard guitars are so much so I went on reverb and bought a scalloped neck for $99, a loaded body for $86, tuners for $40, then put them all together. So I got an amazing scalloped guitar for under $300. Just had to put in some elbow grease (drill holes, shim neck, file nut) but it’s now my favorite guitar to play 👍

[@MaxSalada]

my YJM strat is the absolute best guirar i've ever had

[@MichaelD8393]

I played one a few years ago and made it a goal to have my own; I plan to make that goal this year.

[@danthegeetarman]

I got my first scalloped guitar and absolutely love it. I feel I get more “speed” out of it when doing fast alternative picking. It’s also amazing for bending and vibrato. I got used to it a lot faster than expected, in fact almost instantly. I even use yngwie’s custom string set .008-46 and it’s perfect. I actually now want to go back to changing all my guitars to those strings. Anyways cool video as always Phil 👍🙏🤘

[@jasonrayburn5551]

Definitely hear what you saying about different experience, but your Definitely a better player than a yr ago and major improvements since you started youtube!! Been with you along time. Better player, great knowledge of gear, and love the content! Thanks for what you do!.

[@christianhunter777]

Howdy, Phil and friends. The finest piece of live guitar mastery I ever personally witnessed was Yngvwie with JLT on vocals on a snowy winters night in '89 or '90 (Heaven Tonight) at Toad's in New Haven. I've witnessed a lot of legends just getting started, and a lot of and so-called greats late in the game, and also quite a few other guys who could play their asses off at least to some degree but at his apex, up in the rarified air where only eagles dare to soar, no one at the time quite touched Yngvwie, as far as his raw talent and accomplishment are concerned, and in all the years since, no one quite has.

[@ItsVictoriaG]

Cool that your playing changed and you have a new perspective on a piece of gear you previously couldn’t get along with! Everything you said about what made the scalloped board (and resulting very tall frets) appealing sounds like hell to me. I’m naturally heavy handed when writing and even heavy footed when walking - it’s like my brain really likes that force/physical feedback. I like feeling the fretboard. I’m sure this is something I could overcome by improving my technique. However, at this juncture of my life, I can imagine being given this guitar upon arriving in hell.

[@jerryfraker377]

I have one of these strats Phil. I play with 10 gauge strings on mine. It takes a little getting used to but it's a great guitar. Not for every thing. I use it as a tool for certain things. Great video.

[@AkiraSpectrum]

This was an awesome video. Very informative! I also very much appreciate your take on instruments as tools that can be used in many ways.

[@blakegilliam8223]

Yes Phil, great advice, don't hold on to feelings or perceptions, they usually aren't accurate

[@PhillipMcKnight]

Absolutely. Said perfectly. thank you

[@michaelkarlsson5966]

Scalloped fretboards are an aquired taste, I think. Ever since being a child I loved the music and playing of Ritchie Blackmore, started playing guitar thanks to him and growing up and reading about him and his playing I read that he had his fretboard scalloped. That intrigued me. Fast forward to 2011/2012 I had the opportunity to buy a Malmsteen strat (2000) and a Blackmore strat (2011) which I did. Played those so much that after awhile my hands couldn’t accept a flat fretboard, much to my dismay! So I had my other strat, a Classic 70s, scalloped too and I loved it. However, between 2015-2017 I barely played guitar because of personal stuff and when getting back to playing I felt I deeply regretted having scalloped the classic 70s strat. I bought another Classic 70 and did not scallop it, super happy with both now! That really opened the flood gates for me! Haha! Since then having bought a CBS 74 strat, then an American Performer strat and even a couple of Squier strats to experiment with! I feel like I’m mad or something and I blame it all on Blackmore! Haha! Just kidding! 😉 Where am I going with this personal history rant? First, you may regret scalloping your favorite guitar, secondly, you can love playing BOTH scalloped and flat fretboards, thirdly, the Blackmore strat is the best of two worlds and lastly, if you have the money and the space; don’t hesitate to buy the gear you want (and think that you need!) You can always sell the stuff later if you were wrong. Thank you Phil for your great channel and content! Greetings from a bluesrock player in Sweden.

[@picksalot1]

Got to say, your playing on the scalloped fretboard sounded very good. The nuanced vibrato sounded very musical, refined, and interesting. I've never played a scalloped guitar, but I guess I should give it a try. I've read that the Steve Vai JEM has a scalloped fretboard on frets 21-24, Kiko Loureiro has frets 12 to the last scalloped, and Michael Schenker has frets 12-23 scalloped only on the first strings only.

[@jimmyjames7946]

I myself also had the same experience. I tried one and it felt so awkward and hated it.. I do see how if you really lighten up your touch you can play faster BUT in my opinion you lose the feeling? If that makes sense.. great subject for video 🤘🤘

[@broncoxy]

I have the last four frets scalloped on my JEM and I always really liked that; would love to try a fully scalloped guitar one day... Also about the thing you said, having like a 'half scallop': Check out Ormsbys Rusty Cooley sig, as far as I know it only has the upper 12 frets scalloped and only for the thinner strings. Great video as always!

[@wishdeus]

When I was younger my dad was choosing between one of these and a Jeff beck sig strat and I got to play both while I liked this one I like the Jeff beck a lot more I actually really loved the scalloped frets and I've really wanted to get my hands on another one but not enough to shell out for one

[@janichmondieu6505]

I agree with you about the scalloped above the 12th fret feeling better. I did that to my TL Squier and it feels natural to my hand when bend that far up the neck. Also, I seldom form chords above the 12th.

[@GregStraub42]

I played for years with light picking and a tight neck grip. I have learned to change that I now play even lighter with my right hand and have an extremely light touch with my left hand on the strings. There is one time that I break that role and that is when I am playing mandolin and chords. Where I tend to be a lot heavier handed in both regards but especially with my picking hand and that is because I'm looking for volume. But with how small The area is to properly fret cords on a mandolin. If I am fist the strings down to the frets, I will pull things out of tune by separating the unison strings with my finger and sometimes the necessary hand shapes don't work properly with a heavy grip. I really think mandolin has made me a better guitar player and guitar has made me a better mandolin player.

[@robertriggs7789]

I have two YJM Strats, a 2008 and a 2014. Great guitars. They definitely helped a formerly heavy-handed (me) player lighten up and play better.

[@wesleykalor5267]

I totally understand. Scalloped guitars are not widely available. I should have been playing them since long ago. I had to adapt to regular guitars by playing lighter and using heavier gauge strings. I also do well on bass.

[@peterjones4621]

Thank you Phillip, I think the lesson I leaned from this is you can learn to adapt to different equipment if you go at it with an open mind. Thanks for the video!

[@abstractsymphony7713]

Awesome review . i totally love YJM Strats since 98 when i first got one but most of my Fender strats anf G&L´s are not scalloped . i prefer Scalloped since i have been playing them for long but i can play very comfortable on my non scalloped necks .Greetings From Chile

[@claudeman]

I've always wanted to try scalloped frets just to get that out of my system lol

[@Bacontruffle]

I am "like that", and I've learned that I actually need to play guitars with a bit more string tension in order to train myself to always press hard enough, because coming from strats, my left hand had become rather lazy. I can be super into the groove and playing digging into the strings with my right hand and still fretting rather softly with my left. Learning to play on singlecuts with bigger frets has helped me, because it forces me to control my pressure, pressing harder more consistently, but not too hard or it'll go sharp. I needed that balancing point in order to get the pressure right, otherwise I'd be paying attention to it for a while then getting lazy again

[@paradiswest4395]

Firstly - I love your channel. I always have a take away after watching. My question is this, your main issue seems to be just the scalloped fretboard, how did you like the rest of the guitar? Pickups, pots, tuners, neck profile etc?

[@livefromadive6751]

I traded for a Gretsch Electromatic at a guitar show. I played it at the show, felt great, played super easy. I apprreciated a number of add ons and upgrades on the guitar, locking open back hipshot tuners, vibramate attachment to the Bigsby for easier stringing and a roller bridge. All those parts in gold to match the original hardware. It was not until playing a while at home and then switching to another guitar that I realized the frets had been essentially flattened. They have all been filed super low, but even and with out any noticeable crown. It does play great, intonation is spot on. Its only noticeable when switching from another guitar to this one. Considering all the care that went into upgrades, this appears to be a choice made by a previous owner. It works great, its just a different approach than I've experienced before

[@nmcg2587]

Hi Phil, this was a really interesting chat. Thanks for sharing your POV on your equipment journey. My first reaction to this guitar was much like yours. Your thoughts gave me a chance to catch up with my own feelings on why this guitar has a right to live. Ya, it's different, but so are playing styles and intrument types (acoustic, electric, 7 strings, 12, etc). Why should a sculpted fretboard be a deal breaker? My point - could I live with this rig? I don't know if it would be my go-to but it would sure be interesting to see if we got along for awhile. I got about 6 other (non-sculpted) types of guitars that I love to pieces and I have so much more to learn and not enough time blah blah blah. . . . Anyway, long story short - I feel it would be an unnecessary complication to figure this thing out. Maybe I'm too old also.

[@jeromestevenfaigin6059]

I'm still a Tellie man with a Les Paul body! Been that way since 1982. Today I'm 65 and willing to make some of my own this year 2023. It's time to detail to alien angle of the neck to each different body and get the shells cut and detail hard-bodies using plastic or wood? Or both?

[@yourguitarist]

I noticed a big improvement in your playing this past year. over all. Thank you for all the years of great content!

[@randrothify]

Hey Phil, It’s so funny that you bought this because I had been watching this exact guitar on Reverb just because I was curious about the scalloped fretboard. But I ultimately couldn’t pull the trigger because I’m not much of an Yngwie fan even though I love Strats. Enjoy your new Strat!

[@michaelkarlsson5966]

you don't need to be an Yngwie fan or a shredder to enjoy this type of guitar. I play mostly blues type of music and I love the control of the tone you get from a scalloped fretboard. the vibrato and bends are so easily done and easy to control. So much fun :)

[@blue.5058]

As Yngwie himself said, you have to “play with your ears” when playing with scalloped fretboards. It’s akin to violinists and the way they approach their instrument- they use their ears to hit their notes just right. It isn’t enough to just hit a fret and getting the appropriate note (provided it’s intimated and in tune). And yes- a REALLY light touch is kind of needed to play on a guitar with a scalloped fretboard. Or at least that’s what I found when I played a similarly set-up guitar.

[@StallionStudios1234]

I am one of those folks that pick really hard and have a light touch. I even use heavy picks (2MM). Was super easy for me to adjust to a scalloped fret board. Took me a day.

[@MrFox5oh]

I played a YM Strat years ago and absolutely loved it. I was not and still am not a great player but I could feel the advantages of the scalloped fretboard and probably should make one one of these days.

[@riffdigger2133]

I started as a professional bassist as you did-and moving to guitars, I bought every brand, including this. The Mulmsteen guitar is FUN especially for the touch. Bending and the addictive vibrato. So nice on the fingers. And playing lighter on the attack etc. Very cool.

[@tonydrozdjek]

Hey Phil, try Ritchie Blackmore signature Strat, it has a different scalloped profile, or do it on a cheaper Squire yor self, you will like it even more. I know I did.

[@mistreated]

Yes. If I’m not mistaken, that is the case. More scalloped as you go up the fretboard

[@briangarber9726]

As a strat..they sound a bit different ...more full. I love the scalloping so much I did a squire strat and then a telecaster. I now have a much lighter touch...no strain no pain. Be well great vid

[@arustydodge2111]

Honest and on point! Thanks Phil. Will probably revisit one of these myself!⭐️👍⭐️

[@donkarnage6032]

You mentioned wanting a guitar with more gradual scalloping. Check out a Ritchie Blackmore signature model. As I remember the scalloping is more shallow on the low frets and gets deeper as it goes down the neck. I've wanted to try one for years but have never seen one in the wild before.

[@NavelOrangeGazer]

Hizaki from the Japanese symphonic metal band Versailles has an ESP/Edwards signature (Japanese exclusive) that is only scalloped from frets 12-24. Vai and Herman Li have the last few frets on their Ibanez sigs scalloped.

[@bbmade]

When I started playing shredding was at its peak and I had two guitars fully scalloped. Playing cowboy chords on a scalloped neck requires a light touch. Bending and playing on a scalloped neck is a dream for me. Now I play tall frets which can also be problematic if you have a heavy touch.

[@jofprexus]

I've always been a light-touch player with both hands, to the degree that I have a hard time keeping a standard-style pick from rotating in my fingers. I've never played one, but I'm guessing that the ultimate scalloped fretboard would be a Gittler Guitar (no fretboard at all)

[@MattPula]

I liked this as a change-up from the deep dive format. The deep dives are great, but it's nice to have something a little more off-the-cuff from you.

[@oldmanzen6682]

I look at such guitars as challenges. Something new and fresh to tackle when bored of the normal practice. Looking forward to your “one year later” video.

[@SocksworthRiffs]

my second guitar ever has some super deep scallops, I basically honed my skills on the guitar and it helped me INSANELY now that I have way more guitars. I just really love scalloped fretboards

[@TranscendentBen]

8:30 "I'm barely touching the string" - but you're doing the rake over several strings with your pick (I don't often do that, I'm guessing that rake is automatically part of your style) and that adds an extra attack to the sound and helps it sound loud.

[@TheDarkmore]

I did a scallop myself on a cheap strat to try it out. I think I went to deep with the scallop did not reached the trussrod but some of the fretmarkers fell out and had to reglue them, it was a full day work with polishing the frets afterwards some of them got hit with the file during scalloping. So playing it I watched my fingertips and when I was doing big bends my finger really was digging in towards the fretboard but there was still like 2mm of a gap, so I refretted another neck changing from medium frets to XL jumbo (1,5mm tall) and they give me the same feel as the scalloped neck. I would suggest before buying a scalloped fretboard guitar just try one with XL jumbo frets, most of LTDs, Schecters have this by default.

[@joshuafreedman7703]

I do not actually own my dream neck, but my dream neck is a Warmoth job: 24-fret, super-wide (1 7/8), '59 LP profile, full-scallop for my S-style. I am thinking that scalloped frets would allow my fingers to get a much more solid purchase on the string for bends and vibrato.

[@Livelaughlimpbizkit2]

I always loved these. I used one for a tour in 2012 or so. I didn't get to practice before using it and I absolutely loved it. Was so effortless to play.

[@thedapperdjentleman4706]

There’s actually a style of scalloping that’s exactly like what you described at 9:03! Ritchie Blackmore does his necks that way

[@mrbigg7255]

I bought mine for church on Sunday morning. I run 10/52 strings. Pickups sound amazing. Mine is a 2018 with rosewood neck.

[@CheshireCatFun]

9:21 Yeah, a half-scallop. Frets 13 to 22. I have it on my guitar. Works beautifully. Warmoth offers a half-scallop option of 12-22. I prefer starting at the 13th fret instead of the 12th fret because it really doesn't make a huge difference where precisely you start and that way you're not messing up any ornate inlays at the octave mark.

[@dvaoa2910]

With a scalloped fretboard, it helps to fret closer to the fret wire.

[@rondavies2571]

My understanding is that John McLaughlin was the first well-known guitarist to use a scalloped fingerboard. Some credit his use beginning with Shakti, in 1974, but McLaughlin was using a scalloped fingerboard in the Mahavishnu Orchestra circa 1971, and may have used it earlier.

[@Nightsat44]

Phil. can you talk about fret size someday? This is so overlooked in my opinion. Companys usually do not tell you the mm size. it will say medium or vintage tall. that doesnt tell me anything. One company's medium jumbo is anothers jumbo. The fret size is just as important as the neck demensions.

[@Blufferb00r]

It's interesting what you say about the strength with which you pick, I usually play heavy music, metal riffs and I use rather thicker strings, for example, for me the "output" set for a 6-string guitar in E standard is 10-52 the lower the tuning, the thicker the strings , for C tuning or B I use 12-62, while I pick very gently. I even have a habit of sharpening the tip of the pick with a nail file to excite the strings only with the sharp tip, it's all easier for me to do this while the strings are thicker because they put up more resistance to the pick.

[@kingbrutusxxvi]

I played one in my local shop about 8 years ago and, despite being excited to try the scalloped fretboard, could not play it. I had never really noticed how heavy my fretting hand is but I kept pushing every note out of tune. I only played the guitar about twenty minutes but it was completely frustrating. Of course with some time I might have lightened my touch enough to enjoy the guitar but I have over 20 in my collection so I didn't really need this one. I will say that the pickups were fantastic (this is when they were loaded with the DiMarzio set) so I can only assume the Seymour Duncans Fender puts in the new models are just as good. Another great post, Phil. Cheers.

[@johngregory7329]

Phillip, From one Bass player to another your level of playing is so excellent on guitar . I would someday love to meet you and jam with you. Not only do you know about all types of gear in general you seem to be a genuine person. I always enjoy & learn so many interesting subjects from you every time I get a chance to watch you channel. Your the Best, You Rock. Signed, John (Zepbass) Gregory, from Munster Indiana.

[@FangPaw]

I'm not a shredder, but I've been a big fan of scalloped necks for years - both the symmetric Malmsteen deep scallops and the Blackmore asymmetric scallops - deepest behind the frets and deepest on the treble side.

[@AllanGildea]

That lime green tele in the background. Beautiful!

[@drippinglass]

I got a 2019 right before the price went up at $1600. It’s a good guitar, just takes a little getting used to. I still have to replace the factory volume control. It’s always on. Great USA quality! 😀

[@Guitarsgunsandghosts]

The richie blackmore model strat is scalloped on the the high strings but not the low strings

[@mistreated]

Yes, that’s what I d seen. I have a ‘72 MIJ reissue with quarter pounders. Total Blackmore vibe minus the scalloped board.

[@BillyE5150]

Good stuff! Your Experience & wisdom are showing…and you are aware of the process, that’s a good thing.

[@wrongSoRight]

Great, now I want to try a scalloped fretboard guitar, thanks Phil :)

[@jeffgualandijr9420]

dude I've always wanted somebody to cover these. I'm a huge fan of him myself because, well theres nobody like him, i could listen to him all day. i never even knew they came in this color. this was really cool to watch. i thought exactly what the second comment on here said and that was, i just wasn't ready. not, what a terrible experience that was. thank you for being crazy enough to do it again.

[@Al_Murdoch]

I've had my own YJM strat for a while . It's a great sounding guitar and my favourite strat by far. If you're looking for less scallop at the low end check out the Ritchie Blackmore models. No where near as deep a scallop with it getting deeper on the thinner strings and hardly any scallop towards the nut. Thanks for posting 👍

[@TheBentNote]

Great video! And I don’t know if it’s already been mentioned but I believe Ormsby does the partial scallop that you mentioned on their Rusty Cooley models! It’s honestly a really cool design

[@michaelmaier7262]

wow.... it's great that you're giving such a candid review. I have kind of wanted the yellow/maple one to work on my touch.

[@viy4616]

Around the 10:45 mark you perfectly summed up my avoidance to get a Malmsteen, lol. I have been perfectly happy with shredding/riffing on my ibanez squad, and playing everything else on a slightly more modern, 12" radius strat. Now, if i were to insert this guitar into my daily practice / gig routine, I'm not sure which guitar(s) it would replace, if not all of the 6-string ones. 🙄

[@simonpedersen4853]

I love that guitar. The newer version with the Seymour Duncan YJM's - Some of the best sounding pups I know

[@jonathanstrand2474]

I’m tall, big hands, rather fat fingers too, I scalloped the top 2 frets on a custom Firebird, very useful above the 14th fret, especially 243/4 scale, wish I had done the top 4 frets! And I probably will at some point, I like to play up there, but 25.5 scale is easier up high, more room, but also stiffer strings as well. Bending takes more strength….Trade off, the PRS is easier up high, yet in between string tension, and a bit more space between the upper frets. Strat or PRS I don’t need scalloped, but on Gibson scale it’s a very good thing!

[@CheshireCatFun]

12:25 Easy. Just grab a Squier Strat that you're not terribly attached to and scallop the 13th fret to the 22nd (21st?) fret and see how you like it. You could even make a video out of it.

[@kenanderson5264]

Very insightful video, thanks. I never contemplated playing such a guitar, but just hearing you have fun with the bends was a revelation. And your comment about graduated scalloping from bass to treble strings is a tip for some inventor/entrepreneur out there. Or perhaps a neck with scalloping graduated from the nut to the high end of the neck-- how would that work? -- Ooops, SunnyD88 and steve bouche have already mentioned in comments that such guitars exist!

[@otisdriftwood3829]

I've long been curious about the feel/performance of a scalloped fretboard. Especially when it comes to the difference between a Malmsteen scallop and a Blackmore scallop. Never had the opportunity to play either...so thank you for this vid.

[@Arifguitar]

I have many guitars and I only play my Malmsteen Strat since I bought it. Amazing guitar I play funk, blues, jazz all genres.

[@angrytroll27]

The scallop your after is the Ritchie Blackmore type scallop

[@B_Wolfen]

Actually, there was a small run of the Korean made Fenix STL Superstrats in the early 1990s that had only the 15th to 24th fret scalloped.

[@dongbiff2443]

Great content and I do believe that the Ritchie Blackmore is partially scalloped

[@BrianSGuitars]

We had one of these at the Sam Ash I worked at. We couldn't give it away.

[@MichaelEMJAYARE]

Very interesting! I would love to try scalloped frets. Billy Sheehans bass with the last few frets on the D and G being scalloped seems like a great idea. Would love to see if you dig that - he has that Yamaha signature of his out. I love your insight - definitely do more of these!

[@malamute8257]

This same discussion is why I never understood people complaining about the feel of fretboard wood. When I fret notes, my fingers don't touch wood. Only the strings.