The Guitar I Couldn’t Give Back! ( Sorry Fender)

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

How many of you guys and gals are rocking scalloped fretboards? Check out the original video HERE - kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJmWgWevhd10aMk

[@phillippitts6294]

I wish! 🖖🏻 I’d like a Kirk esp with scalloped frets

[@ereimul1444]

i got the Malmsteen's Made In Japan. love it. when i first try it, its like playing for the first time. i dont how know how to explain it, i got hooked.

[@yetimatzenightcat8702]

So for me it was like, I just played this one Strat for a year or two and then I had to switch to a Les Paul. That felt like a slap in the face, a real downgrade.The scalloped strat played almost by itself and the les paul was much worse to play 🤷‍♂️

[@explodeder]

Honestly dude, it’s not just you. I can totally hear a difference in your playing. It really does have more attitude.

[@leechild4655]

Man you are right those pickups are sweet! I dont know I have tried the scalloped neck before but, i see the one you have has been setup to perfection. Low action and intonnated etc. Great to find a guitar that fits your one or your playing styles. I would like it too cause I like to dig in and just strangle the neck really coloring outside the lines

[@dontuateytu2557]

Warning: I’ve played scallop fretboard for 30 years…they are extremely addicting,nothing feels or plays like it.If you develop the light touch it does make playing other guitars more difficult..IMO beginners should start with a scalloped fretboard to develop the light touch from the start!!!!… then scalloped will be the norm….as it should be.Less is Less.

[@fredjones554]

So true

[@alexryhanen9227]

Hahahaha Yngwie would say More is More

[@landonbailey]

I like scalloped potatoes, have yet to try that recipe on a guitar

[@judaspriestly88]

I had my Pro II Strat's neck scalloped earlier this year by Joe Stump's luthier at DC Custom Guitars, and it's honestly, without question, the coolest thing I've ever experienced on guitar. You really don't realize how much you touch the fretboard until it's not there, even with extra jumbo frets, and when it's not there, it's magical. Also, I'm not affiliated with Dean at DC, but I would highly recommend his work. My neck came back very cleanly scalloped.

[@RobinDeLeon_]

Ive used them before and the neck came back great!

[@AmericanNationalist852]

​@@RobinDeLeon_ whatckind of guitar did you send him? I think my E-II Arrow is going soon 😊

[@clos5700]

Just out of curiosity what did it run you. Got to cheaper than $5,500.

[@AmericanNationalist852]

@@clos5700 depends. Bolt on necks like my Strat was $230 total, including the return shipping (well, plus $30 to ship it to him), i forget what set necks cost but i think it was around $300, plus whatever it costs to ship the whole guitar to him, which is probably around 60 or 70 bucks.

[@MichaelSorensen-bl3ec]

I've been playing scalloped Strats for literally decades. I don't think I could ever go back to a regular Strat! I've even been scalloping quite a few of them myself. It takes a bit of time but it is totally worth the effort. I prefer the DIMarzio HS3, HS2 and YJM (now called the HS4) to the Seymour Duncan pickups.

[@kitano0]

Robert is such a cool cat it's easy to forget what a beast of a player he is!

[@QuikdethDeviantart]

Yeah, normally only jerks are good at guitar (😂 jk 😉)

[@nevadadesert1906]

I've never seen you that excited to play a guitar. It makes me really want to pick up a scalloped neck and check it out.

[@MAG-li5jo]

I had a couple YJM Fender Strats that were my main guitars for many years. A 2004 red candy apple/rosewood board one and a 2005 sonic blue/maple board one. Great guitars and so nice to have total control of a string when bending, and friction-less vibrato also. I am not sure why more Blues players don't play them. Most people want to feel wood and press too hard when they first pick one up. Just play it like you normally would play any guitar and you will be fine. Most people who tried my guitars loved them. I used to say "just play it like a normal guitar." A few years back I ended up selling them and started going a different direction with guitars and caught the Fender Custom Shop Relic bug.

[@caiusmadison2996]

I've had the pleasure of playing one before, it's neat, I wouldn't want it always, and cording is gone, forget it, unless you depress the strings with the lightest touches, I find it wonks the strings intonation out.

[@SixStringTales]

My parents bought me a Yngwie Strat for my 18th birthday in 2005. Nearly 20 years later I still play it almost every day!

[@rudiyantohalim736]

That fretboard will make bends and vibrato much easier. The Seymour Duncan YJM Fury is a beast. If I'm not wrong, Yngwie use 8 gauge strings 🤘

[@waynehicks1969]

I am a 61 year old player still trying to emulate jazz players from the 50's, but I find this fascinating.

[@hermanodejesus7264]

3:18 less is more..... but don't tell Yngwie 😅

[@daveormand4977]

This is one of the coolest videos I have seen in quite some time! It’s awesome to see a great player and video producer actually light up and get that ‘kid on Christmas morning’ excitement about a guitar!! Great job! Congratulations! Enjoy!

[@jeffdell9472]

Agree with the observations. The scalloped board feels a little odd at first, but once you get into it it’s all you want to use for solos… The pickups are unlike anything else. In a clean channel they sound very soft and vintage. But at high gain they turn into beasts.

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

"Don't hit it so hard"! Were the words of wisdom I still remember from the "Grown up" Guitar players from my youth but I just keep banging it anyway.

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Would you really expect that the guitar that was designed for the Maestro was not perfect? YJM may boast about his guitar and pick ups all the time, but they are as great as he says. I think his Strat has the best tone I ever heard from a Fender.

[@AndrewMasters]

Man that sounds so good!

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

Thank you by dude. See you in a few weeks.

[@mreid01]

Isn't Steve Vai playing scalloped pia's now?Not the bottom 4 frets but actual scalloped neck.

[@kingbrutusxxvi]

I had an opportunity to buy one of these about a decade ago for a great price but, when I played it, I realized I am very left hand heavy. I couldn't play a chord in tune to save my life. Even single notes would go sharp. I thought about trying to lighten my touch but I'd already been playing 30 years so I turned it down. Great pickups (I think the one I played still had his DiMarzio set).

[@Brykk]

The response on those pickups is impressive. Another youtuber, elmo j. karjalainan, uses this same strat model on his channel. Ive never played one, but its bizarre how every time i see someone play one of these that they always become addicted to them.

[@infn8loopmusic]

Yngwie has got the legendary tone! This concept inspired me to make my own signature guitar. I got a mid 90s Ibanez EX series just like when I was a kid 😂 I hydro dipped it this crazy blue and swapped out the pups for two humbuckers for overwound with bright and punchy in the bridge and smooth and mellow on the neck. I also switched to a two knob setup because the damn volume knob is always too close to the strings 🤣 Ive made that mod on a lot of my guitars. But this one I also scalloped the fretboard. I set it up with heavies and tuned it to D. It's a much wilder variation of this idea yngwie has because you've got the Floyd rose and you've got true humbuckers in the bridge.

[@Angel-fz8dr]

Dude you are a savage

[@hendrikfischbach7892]

I own an older version with the DiMarzio PUs. I am nowhere near Robert‘s chops but I completely agree on the lighter touch! I love it.

[@HerrPapa]

John Nathan Cordy is one of those guys who leaves the foil on, even the hang tags are still on there. My eye starts to twitch if I see that. Good Job man! haha.

[@vincenzocallea7617]

Sound is amazing...what gear are you using?

[@arustydodge2111]

Congratulations! So glad that you kept this BEAST, Robert! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🎸⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@cpamiseso]

That scalloped part makes bending has extra 'depth', not only bend the note, you still could press deeper the string thanks to the scalloped part to stress the string and achieve more, hence more pitch raise compared to bending regular fretboard where you can only bend but not pressing the strings deeper... (from what I've experienced)

[@jimmyjames7946]

I always wanted to try one of those. It really sounds amazing!!! 🤘🤘

[@allisonholmesmusic97]

I don’t play in a style where a scalloped fretboard would be useful, but holy crap that sounds incredible

[@RotterStudios]

I had one. I loved it. Amazing for bends, which are effortless. Once you try this, you will find that the fretboard holds you back on standard guitars. The con here is making chords...forget it. You need to press with even pressure with all fingers, exactly, or the chord is out of tune. Not a big deal for metal, but clean chords, nope....especially if you need to stretch fingers to make the chord.

[@hermanodejesus7264]

Not for Jazz for sure.... regular chords np.

[@jasonhoneman1272]

I have one I bought a year ago with the maple neck and it blew me away just like yours did for you! I think the other challenge for me was thinking of what other music these pickups sound “like” and for and discovered they do 80’s pop really well also! The only thing I did to improve this guitar was to actually fold sandpaper and dress the brass nut and then polish it because it had some rough edges that would cause the string to bind while tuning and using the whammy bar. Also using some guitar lube on the slots helped out also! The guitar smells so good every time I open the case! That’s what I call real case candy lol!! Love your videos, man!!

[@PawpawJamz]

Nice rig. I scalloped my 87 Barretta from the 15th fret up. I love it.

[@Guitar_Fella]

I've scalloped two of mine, an '87 Korean FENDER...yes that's what it says on the headstock, I presume it was before the far East countries had to call them 'Squiers'. Anyway, I have also scalloped a 2005 Squier Affinity. Doing this has changed my perspective regarding attack, finger pressure, vibrato, dynamics...and so on. Scalloping changes your guitar playing because you can't apply the same pressure to the strings as you do with a normal neck, because it will go sharp. I agree with Rob in that you tend to play more aggressively, though with a lighter touch, and with more focus and finesse. When I go back to a normal fingerboard, it is like I'm a beginner all over again!

[@L.Scott_Music]

I posted that the light touch would transfer to the other guitars instead of the other way around. I'll add, it might end up being healthier for your hands as you get older. You're still fairly young but time marches on and a lighter grip will be a good thing in your later years.

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

Thats a great point. I've certainly been learning as the years go on the lighter and more relaxed you can be the better it is.

[@mudkatmark]

Are you playing the Artist model or the Custom Shop model? Just curious.

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

Artist model I’d love to try a custom shop one day

[@mudkatmark]

@@RobertBakerGuitar Thanks for letting me know. Thanks for sharing your talent with us. Your thousands of hours of work and practice helps us become better players.

[@Kreln1221]

*It would be cool to do a comparison video with the Malmsteen Strat, and the guitar that inspired Yngwie to go scalloped, the Ritchie Blackmore Strat...* 🤔

[@X9Eric]

Great video, playing and info on the YJM Robert! Love these guitars. I just received my 2023 YJM with scalloped rosewood fretboard this past week, 8lbs 4oz with a neck thickness of 22.74 mm measured with the strings on. Curious as to what the weight of your YJM is and the thickness of the neck at the first fret? Not the nut width but the thickness. Reason is I just sold a 2018 YJM with rosewood fretboard, 7lbs 15oz, that I bought brand new and TOTALLY regretted selling it. So I HAD to buy a new one, but the '18 was a little lighter and the neck was thinner at the first fret than the new one. Just curious. For anyone interested I had the Ritchie Blackmore first with the 7.25" neck radius. Then bought the 2018 YJM with 9.5" radius and owned both at the same time for a season. Both professionally set up by a Fender luthier with floating trems and Fender spec's action. IMHO I preferred the the YJM over the Blackmore due to the 9.5" radius ability to have lower action without fretting out and I preferred the full scallop board as opposed the Blackmore's graduated scalloped fretboard. I ended up selling the Blackmore favoring the YJM. Still favor the YJM but regret selling the Blackmore as it was just dang cool also...... Dang it.... ha ha

[@shoegazeforever8810]

I'm a Strat Cat who has never owned a great Strat (2 x Made in Mexico and 1 Squire). The best bang for buck guitar that I have ever owned is the Nita Strauss Ibanez Jiva 10 (£1,100, 1,300 dollars/euros). The fact that she can pick one off of the wall of a music shop wherever she is in the world and then shred it on stage speaks for itself. I find its 2 & 4 switch positions far more useful than that of my Strats. (Some people bitch about its mid single coil pickup. But if you want a single coil that sounds like a Strat then pick up your Strat!) My top of the range Richie Blackmore Made In Mexico with AlNiCo pickups has the same problem as the Ingwie Malmsteen Strat - a tendency for the high E string to slip off of the fretboard.

[@ravenheart1439]

I was like oh it's a Yngwie signature straight away, never played one but about a week ago I watched him explain what it is about scallops, he said perfectly to me, and made me want to try it, said it's much less work to play...he said it to, can't play anything but scallops...

[@YoureNowOnTV]

I love my scalloped necks. I love the outro song on this too! ... is there a full length version available somewhere?

[@ROOKTABULA]

Maybe a scalloped neck could be my saving grace. In 1988 I bought my first guitar, a black, with silver VH-style stripes and a mirror pickguard (main criteria!). It was a Hondo, Strat styled.. What I didn't realize for the 2 years I used it was that 'cuz the thing had been owned by a slide player, he'd basically lowered the frets to being not much more than fret markers. I have a grip from Hell. FFWD 5 years and at a rehearsal once, I had my lead player grab an empty pop can to show me how much pressure he applies fretting. Barely caved it in. Then I grabbed the can: Dented it. I'm primarily interested in rhythm but maybe a scalloped neck could train me??

[@strangeuniverse1199]

I once had a Hondo back in the 80's. The body was made of plywood but it sounded great and resonated well for a strat style guitar.

[@michaelneppel1748]

I got one of these and have to change the bridge to a narrower one that converts vintage spacing to the modern neck because the string spacing is odd. I love the guitar but the strings are too wide for the neck. The high e slips off a lot.

[@xamislimelight8965]

I played a scalloped fretboard once. Personally, not my thing; I didn't like how it felt like the strings were on a spring board, but I definitely knew the appeal. I might have to try one again, as it's been over 10 years and my opinion probably changed.

[@Nothing-zw3yd]

I can't afford one of those, so I've started building one on my own. Poplar body I'm going to do a black/red burst on, baked maple scalloped fret neck, Fishman Fluence active single coils, standard Strat tremelo, locking tuners, 8 gauge D'Addario strings. Almost $2000 less than the cost of the Fender Yngwie Strat on retail. I played an Yngwie Strat in a music store some years ago, but it seems like every single music store puts 10's or 11's on their floor models. It was dreadful to play.

[@SaintFredrocks]

I have wanted to try one of these for some time. I already have a light touch, so I don't think it would take too long to transition.

[@trusstee1]

the plastic removal is the most satisfying 6:50

[@ryangunwitch-black]

I probably made some snarky comment on the first video but that guitar really is cool. And the stuff you're doing with it is totally rad. I love all that harmonized lead stuff. So good.

[@yetimatzenightcat8702]

Congratulations, a guitar with a scalloped fretboard is a must have, especially if it sounds as good as this one. 🔥👍

[@lesterksi4521]

Loved the ones with scalloped rosewood board

[@usagi2988]

"The heart wants what the heart wants..."

[@draper858]

I owned 1 in blue and I couldn’t keep it in tune, years later my buddy Marks and his was amazing! Fell in love

[@Swampster70]

All of my guitars, strats, charvels, gibson V's, have all been scalloped since the late 80's. I really don't like guitars with a regular fretboard. It feels like the wood on a regular board requires more effort to do anything... ... plus when you sweat, scalloped fingerboards are a godsend. Grip and control for days. Back in the day people said that Yngwie did it for speed - but slightly higher strings and a scalloped board is harder to play fast.

[@MARK-r6c3k]

I def gotta try one now! Congrats on the new Guitar🎉🎊🙂👍

[@tdajk625]

I own the one with the maple neck it is a beast. I also put a floyd rose rail tail trem on it.

[@ymelfilm]

is it also good for chordings and different styles that you showed in this video? Why don't jazzers use scalloped fret guitars?

[@michaelneppel1748]

How is the string spacing on yours? Do the E strings slip off the fretboard like many people say?

[@SixStringJoy]

Always knew I wanted one. Always wanted to own a set of those YJM Duncans too. Now I really want a YJM. Gee. Thanks. Just wish they would be less yellow or come out with a black one. I’d pull the trigger on a black one right now.

[@kospandx]

I remember your making a video some years back about string gauges, where you said that heavier strings were better if you had a heavy touch. Do you find that this guitar, which kind of forces you to be lighter and more precise, has changed your tastes in this regard?

[@goodgulfgas]

Surprised that a shredder like you hadn't played a scalloped fret before.

[@j.bradleyheck1589]

Communist Democrats play guitar ?

[@archinsoni1254]

How does it feel playing chord voicings on this guitar ???

[@AndyDion]

killer intro demo jam! You just need a red Ferrari to finish the Yngwie look

[@optimus3305]

Exactly why I love the HSS, it’s a strat but transformed to be that and more.

[@han36solo]

Totally agree! I bot a Squier with scalloped 12th and up and love the feel. Now I am looking at my other Strats thinkin' THEY need some scalloping!

[@LaidbackChristianLifestyle]

Woah them licks be malmsteamy!!!! 🤯

[@timehrhart2905]

Robert- do you have any issues with the high E string slipping off fretboard?

[@JohnJones-ep7of]

I want to know if it's a thinner style neck or is it a baseball bat style neck ?

[@shanewalton8888]

Long live Lord Yngwie and his battle axe!

[@TheYjmfan]

I used to have one of these it was lovely I really enjoyed playing it me personally I found it was easy to bend chords out of tune😋 I had the older one with the dimarzios /maple neck.

[@torstenbangert4026]

What string gauge do you use on the YJM?

[@watcherzero000]

I wish they had those with a upside down headstock on them. I like the ones he had with the upside down headstock.

[@brownsfan7753]

Congrats!!

[@antilaw9911]

Robert, how hot are those pickups?

[@Twy7chTec_Shop]

In my almost 24 yrs of playing, I've always been extremely intrigued by scalloped frets. Since I'm a 7-stringer, might take one of my project 7-Strings an scallop the bottom 4 frets. Would be neat to see a multi scale, 7-string, scalloped neck lol one day though! Great 👍🏻 vid buddy

[@jirdesteva]

"VIBE" / "FEEL" When I buy a guitar it most about feel. I bought my strat after playing at least 30 of the same models. it is now 22 plus years later and many hundreds of guitars played since it still feels like the one.

[@joker57]

I got same guitar but maple neck 2012. Bucket list guitar

[@MashaT22]

Is a scalloped guitar only for shreddy type stuff? What about other styles of music? That would be an interesting video topic and experiment. Enjoy your new guitar!

[@dekzan]

When you press the string, it will not touch the fretboard, right ? Doesn't it get the note out of tune easily if you press too hard on the string ? I'm confused.

[@CarlosAndres-qj3yv]

Thats exactly what happens and really the point of those fretboards, making a broader and free bending and vibrato, and develop a really smooth pressing technique.

[@BCSJeremy]

Never tried a scalloped fret guitar but have been wanting to try one for quite awhile now.

[@jerryjohnson2421]

great sound,,,,,,sweet metal sound ,melodic

[@jimcrowell5093]

I've often wondered if something like that would take your touch to a different level over the years playing refretted or partially refretted worn down finger boards there waa definitely a difference more attack more tone more feel I'll have to maybe scout the local shops for a scalloped neck for a test drive now 😆 thanks bro👍🎸✌

[@DPG-Guitar]

I'm only a relatively recent Strat convert after donkeys years on Gibson and other hunbucker guitars. When looking for a 2nd Strat I wanted something a bit different, and being a huge Purple/Rainbow fan went with a Blackmore Strat. The scalloping is asymmetrical but otherwise my findings were much like yours but I adapted quicker than I expected to. I was intrigued by the scalloping and it was the difference I was looking for and now it's pretty much my go to guitar. So cool you grabbed the Yngwie Strat, somehow I knew you wouldn't let it go after seeing the 1st vid. And awesome playing and composing.

[@JoeC-bz2ep]

I have always wanted to try a scalloped neck, and own one.

[@timwhite5562]

I used 11s at standard tuning. I'm wondering how they'd work on something like this.

[@mantistoboggan4967]

For those that have experience with scalloped frets - how do they handle full (barre) chords? Is it awkward to fret? Or is it best for solo work?

[@scottwaszak698]

You're so spot in about vibe. It's why I can't go for any EVH -type guitar. It would just mske me wanna crank the gain and delay and such and just wank out. Nothing wrong with that, but I'm really just trying to stay true to my voice:expression, lesser than EVH it obviously is.

[@stringspicksandfiddlestick6388]

Warmoth sells scalloped necks. If you just want to try it without going all in that’s the way to go IMHO.

[@DANWRIGHTITIS]

Nice new Gaff!!! Cool guitar too

[@Braineaters8]

Not a Strat guy myself

[@snicker576]

Same, I have an irrational hatred of them

[@Winstonrodney6989]

What kind of guitar do you like if you don’t mind me asking?

[@Braineaters8]

@@Winstonrodney6989 SGs, Teles, etc.

[@Winstonrodney6989]

@@Braineaters8 SG is one guitar I’ve never played. I’m definitely going to have to try one soon. I’ve always been more of a strat guy but after getting a les Paul recently and loving the sustain I get out of it I am starting to get interested in trying different things. Cheers!

[@Braineaters8]

@@Winstonrodney6989 It’s definitely worth it! I adore SGs with a passion. Certainly my favorite Gibson guitar. Cheers!

[@wolfnstrings]

I wonder if heavier strings could be used while still being able to easily bend. Nice find

[@michaelcox6597]

Hey Robert, does having scalloped fretboard make slides up and down any harder at all? Always enjoy your vids. 🤘🏻

[@Epochstudios]

That ending was more..."End it Prince style" hahaha! Bro I had no idea you could shred malmsteen like. Super dope bro, wish you would do more of that and showcase your roots when you were into American metal like Lamb of god. IMO It is important, very very important to showcase everything you can do and including your roots. You started as a metal guy, what happened? You gotta throw some of that at us bro 😊

[@joelharding1586]

Great video Robert! Now I want to try a scalloped board - thanks...I think!

[@Nightjar726]

Yeah the scalloped neck forces you to play properly from your left hand. You can’t not be accurate plus light touched.

[@brianolson_music]

Awesome playing. Wow - That solo at the beginning was so good. Love it

[@hyperbolekid]

🔥🔥🔥🔥 nailed the Yngwie tone and playing.

[@Gitfiddle]

A warning ⚠️: if you’re a beginner, maybe even intermediate player play one before you buy it. It requires a very light touch and technique to not sound terrible on a scalloped fretboard. The caveat is if you want a guitar that forces you to play with a lighter hand and an ear for pitch it’s a great training tool. If you’re not perfect the chords will sound out of tune.

[@p.shephard2081]

Still haven't tried one; but I can relate to having to get rid of guitars. And the vibe is real, I'm stuck on a Roasted maple neck hss harley benton that I thought I would never like. Your awesome man thanks for the inspiration

[@andrewbecker3700]

Cool guitar for sure, but that giant headstock and blah yellow color isn't. I own a guitar with a scalloped fretboard from the 17th down. ESP/LTD is building some of the new 1000 series models this way now. My te1000 black blast has a roasted maple neck and fretboard with stainless frets, and the above mentioned scallops on the weedly deedly end of it. Really haven't noticed it all that much honestly. Definitely hasn't effected my playing in any negative way.

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

Fair play, never expecting any Yngwie style riffs. Bang on dude.

[@ThisOldGuy3]

I owned a 1st Gen Malmsteen Strat back in the early 90's and have always considered getting another one because as you said it causes you to play different. 🤘😎🎸🏍