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Scalloped Frets

#4
Just make sure it doesn't end up looking like this:

m4448307-3012.jpg


:hiding:
 
#11
I have scalloped several guitar necks and a few bass necks...

It is time consuming and IMHO not worth it except on the upper frets.. The strings will feel very high even if the action is really low...

also.. the rat tail file will NOT leave the board smooth at all... the unfinished wood will want to "fur-out" so you will need to do alot of work to make the area smooth like regular fret board... I put oil on board and use a razor to scrape fur away... then I go with fine sand paper and finish... Rosewood is WAY easier than maple.. maple will get horribly stained.

On wider frets you will need to work from actual fret to the center of the 2 frets.. this gets kinda tricky..
Best thing to do in this case is to use the rat tail file and scallop the center to about 3/4 desired depth.. then start from actual fret and work to the center.. IF you go beyond 3/4 depth first then when you start scalloping from actual fret you will actually end up making the total scallop way to deep.. :) my first scallop job was WAY to deep.. ahhaha
 
#12
Duely Noted :)

jschwalls said:
I have scalloped several guitar necks and a few bass necks...

It is time consuming and IMHO not worth it except on the upper frets.. The strings will feel very high even if the action is really low...

also.. the rat tail file will NOT leave the board smooth at all... the unfinished wood will want to "fur-out" so you will need to do alot of work to make the area smooth like regular fret board... I put oil on board and use a razor to scrape fur away... then I go with fine sand paper and finish... Rosewood is WAY easier than maple.. maple will get horribly stained.

On wider frets you will need to work from actual fret to the center of the 2 frets.. this gets kinda tricky..
Best thing to do in this case is to use the rat tail file and scallop the center to about 3/4 desired depth.. then start from actual fret and work to the center.. IF you go beyond 3/4 depth first then when you start scalloping from actual fret you will actually end up making the total scallop way to deep.. :) my first scallop job was WAY to deep.. ahhaha
Click to expand...
 
#14
Spas said:
Excuse my ignorance, but what the point in scalloping one's fretboard? :)
Click to expand...

it gives the illusion of playing faster by requiring very little pressure to fret a note.

i think the entire thing is silly. i like to feel the fretboard. i dont think i could get into pressing on little telephone wires. especially chords on a guitar. yikes. the partial scalloping thing apparently makes it easier to get at those last 4 frets. i never have problems on my non scalloped neck. maybe i just dont get it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fingerboard#Scalloping
 
#15
sonic assassin said:
it gives the illusion of playing faster by requiring very little pressure to fret a note.

i think the entire thing is silly. i like to feel the fretboard. i dont think i could get into pressing on little telephone wires. especially chords on a guitar. yikes. the partial scalloping thing apparently makes it easier to get at those last 4 frets. i never have problems on my non scalloped neck. maybe i just dont get it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fingerboard#Scalloping
Click to expand...

Thanks, that opens it up a bit. Still seems a bit weird in my world though. ;)
 

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