Scalloped frets are most commonly used by “shred guitarists.” The concept is that by “scooping out” a portion of the fingerboard wood between the frets, the players fingers then never make contact with the wood, thus eliminating friction between the guitarist’s finger tips and the wood. This allows the player to run scales with more ease, therefore allowing them to play faster. The scallops are filed out from between the frets forming a U shape either for the entire length of the fretboard, or on specific frets, usually the last four. We would refer to only the last four being scalloped as being a partially scalloped fingerboard. Another popular format for scalloped fingerboards is called half scalloped, and is when scalloping begins on the twelfth fret and covers the rest of the fingerboard. Scalloping is usually done in the factory with a specialized machine that has separate files for each fret. In a repair situation scalloping can be done, but is very time consuming, so it can be quite expensive. It is recommended that a player spend some time with a guitar with scalloped frets before having the procedure done, as many guitarists who are not used to scallops tend to find the instrument much more difficult to play. Scalloping the frets of a guitar also makes it possible to make rapid micro-tonal variation, which is important in Indian music. For this reason, John McLaughlin used a fully scalloped acoustic guitar when he played with the band Shakti. However the most notable player who uses a scalloped fingerboard is Yngwie Malmsteen. Richie Blackmore of Deep Purple is also known for playing with scalloped frets. Ibanez JEM series guitars, designed and played by Steve Vai, come standard with the last 4 frets scalloped. In 2008 Ibanez made available their E-Gen model, a Herman Li signature, which includes four scalloped frets (21st to 24th). Karl Sanders of the death metal band Nile also uses several guitars with scalloped frets, including several Deans, and KxK Guitars. It is important to be aware that inlay is also effected by scalloping, so it would be unlikely that a player owning a heavily inlayed guitar would have the process done. Simple dot or block markers are usually safe. A common misconception about scalloped frets is that they can be used to produce full chord bends. It is a great idea on paper, but in practice it simply doesn’t work.
By Dave Bolla
Grosse Pointe Music Academy Staff/ Certified Luthier
that’s a great picture of scalloped frets and it really makes me wish that I had a guitar with scalloped frets. How much is a job like that? Do you think the RKS black sun would be a good candidate for scalloped frets? It has a rosewood fingerboard.
I think that the RKS would be as good a candidate as any. Scalloping costs start at $25 per fret and can be more than that depending on the situation. In all reality, because of the process, it is much less expensive to have a guitar built with scalloped frets. Scalloping in a repair situation is a much more difficult job than having it done during the build.
How long would it take you to make a guitar from scratch with scalloped frets?
Just a bit longer than it takes to build one with standard frets. 😀
Wow. I have never seen scalloped frets before. Now I am intrigued.
I know. I’m totally interested in getting a guitar with scalloped frets.
Wow, I never knew that this was even an option for a guitar. I’m digging the detail that the scalloping it adds to the instrument. I noticed that you mentioned that it allows an artist to play faster. Would you say that it’s more of a preference thing, or does it actually produce a better sound?
The appeal to scalloped frets is more in what can be done with them in a musical setting. The micro-tonal variation and ability to play more quickly is what artists are looking for when they choose to have this done. There is a difference in the way that it sounds, but normally that difference is not what leads a musician to choose to do this. Of course, some people might have a tonal preference, but when it comes to that, it is more subjective. What I consider a better sound, another player might consider an inferior sound, and vice versa. I would most definitely say that it is a preference thing.
I always wondered how those thrash metal guys played so fast. Now I know. Scalloped frets
Scalloped frets also work very well for playing music with an eastern flavor like John McLaughlin of Shakti