How to scallop the upper frets of a guitar

[CCR90]

I decided to make this thread for anyone who has ever wanted to do this and mainly minsoo haha.


How To Scallop The Upper Frets


Tools: 1/4" Round File
1/2" Bastard File (half flat, half round)
Electrical Tape or Masking Tape
Sand Paper

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/CCR844/gear/DSCI0908.jpg

Procedure:



To start off, decide what frets you want to scallop. 15 and up? 12 and up? Whichever you want.

To keep the frets from being damaged you'll want to tape up the frets with some masking tape so you dont file them. You can also tape a towel around the neck of the guitar so it doesnt get scratched up. As well, if it is a bolt on neck, take it off the guitar, it'll make a world of difference.

*Note* The scallops arent supposed to be deep. About 1 millimeter deep (from the fretboard, not the actual frets is about all you need. Another way to do it if you want to just eyeball it is to go about halfway between the side fret marker and the fretboard. Like so http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/CCR844/gear/1-1.jpg

To begin scalloping, start at your very last fret, 21, 22 or 24 whatever it may be. Take the 1/4" round file and push and pull it in the center of the fret a few times to get your line. Now start filing it till you get to a depth of about a 1 millimeter (you dont need it deep). Check to make sure the you are even on both sides of the fret. Once that's done, move on to the next fret. Don't worry about the fret markers, you should be fine if you don't go too deep.

Keep using the round file until the bastard will fit inbetween the frets. Then take the round file and start off the fret, continue with the bastard file. Remember, the scallops dont need to be extremely deep. Try and keep the depth of all the scallops the same. Just eyeball it. Its easy enough. The bastard file will also help to get perfect curves.

Once you are satisfied with the depth of the scallops, you can the scallops down with some progressivly finer sand paper. If you have a maple fretboard, you will have to seal the wood. If its rosewood or ebony, just put some lemon oil on the fretboard and leave it soak.

Some pics of the finished fretboard

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/CCR844/gear/DSCI0913.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v652/CCR844/gear/DSCI0904.jpg

[Peg Dizzler]

If I may add some tips...

Keep an eye on the tape covering the frets. Sometimes you can scrape a bit of the tape off and maybe some of the fret if you're not paying attention.

I know CCR90 said this but I'm going to repeat it. The scallops don't need to be deep! Also, try not to go too deep as you might pop the inlay out!

I, myself, prefer different sized wood dowels and different grits of sandpaper for scalloping jobs.

[CCR90]

Aye. I liked the files though, find them easy to work with but a bitch on the fingers.

If you're using sandpaper you wouldnt need to worry too much about the frets though, files ya. I used metal files too.

[Jake=Suck]

Great lesson, im in the process of doing mine now, im only like 5 frets in but so far its good, im just trying to avoid this:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c21/Rincewind5/scallopwned.jpg

[CCR90]

THanks mate. Just take it slow, dont go extremely deep and u'lll be fine.

[HELLonWHEELS]

Whats the point of scalping. Less fret buzz?

[Peg Dizzler]

Whats the point of scalping. Less fret buzz?

You can get your fingers under the strings more so bending is easier.

It won't make you play faster or cleaner or none of that, so if someone tells you that, tell them they're stupid for me. :thumb:

It does, however, give a slightly different feel. Your fingers never really touch the fretboard, so it gives this smooth feeling of playing on air. Kind of like jumbo frets, but better.

[CCR90]

You also dont need to press as hard on the strings whcih gives you more speed or something like that. Plus it looks cool haha.

[safetysynyster]

Sweet Ill do this to my Squier neck

[king of suede]

cool, i've actualy been thinking about doing this, i'll try it out on me old squire p-bass

[rancid22]

im guessing u could then bend the string by pushing it towards the fretboard?

kinda like the space between the tuners and the nut.

[CCR90]

Yep you can do bends, nothing massive though because the scallops aren't supposed to be massively deep.

[so-shoot-me]

hey, i'm just wondering. is scalloping actually worth it. i talked it over with my guitar teacher (he plays shred, hence why i asked him about the scalloping) and he said it ain't worth it. because it messes with your tuning and all that. now i was just wondering about a second opinion

[CCR90]

I don't see how scalloping could mess with your tuning. They are just little dips inbetween the frets.

[LewsTherin]

I don't see how scalloping could mess with your tuning. They are just little dips inbetween the frets.

it wont mess with the actual tuning of the guitar, but it can really mess with whether or not you play in tune. its alot easier to accidentally do bends when you dont mean to, so your touch has to be a bit more careful. once you get used to it, its fine, but it can be funky when you start out.

[CCR90]

True, forgot about that actually. But the scallops are suppseod to make you play lighter.