Serious advice needed here....I'm thinking about trying to scallop my Squier Strat fretboard, since I already have my favorite Fender Strat?

Russel,

I had one guitar with a scalloped neck. I could never get used to it. It was a full scallop job.

The scallop job was a DIY and pretty one one at that. I had to touch it up in a few places. I used various sized rods with sandpaper. I think the trick is to take your time and not try to do a rush job with the scallops. I removed the neck when I worked on mine. The neck pocket takes enough beating as it is. Also it is so easy to make cracks around the neck pocket when handling a Strat by the neck. Also, I think it is easier to work on without the weight of the body attached to the neck. Remember to leave enough wood around the frets for them to remain stable.

I'd just send you my neck and save you the work. But I don't think I still have it. Pretty sure I gave it away several years ago.

Later,

Norm

If you have played a scalloped neck , how does it feel? is it weird? And if you have knowledge on how best to do it, I'd appreciate that too...I kinda know the basics that Ritchie used to scallop his necks, looks like using very fine sandpaper to gently make a groove up to about the D string. deepest cut at the high E..and grading it gently up...

Should this be done in a vice with the neck off the body? or can you do it with neck attached?

The Fricking Squier cost me $150......seems like a good guitar to give a shot to scallop the neck, since my 70's re-issue Strat is almost identical to my 1978 American Deluxe, I think I can maybe mess with the Squier now...

So Gentlemen or Ladies? What do you think is the best way to do it, and what do I use to re-finish the maple fretboard after sanding all the laquer off?

Wow, man. OK, if I've learned anything in like 50 years of butchering wood, get a "practice piece", like maybe start with some half-way playable thing from a pawn shop, and have at it. I know you now love your Epi, but your Squier deserves at least some "respect", methinks. Yes, I'd clamp it securely, or all precision is totally hopeless. Bench side-vice, with padding, does well for that. Depending on the bench, 'may not be necessary to remove the neck. Measuring what's going on is a beotch... Once it's gone, you can't put it back.

Helluva project.

Update: Brother Jeff (from the Danny & Jeff Garage Guitar Shop), saw this and expressed some interest in how much it might reduce the rigidity of the neck/fret board sandwich. Now I'll probably see him try it, so DUDE.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnts9K3CkEY

To be honest Russell. I've had the opportunity to play a lot of guitars in my life, Fanned fret, Scalloped Fret, ever seen those necks with the lazer etching as to reduce friction? Yea OK they're a gimmick too, Personally the neck profile and shape means as much to me as the brand of toilet paper I wipe my @ss with, but the scalloped necks just feel weird to me, Fanned? Yea whos dumb idea was this? But I cant think of a better guitar to experiment with than a POS Squier, Go for it dude, Its not like you cant buy a new neck for it on EBay for $10 bucks in case you screw up or don't like it.

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Never played a scalloped neck. My intonation is bad enough already!