Guitars Made For Fast Playing

The solution for a scalloped neck is to use heavy strings. That way you get the, "playing on air" feeling, and you also get to play barres in tune. I find that the biggest difference between scalloped and non-scalloped necks is that your fingers don't brush the fingerboard when bending, which is cool.

Taso,

I already have an SG actually.

I hear you on the practice. I'm on my 2nd year of guitar as a 37 year old. It's not like I have all day/everyday to practice. Year 1 was about basic chords. Year 2 was about just learning how to get my fingers to play scales. Now my goal for year 3:

* Get moving on those scales with rapid fire riffs

I feel like I'm getting there. I'm getting there to the point where I'm looking for a meaner looking metal machine.

Am I ready for a scalloped neck? No way. Am I ready for a nice metal compliment to my SG.

Yes.

Thanks. KY

Speed is in your fingers.

Thinner necks seem to allow me to play faster because my hand angle can change. Really, the difference is pretty minor.

dont EVER buy a scalloped neck... its just a fad that will pass soon.

Maybe you're right about it being a fad, maybe you're not. I remember Alembic introducing a guitar in the 70s that had the frets, nut, and bridge angled about 15 degrees - that was supposed to give better speed. It never caught on, and I only saw one guitar like that.

Scalloped necks definately seem to have their fans, though, even though you don't see a difference and I don't care for them. Heck, I thought 7 string guitars were a fad - only van Eps and Bucky really worked with them - now you see them all over the place.

If they are a fad... we should all go buy one right now. Know what those old Danelectro guitar/sitars are worth? :)

yeah hehe. hers a shop over by where i live that still sells those they have a really nice 2 neck danelectro. the top is 12 string and the bottom is 6 string. just like jimmy page's sg! (but only danelectro :))

Any thoghts on jumbo frets.

That's not the axe I meant :)

Danelectro used to make a combination electric guitar/sitar with sympathetic strings. It's the one on the left.

Burrell makes an acoustic with a 7 degree cant to the neck.

First scalloped necks...now jumbo frets...what the heck is a jumbo fret?

Jumbo fret = upset elephant :lol:

Jumbo frets may give you better sustain, tone and will definitely make for easier bending and easier fretting. It's like the poor-man's scalloping, your fingers don't have to press down so hard to fret a note or a chord. If you aren't pressing down as hard, you can be lighter and faster.

The big downside? Because of the extra height, if you press down like you would on a normal fret guitar, you'll ever so slightly stretch the strings causing the intonation to go off.

I', m no expert but if I may give my opinion. Obviously speed comes down to technique and the setup of your guitar but I think certain brands do at least help one play faster. I know there are speed guys who play strats but there is a widespread opinion that strats take a little more work to play than some other guitars. I've read where many different "pro's" have said this. I think ibanez as well as some other are better suited for really low action and as far as the curve of the fretboard I don't really know. I do know that when I pick up an ibanez at a store the action is almost always really low already and at least to me makes my strat feel much slower. Also I once had a guitar teacher show me a scalloped strat. He let me play and at least to me it seemed like a note would sound at the slightest touch. If it doesn't work why would they bother. It seemed to me like it did. Any ways pick an ibanez up some time and try it out. Maybe youll like it.

Jumbo frets...got it.

Seems to me that guitar mfgs are doing all kinds of things to help the guitar player play faster...whether it be jumbo frets, scalloped necks, or thin necks.

I've heard of the Ibanez wizard necks. I'll have to try this brand out.

Seems like Ibanez/Jackson/ESP seem to fit in this crowd of appealing to those who want speed while the strats and Gibsons/Les Pauls are more versatile.

KY

Antny, why would who bother?