 | jmoathout says:
12/14/2012 6:49:13 AM
Well, I'm a very new user on one of Doc's scalloped fretboards and am still getting it set up with bridge trials for lower action, so my comments may be premature. The top of the frets are flush with the top of the fretboard and it feels very smooth and comfortable. As described, the section between the frets is hand scalloped to allow intonation. The scallops are rather shallow, so you can get the correct note from just in front of a fret to the top of the next one up the next - not too much different that as tested on a fretted instrument. It's sort of slightly downhill after passing one fret and slightly uphit to the top of the next. The slides seem to go very easily, more of what I imagine a fretless would sound like (I've never played one). I'm in the learning stage on this Doc's. One potential problem I have is overrunning the slide, since (a) it's so easy to slide (b) you don't feel the fret "bumps" and (c) because it's a shorter scale (24"), my muscle memory has to be trained for the correct distance. I think as I get more experience with it, I'll love it - but the Doc's is different in a number of ways vs. Reiters. Doc didn't put position markers on the fretboard, but did put on side dots.
I wish the side dots were a more contrasting color. They are beautiful and unobtrusive, but could be more effective for me if more visible.
|
 | darrenjahn says:
12/14/2012 3:48:59 PM
I have two of Doc's banjos, a fretted and a scalloped. I like them both very much. Right now I'm also testing out a 13" archtop with a radiused and scalloped fretboard. Pat's newest neck design elements are just dynamite. It seems like he never stops improving his builds.
If I had to summarize, I'd say that with steel strings I prefer my fretted banjo and with Nylguts I prefer the scalloped. It just seems like the scalloped fretboard and Nylguts are a perfect match.
|
