nails and tapping

[andrew]

I'm interested in learning how to play a touchstyle guitar, but want to keep my nails for the classical guitar - is this possible?

I would be pleased if someone could give me some advice.

I wondered about using a scalloped fingerboard - would this present problems with intonation?

[rockola]

I have no personal experience, but...

Wolfgang Daiss, tap guitarist extraordinaire, is a professional lute and guitar player. All his tapping instruments have scalloped fingerboards. At least initially it was precisely for the reason you mention (nails). His playing certainly doesn't show any signs of poor intonation.

[Glenn Drakeley]

I'd just love having a scalloped fretboard on one of my Megatars, Traktor, are you listening ?????????

[rockola]

Why not go DIY? That's how Wolfgang got his scalloped Stick - he just took a large rasp to the fretboard.

[Glenn Drakeley]

rockola,

If I owned a Stick I would indeed take a rasp to it and, after my woodworking skills destroyed the instrument, gasoline and a match !! I will not do it to any instrument I currently own tho, that's why i'm seeking professional help, not for my mental health but for my instruments health !!!

Thanks for the suggestion,

Glenn

[mrINFINITY]

I feel for you andrew, i was coming into this forum today to post that exact same question. Scalloping the fretboard to keep your nails is a brilliant idea, i've sat here months trying to figure out how i could buy a warr guitar and play it comfortably without cutting my nails.
The biggest problem that I can see with it is that when you do pulloffs you might hit your nails on the string, but maybe that could be eliminated with practice.

[rockola]

Glenn, surely there are professional luthiers in your neck of the woods. Scalloping fretboards is probably one of the easiest jobs they do. If yours has a maple fretboard it would need refinishing, which would of course drive the cost up. Although, I would suggest getting a spare neck (since the Megatar is a bolt-on design), that way you could easily revert to non-scalloped.

By the way, you can see a picture of Wolfgang playing his scalloped-fretboard 14-string tap guitar at http://www.tapguitar.com/miscpix/wolfgangsurf3224.jpg - I used to have a shot of the scalloped Stick there as well, but it has gone to bit heaven. Come to think of it, Wolfgang also has a Megatar these days, but if I remember correctly it's not scalloped.

[thomas bressel]

i had to do a choice, I cut my nails for 8 fingers tap. But the idea of scalloping fretboard is a very great idea, but it asks any time to get the habit of playing on this kind of fretboard.

[rjgoos]

A fully scalloped fretboard is available on a Tapladder as a $50 option.

(That was a joke, btw)