My latest YouTube video, published at 6.00 p.m. on Sunday, May 10th 2026 covers my recent mini project to research, design and make a scalloped guitar fretboard using Brian May’s Red Special guitar as my reference.
A scalloped fretboard allows players to press down the strings without their fingertips touching the wood. This reduces friction making for easier, deeper string bends, faster vibrato and improved articulation. Yngwie Malmsteen, Ritchie Blackmore and Steve Vai are perhaps the best known players who use guitars with scalloped fretboards. They are ideal for fast solo work but require a light touch to avoid bending notes out of tune.
Andrew Guyton made a Red Special replica with a scalloped fretboard for Brian May in January 2005 after he had approved and play tested a similar guitar. It is close to standard Guyton Brian May specification apart from the scalloped fretboard and is fitted with jumbo fret wire. Brian played it on the 2005 Queen + Paul Rodgers tour and commented that it “liberated his vibrato”. Brian continued to use the scalloped fretboard Red Special behind the scenes as his pre-concert warm-up guitar until he got his Empire Red Guyton RS Transporter in 2017.
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