Scoop vs. Cutaway

Martinlover

Martinlover

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I like a cutaway for the obvious—playing up the neck and ease of barring at the upper frets. But what is the point of the scoop? I like the look of the scoop but as one who’s never really tried a ukulele with a scoop—does the scoop function the same as a cutaway? Or is it’s purpose different?
 
Interesting question. I’d be interested in seeing the answers.
 
My understanding is they both serve the same function: to provide better access to the upper frets. The scoop is supposed to do that while minimizing the loss of internal volume of the body like you get from a cutaway. And of course there are basically two styles of cutaways. Which I can't remember the names of because it's late and I have had a nice Scotch whilst reading the boards.

I know people that play both scoop and cutaway and like both.
 
All of my tenor ukes are cutaway, mainly because I like the look coming from guitars with cutaway, and of course for better access to the upper frets. I know there's this idea that it cuts back on volume, but I don't find that, all my ukes have very good volume, even when I compare them to non-cutaways. Also, no wear and tear on that part of the bout.

Venetian is the more common rounder style, Florentine comes to a point at the tip.

Cutaway Venetian uke.jpg

Cutaway Florentine uke.jpg


8 tenor cutaway ukes, 5 acoustic bass ukes, 10 solid body bass ukes, 7 mini electric bass guitars

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In the past I tried out a scalloped cutaway and I found it didn't offer me as much access as what I finally went with in my custom uke, a florentine cutaway. However those scallops look cool as heck. I will always be torn between the functionality of the regular cutaway and the novel beauty of the scallop
 
I have one of the original James Hill DaSilva with the the wedge. I don’t play above 12th fret often, but I like the access for strumming.
 
I have both. The cutaway allows me to barre an "A" shape at the 13th fret. The scalloped at the 11th fret. Barred "C" shape is 14th and 12th respectively. So a cutaway give a bit more room. However, I play above the 12th and have not had an occasion to play a fully barred chord up there. I can play any of the instrumentals I know with a non-scalloped/cutaway. Although it is easier with more room.

I don't think there is any discernible tone differences between the two features.

John
 
I would like to see someone, not a big star, just a regular person, playing way up the neck that far. I'm sure that there are tons of videos, but I haven't found one. For myself, I can never visualize myself playing way up there.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I discovered the cut away when I bought a used Pono tenor. I am practicing pieces that go up the neck and find the cutaway to be very handy.
 
Rllink said:
I would like to see someone, not a big star, just a regular person, playing way up the neck that far. I'm sure that there are tons of videos, but I haven't found one. For myself, I can never visualize myself playing way up there.
Click to expand...

I disagree if someone is playing fingerstyle instrumentals. If you play a ukulele to accompiany singing, the I have to agree that it would be rare.

John
 
70sSanO said:
I disagree if someone is playing fingerstyle instrumentals. If you play a ukulele to accompiany singing, the I have to agree that it would be rare.

John
Click to expand...

What are you disagreeing or agreeing to? That I can or can't visualize myself playing that far up the neck, or that I can't find a video? :)
 
I like the cutaway - I can move my whole hand up the fret board.

I think with a scallop I'd have to stretch my fingers a bit - so I just stick to using a standard double bout, when not using a cutaway.
 
Rllink said:
What are you disagreeing or agreeing to? That I can or can't visualize myself playing that far up the neck, or that I can't find a video? :)
Click to expand...

I disagree that you can't find amateur instrumentals on youtube that are played with notes above the 12th, I've stolen ideas from them over the years. But I agree that for a vocalist it is hard to visualize playing chords up there... I can't visualize singing to chords played up there.

John
 
I'm amateur, and I play above the 12. The scale on the uke is pretty short because it's only 4 strings, so fairly often I go above 12th. Also.... Sometimes you have to start above the open chords if you want to start or include the root of a chord. In the end though... There's all that fretboard. Just because you can choose not to use the whole thing, doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't.

 
Martinlover said:
I like a cutaway for the obvious—playing up the neck and ease of barring at the upper frets. But what is the point of the scoop? I like the look of the scoop but as one who’s never really tried a ukulele with a scoop—does the scoop function the same as a cutaway? Or is it’s purpose different?
Click to expand...

What you have to do is buy a couple of scalloped ukes and see how they compare to your cutaways. :D
 
spookelele said:
I'm amateur, and I play above the 12. The scale on the uke is pretty short because it's only 4 strings, so fairly often I go above 12th. Also.... Sometimes you have to start above the open chords if you want to start or include the root of a chord. In the end though... There's all that fretboard. Just because you can choose not to use the whole thing, doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't.

Click to expand...
Now I have seen someone play way up there and it was very nice. Well done.
 
spookelele said:
There's all that fretboard. Just because you can choose not to use the whole thing, doesn't mean you can't or shouldn't.
Click to expand...
Being a much simpler soul and easily pleased, I'm very much a "just because you got all that fretboard it doesnt mean it has to be used" person, LOL
 
Dansimpson said:
Being a much simpler soul and easily pleased, I'm very much a "just because you got all that fretboard it doesnt mean it has to be used" person, LOL
Click to expand...

Fair enough. Like I said, you don't have to. But.. it can add variety/texture/color/whatever you want to call it, which is also nice.
 
I like this thread because I am thinking about a cutaway. I wonder if a scoop is enough to form pillar/fret chords. I like being able to play up at the neck.

I also notice that the Kamakas and Kanileas do not commonly have cutaways. I wonder why- demand? Kanilea does make a scoop, but I want to be sure I like it first. Kala has a special edition series with scoops, may try that out. Anyone know of good quality brands that make cutaways?
 
For me the scoop put the wrist/ forearm in an awkward position while a cut away allows for the wrist and forearm to relax in a normal position while playing up there.
 
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