Yngwie J. Malmsteen

Yngwie J. Malmsteen (born Lars Yngve Johann Lannerbäck, June 30, 1963) is a guitarist from Sweden who achieved widespread acclaim in the 1980s due to his technical proficiency and fusion of classical music elements with heavy rock guitar. The Americanized pronunciation of his first name is ING-vay.

Specialized guitar

Aside from technical prowess, distinctions of Malmsteen's guitar style include a wide, violin-like vibrato inspired by classical violinists, almost exclusive use of Fender Stratocaster guitars, and use of such minor scales as the Harmonic minor, and minor modes such as Phrygian, and Aeolian. Malmsteen cites the Fender Stratocaster and the single coil pickups (of which he uses his custom design by Di Marzio) as a large part of his sound. The Malmsteen signature model Stratocaster made by Fender is based accurately upon this combination.

Related Topics:
Violin - Vibrato - Fender - Stratocaster - Harmonic minor - Modes - Phrygian - Aeolian - Di Marzio

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The guitars he uses are instantly recognisable by the addition of a custom scalloped fretboard. This is similar to a regular fretboard, but with wood 'scalloped' or scooped away to form a concave shape in between the frets. Malmsteen conceived this design as a teenager while working in a music store in Stockholm, Sweden when he came across a 17th century Lute with a scalloped neck using the raised wood as frets.

Related Topics:
Stockholm - Sweden - Lute

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