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Build Thread: Fairbanks “F-50” (Super Jumbo) A dream coming true.
I became a HUGE Fairbanks fan after purchasing a 2017 Fairbanks Super Smeck last year.
I remember seeing the original 1935 Gibson Super 400 Flattop Custom guitar (for the first time) in 1993 book by George Gruhn and Walter Carter, “Acoustic Guitars and Other Fretted Instruments: A Photographic History” and completely lusted over it. 1935 Gibson Super 400 Flattop .jpg This 1935 guitar was then part of the auction in 2014. However, was way out of my price range. I later learned that Dale Fairbanks had built a replica of this guitar (calling it the Fairbanks Super Smeck) and I was very intrigued. Although I had not reached out to Dale about it, I could not help myself when the 2nd replica Dale built hit the resale market in the fall of 2020. Over the past thirty years, I’ve owned many vintage/new guitars from various makers like Gibson, Martin, Pre-War, Circa, etc. I must say that I do not believe I have EVER bonded so much, so quickly with another instrument than I have with this Super Smeck. The workmanship, fit/finish, playability, and sound are just incredible. IMG_0703.jpg FBSS3.jpg I had been thinking about treating myself to a custom build (with a specific historical guitar in mind) for my 65th birthday. Soon after acquiring the Super Smeck, I decided to go forward with this project and that the builder would need to be Dale Fairbanks. Being a SJ-200 fan since the 1980s, my decision for this build would be a SJ-200. However, this would not be any ordinary, run of the mill SJ-200. As stated above I had a particular guitar in mind. During the early – mid 1990s, while researching the origin of the Gibson Super Jumbo (SJ-200), I became aware of a few predecessors to Ray Whitley’s 1937 SJ-200 (pictured below), which at that time had been considered (by some) the first Super Jumbo. Ray Whitley14 fret SJ-200.jpg Ray Whitley also owned one these predecessors which was a 12 fret Super Jumbo. Ray Whitley12FSJ200B.jpg It would be one of these instruments built in 1937, a 12 fret Super Jumbo, that I would base my upcoming build on. I wrote an article for Vintage Guitar in 1994 about one of these prototypes which is labeled “SP-L5”. VGartcov.jpgSP-L5 article pg1.jpgSP-L5 article pg2.jpg I spoke to Dale about this project, and he was on board, very interested/excited to build this instrument. One twist on my build was a decision to use maple back and sides (like the Super Smeck) instead of rose wood as was used for the original. I choose blister maple which is reminiscent (paying homage) of a 1930s Super 400. blister back 2.jpg My other specs include: • Red Spruce Top with 2 tone bars non-scalloped, tapered • Sunburst finish. • 25 1/2 scale o 1 ¾ nut width o String spacing 2 5/16 o Small maple Bridge plate o Body dimensions 16 7/8s (lower bout) o Bound Sound hole • Straight Advanced Jumbo/J-35 Style bridge (ebony) • Curly Maple “V” shaped neck (like my Super Smeck #192) • Body binding =5ply front, 3ply back • L5 style o torch in head stock o Ebony finger board (block inlay) with point at end of board • Super 400 style pickguard. • Waverly gold engraved G-98 tuners I picked this piece of red spruce for the top: Buildpic1.jpg Here is the back piece I picked. Buildpic2.jpg The build has been underway for a while: Buildpic4.jpgBuildpic3.jpgBuildpic5.jpgBuildpic8.jpgBuildpic6.jpgBuildpic7.jpg Body is boxed Buildpic10.jpgBuildpic9.jpgBuildpic12.jpg Binding finished Buildpic13.jpgBuildpic14.jpgBuildpic15.jpg Fingerboard in progess: Buildpic21.jpgBuildpic28.jpg Neck taking shape: Buildpic24.jpg[/ATTACH][/ATTACH][/ATTACH]Buildpic22.jpgBuildpic23.jpg Neck fitted to body Buildpic31.jpgBuildpic32.jpg Needless to say, I am VERY pleased, excited and stoked with the progress here. Will keep photos coming. Last edited by fredsj200; 12-24-2021 at 04:56 PM. |
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Very nice! When Kathy and I take our trip to Burlington, I intend to take a lot of photos and create a virtual tour of the Iris, Circle, Fairbanks and Allied Lutherie "Industrial Complex" for AGF. We'll see how much info the iPhone can hold. BTW - I see that Dale has a new wood burning tool that he marked the back brace with!
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BOSS!!!
Sweet. I love giant 12 frets. This should ROAR. And sound sweet at a whisper too!
I'm onboard. Let the festivities continue Paul
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4 John Kinnaird SS 12c CUSTOMS: Big Maple/WRC Dread(ish) Jumbo Spanish Cedar/WRC Jumbo OLD Brazilian RW/WRC Big Tunnel 14 RW/Bubinga Dread(ish) R.T 2 12c sinker RW/Claro 96 422ce bought new! 96 LKSM 12 552ce 12x12 J. Stepick Bari Weissy WRC/Walnut More |
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This is going to be good . . .
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Circa OM-30/34 (Adi/Mad) | 000-12 (Ger/Maple) | OM-28 (Adi/Brz) | OM-18/21 (Adi/Hog) | OM-42 (Adi/Braz) Fairbanks SJ (Adi/Hog) | Schoenberg/Klepper 000-12c (Adi/Hog) | LeGeyt CLM (Swiss/Amzn) | LeGeyt CLM (Carp/Koa) Brondel A-2 (Carp/Mad) |
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Wow! Another Fairbanks I'd love to hear when finished! Beautiful woods.
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So awesome—and you and I have the same taste!
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Quote:
Thanks Rick, Yes, that is a new wood burning stamp for the back brace. Please take pictures! When I visited Dale back in July, maybe it was the long drive or just pure excitement. However, I did not take any pictures? Not even of my own build in progress? It occurred to me on our way home. What a MAJOR brain fart. It is a very nice facility. The spray booth is just incredible. |
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Wonderful! Please keep us updated.
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John |
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Congrats on your one of a kind build. It will be a stunning guitar.
I acquired, from Dale, an SJ in Madagascar, a few months ago. I confess that I only had an "academic" exposure to his work, and to Gibson guitars, for that matter. Meansing, I had never played either. It was a good bet. The SJ is just a wonderful guitar and scratches that itch in a very satisfying way. But I did not know how satisfying since I had never before played a guitar of that ilk. Until last week. I visited a major city last week to visit my boys. Part of the itinerary included a visit to a shop that sells vintage acoustic guitars. I was a wonderful shop - the kind that welcomes you to take anything off the wall you want. And I did. I ended up playing a few Gibson models that spanned from '45 through the '60's. Man, I now get why they call those necks from mid century baseball bats. But to my point. I would not have traded any of them for my Fairbanks. It sounds like those vintage pieces while feeling like a modern guitar - the perfect combination, in my opinion. I can understand why you decied to have Dale make you that very sepcial instrument, and I wish you all the best with it. David
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I took up the guitar at 62 as penance for a youth well-spent. |
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Moving along:
Neck fitted to body Buildpic33.jpg Truss Rod inserted Buildpic35.jpg Fingerboard ready for frets Buildpic37.jpg Last edited by fredsj200; 12-24-2021 at 04:59 PM. |
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Fred - looks great! I think Dale’s going to have a batch to be sprayed in the next week- including yours, mine and Juston’s. I can’t wait!
Rick
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Thanks Rick.
Frets are now in! Buildpic42.jpg Yes, very close to spraying. I thought Justin's was already sprayed or at least in process. Getting very excited. Fred |
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This one looks like its going to be spectacular. I’ve also got a weak spot for a 12 fret jumbo…and the aesthetics add a whole ‘nether layer of goodness. Good for you for following your heart.
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Kopp Trail Boss - Kopp L—02 - Collings C10 Custom - Gibson J-200 Jr - Halcyon 000 - Larrivee 00-70 |
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Last edited by fredsj200; 12-24-2021 at 05:00 PM. |
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Both of ours are at the same stage Fred! Getting ready for the spray booth!
E168EA83-2203-4455-B7DC-7DF4DC61C17D.jpeg09E566F7-C4DB-4462-99D0-D2659E0C9A0D.jpeg
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