#1
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Build Thread: Fairbanks Super Smeck
I was really impressed with Dale's work on my SJ and have spent quite a few hours picking on that guitar. I've been wanting to commission another from him and have been going back and forth between a Nick Lucas with maple back and sides and a Smeck. When I chanced on photos of the "Super Smeck," my decision was made.
Specs: Top - Red spruce Back and Sides - Figured maple Scale - Standard 24.75" Nut spacing - 1 3/4" Saddle spacing - 2 5/16" Fret wire - EVO 55090 Fingerboard inlays - Parallelogram Pickguard - Outrageous Tuners - Art Deco Finish - Everything bursted Case - Whatever she comes with Here's an example of this (very rare) guitar. I'm sure JT will chime in with more background about this unique piece of Gibson history. I opted for non-torrefied wood in this case.
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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) |
#2
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Hey Juston, Great Choice and congrats. I know it will be a GREAT instrument. Mine is the 2nd Super Smeck Dale built. It is just an incredible guitar and a joy to play. Please keep us updated on its' progress.
Last edited by fredsj200; 11-02-2021 at 12:27 PM. |
#3
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Cool project, Juston! I'm looking forward to following the build.
As you know, this is Dale's interpretation of the one and only Super Smeck that Gibson built: a 1935 Roy Smeck custom ordered in maple with Super 400 trim. I've played both the original and Dale's first Super Smeck. Both are absolutely fabulous instruments.
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John |
#4
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Following...
You do know that I will need you to have Dale tell you what type of Maple he is using... In Michigan, traditionally there was plenty of Black, Red and Silver Maple.
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A bunch of nice archtops, flattops, a gypsy & nylon strings… |
#5
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Here's a picture of Dale with the original Gibson Super Smeck (right) and the first one he built in 2016 (left).
Last edited by fredsj200; 11-02-2021 at 12:27 PM. |
#6
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I'm told it is European maple.
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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) |
#7
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Juston - I will be eagerly following your build! I spoke with Dale last week and it sounds like they are finally settling into the new shop. I believe that he's gradually getting used to working with other people around and 'slightly' misses the solo days .
best, Rick
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”Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet” |
#8
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I've never seen a Fairbanks guitar in the flesh (or sould that be wood) but they look wonderful and I had a long search for a Roy Smeck style guitar, finally resolved by importing my santa cruz "RS"
As I felt that the sound of the Roy Smecks was all about the rumbling bass -so I'm surprised at the choice of maple - but I'm sure it must work, as well as looks great. If I were commisioning a Fairbanks I'd ask for less ornamentation but Nick Lucas fret markers, and a firestripe style pick guard, oh, and a 1 &13/16" nut width. If interested, this is my SC -
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Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom! Last edited by Silly Moustache; 11-17-2020 at 06:57 PM. |
#9
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Quote:
I mean, how many times have we heard, "I was pleasantly surprised when I heard xxx maple guitar?" That being said, I don't have a particular tonal target in my mind's eye. I am open to being pleasantly surprised by the unique sounds of this instrument. I am much more hands-off on builds than I used to be. But I really love Euro maple and have had good experiences with it. I love the 400 Super 400 trim, but also dig your suggested appointments.
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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) |
#10
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You are afflicted! And I am excited to follow along.
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#11
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Yes, very afflicted.
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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) |
#12
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Love a Fairbanks build thread, this will be cool.
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#13
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Quote:
I will follow the progress of this build with great interest, and look forward to your first video playing it !!
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Silly Moustache, Just an old Limey acoustic guitarist, Dobrolist, mandolier and singer. I'm here to try to help and advise and I offer one to one lessons/meetings/mentoring via Zoom! |
#14
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Could not agree more about Maple. I don't know how long it will take before it loses its bad reputation. To me it is one of the very best tone woods out there especially in the hands of the right luthier!
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PS. I love guitars! |
#15
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Maple
IMO Maple gets a bad rap because so many factories built Maple guitars with the same architecture as rosewood or Mahogany instruments.
It needs a bit of finesse to deliver its best tone. I know Andy Powers did a complete makeover of the maple (6) line for Taylor ... John Kinnaird nailed my maple/Cedar OVERLORD. It is a cannon and has a Ton of bass. And all the notes are FAT. And Maple is such a beautiful wood! Salud 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 |