Worth a watch: Matt Chulka’s video demo of a Fairbanks F-20 Nick Lucas 12-fret

Rev Roy · #1 05-05-2023, 01:49 PM

I picked up a 2013 Fairbanks F-20 Nick Lucas 12-fret a couple of months ago. It absolutely rocked my world when it came to understanding the comfort and tone you can get from a high-end small guitar. Matt does a marvelous job of demoing and describing this model. His has zillion-year-old Sitka while mine has nicely played in ten-year-old Adi. My B/S are standard Honduran while his if the Plumb pudding version. Still, you get the basic vibe of this model from Matt’s fine playing. And since I don’t see this one on AGF much I thought I’d share the vid…even though I’m still having trouble getting used to Matt’s new trimmed-beard look.

Silly Moustache · #2 05-05-2023, 03:09 PM

That (and yours) look like beautiful guitars, right up my alley.

That could replace my Waterloo WL12 ... but we don't see Fairbanks guitars over here in gthe UK (as far as I know).

Congrats and make a video for us!

Larrison · #3 05-05-2023, 11:13 PM

I have been pretty obsessed with the Nick Lucas inspired guitars- leading me down to considering either a Fairbanks or a Kopp. I had some great conversations/email exchanges with Kevin and now I’m on his books for early 2024 delivery. Mine won’t have some of the visual NL cues, but I’m keeping the fleur de lis at least to tie it back to its roots. It’ll also be a 13 fret.

Thanks for posting this- and I agree RE: Matt’s beard.

Scolaguitar · #4 05-05-2023, 11:16 PM

I didn't recognize him at first! I suppose when I get sick of the bigger guitars I'll look into the Nick Luca's spec'd ones. Sounds like you get it all with that size.

TennesseeWalker · #5 05-07-2023, 12:16 AM

Chulka does a very good job reviewing guitars.
His playing and piece selection for individual guitars has improved over the years as well

Rev Roy · #6 06-06-2023, 01:06 PM

In the video Matt predicted this guitar would sell fast. He was right. It disappeared from Eddie’s website yesterday. Not surprised. Love mine.

jricc · #7 06-06-2023, 01:10 PM

Thanks for posting Rev! You have a beauty of a guitar.

That is some fine, melodic playing by Matt, really enjoyed this.

Groberts · #8 06-06-2023, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rev Roy

In the video Matt predicted this guitar would sell fast. He was right. It disappeared from Eddie’s website yesterday. Not surprised. Love mine.

Roy,

This guitar blew my mind!! Matt did a superb job showcasing its sweetness. How big does it sound alone? Recorded, it was amazing. SO sweet!!

sinistral · #9 06-06-2023, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

That (and yours) look like beautiful guitars, right up my alley.

That could replace my Waterloo WL12 ... but we don't see Fairbanks guitars over here in gthe UK (as far as I know).

Congrats and make a video for us!

Dale Fairbanks is a solo luthier who joined Adam Buchwald to help run Iris Guitars. Both Dale and Adam continue to build their own high-end custom guitars (Adam Buchwald’s Circle Strings and Dale Fairbanks’ eponymous brand). Dale is known for his Gibson replicas, and his sunburst paint jobs are highly regarded. The Iris DF model, which has the shape (but not the sound) of the Gibson J-35, is named after Dale.

It doesn’t surprise me that Fairbanks guitars are rare in the UK. I suspect that Dale is leveraging Iris dealers—Eddie’s is a long-standing Iris dealer. A Fairbanks guitar is likely going to cost 2x or 2.5x the price of a Waterloo, in the US.

Other luthiers that come to mind who also make high-end Gibson replicas are Ren Furgeson, Kevin Koop, David Flammang and Butch Boswell. I doubt that you fine many of their guitars in the UK, either.