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Old 08-04-2020, 12:05 PM
duckshoes duckshoes is offline
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Default Fairbanks F-20NL - Red Spruce / Mahogany - SOLD!

This is a one-of-a-kind instrument from one of the world's elite luthiers, Dale Fairbanks. There's no question that Dale is one of the very few builders who really studies the features and captures the aesthetic of vintage Gibson guitars. His attention to detail is top-notch. Built in 2013, this F-20NL is Dale's interpretation of a 1930s Gibson Nick Lucas, with 13 frets to the body, Honduran mahogany back and sides, red (Adirondack) spruce top, and a gorgeous, subtle sunburst finish. The braces are made of red spruce, the fingerboard and bridge are ebony, and the nut and saddle are bone. Hide glue construction, throughout. It has fancy Nick Lucas-style fingerboard inlay; beautiful, yellowed binding on the top, the back, and the fingerboard; and an elegant floating pickguard (as seen on only a select handful of vintage Gibson flattops).

The nut width is 1-3/4"; the string spacing at the saddle is 2-1/4"; and the scale length is 24-3/4" (typical of most vintage Gibsons). The neck profile is what Dale calls "modern/vintage." While the base F-20 is modeled closely after a vintage L-00, the F-20NL has the depth of a Gibson Nick Lucas, tapering from 4-5/8" at the end pin to 4-1/4" at the neck joint. The result is a guitar with great bass, meaty mid-range, and a smooth, round top end. While the warm tone is typical of mahogany, I was shocked at the richness and the seemingly endless sustain.

As you can see from the photos, this guitar is in superb condition. It has the usual swirl marks and light scratches that are unavoidable in a 7-year-old instrument, but absolutely no issues of any consequence. The neck is straight; there are no fret buzzes; and there's plenty of saddle above the bridge. The guitar was delivered with an L.R. Baggs Anthem SL pickup, which has been removed but will be included. The case is a very substantial Ameritage with two neck supports, grey fabric on the exterior, and a leather-covered handle. There are a few small whitish spots on the top, but other than that, it's like new.

As of a year ago, Dale's base price was $5500, but with the upgrades, this guitar would be priced new at $5900. I'll accept $4300, plus the PayPal fees (or pay by check!) and whatever it costs me for shipping. And there's no waiting on Dale's list for years to get your guitar — it'll ship right away!

Please write to me with any questions! FWIW, in past years I've been a regular contributor at the UMGF, and I have perfect feedback at eBay (ID = bassrun), with just short of 1000 feedback ratings.
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Last edited by duckshoes; 10-21-2020 at 01:51 PM. Reason: Sold!
  #2  
Old 08-04-2020, 06:45 PM
oliverkollar oliverkollar is offline
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GLWS John....We communicated some years ago regarding your amazing book, "Old Time Backup Guitar". Such a great resource. This is a killer guitar at a great price.
  #3  
Old 08-04-2020, 08:04 PM
roberts roberts is offline
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The floating pickguard is really cool. Did you have to use a plug for end pin hole when you removed p/u...If so, could you take a pic. Gorgeous guitar!

Robert
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  #4  
Old 08-06-2020, 07:51 PM
thumblead thumblead is offline
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My best guitar is my Fairbanks Nick Lucas. The notes really bloom with it; it's addictive to play. It can do the rough blues Gibson sound and a more uptown sound. GLWS.
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Santa Cruz H, Martin D28A 1937, 000-28AA 1937, 000-15M, Fairbanks F-20NL, Walker Wise River
  #5  
Old 08-07-2020, 09:57 AM
jpfeiff jpfeiff is offline
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Oh my...a dream guitar for me. Any interest in trades? Or trades + cash?
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a bunch of other stuff I really ought to sell...
  #6  
Old 08-07-2020, 02:02 PM
duckshoes duckshoes is offline
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Folks--

Thanks so much for the comments. I apologize for taking so long to answer!

Regarding the end pin, it's been a long time since I had this done, and it appears that the pickup hole was plugged with a new end pin designed for that purpose. I'll attach a photo.

I really am not interested in a trade, unfortunately. I'm at that point in life where I need to be focusing my collection.

Oliver, thanks for the nice comment about my book. The response since I published it in 2012 has been so gratifying!

Thanks again for all the feedback!
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File Type: jpg _MG_3823.jpg (25.0 KB, 699 views)
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  #7  
Old 09-13-2020, 03:03 PM
duckshoes duckshoes is offline
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Default New price!

New price on this beautiful Fairbanks Nick Lucas-style guitar.
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  #8  
Old 09-13-2020, 03:15 PM
roberts roberts is offline
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Question re: the floating bridge - do you know if guitar was ordered that way and, more significantly, does it get in the way...?

Thanks,
Robert
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  #9  
Old 09-13-2020, 03:20 PM
duckshoes duckshoes is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roberts View Post
Question re: the floating bridge - do you know if guitar was ordered that way and, more significantly, does it get in the way...?

Thanks,
Robert
Hi, Robert--

Yes, indeed, it was ordered with the floating pickguard, and it definitely doesn't get in the way.

Dale's website is under construction these days, but his Fairbanks Guitars page on Facebook has photos of this guitar and several others that he's built with floating pickguards. It's just like the floating pickguards used on archtops.

--John
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  #10  
Old 09-16-2020, 07:50 AM
roberts roberts is offline
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The absolute coolest guitar currently on the forum....
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  #11  
Old 09-16-2020, 09:58 AM
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This is SWEET.

Someone will be very VERY HAPPY

Paul
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  #12  
Old 09-17-2020, 11:44 PM
citizendave citizendave is online now
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sent you a PM
  #13  
Old 09-18-2020, 01:27 PM
duckshoes duckshoes is offline
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I was asked about what the label says, since the photo is kind of dark, and the strings are in the way.

095, March 2013
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  #14  
Old 09-30-2020, 11:53 AM
duckshoes duckshoes is offline
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Default On hold!

The Fairbanks F-20NL is on hold....
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  #15  
Old 10-21-2020, 01:52 PM
duckshoes duckshoes is offline
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And now it's sold! I'm mighty happy for the new owner. It's a fabulous guitar, for sure!
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