Just waiting for a new neck , can’t decide a scale or standard if I ever get started . Maybe a an old take off neck?
If actually a Fairbanks instead of Fairbanks by Vega, you have no idea the original scale.
Around 1910, this sized pot was sporting a nominal 28" scale (per the catalogs) with 20 frets clear, often with a fretboard extension to add another 2 or 4 frets. 22 frets clear put the bridge too close to the center. This doesn't necessarily mean that it actually had a 28" scale neck—27 1/2" – 27 3/4" is not uncommon.
Edited by - mikehalloran on 09/26/2025 21:41:16
I bought the pot without the original neck . It is a Fairbanks Vega pot style n I don’t remember saying the year? Just not sure what to build around the pot diameter a scale or 26 14 neck . I had an original number 9. 5 that had a 28 " neck scale . Using up my old fret boards and only have a 27 inch
Edited by - laguna21dc on 09/26/2025 23:31:38
quote:
Originally posted by laguna21dcI bought the pot without the original neck . It is a Fairbanks Vega pot style n I don’t remember saying the year? Just not sure what to build around the pot diameter a scale or 26 14 neck . I had an original number 9. 5 that had a 28 " neck scale . Using up my old fret boards and only have a 27 inch
You didn't say so I gave you a few possibilities.
With a 27" board, you will have a mellower sound if your neck has 22 frets clear since it puts the bridge closer to center. I'd go 20 clear as Vega did to brighten it up a bit. Fretboard extensions over the head are not unusual on these and look nice. If your board has 24 slots, a 4-fret extension would give it a nice vintage look. I can find some examples if you need pictures.
