Here's my Burns Artist, returned as close as possible to the condition when I bought it for £40.00 in Potter's Music Shop, South Croydon, on Saturday 2nd November 1963.
The offset contour neck, 3/16" jack socket and creamy-white control plate proclaim it to be one of the earliest Artist models ever made. The Bigsby was a factory fit (presumably as a special order) since these early Artist models had no Burns tremolo.
- Burns Artist complete 400pixel.JPG (68.91 KiB) Viewed 16838 times
The most essential parts (the Trisonic pickups that give that 'Burns' sound) are original, though the one disappointment has been that the middle pickup has gone open-circuit. Not a lot can be done about that since the coil is sealed in wax that has gone rock-hard over the years.
The only non-original parts are:
1. The control plate (the old one was too badly damaged). The new one was made for me by Eddy Cross, so a direct link to the original.
2. The bridge (the original is lurking somewhere - if I find it I'll put it back).
3. The pots (long gone in one of the many rebuilds).
4. The knobs (also long gone in one of the many rebuilds - thank you to Bill Lovegrove for some very suitable replacements).
5. The cream knob on the pickup selector switch (probably lost on stage somewhere - replacement from Alan Exley).
What do the pickups sound like after nearly sixty years? Excellent. Still powerful and as loud as the Rez-o-matics on my 2006 Burns Batwing. Where the Batwing's Rez-o-matics are very toppy, almost brittle, the Trisonics have a balanced sound between their treble and bass. Compared to a Strat (which is closer in sound to the Batwing though not quite as edgy) again the more balanced sound of the Trisonics is noticeable even though they are also single coil.
What is it like to play? Well, the offset contour neck takes a bit of getting used to after 'ordinary' guitars and the very short scale (23 3/8") means the left elbow is tucked right into the waist. The
very flat frets (never changed) make for easy finger movements.
A guitar with 'character'.
Next up for a refurb is the case (made for the guitar. Its unusual design is also no doubt by Jim Burns). It balances well.
- Burns Artist case 400pixel.JPG (73.64 KiB) Viewed 16838 times
Ray
p.s. I've updated my avatar!