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After being a test-bed for many years, my 1959 Burns Artist (see avatar on right) is to be restored to as close as possible to the guitar that I bought in 1963.

Last week it was taken to be re-sprayed to the original cherry colour for body and headstock. Back in 1963 the original polyester, although only three years old, had tiny cracks in the surface so that it looked like crazy paving, which rather spoiled the look. This time round it should be 'good as new'.

I'll keep you posted.

Ray

Sounds exciting Ray. Will you keep the Bigsby on it. Funny was watching your Moontrekkers video the other day. Look forward to updates
Bill

Bill,
Yes, the Bigsby was fitted when I bought it so it stays. The 3/16" jack socket will be restored.

The control plate is a problem. Unlike most Artists, mine had a creamy white plate with a small black scratchplate

My experiments back in the '60s added a lot of holes

Do I make a new plate? Or do I clean up the old plate and somehow fill in the holes?
Ray

Definitely a case for Eddy Cross Jnr...

Ray,

Can you please confirm my memory of my VA which I had in the '60's- IIRC the main pickup selector on the upper body bout was a three position blade type switch (i.e. Strat old type) which gave the neck pickup alone, all three pickups and bridge pickup alone respectively. So when the switch was in the middle position, by using/mixing the individual volume pot settings, any combination of pickups could be obtained..

Is that correct, or is my memory failing? (always possible as I approach 70! )

Cheers and thanks!

I am with Eddie Cross tomorrow and could ask him Ray. My earliest one had the black plate but I have pictures of a white plate one but no Bigsby. I could check out the switching on mine. Also has the solid magnets Sorry but can't adjust the size - happy if anyone else can .

John,
When it comes to age, 70 is the new 50!
Be assured, no memory failure, the pickup selector is as you described it.
Here's my circuit diagram


Bill

Yes, please. If Eddy Cross Jnr has a template for the Artist control plate and can make one in white (or creamy white) it will save a lot of faffing about.
Here's your pic without scroll bars

Ray

Yes he definitely has that template and most others. Just made these for me

Ray I presume you would want he small plate also ?

Thanks Ray! I'm not going senile after all!

My VA had a dark wood finish on the fingerboard IIRC...