BURNS CUSTOM ELITE, Help please!!

[geronimo7476]

Hi all Burns people! I hope some one can help. I have this Burns Custom Deluxe Shadows Elite guitar. It is Fiesta Red with white pearl 3ply scratch plate and gold hardwear.The body is 1/8th of an inch thinner than the 40th anniversary Marvin.
Although the neckplate is engraved 'Made in England' I have a serious guitar enthusiast saying that it was in fact made in China. I wrote to Barry Gibson who assures me that it was made in England, yet I can't get this sorted. My friend insists that it was made in China and 'assembled' in England. Can some one please help?

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Cheers CC

[geronimo7476]

Hi, Me again, this is the photo I meamt to attach,
Cheers CC

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[Rover]

Hi, I am sure this was made in England, and is worth a lot of money. Looks great.
Regards, Rover

[RayL]

Suggest to your 'serious guitar enthusiast' that he has a look at Dan MacPherson's website.
http://www.dm-guitars.co.uk
He is obviously not aware of Dan or the part that Dan has played in producing guitars for Barry. Check the 'Testimonials' section and look at some of the names.

Ray L

[geronimo7476]

Thank you Rover and RayL, This is a tremendous help!! I've checked out Dan's site and am delighted to see the Burns Custom Elites in his 'UK' workshop!!
This is also for my own satisfaction as this is one really great guitar and I've never gigged it and don't think I will. I was fortunate enough to have it signed by The Shadows (Oct61-Apr62) incarnation, Hank, Bruce, Brian and Jet! (Photo attached)

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Thanks again, and any more info would really be welcome
Cheers CC

[dave robinson]

Hi Charles, I too think that this is a British made instrument, this was possibly the unofficial fiesta red version of The Legend, which too was handcrafted in Britain. The red Burns that I have was introduced in 2005 and was built in China, with engraved signatures of Hank & Bruce on the trem plate, gold plated and with locking tuners. I notice that yours has the complete 'neck pocket' but the Chinese built 'Shadows' model had the normal Strat type neck fitting at the body, which was an 'improvement' that was featured midway through the production of the 2004 40th Anniversary Burns Marvins' - also built in China. I have both of these models and they are superb, Chinese built or not . . . . but I believe that yours is British built.

[geronimo7476]

Thank you Dave, I really value your input as I know you're very clued up on 'all things Shadows'. I also have the 40th anniversary and as you say these guitars are top class, they come straight from the factory with perfect action and intonation. Look good and are fabulous to play.
I love my 82 Strat but I must admit a very soft spot for Burns!!

Thanks for coming back to me,
Cheers CC

[dave robinson]

My own Burns Marvin is one of the earlier ones with the neck pocket in tact, but I think that from a playing point of view that the modification to copy the Strat neck joint is an improvement regarding access at the body end of the neck. It may be that the original 'Marvin' had to be slightly different to the Strat due to patents at the time.
I regularly use my Marvin on solo gigs and it does command a lot of attention because of it's stunning looks - sounds good too!

[geronimo7476]

Hi Dave, thanx again, In this 68 pic of me with my original 64 Marvin the neck pocket is pretty clearly visable. In my stupid days I swapped it for a Strat which I later sold, etc.

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Cheers CC