New to Burns & Burns Sonic (Burns of London)

[pinball]

Hi, I'm new to Burns guitars and the forum.

I really don't have much experience of Burns guitars but have been reading up on the history. My interest stems from playing a modern cheap as chips burns Cobra with Tri-sonics and being impressed with the sound. So much so that when I saw a couple of Burns guitars in a store, a 2nd hand marvin and new Sonic Deluxe (Elite series) I had to give them a try. I really fell for the Sonic big time and ended buying it a few days later. It's not your most traditional Burns but the neck action,width and scale suited me fine and it had that great tri-sonic sound.

I just wondered if there are any other modern Sonic players on here?

Note: I am also impressed with t build quality and have since gigged it a few times and traded another guitar for a Double Six.

[RayL]

Welcome to the ranks of Burns owners! The quality control exerted by Barry Gibson has meant that although nearly all the modern Burns guitars are made in Korea or China, they have maintained a high standard.

You may not find it easy to meet other modern Sonic owners and here's a possible reason - no tremolo. The Burns forum is tucked in amongst forums relating to aspects of Shadows music and a tremolo arm is a vital part of the sound of the Shadows. Nevertheless, it's a fine guitar - I'm sure you'll enjoy the music that it makes.

Ray

[pinball]

Welcome to the ranks of Burns owners! The quality control exerted by Barry Gibson has meant that although nearly all the modern Burns guitars are made in Korea or China, they have maintained a high standard.
You may not find it easy to meet other modern Sonic owners and here's a possible reason - no tremolo. The Burns forum is tucked in amongst forums relating to aspects of Shadows music and a tremolo arm is a vital part of the sound of the Shadows. Nevertheless, it's a fine guitar - I'm sure you'll enjoy the music that it makes.
Ray

Thanks for the welcome, That all makes sense. I was kind of put off using a trem after having a Kramer with a F/R and a Strat. I just didn't like the noises that I made with them but I enjoy using a Burns trems or a bigsby. I don't have either at the moment.
Note: Hmm that sounds like an excuse for me to get another guitar and I'm sure I'll pick up lots of useful info here.

[neil2726]

You need a Marvin!!

[burnsbonkers]

Hi , I've tried one of the sonics you have , although I think it would be technically correct to label the new guitars as "Burns of Korea " it did play Fantastic with a lovely action.
Something I'm not that familiar with after years of dealing with old dodgy guitars!.
I'd hurry ... the way things are going : there may not be a Korea anymore, so get another one.

[pinball]

Hi , I've tried one of the sonics you have , although I think it would be technically correct to label the new guitars as "Burns of Korea " it did play Fantastic with a lovely action.
Something I'm not that familiar with after years of dealing with old dodgy guitars!.
I'd hurry ... the way things are going : there may not be a Korea anymore, so get another one.

I agree the Sonic has a different vibe in terms of looks compared to most vintage Burns. That doesn't worry me because I took it at face value and liked what I heard and saw.

Fingers crossed for Korea. I'm not too worried about where they are made (Korea/China/London) as I am also keen on Schecter Guitars, which went down the same manufacturing route as Burns, only a few years earlier. I used to be on their forum and , besides a few reported fret crowning issues, when they switched to China in the late 2000's the quality remained consistently high. I have a newly acquired Double Six, which could well be Chinese and the construction is top notch. It's a shame that they don't make more in the UK but with global competition I guess they would cost too much

Regarding my Sonic, I did think of getting another but I can't play two and it wouldn't be identical as mine is quite unusual. It has 3 Tri-sonic pups, a 5 way switch + the tone pops up for more switching options. The current Sonic has 2 pups and 4 way switch. Mine also has a different name on the name plate of "Burns Sonic Deluxe" and a cool serial number of 0001. It is part of their Custom Elite Series.

I contacted Barry Gibson to see if it was a prototype but he couldn't recall it. It's beautifully set up and I was told that it had been around a few shows before it found its way to the store. Anyway I love it and bought it to play. I think they should produce more as its a very versatile and good handling guitar.
Glad to hear someone else likes them. Not sure that there are many of them about.