Hints and tips on getting the sound you want. Includes anything to do with Fender, Burns and other guitars; playing techniques; also amps, effects units, recording equipment and any other musical accessories.
Moderators: David Martin, Iain Purdon, dave robinson, JimN, George Geddes
by Teflon » 18 Dec 2022, 14:59
From the "Burns Actualizers" period and quite different from the original (and re-issued) Marvins. I've never seen one "in the flesh", but I've been told they are nice instruments. They were available in white; black; red sunburst; green sunburst, or brown sunburst, though I've only ever seen pics of them in white or black. Hanks signature was removed from later ones as he hadn't given permission for it's use as I understand it.
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by dave robinson » 18 Dec 2022, 18:24
You haven't seen a black Marvin now, that's a Marquee.
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by dave robinson » 18 Dec 2022, 19:21
dave robinson wrote:You haven't seen a black Marvin now, that's basically a Marquee.
No ResoTube trem, just a Strat copy.
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by Teflon » 18 Dec 2022, 22:22
dave robinson wrote:You haven't seen a black Marvin now, that's basically a Marquee.
No ResoTube trem, just a Strat copy.
But still a "Marvin" from Jim Burns during his "Burns Actualizers" period (post the Burns Baldwin period)
. Not something I would like myself, as you say, it's essentially a Strat copy with a scroll headstock.
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by drakula63 » 18 Dec 2022, 22:32
So it's a 'Marvin' in name... if not in nature! I suppose one of those with 'Marvin' written on the headstock and Hank's signature would be worth having for the reasons stated above. I do remember seeing Hank 'playing' a white one of these (got it on video) on a Dutch or Norwegian TV show from about 81-82. The guitar looks wrong without the Rezomatic system and the darker wood fret board on the neck. Never the less, if I had a couple of grand that I could easily lose, I'd be tempted to buy it, just to hang it on the wall and look at. But those white tone knobs would have to go!
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by JimN » 18 Dec 2022, 23:08
All black (with chrome Telecaster-type knobs, not white) was actually the "standard finish" for a Littleport Marvin. I assume that was a recognition of Hank's then preference for the all-black Strat, which was appropriate since the original white / tort of the Marvin was a replication of the colour scheme of the Fenders the Shadows were using in 1963.
White was a special order or one from a limited batch.
Frank Hessy's in Liverpool had one of each. I bought the white one (paid £210 on a price match deal).
Last edited by
JimN on 23 Dec 2022, 23:25, edited 2 times in total.
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by JimN » 18 Dec 2022, 23:10
dave robinson wrote:You haven't seen a black Marvin now, that's a Marquee.
No.
It's a UK-built Burns Marvin from circa 1981. Built in Littleport, near Ely and easily distinguished by the recessed truss-rod adjustment wheel, the four-section scratchplate and the adjustable pole encapsulated house-made pickups.
I had one for a few years.
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by JimN » 18 Dec 2022, 23:12
Teflon wrote:dave robinson wrote:You haven't seen a black Marvin now, that's basically a Marquee.
No ResoTube trem, just a Strat copy.
But still a "Marvin" from Jim Burns during his "Burns Actualizers" period (post the Burns Baldwin period)
. Not something I would like myself, as you say, it's essentially a Strat copy with a scroll headstock.
The trem bridge was suspended via a knife-edge arrangement.
The pickups were way better than anything Fender were then making!
Last edited by
JimN on 18 Dec 2022, 23:15, edited 1 time in total.
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by JimN » 18 Dec 2022, 23:14
drakula63 wrote:So it's a 'Marvin' in name... if not in nature! I suppose one of those with 'Marvin' written on the headstock and Hank's signature would be worth having for the reasons stated above. I do remember seeing Hank 'playing' a white one of these (got it on video) on a Dutch or Norwegian TV show from about 81-82. The guitar looks wrong without the Rezomatic system and the darker wood fret board on the neck. Never the less, if I had a couple of grand that I could easily lose, I'd be tempted to buy it, just to hang it on the wall and look at. But those white tone knobs would have to go!
The white tone knobs were not supplied with the guitar. That's a mod (though not a good one, I'll agree).
Burns used dome-topped Telecaster type chrome knobs. The pickguard was not engraved with the function or gradation of the controls (pretty much like a Telecaster or jaguar, in fact).
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