by dusty fretz » 01 Apr 2015, 16:06
Hi Rob,
I reckoned you might mean Alfons LaHaye and of course I do know him. I'd already looked at the guitars and serial number list on his website and accordingly added the appropriate information, which included details of your Double Six by the way, so did you buy it from him? I too thought he had owned other Burns instruments in addition to those shown, so naturally I contacted him to request further assistance. However, he wasn't happy that I'd borrowed data from his site without first asking permission, as apparently this condition is stated on there somewhere, although I still can't find it! He also said he'd never possessed any instruments other than those displayed, although I seem to recall seeing more on there in the past and also have photos he sent me some years ago of additional examples. Anyway, we eventually agreed I could list the numbers, as obviously these aren't anyone's 'private property', but he preferred I didn't use the accompanying model specs. He mentioned that he'd be updating his serial number records some time soon and would then give me more information, which seems a little contradictory. So all in all it's a somewhat confusing situation, but I do hope he'll feel more like helping in the future.
I'm always intrigued to know where these apparently 'accurate' stated production figures originate for the Marvin and other Burns oldies. I have a huge amount of relevant research material from the time, including spraying records etc., but I don't have info on exact quantities made, nor over the past 40 years have I ever spoken to any ex-Burns/Baldwin employee who claimed to know such well defined details. I can only conclude these so-called statistics must be based on uninformed opinion/wishful thinking that has subsequently become regarded as hard fact via repeated re-telling on the internet, which unfortunately is something that so often occurs with the wonderful(?) world wide web.