Crazy NBD

[Burns-bass]

On Saturday I was on my way to a gig with my 1940s/1950s style blues and I needed to take a bass as backup to my double bass that wasn't a modern Fender (the band leader told me!).

 

I went on FB and found what I thought was a modern Burns reissue bass for £100. Agreed to pick it up and use it that evening. When I turned up the guy was a bit flustered as he'd had a huge response to the advert. He pulled it out of the case, and it was an original 1962 Burns Vista Sonic bass in untouched condition. Feeling a bit wary, we had a chat and it turned out it was his grandads and he was selling it for him, and he wanted it to go to a musician as he didn't play.

 

Not really knowing much about Burns guitars (despite my username) I took it to the gig and popped it on display if needed (it wasn't). When I got home, I checked out how much they're selling for and was blown away. It's going to the shop today for a bit of work on the electronics, but a pretty bonkers day. The gig money paid for the bass, too.

[Rayman]

Oh we absolutely need to see that……

[Burns-bass]

23 minutes ago, Rayman said:

Oh we absolutely need to see that……

 

[Burns-bass]

Here it is at the gig. 

[Rayman]

Fabulous, love it

[hooky_lowdown]

The tri-sonic pickups are awesome. Nice score.

[binky_bass]

Given your name @Burns-bass, it's obviously gone to the completely wrong person! 😋

Edited November 24, 2023 by binky_bass

[BlueMoon]

I’d say that’s £100 well spent.

 

Nice.

[danbanbass]

I’ve had a white one and these and also a black one. Cracking basses, quite a narrow neck from memory and strings can be hit or miss on the low e string.

 

Bargain price!

[pnefc42]

19 hours ago, hooky_lowdown said:

The tri-sonic pickups are awesome. Nice score.

It’s a Brian May bass!! 😀

[Old Man Riva]

1 hour ago, pnefc42 said:

It’s a Brian May bass!! 😀

… if that’s the case then young Burns-bass can only play this using a sixpence as a pick whilst wearing clogs.

 

Them’s the rules! 

[TbirdnTalman]

It’s lovely ….. so just to actuate GAS, does anyone have any views around the quality/sound of the current ones on sale ? They have been tempting just from a novelty POV for a while…..

[BigRedX]

14 hours ago, TbirdnTalman said:

It’s lovely ….. so just to actuate GAS, does anyone have any views around the quality/sound of the current ones on sale ? They have been tempting just from a novelty POV for a while…..

 

I've got a Burns Barracuda (Bass VI). It's as well made as anything else with a £500-600 price from the far east. There are a couple of design issues that mean it's no longer my first choice of Bass VI, but those are down to it sharing too many common parts with the Marvin guitar which really IMO should have been redesigned for a bass instrument. If it wasn't for those I would still be using it as my main instrument in one of my bands and not looking to replace it with a second Eastwood Hooky.

 

By comparison I used to own a 1962 Burns Sonic Bass. This was no-where near as good an instrument although it did have a unique sound that I've never quite been able to duplicate on any other bass due to having the two Tri-Sonic pickups wired in series when both were on.

 

Overall the modern Burns instruments are well made but probably not quite as unique or quirky as those from the 60s and 70s.

Edited November 28, 2023 by BigRedX

[TbirdnTalman]

Thanks! Now just need to get to Guildford to try one!

[Burns-bass]

10 hours ago, BigRedX said:

 

I've got a Burns Barracuda (Bass VI). It's as well made as anything else with a £500-600 price from the far east. There are a couple of design issues that mean it's no longer my first choice of Bass VI, but those are down to it sharing too many common parts with the Marvin guitar which really IMO should have been redesigned for a bass instrument. If it wasn't for those I would still be using it as my main instrument in one of my bands and not looking to replace it with a second Eastwood Hooky.

 

By comparison I used to own a 1962 Burns Sonic Bass. This was no-where near as good an instrument although it did have a unique sound that I've never quite been able to duplicate on any other bass due to having the two Tri-Sonic pickups wired in series when both were on.

 

Overall the modern Burns instruments are well made but probably not quite as unique or quirky as those from the 60s and 70s.

This is an excellent articulation of the difference.