THE GUITARS OF JAMES ORMSTON BURNS

REFERENCE & RESOURCE PAGES:

 

SUPERSOUND (1958) - BURNS-WEILL (1959) - FENTON WEILL (1960-65)

ORMSTON BURNS (1960-1965) - AMPEG (1963-64) - BALDWIN (1965-69)

SHERGOLD WOODCRAFTS (1967-69) - ORMSTON (1968) - HAYMAN (1970-75)

BURNS UK (1973-77) - BURNS ACTUALIZERS (1979-82) - SHERGOLD (1975-92)

 

BURNS LONDON

TIMELINE - PUBLICITY - FACTORY

ARTIST - SONIC - VIBRA-ARTIST-DELUXE - BLACK BISON - VISTA-SONIC

BLACK BISON III - JAZZ - TR-2 - NU-SONIC - MARVIN - DOUBLE 6

BISON - VIBRASLIM - GB65 - GB66 - VIRGINIAN - BABY BISON

AMPLIFIERS - ACCESSORIES - PROTOTYPES

 

 

SONIC RANGE (1960-64)

SONIC GUITAR & SONIC BASS

 

1960 Sonic Model

 

A few early examples were produced with generic 'The Aristone - Foriegn ' headstock badges. These may slightly pre-date the Burns-branded models, and feature B&H (Boosey and Hawkes)-stamped Van Gent tuners, and truss rods.

 

First mentioned in November 1960 'Besson' Melody Maker adverts, The Burns London Sonic Model featured plastic-buttoned Van Gents, a Vibrato with a flat square base-plate, T-shaped strap buttons, smooth cream plastic control knobs, blonde Sycamore fingerboards, and brittle injection-moulded scratchplates with a rounded edge, which were elevated from the body of the guitar by means of a raised lip. Paul Day asserts some early examples featured had wooden bridges and omitted 'Sonic Model' engraving from headstock badges.

 

Early in 1961 the pickguard material changed to a solid black plastic (acrylic? bakelite?), with a sharp bevelled edges.

 

Mid-1961 the vibrato unit was changed to the new and improved Mk 9 unit (design registered March 1961).

 

Circa 1962 the fingerboard material changed from Sycamore to Rosewood, and the fluted strap button shape is in use.

 

By 1963 the scratchplate & headstock badge material changed to laminated Traffolyte, and the knobs were changed to a solid metal alloy type.

 

Sonic Models were superceded by the Nu-Sonic range in April 1964, with production of the Sonic continuing for a few months until mid 1964.

 

Burns Tele Amp advert Melody Maker 17th Dec 1960

Melody Maker 17th Dec 1960

 

1960 'The Aristone' Sonic

An early, moulded-plate, Aristone-badged example known, with B&H stamped Tuner covers:

 

Aristone Burns Sonic

 

Aristone Burns Sonic

 

Aristone Burns Sonic

 

Aristone Burns Sonic

 

Aristone Burns Sonic

 

Aristone Burns Sonic

 

Aristone Burns Sonic

 

Selmer Strap

 

 

1960 'The Aristone' Sonic

Another early, moulded-plate, Aristone-badged example known, with B&H stamped Tuner covers. Badge in much lower position:

1960 'The Aristone' Burns Sonic

 

1960 'The Aristone' Burns Sonic

 

1960 'The Aristone' Burns Sonic

 

1960 'The Aristone' Burns Sonic

 

1960 'The Aristone' Burns Sonic

 

1960 'The Aristone' Burns Sonic

 

1960 'The Aristone' Burns Sonic

 

1960 'The Aristone' Burns Sonic

 

 

 

 

1960 Burns Sonic in white

Probably refinished early model, moulded pickguard, unusual knobs?

 

1960 Burns Sonic

 

 

 

 

 

1961 Burns Sonic Bass

 

1960 Sonic Bass

 

1960 Burns Sonic Bass

 

 

Burns Swinging Christmas 1961 advert

Melody Maker 2nd Dec 1961

 

 

 

Bell Music Catalogue March 1962

 

 

1962 Burns Sonic model

Left-handed example:

1962 Left handed Burns Sonic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B&M Trade Catalogue, presumed early 1963

 

1963 Burns Sonic model

1962 Burns Sonic

 

1962 Burns Sonic

 

1962 Burns Sonic

 

1962 Burns Sonic

 

 

1963 Burns Sonic

internal sticker dated 16th Jan 1963

Alfons' Burns Sonic

 

Alfons' Burns Sonic

 

Alfons' Burns Sonic

 

 

1963 Burns Sonic Bass

internal sticker dated 12th Dec 1963

Alfons' Sonic Bass

 

Alfons' Sonic Bass

 

Alfons' Sonic Bass

 

circa 1963/4 Sonic Bass

With Handrest, but no bridge cover?