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
TR-2 MODELS (1963-64)
TR-2 GUITAR & TR-2 BASS
Burns had been experimenting with prototypes for a Thinline model since 1961. Very early TR-2s feature a Bison-head engraving on the headstock, indicating it had inherited some characteristics from the Bison Guitar.
First mentioned in September 1963 adverts for the Split Sound guitar, the TR-2 (Transistorised 2-Pickup) was only offered for less than a year before being superceded by the Vibraslim in September 1964
early 1963? Thinline/TR-2 Prototype
And another with different knobs added pickguard:
Further revisions to pickups and pickguard.
Jim Burns with TR2 Prototype
Jim Burns with TR2 Prototype
Jim Burns with TR2 Prototype
Ike Isaacs with c.1963 TR2 Prototype
Two Pre-production TR2s still with Bison etching on headstock badges!
Costings Sheet!
New Musical Express 25th October 1963
Melody Maker 9th October 1963
c. Oct. 1963 TR2
Serial No. 3102
c. Dec 1963 TR2
Serial No. 3499
1964 TR-2 Bass
c. Jan 1964 TR2 (non-original bridge)
Serial No. 3998
c. Jan 1964 TR2
Serial No. 4013
c. Jan 1964 Burns TR2
Serial No. 4020
c. Jan 1964 Burns TR2
Serial No. 4023
early 1964 TR-2 Bass
Serial No. 4254
1964 TR-2
Serial No. 4559
1964 BURNS TR-2
2-screw mounted pickups with exposed polepieces
Serial No. 4746
1964 BURNS TR2
Serial No. 4893
2-screw mounted pickups with concealed polepieces
1964 TR-2 Bass
Serial No. 4896
1964 BURNS TR2
Serial No. 4906
2-screw mounted pickups with concealed polepieces
Beat Monthly July 1964
c1964 TR2
Serial No. 5696
With cut-back Vibraslim plate?
1965? TR-2 in Red
Serial No. 10949 (seems very high?)
6-screw pickup mounts suggests earlier?