Baldwin - Burns Jazz Split Sound Solid Body Electric Guitar (1966)

Baldwin - Burns Jazz Split Sound Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1966), made in London, England, red/black sunburst finish, sycamore body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.

Probably the most popular design from the always-eccentric James Ormston Burns, The Jazz Split Sound is a 1960's classic and a very stylish guitar. These instruments were built in London and available in the US labeled Ampeg (1963-4) and Baldwin (which bought the company in September 1965). This is a very early Baldwin example, identical to Burns-labeled instruments except for the new "Baldwin" logo engraved on an insert neatly cut into the pickguard-a way of using up the already completed parts! This guitar features the earlier pattern single sided headstock and sunburst-finished neck, changed by Baldwin to a natural finish double-sided design by summer '66. The red-black sunburst finish overall is standard for this model, and this example is still vibrantly colored over flamed sycamore without the heavy fading and checking often seen on these English-made guitars. Features on this guitar are the same as earlier Burns-logo'd models except for a bound fingerboard, a change made in late 1965.

The Jazz Split Sound was Burns' midline instrument; professional class but less expensive than the more dramatically styled Black Bison and Hank Marvin guitars at the top of the line. Obviously somewhat inspired by the Stratocaster, the JSS has three "Split Sound" Tri-sonic pickups with a rotary control giving four tone selections including the snarlingly out-of-phase "Wild Dog" and the patented "Split Sound" which combines different half-coils to accentuate bass and treble registers. The lavish Burns "Series II" vibrato system incorporates a floating bridge unit with fully adjustable individual saddles and must rate as one of the best systems of its kind. The medium-scale neck is slim and comfortable with a slightly less round feel than a Fender. This rates as a fine-playing guitar with tons of character and a very distinctive sound, and an extremely good value in a professional caliber 1960's vintage guitar.
 
Overall length is 39 1/2 in. (100.3 cm.), 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 23 3/8 in. (594 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.). This is a nice original example, some light wear but no damage or repair. The original fancy Trem arm is missing (as is often the case) as is the chrome tailpiece cover, which must be removed to change strings and thus is often misplaced. This guitar does include an incorrect style but useable Strat-style arm, so the excellent vibrato is functional. There are couple of changed screws in the neckplate, otherwise the guitar is complete, a fine player with a good original Baldwin HSC. Generally Excellent Condition.

Item # 4774
 
This item has been sold.


 
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