Baldwin - Burns Jazz Split Sound Solid Body Electric Guitar (1965)
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Item #4499
Baldwin - Burns Jazz Split Sound Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1965), 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 an early Baldwin-marked example, identical to Burns-labeled instruments but with the new "Baldwin" logo on the pickguard. A handwritten tag inside dates the electronics inspection to 24 December 1965. 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 without the heavy fading and checking often seen on these English-made guitars.
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 3/4 in. (101 cm.), 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 23 1/2 in. (597 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.). Refretted, new nut, some parts changes but overall a nice example. Finish very good with none of the heavy checking common to these instruments and very little fade. Tuners replaced with pearloid-button Schallers, strap buttons are modern but similar to the originals, 3 bridge saddle screws are replaced. All other hardware and electronics original-includes the oft-missing vibrato arm and cover plate. Comes in a very nice original Baldwin hard case. Generally Excellent Condition.
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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 an early Baldwin-marked example, identical to Burns-labeled instruments but with the new "Baldwin" logo on the pickguard. A handwritten tag inside dates the electronics inspection to 24 December 1965. 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 without the heavy fading and checking often seen on these English-made guitars.
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 3/4 in. (101 cm.), 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 23 1/2 in. (597 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.). Refretted, new nut, some parts changes but overall a nice example. Finish very good with none of the heavy checking common to these instruments and very little fade. Tuners replaced with pearloid-button Schallers, strap buttons are modern but similar to the originals, 3 bridge saddle screws are replaced. All other hardware and electronics original-includes the oft-missing vibrato arm and cover plate. Comes in a very nice original Baldwin hard case. Generally Excellent Condition.