Baldwin - Burns Nu-Sonic Model Electric Bass Guitar (1966), made in London, England, reddish orange poly finish, obeche wood body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard.
This is one of the lightest, handiest bass guitars we have ever seen! The Nu-Sonic was Burns' budget model after mid-1964, introduced to replace the original Sonic series. The Nu-Sonic was offered in both bass and guitar versions in cherry or black at around half the price of a flashy Bison or Marvin guitar. This was one of the first instruments discontinued by Baldwin after they bought the Burns company in September 1965, disappearing by the fall of '66, so the total production run was only about two years. Burns-labeled examples are quite rare, and Baldwin examples only slightly less so.
This is a very light and comfortable bass with quite a punchy tone. Fitted out with two single-coil Nu-Sonic Pickups, 3-way switch, individual volumes, and master tone. There are photographs of George Harrison playing a cherry Nu-Sonic bass at the Abbey Road sessions for "Paperback Writer", so the red Nu-Sonic Bass is considered a "borderline" Beatle guitar!
Overall length is 42 in. (106.7 cm.), 13 1/4 in. (33.7 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 in. (762 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
All original parts, missing only the bridge cover. Finish has some typical heavy checking and small dings, but color is still very bright, not faded as is typical. Several tuners were changed at some point and have been restored to original Van Ghent units, but missing tuner back covers. Bass PU cover is well-worn, and this pickup is somewhat weak in comparison to bridge unit, but the bass sounds and plays very well. Excellent Condition.
