Baldwin - Burns Nu-Sonic Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1965), made in London, cherry polyester finish, Agba wood body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case.
The Nu-Sonic guitar was Burns' budget instrument after mid-1964, introduced to replace the original 1960 Sonic series. The model was offered in guitar and bass form in cherry or black finish at around half the price of a flashy Bison or Marvin guitar; it is roughly the equivalent of Fender's Mustang. Despite its budget intentions, the Nu-Sonic is a well-made guitar and was not particularly cheap by contemporary standards. Perhaps in light of this, it was one of the first models to be dropped by Baldwin after they bought the Burns company in September 1965.
The Nu-Sonics were discontinued by the fall of 1966 making the total production run was very brief at only about two years. Burns-labeled examples are quite rare, and Baldwin examples only slightly less so. This particular guitar was built just before the change in regime (the inspection sticker is dated August 1965) and is a Burns in all but name; the cut-in "Baldwin" logo was a late addition to the pickguard before it was shipped out. Fitted out with two single-coil Nu-Sonic Pickups, 3-way switch, individual volumes and master tone and a very useful short-throw whammy arm this is a very light and comfortable guitar with a snarly tone. A cool Burns rarity and neat little player's guitar.
Overall length is 37 7/8 in. (96.2 cm.), 13 in. (33 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 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.). Very fine original condition overall; some typical finish checking but no fade and very little wear. There is one small crack repair/patched area by one of the pickup mounting screws on the pickguard, no other damage or repair. Like every Nu-Sonic we have ever had, the switch never seems to do much but the pots work properly. A lovely example of this short-lived and fairly rare Burns creation. Excellent Condition.
