Burns Jazz Split Sound Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1965), made in London, England, red/black sunburst finish, grey/green original hard shell case.
One of the more popular designs from the always-eccentric James Ormston Burns, The Jazz Split Sound is a 1960's classic and a very stylish guitar. Although these guitars were available in the US labeled both Ampeg (1963-4) and Baldwin (after late 1965), this "true Burns" example complete with the original UK-made Burns hard case is a rarity on these shores.
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 owing a lot to 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 cradle and 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.
All the instruments from the Burns London period (1961-65) are extremely well made, and this rates as a fine-playing guitar with tons of character and a very distinctive sound.
Overall length is 40 in. (101.6 cm.), 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm.) deep. Scale length is 23 1/2 in. (597 mm.).
Completely original, except possibly the spacer nut on the vibrato handle! Average light finish and fretwear but overall very clean and untampered with. Some thumbwear to the back of the neck is the most noticeable fault.
Case is scuffed, with one latch missing and some repair, but these Burns London cases (which manage to be both relatively flimsy and rather heavy!) do not often survive intact, so this rates as a pretty good example. Excellent Condition.
