Burns Jazz Split Sound Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1965), made in London, England, red/black sunburst Polyester finish, sycamore body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case.
The most popular 1960's design from the always-eccentric James Ormston Burns, The Jazz Split Sound is a relatively unsung Beat-Group era classic and a very stylish guitar. This model was available in the US labeled both Ampeg (1963-4) and Baldwin (after late 1965) but this "true Burns" example-dated internally to March 1965- is something of a rarity on these shores. Burns instruments were sold worldwide under the company's name, but very few made it to the US due to the English firm's lack of a distributor in this market. The Jazz Split Sound was Burns' mid-price 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 that moves laterally and individual saddles and must rate as one of the best systems of its kind. The sunburst-finished 23 1/2 inch-scale neck is slim and comfortable with a slightly less round feel than a Fender and a sunburst single sided headstock- later changed by Baldwin to a natural finish double-sided design. The red-black finish was standard for this model, this one does not exhibit the heavy checking often seen on these UK-made guitars. 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.) 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.). This is an extremely nice, all original example. The finish is hardly faded at all and shows none of the common Burns finish checking; apart from a few chips to the headstock finish on the rear and some very light scuffing this guitar is extremely well preserved. Even oft-missing parts like the original trem arm and bridge cover are intact, and the elaborate vibrato system works perfectly. This is a very nice playing and great sounding playing guitar. Includes an well-fit 1970's hard case. Excellent - Condition.
