Burns vibraslim Bass Guitar

[Mick Handy]

Anyone here that is an expert on Burns Guitars from the 60s and can help me with any info on the Vibraslim Bass guitar made in 1964-65.

This guitar is so rare that not even Burns of London has much info on it so any info will be of great help.

The one thing i do now is that it is worth a bucket load of cash even it's well used condition.

Please feel free to drop me a line with any info you have or if you want buy it.


Thanks in advance
Mick Handy

[Lizard]

The Vibraslim was a Burns double-cutaway semi-hollowbody introduced in ?64. Unlike, say, an ES-335, this had a slightly extended upper cutaway and there was a slight taper to the bass bout, giving it a little more dynamic feel. A solid wood core extended down the center of the guitar, with hollow wings on the side and a pair of f-holes. These early Baldwin semi-hollow Vibraslims had a bit of a point on the treble horn; later hollowbodies had a more rounded horn. The head was the flared three-and-three as found on the G.B. guitars. Two ring-mounted Ultra-Sonic pickups were controlled by one volume, two tone, and a presence control, all mounted as thumbwheels along the bottom edge of the elevated pickguard. A three-way select was also mounted in the pickguard. The Vibraslim had an adjustable metal compensated bridge and a top-mounted Mk. 9 vibrato, looking somewhat like a Hagstrom, but operating with a bar and handle assembly attached to a spring under a humped housing behind the bar. These came in a red sunburst finish.

Dont plan your retirement just yet Mick, I have had a few Burns in me collection, sadly thats all they are Collectors pieces, as a working guitar these days, they are rubbish, compared to a Fender, Wal, etc, Otrum Burns are going thru a makeover, and doing re-issues, BUT, thay are using modern methods of construction, and modern low noise electrics. In thier day Burns were a half decent product, but there are only still the two major player in the market Fender and Gibson, with PRS making a fantastic inroad into this exclusive club, thats always been the way. after having said that there are many geeks that love retro burns, vox, stuff, and you should find a buyer.......my guess ?400-700, IF you can find a collector, and especially one looking for basses, most want Vintage Gibson/Fender 6 strings.
Try Don, here...