Burny RLG-50 1983

Burny Les Paul RLG-50 from 1983, made by Kasuga, Japan. At that time still very high Japanese craftsmanship and selected woods.

The RLG-50 is very popular with lovers of MIJ guitars because they have a solid top that is usually very nicely grained and present selectively beautiful plain-tops. (Detailed below under "Voices from the forums").

In the neck position the original pickup is installed (probably Maxon), in the bridge position a Seymour Duncan JB.

Nickel Hardware, fret edge binding.

Frets in good condition. Low action without buzzing possible.

Fret height 0,9mm. Polished frets.

Thickness of neck at fret VII: 22,9 mm.

Weight: 4kg.

The brass saddle was replaced with a saddle made of unbleached bone (Isaak Guitars, Berlin).

No serial number (typical for Burnys of that time). Date determination via potentiometer (31 K-> February 1983).

The guitar is delivered with original case incl. Burny logo (+ "Led Zeppelin", looks almost original).

Burny, by the way, is the brand under which Fernandes (as distributor and principal) had his Gibson copies made. Fernandes vouches for very high quality.

Like most guitars of the "Golden Era" of Japanese-made guitars, this guitar was distributed only in Japan.

Voices from the forums (if interested, no description of the guitar offered here):

• „The Burny Super Grade Les Pauls have been reported by many recording and gigging professionals as “the best” clone of the original 50’s and 60’s Les Pauls.”
• “Burny golden years 1980-1990 (1981-1983 really rocked).”
• “I would go for a RLG 50 over a RLG 90 any day.”
• “RLG-50 is a pretty desirable plaintop model. One of the best produced.”
• “A RLG 60,70,90 is at the end of the day just a RLG 50 with a flamed veneer.”
• “RLG-50 is probably the best deal$$$ for a solid top vintage guitar.”
• "I was able to sell my '57 VOS Gibson afterwards [after buying the 1981 RLG 50], it's a great guitar, but it doesn't have the same sound as the Burny. My buddy and I compared about seven different Gibson Les Pauls - the Burny was always ahead. It sounds softer, sweeter, and "knuckleier" - the closest thing to what you'd want from a Les Paul." [translated from German]
• „I think we all know that RLG-50's were the "budget" level LP guitars in the catalog and yes, the "low-end of the Burny line" in that regard, but I'd take one over an RLG-60 every time…. there are some prime examples of RLG-50 tops that put the clone flame tops of a lot of 60 and 90 models to shame.”
• “I have seen more than a few owners of likely RLG-50s assuming that the nice top on their guitar means they must be RLG-120/150/custom orders. That is a pretty good compliment to for the lowly RLG-50.”