1965 Burns GB 65

1965 Burns GB 65

This is one of the rarest and most unusual of the original English-made Burns guitars. A rather unique designed guitar the GB 65 is a flat-topped hollow body electric with two Rez-O-Matic pickups and a long 25 1/2" scale neck (unusual on a Burns guitar). The laminated mahogany body has a clear-finished "flamed sycamore" top, beautifully flamed, and a single rounded cutaway. It is 16 1/2" wide and a full 2 5/8" deep. The top sports twin eccentrically shaped 2-part sound holes and a thick tortoise celluloid scratch plate with the Burns London logo. It is fitted with a trapeze tailpiece with a "B" logo centerplate and a simple metal bar floating bridge.

Despite its acoustic look, the GB65 has a fantastic electric sound capable of surprisingly bright tones...especially compared to the usual amplified flat-top. "Specially developed Rez-O-Matic pickups are used" claimed Burns although the units actually resemble the simple Nu-Sonic pickups. The controls are simple; a 3-way switch and volume and tone knobs, with the tone control only working on the neck pickup (another Burns quirk).

The GB65 was in limited production for just over a year from early 1965 into mid-'66, one of the first instruments axed by Baldwin after they took over in late 1965. It appears only a couple of production batches were completed, with existing instruments straddling the Burns/Baldwin line. They appear somewhat randomly with either logo, the only physical difference being the engraving on the pickguard; this Burns-logo GB65 is the rarer version.

The guitar is all original and overall this is a very well preserved and a fine playing example of this rare burns creation. As with many of these polyester-finished Baldwin-era Burns instruments there is a bit of lacquer crazing to the top, back and sides, a small impact mark in the lacquer to the bottom side of the guitar and some marks on the back of the neck (see last 5 pictures). It has been set up with a new set of Ernie Ball strings and has really low action making it very easy to play. Comes complete with a padded gig bag.

Shipping within mainland UK using fully insured 24-hour courier service @ £35.00.

Shipping to US/Canada, using UPS, is £185.00. Shipping to EU is £65.00

Customers outside of UK/EU/US/Canada should contact Vintage Rare & Retro Guitars for a shipping quotation. Free pick-up is always available at our Gullane shop.