Burny BJ-60 LH – Tobacco Burst, Lawsuit Era, 1980

Burny BJ-60 LH is a left-handed Japanese acoustic guitar manufactured in 1980. The Burny brand was the acoustic line of instruments offered in the Fernandes Co. Ltd. catalog. This model is a replica of American Round-Shoulder Dreadnought designs. A physical feature of this specific unit is the presence of Yasuo Momose's handwritten signature inside the soundhole. The instrument underwent a structural luthier repair in our workshop and a service that included crafting new bone saddles, fretboard leveling and received new Medium Jumbo frets.

Technical specification

• Manufacturer: Burny (Fernandes Co. Ltd.)
• Model: BJ-60 LH
• Year of production: 1980
• Body: Solid Spruce (Top), Mahogany (Back and sides)
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Frets: Medium Jumbo (new - condition 100%)
• Pickups: None
• Electronics: None
• Visual condition: 7 out of 10
• Finish: Tobacco Burst

Body and construction The resonant body features a Round-Shoulder Dreadnought shape, characterized by rounded upper bouts. The top is made of solid spruce, while the back and sides are built from mahogany. The instrument is finished with Tobacco Burst lacquer. A pickguard is mounted on the front.

Neck and ergonomics The mahogany neck is designed for left-handed (LH) players. It features a profile similar to a "C" shape. The nut width is 43 mm. The rosewood fingerboard was cleaned and conditioned, and the Vintage-size frets underwent a polishing process.

Sound The combination of a spruce top and a mahogany Round-Shoulder body provides specific acoustic characteristics typical for this type of design.

• Characteristics: The frequency response is balanced, with a pronounced mid-range, clear upper register, and slightly shorter bass sustain compared to classic Square-Shoulder Dreadnoughts.
• Dynamics: The guitar responds properly to both pick and fingerstyle playing. The new bone saddles improve the transfer of string vibrations to the soundboard.

Additional information

Burny BJ series acoustic models were offered by Fernandes Co. Ltd. as replicas of popular Western designs during the so-called Lawsuit era.

Inside the body, on the neck block, there is a handwritten signature of Yasuo Momose – a well-known Japanese luthier overseeing the production of high-end acoustic instruments at that time.

The guitar underwent a structural repair in our workshop involving the permanent re-gluing of the neck heel. The joint is stabilized.

In addition to the heel repair, the luthier service included precise cutting and fitting of new natural bone saddles (nut and bridge), hardware cleaning, and setup of intonation and string action.

Hardware

• Bridge: Rosewood – a "belly up" design, factory-adapted for left-handed players, equipped with a new natural bone saddle.
• Tuners: Open Gear mechanisms with cream buttons. They have been cleaned and operate smoothly.

Instrument condition

• Technical condition: 10 out of 10 – the instrument is fully functional mechanically and structurally stable after the performed service. The truss rod works properly.
• Visual condition: 7 out of 10 – the guitar shows clear signs of wear appropriate for its age (scratches, lacquer dings). The mark from the professional neck heel gluing is visible but has been smoothly sealed.
• Setup and Modifications: Permanent gluing of the neck heel, replacement of nut and bridge saddle with bone ones, fretboard leveling, new frets.

Why choose this instrument

• Left-handed version: Japanese acoustic replicas from the late 70s and early 80s in a factory LH version are rarely found on the secondary market.
• Solid Top: A solid spruce top provides better resonant properties than plywood constructions.
• Handwritten signature: The presence of Yasuo Momose's signature is physical proof of the instrument's origin from a respected Japanese production line.
• Ready to play: The guitar has undergone invasive structural repair and a full setup, eliminating the need for a luthier visit after purchase.