Burny REB-65 Short Scale Set Neck (Gibson EB-3 Model) 1990 - Black - Made In Japan MIJ

1990 Burny REB-65 Short Scale Set Neck EB-3 Bass from the Burny Revival series - In gloss black finish - Made in the famous Fujigen Gakki factory in Japan - MIJ

• Serial Number: None
• Body: Mahogany (likely 2-3 pieces)
• Neck: Mahogany (appears to be 1 piece)
• Fretboard: Rosewood
• Fretboard Radius: Around 10"
• Fret Edge Binding: No
• Inlays: Acrylic Pearloid dot inlays
• Frets: 20 x Medium Jumbo (1.0mm tall x 2.7mm wide)
• Nut Width: 38.9mm
• Width at 1st Fret: 40.5mm
• Width at 12th Fret: 52.1mm
• Thickness at 1st Fret: 21.1mm
• Thickness at 12th Fret: 24.8mm
• Nut: Bone
• Tuners: Original nickel open tuners
• Bridge & Tailpiece: Replaced with Japanese made vintage correct nickel bridge (same as the original)
• Pickups: Original pickups
• Neck Pickup Resistance: 1.61K ohm
• Bridge Pickup Resistance: 9.46K ohm
• Pots: Original 500K pots with 05 and 07 date codes (May and July of 1990)
• Strings: Ernie Ball Regular Slinky Short Scale 45-105 - E Standard tuning
• Weight: 7.74lbs
• Non Original Parts: New Gotoh EP-B1 nickel strap buttons, replaced bridge with vintage correct Japanese made bridge (same as the original), bridge cover missing
• Case: New quality made Profile G05TX gig bag
• Truss Rod: Works as expected with room in both directions

This is a 1990 Burny REB-65 from the Burny Revival series, which was their take on the Gibson EB-3 SG Bass model - similar to the 1960's to 1970's Gibson EB-3 short-scale bass.

From what I can tell, this model only appeared in the 1989-1991 Burny catalogs, although it's possible some were made before and after those dates.

Also from what I can tell, this model was only listed with a Wine Red finish - but this one is obviously black. I've seen some other black ones as well, so these might have been a store order or special run? Not sure.

With a narrow 38.9mm nut width, and a short 30.5" scale, this bass is light weight, fun and easy to play - it feels like a large guitar rather than a long scale bass. But don't let that fool you - there's plenty of solid low end bass tones on tap, especially with the huge neck pickup. Similar to the Gibson EB-3, this Burny model features an EB style humbucking neck pickup, a ‘mini’ humbucker in the bridge position and individual volume and tone controls for each. The original Gibson models often had a 4-way rotary switch to select the pickups, but this one features a standard 3 way selector switch to select between the neck, both or bridge pickups.

Burny famously didn't have serial numbers during parts of the 1980's and 1990's, so I have dated this one based on the original pots having date codes of 05 & 07, indicating May and July of 1990.

It's well known that Burny had multiple factories building their guitars in the 80's & 90's including Fujigen, Dyna Gakki, Matsumoku and Kasuga, among others. Although I don't know for sure, based on the control cavity route matching that of known Fujigen made SG guitar's from Burny & Greco, I would bet this one was made at the Fujigen factory.

This bass arrived to me with some bridge saddles missing, and the strap buttons also missing. I was able to source a period correct Japanese made nickel plated bridge, which is the same as the original one on this bass, as well as installed a new set of Gotoh EP-B1 Gibson style nickel strap buttons to bring it back to as close to original as possible. The original bridge cover is missing, and the original holes used to mount it onto the body, on either side of the bridge, are still there - but this was a common modification done to these basses, and it does not affect the tone or playability of the bass.

Everything else on this bass appears to be original, and this bass is in good player grade condition. It's had a rock'n'roll life for sure, and it has been played - there are multiple chips in the finish across the body, and since it's a gloss black finish, it shows numerous scratches and swirling all over the body, neck and headstock. Although it's been played, it doesn't appear to have been abused - it has mojo, and plays great.

This Burny is made with a mahogany neck mated to a mahogany body. I cannot see any seams through the finish on the neck, so it's likely a 1 piece neck, and it's possible there are 1-2 seams on the body, so it's likely a 2-3 piece body, but since it's a gloss black finish, there's no way no know for sure.

The neck itself is narrow - with a nut width of 38.9mm. The neck has a nice D shape carve staring out at 21.2mm at the 1st fret and making its way up to 24.8mm by the 12th fret - it's comfortable to play. It feels a lot like the Burny RSG-65 '69 SG model - similar neck dimensions.

Like every other Burny I have owned, this one also features a incredibly beautiful rosewood fretboard that has a lovely grain all the way up the board, along with acrylic pearloid dot inlays.

Although it has been played, and there is some light play wear across the 20 medium jumbo frets - overall the frets still have lots of life left in them and the bass plays great all the way up the fretboard.

The black plastics are all in tact, with some typical pick marks on the pickguard, and typical swirling on all of the other plastics.

All of the nickel and chrome hardware is in good shape, with only minor amounts of tarnish, corrosions, pitting and/or rust on them.

All the guitars I sell, I test, thoroughly clean, and setup completely before I list them. Anything that is missing, damaged, or non original is mentioned in the listing.

I setup all the basses I sell - including neck relief, action, pickup height, and intonation. So this bass will be ready to play out of the box (after you tune it up - I ship my guitars with the strings loosened).

Comes with a new quality made Profile G05TX gig bag.

Overall, this is rarely seen bass from Burny that looks, sounds, and plays awesome.

If you're looking for an vintage Japanese made bass - look no further than this one!

CONDITION ------------

Overall it's in good player grade shape.

I've tried to capture all of the flaws in the photos and in the description - but there are lots.

The strap buttons are new, and the bridge has been replaced with a vintage correct Japanese made nickel played bridge (same as the original).

The original bridge cover is missing, and the original holes used to mount it onto the body, on either side of the bridge, are still there

There are many scuffs, scratches, swirling, dings, dents, and chips in the finish all over the guitar, with some larger ones on the body, and edge of the headstock.

Where the nut meets the neck, there are chips in the black finish on both sides.

Under the truss rod cover, the top coat finish is slightly cracked - but this is hidden when the truss rod cover is installed.

All of the black plastics have typical scratches and swirling on them.

The nickel and chrome hardware, bridge, pickup pole pieces, tuners, and screws all have some form of corrosion, pitting, scratches, and/or rust on them, but not much, and most still have lots of shine, and everything works as expected.

All of the open tuners work properly.

Around the strap buttons there's strap marks/swirling.

The frets have been played, and there is fret ware across the board but nothing major, and overall the frets have lots of life left in them, and the bass plays well up and down the entire neck.

The truss rod works as expected, with room in both directions.

There's no sign of a heel or headstock repair, or any other major structural repair.

SHIPPING ------------  

Every shipment is expertly packed with great care and includes tracking, signature required on delivery, and full insurance coverage for both the purchase price and shipping.

Every guitar is fully wrapped in bubble wrap, in a cardboard box meant for guitars, with proper support inside. To reduce environmental impact, the packing material (paper, newsprint, gift wrap, bubble wrap, air packets, foam, carboard boxes and/or tube supports, etc...) used may be recycled.

Package dimensions are 118cm x 47cm x 17cm

Note: if you want an exact shipping quote, just send me a note with your postal/zip code, and I'll get a proper quote for your address. 

Note: If you're buying from outside of Canada, you as the Buyer may be required to pay import duties, tariffs, taxes and/or VAT upon delivery, depending on your location and the purchase price.

QUESTIONS ------------

Any questions? Want more photos or detailed shots? Measurements? Shoot me a message, and I'll be happy to answer them, or send more pics, or take any measurements you want/need.

Thanks for looking!