The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Other Bass Brands => Topic started by: Chris P. on March 23, 2022, 05:45:03 AM

Title: '63 Burns Sonic Bass (NBD)
Post by: Chris P. on March 23, 2022, 05:45:03 AM

Some weeks ago a friend who works at a music store, told me they got a '63 Burns Sonic in. The pickups are on - and not in - the pickguard en the former owner removed the switch and put the pickups close together like a mudbucker. Another friend at the shop brought it back to former glory - as good as possible - and I got it for a very nice price.

It's a small, light, and very well sounding bass!

(https://myalbum.com/photo/sbLJYVn8i3PM/360.jpg)

(https://myalbum.com/photo/wjpEr3gRZHfJ/360.jpg)

(https://myalbum.com/photo/H5W4gzzEQd5Y/360.jpg)

Title: Re: '63 Burns Sonic Bass (NBD)
Post by: Pilgrim on March 23, 2022, 09:36:16 AM

Very, very cool looking bass!!

Title: Re: '63 Burns Sonic Bass (NBD)
Post by: ilan on March 23, 2022, 03:09:55 PM

Wow. Very cool. Congrats!

The original bridge was a weird unit.

(https://images.reverb.com/image/upload/s--uyAXHqig--/a_exif,c_limit,e_unsharp_mask:80,f_auto,fl_progressive,g_south,h_1600,q_80,w_1600/v1446571440/hbv1gycwhpzmy4cuaz9i.jpg)

Title: Re: '63 Burns Sonic Bass (NBD)
Post by: Rob on March 23, 2022, 04:41:43 PM

Nice find!
How do you string that bridge?

Title: Re: '63 Burns Sonic Bass (NBD)
Post by: Chris P. on March 24, 2022, 02:31:03 AM

I think the bridge on Ilan's pic has holes in de back to feed the string through.


The plastic knob one is '60 or '61. I have the aluminium knob one from '63, with a different bridge. I'm sure it's original, cos it looks a lot like the bridge on the '64 Vista Sonic Bass I used to have.

One problem with tha one, same wit my Gretsch Billy Bo: the saddles are wheels on a thread, so if you feed the string over the saddle, while tuning, the wheel turns and it messes up your string spacing.

Title: Re: '63 Burns Sonic Bass (NBD)
Post by: Dave W on March 24, 2022, 10:59:42 PM

Nice one. An oddball in this day and age but I'll bet it sounds good.

Title: Re: '63 Burns Sonic Bass (NBD)
Post by: Chris P. on March 25, 2022, 02:53:53 AM

And Leo Fender was right with the first Telecasters: who needs a truss rod? This Burns doesn't :)

Title: Re: '63 Burns Sonic Bass (NBD)
Post by: ilan on March 26, 2022, 06:58:08 AM

Quote from: Chris P. on March 24, 2022, 02:31:03 AM

One problem with tha one, same wit my Gretsch Billy Bo: the saddles are wheels on a thread, so if you feed the string over the saddle, while tuning, the wheel turns and it messes up your string spacing.

That's a brilliant design.

Title: Re: '63 Burns Sonic Bass (NBD)
Post by: Rob on March 26, 2022, 08:52:07 AM

Looks great!

Title: Re: '63 Burns Sonic Bass (NBD)
Post by: gearHed289 on March 28, 2022, 08:06:53 AM

Quote from: Chris P. on March 24, 2022, 02:31:03 AM

One problem with tha one, same wit my Gretsch Billy Bo: the saddles are wheels on a thread, so if you feed the string over the saddle, while tuning, the wheel turns and it messes up your string spacing.

I've used a drop of clear nail polish to keep them in place on my Schaller bridges.

Title: Re: '63 Burns Sonic Bass (NBD)
Post by: uwe on April 13, 2022, 03:49:59 AM

Well, someone has to like its looks.

Title: Re: '63 Burns Sonic Bass (NBD)
Post by: Chris P. on April 14, 2022, 02:25:48 AM

Yes like me. A face only a mother could love.

Title: Re: '63 Burns Sonic Bass (NBD)
Post by: uwe on April 14, 2022, 05:15:23 AM

 :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: