Norman Guitar Serial Number Search

REFERENCE & RESOURCE PAGES:

Hello 89vette, If you will provide us with the serial number from your J-45 we will be happy to check our data base for information. You can email us at service@gibson.com or call 1-800-444-2766 x 1. Jan 08, 2005 I am looking at buying a good solid top guitar in the $300 to $400 dollar range. I recently tried a Norman B20 HG and really liked the sound. It has vintage Grover tuners, has been set up to lower the action, and the saddle (taylor) and bridge pins (bone) have been replaced.

SUPERSOUND (1958) - BURNS-WEILL (1959) - FENTON WEILL (1960-65)

ORMSTON BURNS (1960-1965) - AMPEG (1963-64) - BALDWIN (1965-69)

SHERGOLD WOODCRAFTS (1967-69) - ORMSTON (1968) - HAYMAN (1970-75)

BURNS UK (1973-77) - BURNS ACTUALIZERS (1979-82) - SHERGOLD (1975-92)

TIMELINE - PUBLICITY - FACTORY

ARTIST - DELUXE - SONIC - BLACK BISON - VISTA

BLACK BISON III - JAZZ - TR-2 - NU-SONIC - MARVIN - DOUBLE 6

Norman

BISON - VIBRASLIM - GB65 - GB66 - VIRGINIAN - BABY BISON

AMPLIFIERS - ACCESSORIES - PROTOTYPES

Rear of 131 Queens Road, Buckhurst Hill, Essex

These photos were kindly shared with me by Bill Lovegrove, co-author of 'The Jim Burns Story'.

The book is available to buy here and makes for an incredible read, containing hundreds of never-before-published photographs and anecdotes from family and Burns-team members, spread over 400 full-colour pages! It's a small-run privately printed book, and copies are very limited, so if you want one I'd urge you to order one now before they are all gone!

Jimmy Jams, 22nd April 1961.

Jim on Ormston Hawaiian Lap Steel, Phil Sweet on Burns Thinline Prototype through Tele Amp (or two?)

Station Approach, Cherry Tree Rise, Roding Valley

Photo from the Farrell archives. Presumed circa mid-1962, preparing for a Trade Fair?

25th April 1963 Ormston Burns Letter

Burns Guitars Research Team, 1963:

Hi Everyone, This a picture of me (John Clark) on the left, with Gordon Chandler (chief designer) and Phil Storm aka Phil Sweet (designer draughtsman). It was 1963 I think and I was 18.

Unloading a lorry outside the Burns factory

Memories from Norman Houlder

Re: BURNS ARTIST BASS info? Norm?

  • Post by n.houlder » Tue Aug 08, 2017 7:00 pm

Hi
As far as I can remember? that instrument was all hand moulded with fixed neck moulded to the body.
There is only one person that could help is Lez Andrews. He was the main cabinet maker in the early days, he lives in
Plymouth. He was the mainstay for Burns right from the early days in Buckhurst Hill basement; I was roped in to Mechanize the production in the early 60s when they moved to Roding Valley with Jack Golder in charge. I diverse. I did get involved with the Black Bison; trying to machine that one was a bit of a headache with it's curled up horns. When they started screwing the necks on that's when I stepped in. Sorry can't help. Have you had a look in the Burns book by Per Gjord PEARLS & CRAZY DIAMONDS? It's very informative of all Jim Burns efforts.

  • Post by n.houlder » Wed Aug 09, 2017 7:59 pm
HI
Further to my most recent post, the guitars/basses were made truly by hand. Jim used to buy the rough shapes from a furniture manufacture in Epping. Lez Andrews used to get the bits together and craft them to shape. My arrival: Jack Golder got in touch with me to start up the machine shop. Jack hadn't been with them long, he started underneath Lez as a cabinet maker but Jack had plenty of rabbit and talked his way to managing the firm! He then got in touch with me to start the machine shop. I spent the first 2 weeks (without pay) looking for machines and timber supplies. I did some fitting up of guitars after that on wages; it was good because I was very green as far as guitars concerned so I learnt a lot and done a fair bit of drinking - Jims favourite pastime! The machines came in, some timber - English Sycamore as Maple was an import and it cost Dollars which was taboo, unfortunately it was fools choice as we all know Maple is the more stable timber. We even tried to use a Mahogany at one time on a guitar, exporting it to the States and it backfired as they turned out a lot of crap and got a bad name in the States for it.
To be continued in my book Hm?
Norm

BURNS FACTORY PROMOTIONAL SHOTS

Published October 1963

Above: Dave Van Doorn with a TR2

Norman Guitar Serial Number Search Database

'Bert'

Above: Keith Davis working on Touch-Sensitive Bass prototype

Brooklands Approach (Published address Chesham Close), Romford

Patents:

VISIT TO EDDIE CROSS & SON, 1984 (Walter Kavli)

Stewart Orr: 'I met Eddie at the factory in the eighties and I remember those Bisons. Eddie explained that when Baldwin stopped they simply piled all the machinery, stock and anything else into a corner and pressed on with their other work. I remember Eddie producing a box full of Bison tuner covers, he felt that Jack Golder with his background at Rootes motors constantly over-ordered parts and this did not help cashflow! Glad he did though. Eddie had a framed 'bounced cheque' from JB on his wall. The cessation of Baldwin gave Eddie's dad very serious problems at the time as they were the biggest customer he had.'

Eddie Cross' Engraving Machine

SPRAY FINISHERS 'G. Brunt, 17 Charlotte Rd, London'

JOB FIGURES Dec 1964-Nov 1965

Signed off by Jack Golder

From phone conversation with Paul Day

MODELGUITARSBASSESCOLOURS
Marvin / Shadows2004099 white, 1 green
Bison2008074+69 Black, 8+8 White
Vibraslim20050
Nu-Sonic350150
GB65180
GB668040
GB66 Deluxe30
Virginian70
Double Six 150
Baby Bison170
Jazz Models (Short/Split)850300313 Red/Black, 1 Red, 14 White, 11 Black
Serial No.BrandModelType FeaturesColour Special Features / Transition TypeLabel Date
'41' quoted by shop'MARVIN BURNS LONDON'Marvin prototypeGuitarBased on Jazz Guitar with Split Sonic Pickups, Deluxe OB headstock logo, Metal Pear-shaped TunersAll whitePrototype
71BurnsBlack BisonGuitar4 Pick-ups, Gold plating, Bound Ebony fingerboard, UNKNOWN tuner buttonsBlack pictured in the May '62 Trade Advert
89BurnsBlack BisonGuitar4 Pick-ups, Gold plating, Bound Ebony fingerboard, Pearl tuner buttonsBlack (looks restored?)
91BurnsBlack BisonGuitar4 Pick-ups, Gold plating, Bound Ebony fingerboard, Pearl tuner buttonsBlackRestored by Jack Golder
95BurnsBlack BisonGuitar4-PickupBlackBound Rosewood fingerboard, Chrome plating, Metal tuner Buttons. Alfons Lahaye
102BurnsBlack Bison Guitar4 Pick-ups, Gold plating, Pearl tuner buttonsBlackBound Rosewood fingerboard
111BurnsBlack BisonGuitar4 Pick-ups, Gold plating, Pearl tuner buttonsGreen/Gold SunburstBound Rosewood fingerboard. Alfons Lahaye
156BurnsBlack BisonGuitar4 Pick-ups, Gold plating, Pearl tuner buttonsBlackBound Rosewood fingerboard
162BurnsVista SonicGuitarUnbound Rosewood fingerboard, Plastic tuner buttonsRed/Black shadedCarved rebate behind tremolo unit
174BurnsBlack BisonGuitar4 Pick-ups, Gold plating, Pearl tuner buttonsBlackBound Rosewood fingerboard
221BurnsBlack BisonGuitar3 Pick-ups, Chrome plating, Series 1 vibrato, 2x2 control layoutGreen Sunburst Bound Rosewood fingerboard, made for and bought at '62 Trade Exhibition
229BurnsVista SonicBassBlack plastic tuner buttons, Rosewood fingerboardGreen Sunburst
424BurnsShortscale JazzGuitarAll Mahogany, Plastic tuner buttons, Rosewood fingerboard, Push-fit type 1 vibrato Red/Black shadedMK 1, shorter horns on pickguard, treble-horn curves in
474BurnsShortscale JazzGuitarAll Mahogany, Plastic tuner buttons, Rosewood fingerboard, Push-fit type 1 vibrato Red/Black shadedMk 2, longer pickguard horn. less curved treble horn
545BurnsShortscale JazzGuitarMk 2
615BurnsVista-SonicGuitarUnbound Rosewood fingerboard, Plastic tuner buttons, Push-fit type 1 vibratoRed/Black Shadedno body rebate
622BurnsSplit SonicGuitarPush-fit type 1 vibratoWhite w grey plates
679BurnsShortscale JazzGuitarAll Mahogany, Plastic tuner buttons, Rosewood fingerboardRed/Black shadedMk 1, shorter horns on pickguard, lower body-horn curves in. Hardtail (non-trem) maybe a conversion?
693BurnsSplit SonicGuitarPush-fit type 1 vibratoWhite w grey plates
0722'Burns'DefiantAcoustic GuitarActually a Melodija Menges Cello Guitar re-branded with an internal Burns London labelsunburstnot authenticated, but mine!
735BurnsSplit SonicBassUnbound Rosewood fingerboard, flanged bridge coverRed/Black shaded
769BurnsShort Scale JazzGuitarRed/Black shadedMK 1, shorter horns on pickguard, lower body-horn curves in
924BurnsBlack BisonGuitar3 Pick-ups, Chrome plating, bound Ebony fingerboard, Series 1 vibrato, 2x2 control layoutBlackHarris Hire; used by Supergrass
926BurnsBlack BisonGuitar3 Pick-ups, Chrome plating, Series 1 vibrato, 2x2 control layoutBlack bound Rosewood fingerboard. Rectangular Van Gent tuners.
'938'BurnsBisonGuitar3 Pick-ups, bound Ebony fingerboard, Series 2 vibrato, 4-in-line control layout, rectangular metal tuners

***Not original Serial No.***

Plate sourced from Macari's

***

18 04 64

***

946BurnsBlack BisonGuitar3 Pick-ups, Chrome plating, bound Ebony fingerboard, Series 1 vibrato, 2x2 control layoutBlackAlfons Lahaye
1022BurnsBlack BisonGuitar3 Pick-ups, Chrome plating, bound Ebony fingerboard, Series 1 vibrato, 2x2 control layoutBlackex-Paul Day, now mine!
1242BurnsSplit SonicGuitarPush-fit type 1 vibratoRed/Black shadedAlfons Lahaye
1396BurnsBlack BisonGuitar3 Pick-ups, Chrome plating, bound Ebony fingerboard, Series 1 vibrato, 2x2 control layoutBlackebay/worthpoint
1399BurnsBlack BisonGuitar3 Pick-ups, Chrome plating, bound Ebony fingerboard, Series 1 vibrato, 2x2 control layoutBlacknon-highlighted flat (repro?) pick-up cpvers, changed wiring
1597BurnsSplit Sound6-String Bassno infono infoalfons26 Feb 1963
1857Burns BisonBassEbony board, Alloy knobs, flanged bridge-coverAll whitetune yr sound
1952BurnsBisonGuitar3 Pick-ups, bound Ebony fingerboard, Series 2 vibrato, 4-in-line control layout, teardrop metal tuners, 4 holes in all pickup coversblacktune yr sound
1986AMPEGWild DogGuitarseries 1 vibrato, flanged coverPowder Blue, white plateaka Jazz Split Sonic
2047BurnsVistaSonicGuitarRed Sunburst17 Jan 1963
2165BurnsSplit Sound6-string Bassbound rosewood board, cradle bridge, screw-on coverred/black shadedex-Vic Flick, cowtown gtrs
2231BurnsJazz Split Sound 1212-string Guitarfixed floating cradle?3 colour sunburst12-String prototype, shorter horns on pickguard, Paul Day
2339BurnsSpecial X10-string Guitartoo many unique features to listRed/Black, white platenew 'Burns' logo on plate
2396BurnsBisonGuitarno infoAlfons Lahaye9 Dec 63
3102BurnsTR2GuitarConcealed pole-pieces, mk 9 vibratoTrans Red
3163BurnsBisonGuitar3 Pick-ups, no holes, bound Ebony fingerboard, Series 1 vibrato, 4-in-line control layout, teardrop metal tunersAll blacklatest series 1 trem implies nov 63
3234BurnsMarvin PrototypeGuitarBased on Jazz body, TR2 neckwhite with segmented tortoiseshell pickguardtoo many unique features to list
3396BurnsJazz Split SoundGuitarTrans RedSolid saddles, thumbscrew cover implies pre-Dec 63
3499BurnsTR2GuitarConcealed pole-pieces, mk 9 vibratoRed/black shadedAlfons Lahaye
3615BurnsSplit SonicGuitarRectangular Van GentsRed/Black ShadedOpen saddles on presumably Series 2 trem under thumbscrew coverearliest series 2 vib implies dec '63
3783BurnsVista SonicShort Scale BassFloating Cradle vibrato, flanged coverTrans Red, black platewhite tuner buttons
3787BurnsBison Guitar3 Pick-ups, bound Ebony fingerboard, Series 2 vibrato, 4-in-line control layout, rectangular metal tunersAll whiteseries 2 vib implies dec '63
3882AMPEGWild DogGuitarAs Split Sound Jazz GuitarRed/Black shaded
3998BurnsTR2GuitarConcealed pole-pieces, mk 9 vibratoSunburst
4013BurnsTR2GuitarConcealed pole-pieces, mk 9 vibratoRed/Black shadedex Tim Ray, now mine!
4023BurnsTR2GuitarConcealed pole-pieces, mk 9 vibratoTrans Red
4086BurnsBisonBassEbony board, clear knobsAll whitealfons
4108BurnsDouble 612 String Guitarunbound Rosewood fingerboardGreenburstMk9 Vibrato system affecting only 6 strings.
'4261'BurnsBisonGuitar3 Pick-ups, Series 2 vibrato, 4-in-line control layout, rectangular metal tunersTrans Brown over Trans Red, 'TRANS' in body cavity

Bound Rosewood fingerboard

***Not original Serial No.***

Plate sourced from Alfons

***

09 05 64

***

4445BurnsNu-SonicGuitarUnbound Rosewood board, White plastic Tuner Buttons on rectangular tunersRed trans, natural shaded sides to rear of neckalfons
4479BurnsVista SonicGuitarseries 2 vibrato, flanged cover, teardrop tuners with plastic buttonsPowder blue, white plateTune yr Sound
4559BurnsTR2Guitarmk9 vibratoCherry Red
4746BurnsTR2GuitarMk9 vibratoRed/Black shadedExposed screw-head polepieces
4884BurnsTR2GuitarMk9 vibrato, concealed polepiecesRed/Black shadedconcealed poles
4893BurnsTR2GuitarMk9 vibrato, concealed polepieces
4902Ampeg by BurnsTR2GuitarMk9 vibrato, concealed polepiecesBlonde
4906BurnsTR2GuitarMk9 vibrato, concealed polepiecesRed/Black shaded
4990BurnsBisonGuitarSeries 2 vibrato, 4 in line clear skirt knobsBlack12 March 1964
5186BurnsSplit Sound Six-String Bass with Vibrato6-String BassBound Rosewood Board, floating Cradle BridgeBlackAlfons21 April 1964
5211BurnsVista SonicBassUnbound Rosewood boardTrans Red
5276BurnsBisonGuitarTrans RedTrans RedSeries 2 vibrato, 4-in-line clear skirt knobs
5400BurnsSplit Sound Bass w vibrato6-String BassBound Rosewood Board, floating Cradle BridgeTrans Red17th April 64 '85'
5696BurnsTR2GuitarVibraslim-shaped plate
5785BurnsVibraslimGuitarBound Rosewood boardSunburstBound soundholes. Pickguard extends between pickups. no A,B,C legends. exposed poles through 'Magnets'(?). Peter Farrell's 'Prototype'
5913BurnsBisonGuitarEbony Board, clear knobs, series 2 vibratoTrans Red, 'RED' in body cavityEx-Paul Day, was mine. Then Jamie Stovell, now Stephen Taylor. Same sized triple dots on 12th fret. original owner's name 'R. ANDERSON - ST. BEATS' scratched under vibrato cover.17 August 1964
6220BurnsNu-SonicGuitarUnbound Rosewood board, White plastic Tuner Buttons on rectangular tunersTrans Red, natural shaded sides to rear of neck9 June 1964
6278BurnsVista SonicBassUnbound Rosewood boardAll white
6304Burns VirginianGuitarPrototype Mk 1
6458BurnsBisonGuitarEbony board, clear knobs, series 2 vibratoTrans RedJim Ricketts, Melb.
6660Burns Split Sound VistaSonicGuitarGreenburst9 May 1964
6877BurnsMarvinGuitarWhiteApril 1964
6976BurnsVirginianGuitarMarvin neck, Blank Rez-o-tube, large 'Rez-O-matiK' on pickup covers Natural BlondePrototype mk 2
7033BurnsSplit Sound JazzGuitarunbound Rosewood boardTrans Redtune yr sound
7051BurnsSplit Sound JazzGuitarunbound Rosewood boardTrans Red
7346BurnsNu-SonicGuitarUnbound Rosewood board, White plastic Tuner Buttons on rectangular tunersBlack19 August 1964
7950AMPEGNu-SonicGuitarUnbound Rosewood boardBlackMetal Tuner Buttons on rectangular tuners
8051BunsMarvinGuitarWhite, Grey Plates19 Nov 1964
8126BurnsMarvinGuitar2-screw plates, small RezomatikWhite, Grey PlatesMacari's
8167BurnsMarvinGuitarWhite, Tort plates5 Nov 1964
8242BurnsGB66Guitarunbound Rosewood boardNatural
8248BurnsMarvinGuitarBound Rosewood boardWhite/TortBIG Burns Logo with horizontal switch and large pickup engraving? Neck plate Pat Nos in asymmetric columns?
8299AMPEGJazz Split SoundGuitarunbound boardRed Sunburst16 Oct 1964
8350BurnsJazz Split SoundGuitarunbound Rosewood NeckRed Sunburst28 sept 1964
8424BurnsNu-SonicGuitarUnbound Rosewood board, White plastic Tuner Buttons on rectangular tunersTrans Red, natural shaded sides to rear of neck18 Dec 1964
8582BurnsBisonGuitarBlack, Grey plates13 Nov 1964
8713BurnsBisonGuitarScroll head, small 'reZ-o-matik' on pickup covers. 3-screw name-plateWhite with grey platesUnbound Rosewood board
8852BurnsBisonGuitarScroll head, small 'reZ-o-matik' on pickup covers. 2-screw name-plateBlack with blue-grey platesUnbound Rosewood board
9200BurnsJazz Split SoundGuitarMetal Buttoned rectangular tuners, Floating Cradle, unbound rosewood boardRed/Black shadedRetrofretMarch 1965
9341BurnsGB65Guitarenclosed pole 'Rez-O-matiK' pickups, unbound Rosewood board, 'B' tailpieceNatural blonde
9415BurnsGB65Guitarenclosed pole 'Rez-O-matiK' pickups, unbound Rosewood board, 'B' tailpieceNatural blonde
9642BurnsVibraslimGuitarbound rosewood boardsunburstsingle coil with screwhead through exposed pole pups
9543BurnsBisonBassBlack/grey pearlscroll head
9873?BurnsMarvinGuitarunbound Rosewood fingerboard. Beech neckLARGE Rez-0-Matik engraving, 2 screws on both horn-plates, patent numbers in two columns. Micro-tilt neck angle system
9963BurnsBisonGuitarunbound neck, 2-screw nameplateBlack/grey pearlScroll Head
10066BALDWINVibraslimGuitarBound Rosewood boardRed/Black shadedexcised BURNS pickguard, patched with BALDWIN logo. No 'Burns' logo on headstock
10069BurnsVibraslimGuitarbound rosewood boardsunburst6-coil exposed pole pups. 'Burns' logo on headstock badge
10140BurnsVibraslimGuitarbound rosewood boardsunbursttune yr sound
10213BALDWINJazz Split SoundGuitarFloating CradleRed/Black shadedexcised BURNS pickguard, patched with BALDWIN logo
10358BurnsMarvinGuitarunbound Beech neckWhiteLARGE Rez-0-Matik engraving, 2 screws on both horn-plates, patent numbers in two columns

26 Jan 1965

NECK (8)799

BODY 9844

10758BurnsBison LEFTHANDEDGuitarlow-impedenceBlackSeries 2, 4-in-line knobs
10949BurnsTR2Guitarbound rosewood boardCherry Redvery high serial number for specifications?
11144BurnsBisonGuitarScroll head, large 'Rez-O-matiK' on pickup covers. 2-screw name-plateWhite with grey plates Unbound Rosewood board
11159BALDWINBisonGuitarScroll head, large 'Rez-O-matiK' on pickup covers. 2-screw name-plateBlack with Blue-Grey PlatesBound Rosewood boardAug 1965
11203BALDWINGB65Guitarenclosed pole 'Rez-O-matiK' pickups, unbound Rosewood board, 'B' tailpiece, original headstock shapeNaturaltune yr sound
11377BaldwinVirginianGuitarshort early Rezotube, BaromatiksNaturalall-Burns appointments, including Scroll Head,
11590BURNS-BALDWINBisonGuitarbound Rosewood board, large 'Rez-O-matiK' pickup coverswhite with grey pearloid platesdouble-brand name on 4-screw name plate
11755BaldwinNu-SonicGuitarRed/Black ShadedAll-burns appointments. excised Burns inlaid Baldwin pickguard3 Aug 1965
12136BaldwinVibraslimBass2 x Ultrasonicssunburstall-Burns appointments, including veneered headstock. Chicago Music Exchange
12496BaldwinBaby BisonGuitarlong rezotube, v-headstock, 2-piece pickguardRedall-Burns appointments.
12686BaldwinBaby BisonGuitarlong rezotube, v-headstock, 2-piece pickguardRedall-Burns appointments. retrofret
13012BURNSMarvinGuitarbound Flamey-Sycamore neck, White/TortLarge Rez-0-Matik engraving, 2 screws on both horn-plates, patent numbers in two columns
13313BaldwinBaby BisonGuitarshort rezotube, 3-section pickguardRedflat head, elderly instr.
13379BaldwinBaby BisonBassBaromatik, short rezotube3-colour sunburstFlat head. Double D gtrs
13525BaldwinShadowsBasssmall Rez-O-matiK and deco-print on pickup covers, rosewood boardRefin-Greenburst, repro 'Burns' black platesScroll Head
13526BaldwinShadowsBasssmall Rez-O-matiK and deco-print on pickup covers, rosewood boardScroll Head11 Feb 1966
13929BaldwinNu-SonicGuitarBlack
13968BaldwinGB66 DeluxeGuitarGolden Sunburst19 May 1965
14027BaldwinGB66GuitarBound rosewood board, screw-head polepiece Ultra SonicsBlack/Red shaded
14079BaldwinGB66Bassunbound rosewood board, original headstock shape3-colour Sunburst, matching head, neck natural
14293BURNS-BALDWINBisonGuitarScroll head, bound Rosewood board, large 'Rez-O-matiK' pickup coversWhite with grey platesdouble-brand name on 4-screw name plate
14328BURNSBisonGuitarScroll head, bound Rosewood board, large 'Rez-O-matiK' pickup coversBlack with grey platesBURNS branded 4-screw name-plate
14329BaldwinMarvinGuitar Bound Sycamore Scroll neckWhite / Tort

Baldwin 2-screw plates,

Patent numbers in one column

14357BURNSMarvinGuitarScroll head on unbound Beech neck

Small Rez-o-Matik engraving.

Three- and four-screw plates, patent numbers in two columns

14380Baldwin VibraslimGuitarveneered flat black headstock face, 4 controls under guard, mk9 vibrato. unbound f-holes. Bar-o-matik pickupsRed/Black shadednote: Burns style- appointments. Tune yr sound
14395BaldwinVibraslimBassveneered flat black headstock face, 4 controls under guard. Unbound f-holes. ULTRA-SONIC pickupsLast Ultra-Sonics?
14449BaldwinVibraslimBassveneered flat black headstock face, 4 controls under guard. Unbound f-holes. Bar-o-matik pickupssunburstnote: Burns style- appointments.
14657BURNSMarvinGuitar24.75' scalewhite'VOL-MID-TONE' controls
15007BaldwinVibraslimGuitar4 controls under guard. Unbound f-holes. Bar-o-matik pickupsrefinished
15066BaldwinVibraslimGuitarveneered flat black headstock face, 4 controls under guard, mk9 vibrato. unbound f-holes. Bar-o-matik pickupsRed/Black shadednote: Burns style-appointments
15143BaldwinMarvinGuitarBound Flamey-Sycamore Scroll head neck,White/Tort horizontal switch, large'Rez-O-matiK' covers
15154BaldwinJazz Split SoundGuitarbound rosewood boardred/black shadedBurns style appointments, including 6-in-line headstock
15489BaldwinVibraslimGuitarveneered flat black headstock face, 4 controls under guard, mk9 vibrato. unbound f-holes. Bar-o-matik pickupsThree-colour sunburstnote: Burns style-appointments
15726BaldwinGB66GuitartobaccoburstBurns-type head
15858BaldwinVirginianGuitarShort early Rezotube, BaromatiksNaturalBurns style- appointments, including Scroll Head. Gearlicious
17252BaldwinBisonBassBound Rosewood neck, Bar-o-matik pickups, short NEW RezotubeBlack/grey pearlFlat head. Phil Harris hire
18045BaldwinVibraslimGuitarRevised body shape, clear pickguard, Bar-o-matiks, Short Rezotube3-colour sunburstFlat head
18199BaldwinVibraslimGuitarRevised body shape, clear pickguard, Bar-o-matiks, Short RezotubeNaturalFlat head
18204BaldwinGB66GuitarBound Rosewood Board with natural Burns-shaped head & Neck3-Colour sunburst, bound f-holes. Offset Bar-o-matiks with large weird asymmetrical neck plate.
18246BaldwinVibraslimBassRevised body shape, clear pickguard, Bar-o-matiks, Short Rezotube3-colour sunburstFlat head
18422BaldwinVibraslimGuitarRevised body shape, clear pickguard, Bar-o-matiks, Short Rezotube3-colour sunburstFlat head
18583BaldwinVibraslimGuitarRevised body shape, clear pickguard, Bar-o-matiks, Short RezotubeBlackFlat head, Black painted neck
18820BaldwinGB66Guitartobacco burstBurns-type head
19081BaldwinJazz Split SoundGuitarbound rosewood boardWhite, black plateFlat head
19165BaldwinBaby BisonGuitarShort Rezotube, Bar-o-matiks3-colour sunburstFlat head, cowtown gtrs
19259BaldwinBaby BisonGuitarShort Rezotube, Bar-o-matiks3-colour sunburstFlat Head, Dirk Witte Vintage
19346BaldwinMarvinGuitarBound Sycamore neckFlat Head, 'Vol-Ton-Ton' controls31 May 1966
19590BaldwinSplit Sound JazzGuitarbound rosewood neckTrans Red, natural neckFlat head21 March 1967
20027BaldwinVirginianGuitarShort Rezotube, Bar-o-matiksNatural Flat head, Chicago Music exchange
20058BaldwinVirginianGuitarShort Rezotube, Bar-o-matiksNaturalFlat head, cowtown gtrs
20234BaldwinSplit Sound JazzBassbound rosewood neck, metal buttoned openback tunersred/black shadedflat head, willies guitars
20551BaldwinBisonGuitarBlack / Dark Grey Pearlnatural NeckMD FEB 1967
20614BaldwinBisonGuitarBlack / grey pearlBlack Neckex Paul Day, ex-Ike Isaacs9 FEB 67
20656BaldwinMarvinGuitarBound Sycamore neck, (horizontal switch), 'Rez-O-matiK' coversWhite / Tort'TONE-TONE-VOLUME' contolsMD 21 FEB 1967
20694BaldwinMarvinGuitarBound rosewood neck, (horizontal switch), 'Rez-O-matiK' coversWhite / Tort'TONE-TONE-VOLUME' contols20th FEB 1967
20697BaldwinMarvinGuitarBound rosewood neck, (horizontal switch), 'Rez-O-matiK' coversRefin-Greenburst, repro 'Burns' black platesFlat head
20745BaldwinMarvinGuitarBound rosewood neck, horizontal switch, 'Rez-O-matiK' coversWhite/TortVOLUME-TONE-TONE controls
21137BaldwinMarvinGuitarBar-O-MatiksWhite/TortReplaced fingearboard and pickguards
21397BaldwinVibraslimGuitarRevised body shape, clear pickguard, Bar-o-matiks, Short RezotubeRed/Black shaded, including neck & headstockFlat head
21354BaldwinMarvinGuitarBound rosewood neck, horizontal switch, 'Rez-O-matiK' coversWhite/tortTONE-TONE-VOLUME controls
21767BaldwinMarvinGuitar Bar-O-Matiks, Bound rosewood neck, horizontal switchWhite/TortFlat head,Tort rear tremolo plate
21997BaldwinJazz Split SoundGuitarBound Rosewood boardGreenburstFlat head. 'Deuces Wild' (JP)
22096BaldwinBisonGuitarBound rosewood neck, 'Rez-O-matiK' coversBlack/Grey, Black neckFlat head. Paul Day, ex-Ike Isaacs

Norman Guitar Serial Number Search Engine

Paul Day's Vibrato Series overview:

Norman Guitar Serial Number Search Engine

The earliest version of Burns' recessed bridge/vibrato assembly was the 'Series 1', introduced in 1962. This employed either 'solid' style saddles mounted on a thin steel bridgeplate, or the earlier cradle type bridge (used on the Split Sound bass only), both carried on a large diameter roller. The vibrato arm screwed straight into the string retaining spindle, which was located right at the rear of the large aluminium baseplate and spring tension was non-adjustable. The accompanying cover was initially a push-on type, subsequently superseded by the screw fixing flanged equivalent, but on both versions the vibrato arm access hole was accordingly sited towards the back of the cover top. The revised 'Series 2' design first appeared around late '63. This featured 'open' style saddles mounted on a much thicker, aluminium bridgeplate, which was in turn carried on a correspondingly smaller diameter roller. The vibrato arm was now fitted to a collar around the string retaining spindle and this collar could be swivelled to vary arm angle height as required. The spindle was sited further forward, as the attached vibrato spring was shorter and now faced backwards, terminating at a tension adjuster. The vibrato arm access hole in the cover top naturally was moved forward to match, but just to muddy the waters (in typical Burns manner of course!), this aperture varied slightly in both size and location, as did overall proportions of the cover, suggesting that measurements changed depending on batch manufacture. This means some covers fit and line up better than others, while the partner threaded body inserts also play their part in accurate (or otherwise) positioning. The flanged cover used on the various basses and the Double Six adopted a similar appearance but was deeper to provide the necessary extra clearance.