I have an opportunity to purchase a Burns BM RS guitar for under $650.00 American dollars. For people who own one or more of these guitars, do you think its worth it? The hard shell case is included. It's not a brand new model, maybe a couple of years old at best. Anything to ask about besides the normal guitar questions? Anything to be weary of? I welcome your responses. Thanks!!
Just the usual guitar type things. There is really nothing you can do to mess-up the sound, and it sounds just great.
If it is a "red" special - at that price "customise" the guitar. Make it unique. Punch up a picture of Bri's guitar from the internet.
Remove the old strings. Customise with new strings and set your own action. (The thinner the strings - the better the sound - but they are far less forgiving). A good buff-up with a chamiose and some wood polish should remove any minor scratches or stains.
Remove the "black" plastic protector from the tremolo bar and replace with a white one. (You can use a white plastic protectector from either the top a knitting needle - or buy one from a guitar shop).
If you are good at woodwork - or are near a wood-shop, below the guitar bridge, screw a black plastic "D" scratch plate. (Totally useless - but looks amazing).
Counter-sink a "dime-sized" hole in the head-stock (underneath the BURNS logo) insert/glue an old fashioned UK six-pence coin (or one of the Brian May Tour coins advertised on Queen-online).
Finally, if in a guitar/music shop, you can replace the tonal/volume controls - again to look more like the real thing.
The end product will cost only a few extra quid, but the look is transformed from something approximating Brian's guitar - to an even more stunning replica. The good news is no special skills are required, as they are very simple modifications.
As I said, you can easily find good pictures of the real thing as a guide.
I was just looking on Ebay at some other BMRS guitars. One is up for auction from Austraila asking about $1400.00 I'm not interested in it but in its description it states that Burns stopped production on these guitars about six months ago. Is this true?
I have a burns red special replica with the BURNS logo on the headstock.
Now you can find the same guitar without the Burns logo, in fact Brian quitted the collaboration friendly with Burns and now the guitars are produced like "brian may signature guitars" (or something like that).
The quality is the same. I think that for less than 650$ is a good price, if the item is in good shape. it sounds unique and it's cool to play on stage this kind of instrument, there's always someone that recognize it at our concerts.
Anyway I'm not sure if they are still producing the RS guitars, if so it's not Burns doing that.One more thing is that some months ago Brian talked about a new guitar, totally different in comparison with the design of the "old lady", but i have not seen it available nowhere.(on brianmay.com there was also some pictures.)
i hope someone can confirm my informations, i may have misunderstood something about the production of RS:o)
1400$ is too much ;)
I agree, $1400 is Bs even if being shipped from the Land Down Under!
I was in a local music shop a couple of months ago playing a RS it was going for $800. They also had that gaudy gold sepcial edition RS. in at the same time. That was selling for $1300. The red one sold but the gold remains. I was playing that one a few weeks ago. It's quite tough on the eyes! SO Burns isn't going to make it anymore but another co. picked it up? Ir is Burns just removing their name from the headstock?
Another quick question, Where are the "Dillion" RS guitars from. There are always 2-3 of them up for auction on Ebay? Is it a private guitar manufacturer making these? I would never buy one but who makes them?
try to find out the number on the back of the headstock.. it starts with BHM...
myself, after purchasing an OFFICIAL model and not really being too impressed I would go for a guitar made by RS guitars.. link
of course that is a LOT more than the $650.00 you are talking about.. :)