StevieC Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 (edited) Hi all, Last night the guitarist in our band brought along a Burns 'Flyte' bass he bought in 1977. It's a four stringer (naturally) with a weird double-wing body, large chromed pick-ups and a very pointy headstock. It's finished in a creamy yellow gloss, and has volume and tone rotaries and a pick up selector swtich. I tried it out and unfortunately it doesn't sound good to my ears. Compared to my Fender Jazz, the output is really low and thin-sounding but perhaps that was what Burns basses were like back then. It's quite playable with a shallow, fast neck and low action. I thought I'd impose on the collective brain power of the BC ers to find out a bit more about this bass, so what's the story, and do people still collect these basses? Look forward to hearing from you. Cheers, Steve. Edited April 21, 2008 by StevieC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
backwater Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 (edited) There's a little information here : [url="http://www.burnsguitarmuseum.com/bass2.html"]Burns Guitar Museum[/url] and a restoration with lots of info here : [url="http://aussiechat2000.com.au/flyte/"]Burns Flyte[/url] Andy Edited April 21, 2008 by backwater Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 Only two words to say regarding the Burns Flyte Bass... Gaye Advert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted April 21, 2008 Share Posted April 21, 2008 The bodyshape was ever so slightly ripped off in the early 80s for this: Jon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieC Posted April 21, 2008 Author Share Posted April 21, 2008 Cheers, chaps. Very useful info which I'll pass on...I don't much care for the thing myself but the styling is definately of it's time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieC Posted April 21, 2008 Author Share Posted April 21, 2008 I have to admit, those Riverhead basses actually look better than the Burns. I wonder if there was a legal case over the 'ever-so-slight' similarity? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted August 27, 2022 Share Posted August 27, 2022 (Necro-thread...) I was out and about yesterday and I came across a Burns Flyte bass; it looked like it had been overpainted black which is starting to flake off. The seller asked £795, I said I was thinking £500 and they replied they could do £650. I think that is still too much for me, given the finish, but it seemed OK otherwise, though I didn't try plugging it in (no point if price was off). I don't recall having seen one since they were in the shops in the 70s, but rarity and value don't necessarily go hand-in-hand . Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyJohnson Posted August 27, 2022 Share Posted August 27, 2022 I remember when Slade used these, so I do have a soft spot for them. Aren't purchases like this all about the chase and haggle? If he's come down £100, offer him £525 and walk away. Inevitably they'll come down again, then meet them halfway. There are some ridiculous prices out there for 100% original ones. Just stress it'll need refinishing etc. and look at it from the project perspective. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted August 27, 2022 Share Posted August 27, 2022 4 minutes ago, NancyJohnson said: I remember when Slade used these, so I do have a soft spot for them. Aren't purchases like this all about the chase and haggle? If he's come down £100, offer him £525 and walk away. Inevitably they'll come down again, then meet them halfway. There are some ridiculous prices out there for 100% original ones. Just stress it'll need refinishing etc. and look at it from the project perspective. Aye - I've stepped away from a couple of other instruments lately which I'd really like, but they went past my maximum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msb Posted August 27, 2022 Share Posted August 27, 2022 (edited) A Unicorn popped up on the local online buy&sell , kijiji. I dawdled and an old friend snagged it. I prefer short scales these days and was somewhat relieved , and yet somehow he wound up flipping it to me to buy something else a couple of weeks later. The Unicorn is a great bass! Mine is the RUB-1095 Deluxe with a fat old humbucker on the bridge. Very nicely made , very enjoyable neck. Great sounding thing. And it just fits a Les Paul guitar case! Recently another rare Riverhead Jupiter popped up for sale and I convinced my buddy to grab it. Unfortunately production ceased after the factory in Japan burned down in the late 80’s. Edited August 27, 2022 by msb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msb Posted August 27, 2022 Share Posted August 27, 2022 On 21/04/2008 at 14:51, StevieC said: I have to admit, those Riverhead basses actually look better than the Burns. I wonder if there was a legal case over the 'ever-so-slight' similarity? The Jupiter looks like it was influenced too , but they did give it a distinctive headstock! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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