Burny?

[DaveThePius]

I remember reading an article with Duff McKagen where he was talking about a band he played guitar in. He stated that his favorite guitars were made by Burny. I've looked 'em up, and have been enthralled with them ever sense. Are they still being made (looks like they might be), and if so, are they still as quality as the old ones?

Also, I found out a guitarist that I hold high respect for used a Memphis ES335 copy (red, with a trapeze tailpiece) for decades. I really don't know anything about these either.

 

[cvrle1]

They are still being produced, but not in Japan like old models. You can find plenty of old MIJ ones for sale around.

 

[Matty]

I believe Duff played a new MIC model.

 

[wulfman]

They still make them in Japan these days for the RLG-85 and RLC-85 models but MIC for the rest.

RLG-85
RLC-85

 

[cvrle1]

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/other-single-cuts/42256-duff-mckagan-likes-burny-lps.html

From one of the previous interviews:

I have some really great older guitars that I don’t want to talk about because I don’t want people to know I’ve got them—they’re just too valuable. Let’s just say that I have some than me that I pull out from time to time for my own enjoyment, and I also have a ’73 Les Paul Custom, which is less valuable but still a great guitar. In terms of more recent Gibsons, I have a two-pickup SG from 2008 and a three-pickup version custom made for me in 1988. I don’t play the three-pickup one much—having had it since the GN’R days, it’s just too precious and sentimental for me.

For recording and touring, I have a Burny Les Paul copy made in Japan, and I just love it. I actually have two—a black one and a goldtop—that I got around 2001. They’re not very expensive, so I don’t have to worry about them getting broken or stolen, and they sound really killer and aggressive—perfect for my style. In the same vein, I also have a Les Paul copy made by Sparrow, a really cool company in Canada. I’ve also been using a recent Fender Jim Root Telecaster, the signature model of the Slipknot guitarist, for recording and performing. I yanked out that Tele’s stock active electronics and threw some Seymour Duncans in there. The combination of the mahogany body and the Duncans gives the Tele a warm sound with a great growl. Also, the guitar only has one knob—Volume. I love the simplicity of that: I don’t need anything more to fuss with when I’m singing and playing rhythm guitar at the same time.

 

[DaveThePius]

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/other-single-cuts/42256-duff-mckagan-likes-burny-lps.html

From one of the previous interviews:

I have some really great older guitars that I don’t want to talk about because I don’t want people to know I’ve got them—they’re just too valuable. Let’s just say that I have some than me that I pull out from time to time for my own enjoyment, and I also have a ’73 Les Paul Custom, which is less valuable but still a great guitar. In terms of more recent Gibsons, I have a two-pickup SG from 2008 and a three-pickup version custom made for me in 1988. I don’t play the three-pickup one much—having had it since the GN’R days, it’s just too precious and sentimental for me.

For recording and touring, I have a Burny Les Paul copy made in Japan, and I just love it. I actually have two—a black one and a goldtop—that I got around 2001. They’re not very expensive, so I don’t have to worry about them getting broken or stolen, and they sound really killer and aggressive—perfect for my style. In the same vein, I also have a Les Paul copy made by Sparrow, a really cool company in Canada. I’ve also been using a recent Fender Jim Root Telecaster, the signature model of the Slipknot guitarist, for recording and performing. I yanked out that Tele’s stock active electronics and threw some Seymour Duncans in there. The combination of the mahogany body and the Duncans gives the Tele a warm sound with a great growl. Also, the guitar only has one knob—Volume. I love the simplicity of that: I don’t need anything more to fuss with when I’m singing and playing rhythm guitar at the same time.

Yeah. That interview.

 

[DaveThePius]

I guess my next question would be if they have the right woods, or are they all mahogany with a rosewood fretboard?

 

[Drew224]

They are all (still) made out of the right woods. And the old ones, at least, are made from very good woods. Tapping on the body or neck of my old Burny LP, you can tell it's pretty resonant.

"You could go out for a bite to eat, come back, you'd still hear the sustain."

 

[Hydra19]

I have a 1987 Burny All Mahogany that rings out like a tuning fork, there's some amazing resonance on it unplugged and striking a chord you can feel the resonance, a sort of a hollow hum along with the sound of the strings.

I have put it down to either Burny magic or Mahogany Magic, don't know what piece top it is but it looks like just a 2 piece back, there is only one seam running just below the toggle switch control plate.

 

[BGD]

Some of the customs are all mahogany. Some are mahog with a maple cap. I have a 1988 RLC-60 that is hands-down the greatest guitar I've ever played. Mahog + maple cap. "Ebonized" rosewood board. But I've also got an RFB, RSG, and RSA, and they are all truly wonderful. My first Burny (RLC-60) not only became my main guitar, it also inspired me to sell all other guitars and just get all Burnys.

So, yeah, seems like the right wood to me.

 

[fahad_k91]

They still make them in Japan these days for the RLG-85 and RLC-85 models but MIC for the rest.

RLG-85
RLC-85

any idea how to buy them from the website ?

 

[Hydra19]

I got my first Burny from ebay, advertised as a maple top but it was mahogany and that is how I got to try all mahogany Les Pauls.

Depends what you mean by correct wood as Burny customs generally don't have the correct wood in the ebony fretboard as it's rosewood, but other than that the Burny guitars are pretty much faithful reproductions sans long tenon and nitro finish. The Standards are a bit more correct but the wood used in the Burny guitars seems to be of very good quality.

The fact that it has a rosewood fretboard which would contribute to the sound hasn't stopped many people on here trying them, and finding them very good guitars, Duff included, so don't let that put you off.

You could always mod the guitar with a ebony fretboard, and nitro finish and still be under a 5th of the price of a Gibson Black Beauty, but then it wouldn't be so much of a Burny, it's all part of its charm