Bill Alston

The Sonics

Burns have issued many Sonics including:
The Sonic
The Nu Sonic described in Trevor's pages but since discontinued
The Jet Sonic described in Trevor's pages but since discontinued
The Vista Sonic please see here for the little detail we have of this Burns Vista Sonic
There is also a mystery guitar which may be called a duosonic a dual sonic or may not even exist see later

Only the Sonic is still a current model and is in the Club Elite series and is detailed on Trevors pages as made in China, but I have seen reference to it being made in the UK on a 2014 model, given that I am told that at least 25% of all Burns are made in the UK and that the intention is for that to increase it is certainly possible that it is UK made but I have no evidence either way. They seem to be on sale for around £700 in December 2016
Specifications Sonic

Some Pictures

The Nu Sonic

Jet Sonic Detail from the Burns site

I have had an Email from a Burns enthusiast called Eddie. He bought a Burns Sonic Deluxe from PMT in Bristol around 2013. In fact the only Burns Sonic Deluxe Custom Elite Series serial number 0001. They had got it from a trade show along with a Green Marvin.
It has three trisonic pickups and five way switching.

Update
It would seem that there are two of these with the serial number 0001 here's the text of an email from Dan in Australia
Hi, I am a collector of Burns UK Guitars/Basses and have a Guitar rarity which might interest to some of your clients. Comes complete with original Burns (Crocodile) Case, Neck Adjustment tool and original Burns guitar Strap, it is in mint condition ! It is a rarity as has three pickups as against the two pick up standard model. The Guitar was custom made for Boz Boorer a well known UK musician (https://www.bozboorer.com) who had 2 guitars made for him, he plays one and never played the above guitar. See attached photos, a real rarity as no others have been made. I purchased this Guitar from Angel Music in Denmark Street some years ago when on holiday in London, part of my Burns Guitar/Basses Collection. I have since re-looked at your web site and found this article and photos of the same guitar, it is a small world !
Thanks Dan

Some Pictures kindly supplied by Eddie

Update February 2019
There is a Jet Sonic prototype for sale on Ebay it is said to be being sold by the Chinese Factory which made it. Here is the blurb from the sale.
Burns London Rare Jet Sonic Prototype
Beautiful Jet-Sonic model in Satin Blue finish this guitar was the 2nd prototype put forward by our factory ( Farida - Grand Reward) which manufactures among others, Fender's Classic Vibe range of guitars Designed by Claudio Pagelli this model was sold in a small limited edition of approx 100 Guitars. It features reverse barrel tuners as opposed to the later standard tuners fitted a pair of TONERIDER humbuckers with push pull pots for a single coil option contoured body BURNS custom tone and volume knobs as opposed to the knobs fitted on the model for sale - gearbox truss rod. *On the headstock this guitar has a different badge to the model that was for sale, also there is no script saying Designed by Pagelli

Pictures of the Jet Sonic Proptotype

Below comparison of the headstocks standard one is on the right