'68 Ormston Burns, rare vintage EUB

PaulKing · #1 08-05-2009, 10:31 AM

I have one, shame it was ruined by the previous owner, and further ruined by me, without knowing.

What's left is mostly original, but the body has been hacked down to stick shape, the aluminium bridge fittings cut and reshaped, tone and volume controls replaced. Original pickup and wiring .. though it doesn't sound very nice.

Even so, is this of any value to anyone, as a collector piece? Does it interest anyone?

I'm not looking to sell, as I use it as a silent practice bass ... but I'm interested in case I should be preserving and looking after what's left of it.

**Francois Blais** · #2 08-05-2009, 01:40 PM

Pics?

PaulKing · #3 08-06-2009, 03:51 AM

These pics quite old now, I've added a brutal mod to the EUB to make it playable - a wooden upper bout for body support. It's just screwed to the back of the stick.

Francois, I think you've seen this and commented before maybe?
I was thinking of replacing the pick-up, even trying to mod it to take a piezo ... but maybe I should stop doing any more damage?!

Cheers for your thoughts.

scojack · #4 08-06-2009, 09:51 AM

Wow this is indeed a very rare item...
Found this ......

Bit of British EUB heritage there Paul, shame its been so modified.
Personally speaking I would preserve whats left.

IanM

PaulKing · #5 08-06-2009, 10:09 AM

Wow, thanks for that. Was it online, or did you scan that? I searched and searched and found practically nothing.

There was one for sale once here. Just recently it seems to have changed from 'Price on application' to 'sold'!

scojack · #6 08-06-2009, 10:53 AM

Its from the 1994 Bass Buyers Guide.
Heres the full caboodle, its an interesing read.

PaulKing · #7 08-06-2009, 10:58 AM

Mikael Jansson, that figures. He's the man isn't he?

BASS FISH · #8 08-24-2009, 06:17 PM

Been searching for a while now to ID my EUB.
This thread is as close as I have got to solving the mystery, check out the pic and please let me know your thoughts.

It was modified years ago to replace the original bridge along with relocation of the electrics.It was like this when I got it.

Is this EUBeast what I hope it is?

PaulKing · #9 08-25-2009, 03:01 AM

Without a doubt. Pegbox - check. Tuners - check. Scratch plate - check (mine was on ... I binned it!! agggghhhh). Vol/tone controls - check (binned again...). Body shape - check. (ooops.)

Finish and bridge not original. But on the whole yours is a damn sight more authentic than my abused carcass...
You can buy my bridge and pickup for $1million

I asked Vintage Guitars what they sold it for.
"wouldn't be fair to the buyer to comment. Let's just say it was a lot"
In the past I was told in original condition, easy starting price £1,000.

How exciting for you!!

scojack · #10 08-25-2009, 04:14 AM

Mystery solved i think. :-)

PaulKing · #11 08-25-2009, 04:54 AM

I wonder if that's one of the late 70s/80s models, rather than the original half-dozen 1968 run.
Might explain the different finish and no f-holes.
Probably worthless if that's the case, eh.

You in the UK BASS FISH?

BASS FISH · #12 08-25-2009, 06:48 PM

Yep, 'bass'd' in UK - SW London

Right on money Paul -
I asked daydreamguitars.com for the pre-sale price of the '68 and they came back with £1200.

Looking at that '94 Bass Buyers Guide (P. 17) - If it isn't a '68 it be one of the 'few' then

I e-mailed Burns Guitars with a pic of 'mine beast' and the ID question a few months ago - still waiting for a reply.

Next Mission - find a copy of the Burns book by Paul Day.

The neck on this 'stick' set me on the burns trail
http://www.shergold.co.uk/uprightbass.html

PaulKing · #13 11-13-2009, 07:56 AM

Bit of EUB history, much modified.
I need to fund my upright-buying habit some way, so it's over in the classifieds.