Ampeg Burns Split Sound Electric Guitar Sunburst with Ampeg Tolex Case - Used

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This used 8.6 lb Ampeg Burns will ship insured, fully set up, and inspected from Rapid City, SD. This guitar is in very good condition for a well-loved instrument of its age. There are various minor nicks, dings and scratches across the top and sides of the guitar, along with light buckle-rash on the back. Some of the original hardware is showing its age after 60 years — the control knobs can be stubborn at times, and the A-string tuner is a bit loose. The high e-string tuner button has been replaced with a white plastic knob, and the original tremolo arm is missing. Regardless of cosmetic wear, this vintage guitar plays and feels great!

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The Ampeg by Burns Split Sound, also known in the UK as the “Jazz/Split Sound” and in the US as the “Wild Dog EG-1S,” is a distinctive British-built electric guitar born from the inventive mind of James Ormston Burns, one of the most unique figures in guitar history. A self-taught builder and musician, Burns began crafting instruments in the 1940s and went on to establish Burns London in 1959, becoming one of the few UK builders to successfully compete with American brands during the guitar boom of the early 1960s.

Burns guitars quickly gained traction with professional players for their creative designs, high build quality, and novel electronics. His instruments were embraced by a wide range of artists including Elvis Presley, The Shadows, The Searchers, and The Hollies. Among the many Burns innovations were the patented Split Sound pickups, the Wild Dog tone setting, and the uniquely engineered Series II vibrato system, all featured here in this 1964 Jazz/Split Sound.

Built in London during Burns’ golden era (1961–1965), this model captures the spirit of British craftsmanship and eccentricity. It boasts a solid sycamore body in a sunburst finish, paired with a maple neck and rosewood fretboard, offering a shorter 23 1/4" scale that feels immediately playable and responsive. The three single-coil Tri-Sonic pickups are wired to a 4-way rotary switch delivering versatile tones: the famously out-of-phase “Wild Dog”, classic “Treble”, rich “Jazz”, and the signature “Split Sound” setting that mixes half-coils for a dynamic blend of bass and treble.

With its distinct tonal palette, idiosyncratic controls, and futuristic (for its time) features, this Burns Jazz/Split Sound is not just a rare instrument — it's a cultural artifact of the British Invasion era. Available now at Haggerty’s Music, this is a rare opportunity, for collectors and players alike, to own a piece of off-beat guitar history with style, vibe, and tone to spare.

Features / Specs

Highlights

• Series: Jazz/Split Sound (also known as Wild Dog EG-1S)
• Orientation: Right-Handed
• Color: Sunburst

Body

• Body Material: Sycamore
• Body Finish: Gloss
• Body Shape: Double-Cutaway Offset
• Body Style: Solid Body

Neck

• Headstock Type: Contoured Hockey-Stick, Sunburst-Finished
• Neck Material: Maple
• Neck Shape: Slim C
• Neck Finish: Gloss
• Neck Depth: 0.790" at 1st Fret, 0.960" at 12th Fret
• Neck Construction: Bolt-On
• Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
• Position Inlays: White Dots
• Side Dots: White
• Number of Frets: 22
• Truss Rod Style: Vintage Single-Action
• Truss Rod Nut: Heel-End Adjustment
• Nut Material: Black Synthetic
• Nut Width: 1 11/16"
• Fret Size: Vintage Medium
• Scale Length: 23 1/4"

Hardware

• Bridge: Burns Series II Vibrato with Floating Cradle and Individual Saddles
• Bridge Cover/Tail Piece: None
• Bridge Mounting: Screwed into Body
• Pickguard: 2-Ply Black with “Ampeg by Burns of London” Logo
• Pickup Covers: Chrome
• Control Knobs: Wide Half-Knurled Chrome Dome-Top
• Switch Tip: Rotary Selector (No Tip)
• Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
• Tuning Machines: Sealed Nickel
• String Trees: None
• Tremolo Arm: Compatible, Not Included
• Neck Plate: Standard 4-Bolt
• Strap Buttons: Standard
• Output Jack: Control Panel Front-Mounted

Electronics

• Pickup Configuration: SSS
• Bridge Pickup: Burns Tri-Sonic Single-Coil
• Middle Pickup: Burns Tri-Sonic Single-Coil
• Neck Pickup: Burns Tri-Sonic Single-Coil
• Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
• Switching: 4-Way Rotary Selector:
1. Wild Dog (Out-of-Phase)
2. Treble
3. Jazz
4. Split Sound (Half-Coil Mix)
• Auxiliary Switching: None

Miscellaneous

• Accessories: None
• Case/Gig Bag: Vintage Hardshell Case
• Serial Number: 3880
• Manufacture Date: 1964