2004 Burns 'The Marvin' Elite 40th Anniversary - White

2004 Burns ‘The Marvin’ 40th Anniversary Edition — White — Signed by Bill Nelson

Some guitars earn their place in British music history. The Burns Marvin arrived with its own unmistakable silhouette, an elaborate tremolo system and absolutely no intention of blending into the background.

Produced in 2004 to mark 40 years of the original 1964 design, this anniversary model celebrates the guitar developed around Hank Marvin’s requirements. This example carries serial number 1871, alongside a personal dedication and signature from Bill Nelson of Be-Bop Deluxe, dated 2009.

Underneath the distinctive styling is an American alder body paired with a bolt-on Canadian hard rock maple neck and a bound rosewood fingerboard. A familiar 25.5-inch scale, C-profile neck and 21 frets make this a practical playing instrument as well as an eye-catching anniversary piece.

The three Burns Rez-O-Matik single-coil pickups offer plenty of scope for clear melodic leads, bright rhythm work and fuller neck-pickup sounds. A five-way selector, master volume and two tone controls let you explore those combinations without needing a pilot’s licence.

Then there’s the Burns Rez-O-Tube tremolo: a defining part of the Marvin’s appearance and playing character, lending itself beautifully to expressive vibrato and gently shimmering chords. Add the scroll headstock, separate tortoiseshell pickguards and chrome hardware, and you have a guitar with personality from end to end.

Specifications

• Model: Burns ‘The Marvin’ 40th Anniversary Edition

• Year: 2004

• Serial number: 1871

• Finish: White

• Body: American alder

• Neck: Bolt-on Canadian hard rock maple

• Neck profile: C

• Fingerboard: Bound rosewood

• Frets: 21

• Scale length: 25.5 inches / 648mm

• Nut width: Approximately 43mm

• Pickups: Three Burns Rez-O-Matik single coils

• Controls: Five-way pickup selector, master volume and two tone controls

• Bridge: Burns Rez-O-Tube tremolo

• Hardware: Chrome

• Headstock: Burns scroll design

An individual piece of history

The front carries Bill Nelson’s handwritten dedication, “To Colin… all the very best…”, signature and 2009 date. It adds a personal connection to the Be-Bop Deluxe guitarist alongside the instrument’s obvious Shadows heritage.

Included are the Burns hard case, certificate of authenticity, strap and tool.

Condition

This is a pre-owned guitar with visible signs of use, including a noticeable chip through the finish on the rear of the lower horn, exposing the wood beneath. There are also smaller surface marks and signs of wear, as shown in the photographs. Please take a look through the full gallery to assess its cosmetic condition.

The Village Music extras

• Free 1-year service plan worth £95

• Free guitar coaching session at Village School of Music Teaching Collective

• Part exchange welcome

• National and international shipping available

You can also reserve with a 10% deposit and pay the balance in instalments in store, collecting your guitar once fully paid.

No interest. No credit check. No fuss.

Village Music — Not Scotland’s biggest guitar shop.