Burns Tri Sonic Vibra Artist guitar problem.

[johnyguitar]

Hi Boys and Girls
I am a new guy to this forum so please excuse my newness.
I have a Burns Tri-Sonic Vibra artist(e) guitar (cica 1960) made by the fair hands of Jim Burns and Les Andrews. I am trying to replace the top nut and have encountered a minor hitch.
The first fret, or what could be the first fret,is very close to the top nut and I am about to file the grooves in the top nut. Where I would find the hight of the first fret and add on .030" to mark the bottom of the grooves I am thinking - wait a minute there's a fret right next to the nut. My question to all you vintage Burns experts is :- do the strings rest on this fret and does the top nut act just as a separator or what?
I conacted Burns the other day and they said, surprisingly, that they have no information on these old guitars.
However if one of you fine persons could help me out I would be most grateful. I have added a couple of pictures - I think! to show you what I'm wittering on about.

Burns Vibra Artist (Tri-Sonic).jpg

(73.03 KiB) Downloaded 8894 times

Burns Top Nut.jpg

Burns guitar pictures

(121.67 KiB) Downloaded 8894 times

[jimuc]

Hi Johny
Yes the strings rest on this fret.

It is known as a "Zero Fret" and the nut is, as you suggest purely to separate the strings.

I am surprised at Burns' reaction as this configuration is not limited to "old guitars" as indeed they still use this set up today

Hope this helps

Cheers Jim

[johnyguitar]

Thanks Jim
I suspected as much. It would stop wear on the bottom of the nut grooves I suppose. So I will cut the grooves, restring the guitar and post some new pictures when I'm finished.
I was also surprised at Burns. It was Barry Gibson who replied - I thought he would have known. OK my guitar was made by Jim Burns and possibly Les Andrews many moons ago at the old Ormoston Burns company. At least he replied.
You don't happen to know that well known Ayrshire guitarist Derek Paul do you?
Regards
John

[David Martin]

I've already done this on mine. But in order to get a reasonable action I've has to cut down or remove the pickup height springs to lower the pickups, and cut away the back of each bridge saddle to prevent strings fouling the back end... There's a thread with pics somewhere close...

Well done!

[hernando]

Hey! Is this turning into a DIY luthier site - or is it something that Shadows music players of a certain age seem to become naturally involved in ?

My Fisher branded Strat Copy Kitcaster has a Zero Fret which is a bit is thicker / fatter than the other frets.
I have been able to get a really good action by setting up a good neck to body angle using thin shims, inserted under the neck heel and held tight by the neck to body screws.
The action can then be finely adjusted to suit simply by altering bridge saddle heights and truss rod.
Further adjustment of the pickups is only necessary to alter the sound produced.

Dave

[johnyguitar]

David and Hernando
Will try and let Y'all know how I get on.
Thanks
John

[JimN]

My Fisher branded Strat Copy Kitcaster has a Zero Fret which is a bit is thicker / fatter than the other frets.
Dave

So does a Burns guitar.

JN

[jimuc]

Thanks Jim
I suspected as much. It would stop wear on the bottom of the nut grooves I suppose. So I will cut the grooves, restring the guitar and post some new pictures when I'm finished.
I was also surprised at Burns. It was Barry Gibson who replied - I thought he would have known. OK my guitar was made by Jim Burns and possibly Les Andrews many moons ago at the old Ormoston Burns company. At least he replied.
You don't happen to know that well known Ayrshire guitarist Derek Paul do you?
Regards
John

Yes John I know Derek very well and have done for around 50 years (Oh my gosh can it really be 50 years !!!!!)
He actually stays around 5 minutes walk from my house.
We have done a couple of sessions together, he is an excellent musician.
Are you local to us ??
Cheers
Jim

[johnyguitar]

Jim
I've known Derek for 45 years. I was the drummer in our small band of the 70's. We played Shadows, Country & Western (young farmers), all sorts.
Regards
John

[des mcneill]

Hoping not to stray too far off topic,I have an Artist, and need two volume/tone knobs, - the standard cream ones. Can anyone help ?

Des.