Burns Club Series Cobra DX, candy apple red, made in China 2001. Burns of London launched in 1959 and was a massive deal in England and Europe throughout the sixities and onwards, finding favour with a bunch of iconic British Invasion bands. This one is a Club Series reissue made in China (and later Korea) in the early-mid 00s, which are generally well regarded for build quality and fidelity to the originals. This one arrived with a couple of busted pickups, so we had out tech install some spare Fender American Standard and Noiseless single coils, and wow... it came up sounding frightfully good. It's a whisker brighter and more focussed than a regular Strat, with a distinct clarity on the top end balanced by a juicy complexity through the mids. The second tone knob has a push/pull that activates the neck pickup, so you can get a Tele-middle style neck+bridge tone that is a really handy bonus. This sounds better than plenty of guitars I've played at thrice the price, which is a bit annoying really. The styling won't be everyone's cup of tea, but that's kinda the fun, right? The split guard, embossed matching headstock and gaudy logos give it a really fun look. The slim neck and tidy tremolo make for an easy player too, you're never working too hard. Aaargh... I really like it.

Model: Burns Club Series Cobra DX
Made: China, 2001 (serial 016012G)
Finish: 'candy apple red, 3-ply cream guard
Body: alder 
Neck: maple with rosewood board, 25.5" scale, 12" radius slim C shape
Weight: 3.805kg
Mods: pickups replaced
Pickup: Fender 1994 American Standard single coil x2, Fender Noiseless v1 single coil (bridge)
Case: basic gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock and neck are pretty clean, no major marks. The back has a couple of dimples on the back edge and belly carve, as well as some light scuffs in the elbow area. The sides have a few minor dimples on the top horn, elbow area, near the rear strap pin and near the jack. The front has some light scuffs in the elbow area and some play wear on the guard. Overall: very good condition (8/10)

Playing condition notes: Neck is straight, action is low, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. The frets have minor wear only, 8/10 for fret life left. Wearing fresh 10/46 Moonshiners strings.