Sound Pure's Take

Condition: Used, Excellent

SP Luthier Notes: This instrument has been carefully inspected and, if necessary, serviced by our certified luthier to ensure it is in excellent playing condition.

Handcrafted by master luthier Ron Kirn, the Barnbuster pays homage to early golden-era T-style electrics using reclaimed, 100-year-old pine shaped to vintage 1950 Broadcaster® body specifications. Finished in a genuine nitrocellulose reticulated satin lacquer with a natural amber tint, the resonant pine body delivers remarkable sustain, organic warmth, and immediate tactile character at a lightweight 7 lbs 1 oz. It features a one-piece vintage-tinted maple neck with a substantial "Vintage Fat Back" profile, a 9.5" radius fingerboard with 21 medium jumbo frets, a 1 5/8" natural bone nut, and a skunk stripe. Outfitted with custom hand-wound Ron Kirn vintage-style pickups wired through a versatile 4-way switch, a Wilkinson vintage 3-saddle compensated bridge, Gotoh 16:1 tuners, and an included hardshell case, it delivers boutique playability and authentic vintage twang.

From Other (Miscellanous Used/Vintage/Consign)

In the 1800's buildings were commonly built using Heart Pine, Loblolly Pine, Louisiana Long Leaf pine, and a few other species known for their qualities. That lumber was dramatically different from the genetically modified lumber harvested today. Many of those buildings are “coming down” today, and the lumber, old and seasoned, is being reclaimed.

Jump forward to the mid 20 th century and an electronics repairman begins making Steel guitars. Within a few years, that expands into a unique concept for a Spanish Guitar, an electric one with a solid pine body, The Broadcaster®, created by Leo, was born.

However, almost as soon as they became notable, Fender® changed from Pine to Ash. Many reasons are cited, but the change was made. Pine fell into an almost 60 year slumber as a “tone wood”.

Pine has been awakened. More and more manufacturers are jumping on the “band wagon” carrying Pine bodied guitars. It makes a superb sounding instrument.

Today, it is generally recognized that older guitars produce the most amazing sounds. Why… Possibly it has to do with what happens as time passes. When lumber is purchased for a quality project, it has been dried, usually to below 12% moisture, but that only addresses water. The Resins, what we call sap here in the South, remains a gelatinous mass of goo locked within the cells, for years, for decades. Most of those resins take about 50 years to solidify. That in my opinion is why the older woods transmit a broader, fuller sound when played. There is no longer any goo, absorbing the sonic energy.

Since I began offering the BarnBuster, a few years back, several guitar pickers have contacted me, who own reclaimed lumber facilities. Thus the supply has not dried up.

I recently took delivery of two lots of lumber, some old ‘n gnarly, another equally old, but beautifully clear…. Is yours in one of these stacks?

Body
100 year old Pine shaped to 1950 Broadcaster® specs
Finish
Genuine Nitrocellulose Reticulated Satin Lacquer with natural amber tint.
Neck
one piece Maple with "Skunk Stripe". Vintage Tinted Nitrocellulose lacquer.

Fingerboard, 9.5 inch radius

Frets
21 Medium Jumbo
Neck Contour
Vintage Fat Back, with hand lapped back, and fully polished headstock
Nut width
1 5/8 inch
Nut
Natural Bone
Keys
Vintage Style Gotoh, 16:1 ratio
Bridge
Wilkinson Vintage style 3 saddles, compensated.
Pickups
Ron Kirn hand wound vintage style.
Switching
4-Way
Case
Hardshell
Weight
7lbs 1oz

Warranty

This item is sold without the Sound Pure 3-year warranty (used / B-stock / dealer-exempt). Coverage terms for items in this category live in Terms & Conditions, Section 27.

Returns

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Sound Pure Studios Control Room A — Durham, NC

Sound Pure Studios · Durham, NC

Come hear it in our control rooms.

Sound Pure is a working studio in Durham, NC — a 1,000 sq ft live room and two pro control rooms. Book a session to audition gear in a world-class acoustic space before you buy.