Guitars by Laurie Burn
All of Laurie's acoustic guitars are based on the standard body shape designed by Torres in 1880, which is used on most modern classical guitars. However, the internal bracing follows the Martin cross-bracing pattern for steel strings. They are designed to fit in a standard classical guitar case, as they are smaller than many acoustic guitars.
All of Laurie's acoustic guitars are based on the standard body shape designed by Torres in 1880, which is used on most modern classical guitars. However, the internal bracing follows the Martin cross-bracing pattern for steel strings. They are designed to fit in a standard classical guitar case, as they are smaller than many acoustic guitars.
Laurie Guitars are usually bright sounding, are light in weight and very responsive to finger-style playing. The most recent walnut guitars though have a warm tone with surprisingly deep bass response for small body size.
Laurie Guitars are usually bright sounding, are light in weight and very responsive to finger-style playing. The most recent walnut guitars though have a warm tone with surprisingly deep bass response for small body size.
Apart from guitars, Laurie has also made mandolins and a mandola which have a great sound projection and sustain.
Apart from guitars, Laurie has also made mandolins and a mandola which have a great sound projection and sustain.
If you're interested in a commission for any instrument, get in touch via the Contact Page to discuss your needs.
If you're interested in a commission for any instrument, get in touch via the Contact Page to discuss your needs.
Laurie in his workshop, examining the back of guitar no.13 made in 2013 using Black Walnut from a tree planted by Queen Victoria in Kew Gardens.
This is a collection of some of the guitars and other instruments made by Laurie between 1978 and 2012.
This is a collection of some of the guitars and other instruments made by Laurie between 1978 and 2012.
2013 Walnut-backed model no.13
2013 Walnut-backed model no.13
2012 Cherry-backed model no.12
2012 Cherry-backed model no.12
The photos below are of Laurie's English Cherry-backed acoustic, which has a very bright and lively tone.
The photos below are of Laurie's English Cherry-backed acoustic, which has a very bright and lively tone.
2020 Custom 10-string Mandolin no.20
2020 Custom 10-string Mandolin no.20
This creation by Laurie Guitars is a custom-made 10-string Mandolin in Lacewood (London Plane).
This creation by Laurie Guitars is a custom-made 10-string Mandolin in Lacewood (London Plane).
2021 Acoustic Steel-string Guitar no.21
2021 Acoustic Steel-string Guitar no.21
This latest guitar is made with back and sides in Bog Oak, giving a beautiful black-and-tan colour. This oak tree has laid in a bog for several thousand years! The soundboard is in Italian Spruce from Ciresa & Co. The head is faced with some old English Walnut.
This latest guitar is made with back and sides in Bog Oak, giving a beautiful black-and-tan colour. This oak tree has laid in a bog for several thousand years! The soundboard is in Italian Spruce from Ciresa & Co. The head is faced with some old English Walnut.
2024 - 5-String, Fretless, Electric Bass no.23
2024 - 5-String, Fretless, Electric Bass no.23
By way of a departure from my usual acoustic guitars, here's my latest guitar #23 - a solid body, 5-string, fretless electric bass - built for my own use. The body is cherry, faced with black walnut. The neck is quarter-sawn maple with mahogany splices and the head is faced with some old English walnut. The fingerboard is birds-eye maple, inlaid with rosewood veneer to mark the fret positions. A pair of EMG active pickups, both Jazz and Precision, are fitted.
