I am looking to hear from anyone who may have information about a Burke Guitar. This was my 2nd guitar which I got in 1962. It was an electric two pickup, Les Paul style that was very heavy due to the fact the the neck was made of "pot metal". It was painted a dark burgundy purple & had the name "Burke" on the headstock. I got it in Eugene Oregon in or about 1962/1963
& was told ten years ago that it was made by the folks who made Messenger Guitars, a company known as Musicraft. Any info or photos would be grteatly appreciated. Thanx in advance, mancavedave
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Burke Guitar
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I did some digging and what you had was a really obscure and rare guitar. It was made by Glen F. Burke,who held a patent for constructing a guitar with a metal neck and center frame which ran through a wood body.Here's his original patent,issued in 1963.
It seems that he custom made and sold the Burke branded guitars of various designs using the metal neck/frame on his own for about 3 to 4 years.I found info,as stated by his daughter, that Musicraft incorporated his design into their Messenger guitar.So,while there is a Burke/Musicraft connection,they never actually made any Burke branded guitars. Musicraft was only in business from 1967-1968.
It seems that he custom made and sold the Burke branded guitars of various designs using the metal neck/frame on his own for about 3 to 4 years.I found info,as stated by his daughter, that Musicraft incorporated his design into their Messenger guitar.So,while there is a Burke/Musicraft connection,they never actually made any Burke branded guitars. Musicraft was only in business from 1967-1968.
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Spud1950 - Posts: 857
- Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2007 7:15 am
Thank You Spud1950 You Are Brilliant!! That is indeed the guitar I owned.
In addition, Glen Burke's listed address is within a mile of where I grew up, also on 17th St. in Eugene, OR. If you ever run into anymore information about him, his history, or other guitars that may still be out there, I'd love to hear about it. I have a very long & lengthy story around that guitar, & what was happening with the local music scene of that time. I'll put it down in print one day. Again, Many Thanks, Dave
In addition, Glen Burke's listed address is within a mile of where I grew up, also on 17th St. in Eugene, OR. If you ever run into anymore information about him, his history, or other guitars that may still be out there, I'd love to hear about it. I have a very long & lengthy story around that guitar, & what was happening with the local music scene of that time. I'll put it down in print one day. Again, Many Thanks, Dave
- mancavedave
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- Joined: Sun Dec 05, 2010 7:14 pm
Today I found another,more specific reference to the Burke guitars on this site.Scroll down to "Musicraft Messenger".
I can't find any other info or any pictures of a Burke guitar. Try contacting that site and see if they can put you in touch with whoever posted that info.
I can't find any other info or any pictures of a Burke guitar. Try contacting that site and see if they can put you in touch with whoever posted that info.
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Spud1950 - Posts: 857
- Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2007 7:15 am
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