Astro Jet Burns Trem Repair Question

[dan destiny]

Hey Dan/all,

I had wanted an Astro Jet for years and recently pulled the trigger and bought one. Some cosmetic wear aside, it's in pretty good shape, with one exception. Even if I hadn't put it in the post name, you probably might guess what that one exception is: the Burns tremolo tailpiece.

I took the guitar for a setup, and the luthier who has it was able to determine that the tremolo is missing a piece - it's a connector that joins with the rod that extends down from the roller bar, with a flat side that rests against the spring. Without it, the tremolo doesn't really return to a uniform pitch center, which makes it basically unusable. Here's a couple photos to clarify -

red background: a complete vintage unit for sale on reverb, black background: mine, with the same piece missing


My luthier was able to find somebody who offered to make the missing part, but they'd need to know the dimensions/other specs as they are unfamiliar with this kind of tremolo unit. I've also seen threads on these forums where it seems members have gotten custom Burns parts made, but none that led me to any easy to follow links or anything like that. I'd be super appreciative for help with this issue, and that help could take a few forms:

1. Does anybody *happen to have* one of these pieces that they'll sell me?
2. Does anybody make replacement Burns tremolo parts, or know someone who does?
3. Does anybody know the specs and dimensions for this particular missing piece?
4. Does anybody have a whole, functional, compatible Burns tremolo they'd sell me (not ideal but I'd consider it)?

If not, I suppose we'll end up just bricking the tremolo and moving on, but I'd love to salvage it if possible.

Thanks in advance!

 

[cielski]

I can't help you with the trem, but an FYI---Dan Duffy passed away years ago.
He was a long term Gretsch employee.
I think finding that little conical piece is going to be like searching for the needle in a haystack.

 

[6187LX]

You want the Burns and this shouldn't be too difficult. I had a '63 Jet Firebird for a while with a Burns. Your missing part is a cap for the spring to contact the roll pin in the bar. The picture you have is pretty good. Take it to a local machine shop. You'd be surprised at what can be done.

I'd be looking for a vintage one to raid for parts. They turn up but not often. It will be worth the wait. Be aware that there are modern Burns units which may or may not have the same guts as these vintage ones. The Burns are the closest thing to a Bigsby and the tension adjustment is pretty cool. Astro Jets rock.

Edit: the connector does not have a flat side that rests against the spring. There is an extension that goes into the hollow of the spring which keeps it in place. If you back off the tension too much on the Burns, the spring and connector fall into the unit which can be a bit of a PITA.

 

[afire]

Take it to a local machine shop. You'd be surprised at what can be done.

This is good advice. The world is full of people who can actually make stuff.

 

[dan destiny]

You want the Burns and this shouldn't be too difficult. I had a '63 Jet Firebird for a while with a Burns. Your missing part is a cap for the spring to contact the roll pin in the bar. The picture you have is pretty good. Take it to a local machine shop. You'd be surprised at what can be done.

I think going to a machine shop is probably going to be my first move. It didn't even occur to me, but I bet you're right - I'd be surprised at what can be done.

I'd be looking for a vintage one to raid for parts. They turn up but not often. It will be worth the wait. Be aware that there are modern Burns units which may or may not have the same guts as these vintage ones. The Burns are the closest thing to a Bigsby and the tension adjustment is pretty cool. Astro Jets rock.

Yeah... there's a vintage one on Reverb right now for $450. It's close but not exact to the one that came off my Astro Jet. They may be interchangeable, may not... the same may be true of that one part. I don't exactly see vintage Burns tailpieces, like, flying off the shelves, so I'm going to hope that that option will be there if and when I decide it's the one I've got left.

Edit: the connector does not have a flat side that rests against the spring. There is an extension that goes into the hollow of the spring which keeps it in place. If you back off the tension too much on the Burns, the spring and connector fall into the unit which can be a bit of a PITA.

This is an excellent detail to be made aware of that photos like the one I found wouldn't show. Thanks for clarifying!

 

[audept]

Welcome to the forum, @dan destiny !

 

[Henry]

Best of luck completing your Burns. We'd love to see your guitar.

 

[dan destiny]

Thanks again for the input and warm welcome y'all. After going through a few listings I was able to find a machine shop near me who was willing to take a crack at making the missing part. I went in there this afternoon and they turned it around in about an hour. Here's my Burns tailpiece with the replacement part in place:



I'm going to be bringing the whole thing back to the luthier tomorrow, and that will be the real test... but in the meantime, I'm cautiously optimistic that the new piece will get this thing back in fighting shape. I'll share some photos of the whole axe once it's back from the shop.

 

[6187LX]

Looks like you have the Gretsch "blob" handle on your Burns. Be aware that the metal part of the handle only goes about a third into the molded plastic part. If you exert pressure on the end of the plastic handle, you will eventually break it. When using this handle, press down as close to the metal part as possible.

There were three versions of the handle that Gretsch used: yours, a "wiggly" version with the "blob", and a straight metal one with "Gretsch" engraved. They are interchangeable.