Burns Cobra Demo 2

[beachhutblues]

That thing is fret-buzzing way too much.

You need to slacken off the truss-rod a little bit ot give that neck some relief.

It will then ring like a bell.

Necks are not MEAN'T to be dead-straight!

[bgmathews]

@beachhutblues Thanks for watching, and thanks for the tip! Actually, I really dig all the fret buzz on this particular guitar - I think it's super funky. Most players probably hate it. But you're right, it's almost straight, and most players loosen the tension a little to keep their action low without buzz. At the time I think I only had between 1/32 and 1/16 of relief on the neck, but the bridge saddles were pretty low so it would buzz all the way down the neck.

[dinkey100]

Awesome demo, really liked your funky sound. It convinced me of buying this guitar instead of a Strat copy.

Thanks .

[smackenurjunk]

would this sound significantly different than brians may sound? since the red special is different body and wood

[bgmathews]

@smackenurjunk It does sound significantly different - Brian May's guitar is technically a chambered guitar, made of oak with a mahogany veneer. It has very different tonal characteristics. But the tonal response of the pickups themselves is very close. With this guitar you can get pretty close to Brian May's sound with a Rat pedal and a slight mid-range boost on the eq.

[ChickenFaeces]

@bgmathews

Could I put a set of these into my strat with no modifications?

[bgmathews]

@ChickenFaeces Thanks for watching! These pickups do work great in a Strat, but not as direct replacement pickups. Using these in a Strat would sound great, but would probably require a new pickguard or even some body routing in order to install them. I recommend finding a highly qualified technician in your area - Or if you happen to be in the Indianapolis area I can install them for you. Sounds like a fun project!

[ChickenFaeces]

@bgmathews

You know how you can't put a Gibson humbucker into a strat because the spacing of the strings is different on either guitar? That's not the case here, is it?

(Sorry, I'm just not that articulate today!)

[bgmathews]

@ChickenFaeces It has more to do with the body cavity and pickguard routing than anything. The Tri-Sonics have no pole pieces, so string spacing will not affect the string balance etc the same way installing a Gibson humbucker would. In fact, technically you can use the Tri-Sonic for a variety of different stringed instruments, as long as the strings fall over the magnetic field.

[ChickenFaeces]

@bgmathews

Oh shit, really? That's gnarly! Well, I'm nowhere near the Indianapolis area, so I can't say I'll be asking you t mod anything. But the info is much appreciated!

[lexgarnier]

 just wish they hadn't made it an Strat type guitar, would've been much nicer as an original burns design.

[ade2064]

SCHOOL OF ROCK!!!!! SCHOOL OF ROCK!!!! SCHOOL OF ROCK!!!!!

[grjls]

Hey, Im very interested in the groove tubes gt57 mic, is it worth it?

[bgmathews]

@grjls Totally worth it. Great mic for the price. It's really versatile.

[TVRobot1]

I know you said you put it on eBay in the description and the vid was posted in 2008, but I don't suppose you remember how the neck compared to an SG or Tele? I tend to like guitars with thinner necks.

[bgmathews]

@TVRobot1 It's very similar to a C-shaped Tele neck, but the fingerboard radius is much flatter so it feels a little different.

[TVRobot1]

@bgmathews

Alright then cool beans. Appreciate it.

[ronvonryan]

Very informative, and nice playing, well worth watching, I was thinking about getting one of these guitars, and after watching this it's made up my mind to go ahead, thanks, Ron Ryan.

[DanskeSange]

Is it the same pickups that Brian May use?

Please answer, im a beginner!

[bgmathews]

@DanskeSange Yes, Brian May originally installed a set of Tri-Sonics in his hand-made Red Special. He modified them because he wasn't completely satisfied with their sound, but the Tri-Sonics used in Burns guitars today are essentially the same.

[Desmaad]

Compare to the Bison, the Strat looks rather sedate.

[royraaijmakers]

heey i got a question, i've been playing acoustic for bout a year now. and thinking bout buying me an electric guitar. (yes i'll have to save up first) but you think this is a good guitar for a rookie like me?

[AlexSongDoesCovers]

Thank you for the concise, yet thorough demo!

[ramroduk]

This is a good review...I'm off to buy myself a Cobra!

[TheStoryWeLive]

is the groove mic good for recording bass and guitars?

[bgmathews]

It's a great general purpose mic, but if you're making home studio recordings you're better off with an SM57.

[crisp2882]

i have the burns barracuda 6 string bass with these pickups on it.they sound so awesome and so is the sound.

[jks2]

i hear a little fretbuzz but it sounds great for the price

[bgmathews]

Yeah, the fret buzz is my penchant for low action at work. It can be super clean but I like my action low and my neck straight. And I like the stank that a little buzz adds to my tone. If I put some heavier strings on there I could get it nice and glassy.

[LyricalPoet777]

brian may of queen used burns tri sonic pickups

[apud86]

Hey this is jack black! u can't fool me

[alterdcrash]

jack blacks cousin

[01poppa]

Hi, I bought one of these (though player series) in a 2nd hand shop a month ago. The neck was bent, and it needed a good set up, but i loved the look, and have a Burns Steer that is great. so bought it. It really is so much better than a Strat, and sooo cheap!!. Nice comprehensive review. Cheers.

[bgmathews]

Thanks for watching, and for the compliment!

[jp6l6]

Godin made and maybe still makes "The Triumph" model featuring three single coil pickups between Fender's and P90's.

I tried one and have to say it sounds good. Just a little warmer and fatter than a strat , WITHOUT ANY BUZZ AND HUM!!!

[bgmathews]

Godin does make some great guitars. I really like the LG SP90. Haven't tried the Triumph yet.

[legoflamb504]

Ok on the back of mine it says player series, what's the difference between player and club series? Oh yeah do you have any problems with choked sounding strings, like your action isn't high enough? It sounds like you have this problem a little bit on your thicker strings...

[bgmathews]

I'm not sure exactly what the difference is, but I think the player series guitars are more affordable versions of the club series. I could have that mixed up though.

I do get a lot of fret buzz on this guitar, but that's because I like the action very low on this one, and because I play a little too hard.

[legoflamb504]

I'm sorry I was really rude before - I didn't comment on how good your playing was!

I think you're right about the expense of the guitar mine should have been £200 new or so. I think they've been discontinued though so the prices are going up ;)

[bgmathews]

Thanks for the compliment. Yeah, I remember doing some research right after I bought this one, and it was selling for around £400 at the time, probably 3 or 4 years ago. I don't know how exchange rates were back then.

[shopunit]

i don't give a fuck about the guitar but check out that CP-70 in the background! Hot mama!

[bgmathews]

Oh yeah! It's just about the sexiest thing in my studio.

[nightingale013]

Thanks for the intel LOL

Beautiful guitar. Brian May rocked with these pups too.

[bgmathews]

Thanks. Yeah, these pickups are really incredible. Nothing out there like them!