Burns Tri-Sonic

Burns Tri-Sonic
Manufacturer	Burns of London
Period	1961-
Type	Passive single-coil
Magnet type	Ceramic
Output specifications
Voltage (RMS), V	{{{outputrms}}}
Voltage (peak), V	{{{outputpeak}}}
Noise, dBV	{{{outputnoise}}}
Impedance, kΩ	7.0KΩ
Current, µA	{{{outputcurrent}}}
Sonic qualities
Resonant frequency, Hz	{{{resonantfreq}}}

The Burns Tri-Sonic is a single-coil electric guitar pickup, with ceramic magnets and a chrome cover. The advantage of the Tri-Sonic pickup is that it produces a richer harmonic sound than pickups wound in the traditional manner. Tri-Sonics are wider than the more popular single-coiled pickups, such as used by Fender. Many guitarists have guitar pickups replaced with Tri-sonics to change the sound of the guitar. When replacing traditional single-coils with Tri-Sonics more involved amendments to the guitar may be required.

Construction

The construction of a Tri-Sonic pickup is extremely simple. The coil is not held in a rigid shape on a bobbin, as in most guitar pickups, but simply squashed into an oval shape and fitted around the three magnets, joined end-to-end by their magnetic attraction, and placed onto the flat metal base. A simple cover is attached which fits over flanges running either side of the base. There are six holes in the pickup cover, through which can be seen a piece of black plastic which is glued to the inside. These are simply for appearance, not being any kind of pole piece.

As a result of the higgledy-piggledy chaos of directions in which the coil wires point, the Tri-Sonic produces a richer harmonic content than any pickup wound in a more standard manner. However, due to the looseness of the coil's linkage with the guitar body, Tri-Sonics are microphonic and can produce unwanted feedback. This can be eliminated by potting.

History

Originally produced by British guitar company Burns of London in 1960, the pickups were used in many Burns guitars in the early 1960s. A bass guitar version was also produced.

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  Comparison of the size between a Burns Tri-Sonic Brian May pickup, and a standard Stratocaster style pickup

Queen guitarist Brian May bought a set of three when he made his own guitar, the Red Special. They play a significant role in making the tone of May's guitar distinctive. A reissue edition of Tri-Sonics are currently produced by guitar electronics manufacturer Kent Armstrong. An official identical reproduction of the original 1960s Tri-Sonic pick-up is made by UK pick-up makers Adeson. Coils, wire gauge, magnets, cases and base plates are exactly replicated to the originals.