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I have owned two Burrell guitars starting about five years ago. One is a six-string Jazz electric
and the other a 12-string Jazz electric of similar body style. I equipped the six string with custom Tom Shore pickups
made available to me by Rockit music in southern California–very mellow, very jazzy. Very $250. I play sitting down, so
the guitar’s right for me. This is not curved in body shape just “to be curved”; it really does fit one’s contours: back
side of guitar fits the player; front side to assist and not hamper ideal playing and picking style. I bought two when they were
prototypes . I wouldn’t think of selling either. They’re unusual and very nice. Leo built me a custom neck that was thick
so that I don’t have to squeeze my hand so to make barre chords on the 12-string. (I’ve had carpal tunnel surgery on both
wrists, and some of my other eight guitars I can’t play for any length of time at all, owing to the thin necks on them.)
I’ve never played Burrell’s non-electric Spanish style, so I have no recommendations. But the jazz guitar is nice; the
pickguard and tailpiece match the guitar finish exactly and visually don’t stand out. The builder emails promptly in
response, so that is nice. Christian shop too.
Cliff Moberg
As for the ergonomics, I found that it was much easier to bar the chords, ie., didn’t have to hang
the thumb over the E string on an F chord. I did not have to retrain to use. Arthritis and operations have hampered my
ability to play. The Burrell has taken the strain out of my wrist and fingers. I had the pleasure of using his very first
prototype, (a regular box type guitar, with his patented neck,) in 87. It definitley turned heads in MA. People could not
believe that it would play the chords to the correct tune with a neck twisted like it was, (I beleive it was about a 40 degree
twist or maybe more, not sure exactly). To play his guitars of today (with the contoured box), is simply awsome. You really
need to play one of these Burrell guitars to appreciate the feel and quality of sound it produces.
Freddie Morrison
I own #67 of the Burrell Guitars. How does it play? I would have to say it feels weird holding a
standard flat guitar after playing a Burrell. The guitars are handmade, real wood (no laminates), and have a great tone!
Also the action is awesome! I have just started playing guitar, but it is so much easier with a Burrell.
Heaberlin
Burrell Guitars are hand crafted instruments. There is no production line. They are not mass
produced. The wood is hand selected, and not a laminate. But that is not the best feature of a Burrell Guitar. What makes
a Burrell stand out is the design. The guitar actually conforms to your body. The body of the guitar is tapered in such a
way as to allow for better control and visibility. Mr. Burrell didn't stop there! The neck is also curved in such a way to
allow better control. His designs are patented, and sometimes imitated, but never duplicated!
The Power Hour (a review)
His patented design makes the Burrell guitar the most
unique and radical departure in guitar construction in nearly two centuries
and as a guitar player for over 35 years, I can safely say that this is the
most comfortable and playable instrument I have ever held in my hands! I
will say that traditional guitars (Martin, Gibson, Guild, etc.) have a
little more volume (accoustically) than a Burrell, BUT... many guitars are
now electrified with transducer pick-ups. That's where the Burrell leaves
the rest behind! The design of the neck gives the player access to the upper
register where most other accoustics don't. In fact, the "Venture" accoustic
gives access to the 24th fret! That's twenty-fourth fret!!! Leo has told me
that all his accoustic guitars will be electrified with Fishman components
and that will make the Burrell the ONLY accoustic/electric guitar in the
world that will give the player access to the upper register! The Burrell is
the first and ONLY guitar that plays like an electric and sounds like an
accoustic!
When I first heard of his guitars, I called him to ask
how I might be able to try one out. Because each one is hand made, he told
me that he had no distributors and that he would send me one to try! He sent
me a beautiful "Challange" model, (#091) with the understanding that I would
return it to him as I passed through WV on the way to Pastor Paugh's
seminar. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to interview him on the show and
share his story with the listeners. The week after we had him on the show,
Joyce and I went to West Virginia and had the pleasure of meeting with Leo and
touring his shop.
His first guitars featured a much more radical "twist"
in the neck (40 degrees!), but now most of his guitars utilize an 8 degree
twist. The curved top and back make it very comfortable and when coupled
with the neck it's easy to understand why the Burrell is so playable! After
all, a Guitar that is SO comfortable and SO playable is simply going to make
you play better!
If you are an accoustic guitar purist then the Burrell
is probably not for you, but then you probably also prefer 33RPM's over
compact discs too. The Burrell represents a new direction in an area that
has seen little movement in a long, long time. It is my personal belief that
these guitars that are being made by Leo Burrell will soon be collecter's
items at a par with Leo Fenders prototype Stratocasters and Telecasters (now
worth hundreds of thousands).
Guitar history is being made and I'm proud to have had the opportunity to
have met the man who is making it!
Dave vonKleist
This is my 18th guitar. I bought it unplayed from ebay and I have never
done that before and never expected to. But this guitar is so unusual in its design that I fell
in love with it from the pictures that were posted. I was not disappointed when the guitar arrived.
In fact, I am far more enamored with this guitar now that I have actually gotten to play it. What a
great instrument and a great addition to my collection. If your looking for a truly unique instrument
that plays well and is easy on both the arms and the eyes look at Burrell.
Warren Wagner (Harmony-Central.com)
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