The Burns Bison Bass in White is one of the most distinctive British-inspired bass designs around, combining its unmistakable inward-curving body horns and batwing-style headstock with an unusually versatile multi-pickup electronics system.

Designed around the character of Jim Burns' original Bison Bass concept, it offers a markedly different playing and tonal experience from more conventional P- and J-style instruments. Multiple Burns pickups and expanded switching provide everything from rounded vintage bass sounds to brighter, more unusual textures associated with the Bison design.

This pre-owned example is presented in Very Good Condition, weighs 9.6 lbs and is supplied with a hardcase.

At A Glance

Detail	Specification
Brand	Burns
Model	Bison Bass
Finish	White
Type	4-String Electric Bass
Neck	Bolt-On Maple
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Pickup Layout	Three Burns Bass Pickups
Electronics	Passive
Controls	Volume, Tone & Multi-Position Pickup/Tone Switching
Weight	9.6 lbs
Condition	Very Good
Included	Hardcase
Main Appeal	Distinctive Burns styling with unusually broad passive tonal options

Condition Overview

Very Good Condition

This Burns Bison Bass is presented in Very Good Condition.

Under the Fair Deal Music grading system, Very Good Condition means it shows some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional and suitable for regular playing.

At 9.6 lbs, this individual bass has a reassuringly substantial feel.

What's Included?

✔ Burns Bison Bass White
✔ Hardcase

No additional accessories are included unless pictured or stated.

The supplied hardcase has not been confirmed as the original Burns factory case, so no claim of originality is made.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This pre-owned Burns bass has been checked for general operation and playability.

Assessment includes:

• Pickup operation
• Pickup selector functions
• Tonal switching
• Master volume
• Tone control
• Output jack
• Neck condition
• Fingerboard
• Frets
• Nut
• Tuning machines
• Bridge and saddles
• General hardware
• Structural condition
• Overall playability

Service / Setup Work

All pre-owned bass guitars at Fair Deal Music are checked for general setup and playability before leaving the shop.

Key areas assessed include:

• Action
• Neck relief
• Fret condition
• Intonation
• Tuning stability
• Pickup operation
• Electronics
• Bridge adjustment
• Hardware
• General playing feel

What Makes The Burns Bison Bass Special?

Few basses look like a Bison.

The inward-curving double-cutaway body, extended headstock shape and large scratchplate create an instantly recognisable silhouette rooted in British guitar design of the early 1960s.

More importantly, the Bison has always been about tonal versatility. Rather than relying on a simple one- or two-pickup layout, the design uses three pickups together with additional switching to produce a wider selection of sounds than most traditional passive basses.

Distinctive Bison Body Shape

The Bison's sculpted horns remain one of Jim Burns' most recognisable design features.

Its shape gives the instrument a strong visual identity while keeping access to the upper frets relatively open.

Combined with the White finish and large scratchplate, it delivers an unmistakably retro appearance.

Bolt-On Maple Neck

Later Bison Bass reissues typically use a bolt-on maple neck, providing a firm and responsive playing feel.

Maple neck construction contributes to the instrument's clear attack and complements the definition of the Burns pickup system.

Rosewood Fingerboard

The dark rosewood fingerboard gives the bass a traditional appearance and smooth playing surface.

It suits both fingerstyle and pick playing particularly well.

Three-Pickup Configuration

One of the defining features of the Bison Bass is its three-pickup layout.

Compared with a conventional single- or dual-pickup bass, this provides considerably more scope for changing:

• Attack
• Midrange character
• Low-end emphasis
• Pickup combinations
• Overall tonal texture

The result is a bass capable of moving well beyond a single signature sound.

Expanded Burns Switching

The Bison design is particularly well known for its unusual switching system.

Later reissue versions typically combine:

• Master Volume
• Master Tone
• A/B pickup selection
• Additional multi-position tonal switching

Settings historically associated with the model include Wild Dog and Split Sound, contributing to the Bison's reputation for producing unconventional as well as traditional bass tones.

Passive Electronics

The Bison Bass uses passive electronics.

Benefits include:

• No battery required
• Straightforward signal path
• Natural interaction with amplifiers and pedals
• Traditional dynamic response

Weight

9.6 lbs

This is the actual measured weight of this individual bass rather than a generic catalogue figure.

The Bison is known for having a substantial physical presence, and this example retains that solid feel.

A Different Alternative To Traditional Bass Designs

The Bison offers a very different experience from the usual Fender-inspired bass formula.

Where many basses rely on familiar P or J pickup configurations, the Burns uses:

• Three pickups
• Expanded switching
• Distinctive British styling
• Unusual body geometry

That makes it particularly appealing for players looking for something both visually and sonically less conventional.

Who Is It For?

Retro and vintage-inspired players – The Bison has unmistakable early-'60s British styling.

Indie and alternative bassists – Its unusual appearance and broad tonal range fit less conventional musical settings particularly well.

Studio players – Multiple pickup combinations provide plenty of options when fitting a bass into different arrangements.

Rock players – The Bison can deliver plenty of definition and character through driven amplification.

Players wanting something different – Few production basses have such a recognisable shape and control layout.

Suitable Genres & Applications

Particularly well suited to:

• Rock
• Classic rock
• Indie
• Alternative
• Garage
• Psychedelic
• Pop
• Mod
• Beat
• Surf-influenced music
• Studio recording
• Live performance
• Pick playing
• Fingerstyle

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	4-String Electric Bass
Brand	Burns
Model	Bison Bass
Finish	White
Body Shape	Bison Double Cutaway
Neck Construction	Bolt-On
Neck Material	Maple
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Pickup Configuration	Three-Pickup
Pickups	Burns Bass Pickups
Electronics	Passive
Controls	Master Volume, Tone & Multi-Position Switching
Bridge	Burns-Style Adjustable Bass Bridge
Weight	9.6 lbs
Case	Hardcase
Condition	Pre-Owned, Very Good

Production-Era Specification Note

The Burns Bison Bass has been produced in several different forms over the decades.

Original 1960s examples and subsequent UK, Korean and later reissue models can differ in areas including:

• Body wood
• Scale length
• Pickup designation
• Fingerboard specification
• Headstock construction
• Bridge design
• Hardware finish
• Switching arrangement
• Presence or absence of a zero fret

No year or serial number has been supplied for this individual bass.

For that reason, this listing does not assign era-specific specifications that cannot be confirmed for the instrument itself.

The three-pickup passive Bison format and distinctive expanded switching system remain central to the model's identity.

Historical Context

Jim Burns was one of the most important names in early British electric guitar design.

The original Bison Bass appeared during the early 1960s and stood apart from American instruments through its:

• Dramatic body shape
• Multiple pickups
• Complex switching
• Distinctive hardware
• British design identity

The model subsequently returned in several reissue forms, allowing later players to access the unusual design without relying solely on surviving 1960s originals.

Hardcase Note

A hardcase is included.

The case has not been confirmed as the original Burns factory case and is therefore described simply as a hardcase.

Power Requirements

None.

The Bison Bass uses passive electronics and requires:

• No battery
• No external power supply

Fair Deal Music Verdict

The Burns Bison Bass in White is a genuinely distinctive alternative to the more familiar bass designs that dominate the market.

Its combination of three pickups, expanded switching and unmistakable Bison styling gives it both visual character and a broad tonal palette, making it especially appealing for players interested in vintage British design, alternative sounds or simply something outside the usual P Bass and Jazz Bass formula.

This example weighs 9.6 lbs, is presented in Very Good Condition and comes supplied with a hardcase.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Every pre-owned bass at Fair Deal Music is individually assessed so its actual condition, measured weight and included accessories can be represented clearly.

On this Burns, the Very Good condition grade, 9.6 lbs weight and included hardcase are all clearly stated.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

When you buy from us, you benefit from:

• Family-run independent retailer established in 1987
• Birmingham's largest independent music store
• 6,000+ Trustpilot reviews
• Expert musician-led advice
• Pre-owned instruments individually assessed
• Clear condition grading
• Secure ordering
• Fast UK delivery
• Large Birmingham showroom
• Friendly support before and after purchase

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Your existing bass could help towards the cost of this Burns.

Fair Deal Music buys and part-exchanges basses, guitars, amplifiers, effects, keyboards and other musical equipment.

Contact our team for a no-obligation valuation and find out what your current equipment could be worth towards this Burns Bison Bass.

Frequently Asked Questions

What condition is this Burns Bison Bass in?

It is presented in Very Good Condition, showing some cosmetic wear consistent with careful previous ownership while remaining fully functional.

What finish does it have?

This example is finished in White.

How many strings does it have?

It is a standard 4-string bass.

How many pickups does it have?

The Bison Bass uses three Burns bass pickups.

Are the pickups active?

No. The electronics are passive.

What controls does the Bison Bass have?

The Bison design combines volume and tone controls with additional pickup and tonal switching, providing a broader range of sounds than many conventional passive basses.

What is Wild Dog?

Wild Dog is a distinctive Burns tonal setting associated with the Bison switching system, designed to provide a more unusual and characterful tonal response.

What is Split Sound?

Split Sound is another specialised setting associated with later Bison electronics, expanding the available pickup combinations and tonal character.

What is the neck made from?

Later Bison reissues use a maple bolt-on neck.

What fingerboard does it have?

The reissue-style Bison Bass uses a rosewood fingerboard.

What year was this bass made?

No year or serial number has been supplied, so an exact production year has not been assigned.

Why isn't a specific body wood listed?

Burns has manufactured Bison Basses across several periods with differing specifications. Without identifying this individual production era, assigning a particular wood could be inaccurate.

How much does it weigh?

This individual bass weighs 9.6 lbs.

Does it require a battery?

No. The electronics are completely passive.

Does it come with a case?

Yes. A hardcase is included.

Is the hardcase original?

The case has not been confirmed as the original Burns factory case, so no claim of originality is made.

Is the Bison suitable for recording?

Yes. Its multiple pickup options make it particularly useful when searching for different bass textures in the studio.

Is it suitable for rock?

Yes. The Bison's clear pickup response and broad switching system work well for both clean and driven rock bass sounds.

Can I request a video demo?

Yes. Our Request a Video Demo service is ideal if you would like to see the individual condition or hear the different pickup and switching combinations before purchasing.

Can I part-exchange another bass against it?

Yes. Fair Deal Music considers trade-ins and part exchanges across a wide range of basses, guitars and other musical equipment.