Washington County Durham
HOME WHAT'S WHERE
Memories of Washington
Jimmy Burns - Guitar Maker
Washington's Jimmy Burns
Guitar Maker to The Stars
Press Cutting Courtesy of Washington History Society
Comments from Ged Parker, Chair of WHS
At the June 2024, Springwell 1940s Weekend we were told about Jimmy Burns, born in Pattinson Town in 1925.
The 1939 Register shows he was an apprentice joiner in the Chemical Works where his father worked.
We were also told that's where he made his first guitar, in the joiners' shop.
In about 1949 he went to London and became a respected guitar maker, most notably for Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch. He died in 1998.
Jimmy Burns and Hank Marvin inspecting a Marvin Prototype Guitar
1963
Burns Guitar Advert with Hank Marvin, Lead Guitar of The Shadows
1964
Some Burns Guitar Users
Hank Marvin & Bruce Welch of The Shadows - Mark Knopfler - Johnny Halliday
Brian May - Slade - Spencer Davis Group - Jet Harris - Mungo Jerry - Searchers
The Springfields - The Honeycombs - Dave Berry - Bert Weedon - Led Zeppelin
T.Rex - The Tremeloes - The Troggs - Unit 4+2 - Pete Townsend - The New Seekers
Rick Huxley of The Dave Clark Five - Girls Aloud ... and many, many more!
[ Information from www.burnsguitars.com ]
Pattinson Town (far right) Birthplace of Jimmy Burns, Master Guitar Designer
Washington Station Road (top left) - The Willows (top centre) - Future Barmston Village (top right)
Washington Railway Station (off picture, left) - Bridge under The Leamside Line (top) - Bridge under the Tyne Dock to Consett Railway
Washington Chemical Works - The Road heading down from the Railway Bridges leads to Washington Staithes and Cox Green.
[ Pattinson Town was named after Hugh Lee Pattinson, Fellow of The Royal Society and co-founder of Washington Chemical Works. ]