Burns Barracuda/Fender Pawn Shop Bass V1

[Tony Szpala]

I visited Regent Sounds (4 Denmark Street, London) this morning. The main objective was to evaluate a Fender '65 Deluxe Reverb Combo amp as a potential amp, ready for my retirment in two years time.
I was warmly greeted by Crispin - (I telephoned yesterday to arrange to play a few guitars through the amp). I took my Burns Barracuda Special (now fitted with flat wounds supplied by Barry Gibson of Burns) in it's case on the Tube and lugged it through the Streets of London - not much fun!
Played a Gretsch 6120 and Fender Strat through the amp which sounded superb. I thought the ultimate test would be the Barracuda and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of sound even at high volumes - it's only a 22 watt amp.
Crispin told me he had a new Fender Pawn Shop Bass V1 in stock (fitted with round wound strings). I tried it and in my opinion the sound quality fell well short of the Burns Barracuda. Also the quality of finish on the Barrcuda is far better. In view of the fact the Barracuda is fitted with flat wounds and the Fender V1 with wire wounds it may not be regarded by some as a fair and realistic comparison.
Has anyone on this website done a direct, in depth, comparison of Fender V1 guitars with the Burns Barracudas??

Best wishes

Tony