Burny FLG-240 or FLG-150 (circa 1980)

When I first acquired this guitar, I had no idea which model or production period it belonged to and initially introduced it as an FLG-90. Later, a knowledgeable overseas collector pointed out my mistake, and I revised the information accordingly.

The serial number is stamped on the back of the headstock — a method reportedly used from the late 1970s to around 1982. In this system, the first digit of the five-digit number indicates the last digit of the production year. Since this guitar’s number begins with “0,” it was made in 1980.

The catalogs of that era list the FLG-240, FLG-150, and FLG-90 models but show almost no detailed differences among them. Moreover, back then, even if a top was laminated with a decorative veneer, as long as the base layer was solid maple, it was described as a “solid carved top.” Consequently, the catalog alone cannot tell us whether the top was fully carved or laminated. Likewise, the term “solid mahogany back” simply meant “not a pancake construction,” without clarifying whether it was a one-piece or two-piece back.

My educated guess is that the FLG-240 and FLG-150 featured one-piece backs, while the FLG-90 used two-piece construction — a reasonable assumption. The back of this particular guitar is clearly a single piece of mahogany.

The only clearly stated catalog difference among the three models lies in their pickups: the FLG-150 and FLG-240 came with Seymour Duncan ’59 Model pickups, while the FLG-90 was equipped with original L-8001 Vintage pickups. However, since this guitar’s pickups have been replaced with Gibson ’57 Classics, the model can’t be identified by pickups alone.

One visible difference, as seen in catalog photos, is in the tuners. The FLG-240 and FLG-150 used double-ring Kluson tuners, whereas the FLG-90 had single-ring versions. Although one of this guitar’s tuners was replaced, the rest are the double-ring type, which ultimately served as the key factor in identifying it.

This guitar also has an added coil-tap switch, refretted fingerboard, and partially replaced tuners, so it’s far from collector-grade condition.
Still, the sound is outstanding — rich, powerful, and full of character.
Weight: 4.76 kg (including strings)
(Updated October 11, 2025)