Burlesk Guitars| Custom Electric Guitars

05/13/2023

It’s been 3 months today since my darling husband James has passed away. My mind is still spinning, and I am searching for meaning in everything. A few weeks ago, a gentleman named Justin reached out to Burlesk, asking about a Burlesk Custom Guitar, he had acquired. He wanted the details on the build, as he was going to sell it.

I answered him immediately and asked how much he wanted for the guitar…as this is one I never, ever wanted James to sell. (James would often have to remind me, he was in the guitar business to sell his guitars…lol!) Even though I am not a horror genre buff, she spoke to me, and I loved her.

I immediately struck a deal and made arrangements to come and get her in Edmonton. She came back home to Calgary today. He called her Blair, not for the Witch, but for the young actress, (Linda Blair), in the scariest movie of all time; “The Exorcist”. A movie he and his Dad would often watch and critique, while I cried and hid my head under the covers. Fortunately, this Blair does not scare me. Thank you for getting her back to me darling…you always knew how much I loved her.

04/30/2023

This was a typical evening at Burlesk Guitars...

03/24/2023

https://youtu.be/roU1akxz6mg
This Memorial Concert is a Tribute to James Burley from all who loved him. Through music, all of his friends and family got together in Calgary, on March 21 to show their love for him.

I can't begin to thank everyone enough who made it all possible...starting with the fine folks at The Brickwell Tap House; Kenan and his wife for hosting the event. A GIANT Thank You to Rod Bader, James' very close friend who organized the music and MC'd the entire evening, as well as performed with his band; "Suckerpunch" including Wade, Sean & Matt! Both Sean and Wade played their own personal Custom Burlesk Guitars, made by James for them.

I also have to Thank Jim Humber, who was another very close friend of James' who performed with his band; "Born to Resist" including Kenny, Jeffrey & JP. Thank you so much Jim. He could feel the love. Jim also played his own Custom Burlesk Guitar, made by James. That is one nice Bass Jim! xo

Kenny & Jeffrey also stepped in for James, to play with James' band; "Shifty. Including Shifty's Drummer and one of James' closest friends; Brad, and Shifty's Bassist; Marek. Ben, another "Shifty" member performed, and made James very proud by singing and playing a special song they shared.

James' former Brother in Law, and Best Friend Aaron, performed with James' Daughter In Law Marrissa, as they paid a very special tribute to James. Aaron also played a Custom Burlesk Guitar, made by James.

A few stories were shared throughout the night about James and then his daughter Kate performed a song for her Dad. It was my very favorite song of the night! I know how much he loved it...and both she and I could feel him with us in that moment.

Finally, I shared a few words about my husband, and tried to embody who he was to me. After 37 years together, I cannot even imagine life without him, so I have decided to include him in almost everything I do. He is always with me in my heart and mind, and always will be.

I love you so much James Burley, you will forever be my Husband, Best Friend and Hero.

Thank you all who came to honor him...he would be so proud! As James would say..."Have a great week-end fellow babies..."

This Memorial Concert is a Tribute to James Burley from all who loved him. Through music, all of his friends and family got together in Calgary, on March 21...

03/21/2023

See you all tomorrow, to remember James!

03/15/2023

See you all in a week! Next Tuesday night for James' Memorial. Music will start @ 7:00!

03/07/2023

It is going to be an amazing time to remember James, and play some of his favorite tunes, by some of his favorite people.
ps/ The QR code is for a link to a video I made of James playing some of my favorite tunes...Hope you enjoy. See you soon! Lori xo

02/14/2023

Yesterday was the worst day of my life. Yesterday was the day I lost the love of my life…a love I had for 37 years. James Burley passed away after only 52 (almost 53), years on this earth. He was the most passionate, funny, and handsome husband any woman could wish for. He was a loyal friend, talented musician, proud craftsman, and an amazing Dad & Papa. His life ended quickly, after a 3 week battle with very sudden, aggressive cancer. He passed away surrounded by his loved ones Sunday morning.

James never liked funerals, so we are going to have a Memorial to celebrate his life. Besides his family, music was his life, so his musician friends will play some of his favorite songs, on his incredible scratch built Burlesk Guitars. This will be a time to reflect on James, and how he impacted our lives. Please feel free to reach out to me if you would like to share a story, joke or a memory about James. This will be a positive event, and a hell of a Jam! Please stay tuned for more details on his upcoming Memorial Service. If anyone has any questions about James or Burlesk, feel free to reach out to me in a private message. Much love fellow babies…Lori

01/18/2023

Good Day Folks,
If any one of my clients is looking for an excellent U.S.A.Telecaster I have one for sale. This is a 2010 American Special that has upgraded electronics and just had the frets dressed ( first time on this guitar,so tons of fret left for future maintenance). The upgrades include Switchcraft military grade sealed 3 way switch, new Bournes 500k pots, with treble bleed circuit on volume and "Greasebucket" tone circuit, flipped controls for better access. The guitar is in mint shape comes with mint shape case( still has plastic covers on the latches) and I am asking $1200.00 for it. Here is the kicker, if you are a client of Burlesk I can offer a payment plan for this beauty for you as I know some folks dont have that kind of dough to spend in one fail swoop. I can offer 2 or 3 payments in installments and guitar is deliverable on final payment I'm sure you can do the math but either 2x$600 or 3x $400.00 no interest or G.S.T either.
If you are interested send me a message or you can text me on my phone to make arrangements. A list of factory Specs on the guitar is below (besides the upgrades I have done). Set up with 10's in Standard tuning.

Product Specs
Body
Alder
Body Finish
Gloss Polyurethane
Body Shape
Telecaster®
Bridge
3-Saddle Vintage-Style Strings-Through-Body Tele® with Brass Barrel Saddles
Bridge Pickup
Custom Shop Texas Special™ Single-Coil Tele®
Color
Olympic White
Commodity Code
9207901000
Configuration
SS
Control K***s
Knurled Dome
Controls
Master Volume, Master Tone
Country Of Origin
US
Dimensions
5.00x15.00x42.00 IN
Fingerboard
Maple
Fingerboard Radius
9.5" (241 mm)
Fret Size
Jumbo
Hardware Finish
Chrome
Model Name
American Special Telecaster®, Maple Fingerboard, Olympic White
Neck Finish
Satin Urethane
Neck Material
Maple
Neck Pickup
Custom Shop Texas Special™ Single-Coil Tele®
Neck Shape
Modern "C"
Number of Frets
22
Nut Material
Synthetic Bone
Nut Width
1.685" (42.8 mm)
Orientation
Right-Hand
Pickguard
3-Ply Black
Pickup Configuration
SS
Pickup Switching
3-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup
Position Inlays
Black Dot
Refinement Neck Material
Maple
Refinement Neck Shape
C Shape
Refinement Pickups
Custom Shop
Scale Length
25.5" (64.77 cm)
Series
American Special
Special Electronics
Greasebucket™ Tone Circuit (Rolls off Highs Without Adding Bass)
String Nut
Synthetic Bone
Strings
Fender® USA 250L Nickel Plated Steel (.009-.042 Gauges), PN 0730250403
Truss Rod Wrench
1/8" Hex (Allen)
Truss Rods
Standard
Tuning Machines
Standard Cast/Sealed

01/11/2023

12/18/2022

First step to checkerboard … stay tuned Fellow Babies!
“…all in the name of tone.”

12/03/2022

Happy Straturday my Fellow Burleskians,
Had the pleasure of Burleskacising this 2003 Strat for my client Jim Ross
A new set of Lace Hot Gold pickups and a top to toe treatment from yours truly was what this girl needed for a whole new lease on life.
Thanks Jim for your loyal patronage and thank ALL OF YOU for following along on this amazing guitar filled festival I call life!
“…all in the name of tone.”