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What is the story on the "Brock Burst"

Guitardon

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Feb 3, 2002
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I keep hearing that my R8 02 dark burst looks like the Brock Burst. Man, I am out of the loop on this. I did see it in the Beauty of the Burst book and it says the Legendary Brock Burst.

What is the story on the Brock Burst? Why is it "The Legendary" Brock Burst?

Thanks!
 

Rich R

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There's probably a ton of info on this site if you do a search, but, briefly, the "Brock Burst" is an extremely fine example of a 1959 Les Paul Standard. It was brought to light by collector Brian Brock, hence the name. It was later sold to 'burst maven Vic DaPra, so is also referred to as the "Brock/DaPra" 'burst. It is pictured in BOTB, but more importantly, it is the cover guitar on Tom Wheeler's book "American Guitar".

BTW, I have no idea who owns the guitar now, but I heard a rumor that it was sold about ten years ago for $150K. Anybody have more info?
 

Dave Paetow

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Jul 15, 2001
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It was also on a GP cover in a Burst special issue in the mid '80's. There were some rumors floating around that it was retopped or refinned, I asked Brian Brock via email a while back and he said it wasn't retopped or refinished.
 

brock

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Jul 23, 2002
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I think I technically have a brock burst. LOL I should list it on Ebay with an opening bid of $200,000. That would be a nice profit.
 
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Burstboy

Dr. Nick, 'Hi Everybody'
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In the back of BOTB...what is DaPra wearing on his head or is that his hair...I keep staring at it, and I cannot figure it out :wtf
 

Mark Kane

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"In the back of BOTB...what is DaPra wearing on his head or is that his hair...I keep staring at it, and I cannot figure it out"



Be nice! ;)
 

Tom Wittrock

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gitardude said:

I had heard it sold a few months ago for about $200K!
Unlikely, I think. That would be cheap for that Burst. Plus, I don't think the owner would part with it for double that, as he probably doesn't "need" to.
The Brock Burst has been the "benchmark" Burst for 20+ years. While many claim there are better ones out there, it is an arguable point. Even with BOTB, it is hard to argue that any in there are "better" as opposed to "equal, yet different". We can pick our favorites, sure. But, with this many years of being at the forefront, "the Burst all others are {or were} judged against", it has not categorically been knocked down.
I think it is a great example of how good a Burst can be. I wouldn't "kick it out of bed"!
 

the von haze

Les Paul Froum Member
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Oct 20, 2001
Messages
523
brock surfaces

Anyone remember some ebay auctions, from oh about 3 years ago, where Brian Brock was selling some burst parts? I think it was the toggle washer and jackplate. Not sure if it was from THE Brock Burst. The auction text still stands out in my mind...

"Yes, it is I, Brian Brock..."
 

Ed Rafalko

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Jul 15, 2001
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Brian's posted here within the last year, selling 8X10s of that BrockBurst.

I am pretty sure that Dirk ( Doug?) Ziff owns it now.
 

natchezian2

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Mar 28, 2002
Messages
611
Guitardon said:
I keep hearing that my R8 02 dark burst looks like the Brock Burst. Man, I am out of the loop on this. I did see it in the Beauty of the Burst book and it says the Legendary Brock Burst.

What is the story on the Brock Burst? Why is it "The Legendary" Brock Burst?

Thanks!

The story is T.J. Brock. I went to college with her in the early 70's. She still lives in Mississippi and I remember her as a long blond haired hippy chick with bell bottom jeans, clogs and a halter top with no bra. Those were the days.... ;)
 

BIGMAN714

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Aug 20, 2001
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Burstboy said:
In the back of BOTB...what is DaPra wearing on his head or is that his hair...I keep staring at it, and I cannot figure it out :wtf

LOL! That picture looked odd to me too, like he has some sort of braided pageboy hairpiece on. Almost as bad as Billy Gibbon's showercap thing.



www.RugburnTx.com
 
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GeetarGoul

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Jul 25, 2001
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5,044
If the Brock Burst is the guitar all others are compared against, are you referring to it's tone or asthetics, or both?

I've heard it's pretty much a looker
 
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Burstboy

Dr. Nick, 'Hi Everybody'
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Aug 9, 2001
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3,136
Mark Kane said:
"In the back of BOTB...what is DaPra wearing on his head or is that his hair...I keep staring at it, and I cannot figure it out"



Be nice! ;)

Hey Mark...I did not want to come across with a mean or cocky statement, but I was really just curious. It baffles me, and I have never met him in person, so i was not sure if it was a bandana or ????? Not sure.

You know I'm a nice guy :bb

BTW...I have never been a big fan of that guitar. I think the ultimate tom is the BOTB cover guitar. That was the one owned by Paul Stanley, right?
 

Mark Kane

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"Hey Mark...I did not want to come across with a mean or cocky statement, but I was really just curious. It baffles me, and I have never met him in person, so i was not sure if it was a bandana or ????? Not sure."

It's his hair!
 

Rich R

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Jun 4, 2002
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I'm with Burstboy on the Stanley 'burst. That one just shakes me up every time I lay eyes on it. Plus, according to BOTB, it's super light, unusual for a real burst.

I remember a few years ago when Toys From the Attic had it for sale at 115K, which seemed completely outrageous at the time (you could've bought "Cathedral" from Southworth for 45K at the time, just as a point of comparison...) Who knew? Anyhow, I wonder who's lovin' her now...
 

Dave Paetow

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Re: brock surfaces

the von haze said:
Anyone remember some ebay auctions, from oh about 3 years ago, where Brian Brock was selling some burst parts? I think it was the toggle washer and jackplate. Not sure if it was from THE Brock Burst. The auction text still stands out in my mind...

"Yes, it is I, Brian Brock..."

I bought the jack plate on Ebay from Brian for my burst. I seem to remember the price was pretty reasonable, too.
 

nickster

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Jul 22, 2001
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Vic DaPra did sell the guitar some time ago. Its looks far outweighed its sound according to its previous owner. Its also pictured on the front cover of the Tom Wheeler Book as well.:dude
 
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