Dallas Tuxedo

[phatkat]

Hi guys, I've just bought a Dallas Tuxedo bass from the 50/60's one was owned famously by Bill Wyman of the stones and he played it live and on record in the early years...
Two questions...
Its missing its scratch plate, i've heard of a company who will make one from a template does anyone know who they are?
And I know this is a toughy... given its rarity and the fact that these were the first solid bodies to be manufactured in the uk.... what might it be worth?

G...

[Blademan_98]

Can you post some pictures?

It would be worth more if Bill used that actual instrument.

I don't know the name of the scratch plate macker but I am sure someone will be along who does!

[phatkat]

I can find very little information on this bass on the web, the pick guard fitted to the guitars I can find pictures of are quite large and are the width of the guitar, it looks like my one has been fitted with a much smaller one a similar shape to a les paul scratch plate.
Does anyone know anything about these historic basses?

Edited February 26, 2012 by phatkat

[mgeek]

What do you want to know?

RE: Scratchplate, if you're at all handy, it'd be very easy to make one of these yourself. They were pretty crudely cut from relatively thin material, compared to say, a fender. I've seen two versions- one like you say, that covers almost the full body, and another, smaller design more like those found on the Tuxedo guitars. Can't seem to find a pic of that bass online at the moment.

Bit of general history- the electrics were supplied by Henry Weill, the bodies possibly made by a furniture factory who turned out parts for a few early british makers.

Bill Wyman used one of these for quite some time in the stones, but he defretted it and altered the body shape.

http://rustones.narod.ru/Articles/Equipment/images/DallasTuxedoWyman.jpg

As to value- not that much really...maybe £250 in decent shape? It does vary depending on the day, but music ground have had one they've been attempting to get four hundred quid for, for years.

[phatkat]

[size=4][color=#222222][font=Arial]Thanks for that mgeek, I did come across a picture of one with the smaller scratchplate and I’m going to have a go at replicating that, the machine heads were scrap so I’ve ordered some very similar hohner ones, and some period strap buttons, so there wont be much that’s original, I’m not going to refinish it I quite like how it looks.[/font][/color]
[color=#222222][font=Arial]Electrics... the original pickup is still there and I got the original pots and cap, is it worth retaining the pots or just replacing them with new, its not going to compromise the originality is it? or is it worth retaining as much of the original parts as possible?[/font][/color][/size]

Edited March 7, 2012 by phatkat

[Truckstop]

You can always improve the electronics, but if you choose to sell it on in the future, you can re-install the original wiring and pups. Or even sell it with the upgrades and provide the electronics with the sale.

Truckstop

[mgeek]

I'd retain the original electrics if at all possible. Unless they are totally shot, there's probably literally no point in replacing them.

Those old British components are pretty well made, and a squirt of servisol will usually sort out any crackling.

Aside from the 'closer to original' aspects, they also will be split shaft, which will make it easier to use the original type of knobs, which were held on with a grub screw.

Are you able to post any pictures? I'd love to see it

Edited March 8, 2012 by mgeek

[phatkat]

I'll get some pictures posted soon.

[phatkat]

This is more or less how I got it... I have scraped some of the dirt off.


[url="http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l635/bigbadgraeme/pots010.jpg"]http://i1127.photobu...eme/pots010.jpg[/url]
[url="http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l635/bigbadgraeme/pots009.jpg"]http://i1127.photobu...eme/pots009.jpg[/url]
[url="http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l635/bigbadgraeme/pots008.jpg"]http://i1127.photobu...eme/pots008.jpg[/url]

Sorry about the horrible phone picture quality... my camera is playing up, i'll get better ones as I progress.

G...

Edited March 13, 2012 by phatkat

[mike020393]

Sorry to dig up an ancient topic from years ago, but if anyone still has this Dallas Tuxedo bass or knows someone who might be selling one, I'm trying to find one. Feel free to email me: [email protected]

[PaulKing]

Hi Mike - I got one .. great fun. E string is a bit quiet .... 

I switched the black scratchplate for white. I made one like Mo Fosters too, funky 60s feel, but went back to orig design in th eend.

[phatkat]

On 02/10/2018 at 16:26, PaulKing said:

Hi Mike - I got one .. great fun. E string is a bit quiet .... 

I switched the black scratchplate for white. I made one like Mo Fosters too, funky 60s feel, but went back to orig design in th eend.

Dont suppose youd be up for making another white scratchplate for my tuxedo, i would be very grateful and would be happy to pay...