Help required again to identify Bass

[bridge]

I have posted this once before with just one pic. It has a decal on head saying TUXEDO BASS but no idea if it is an 'add on'
scratch plate is metal and looks original. I have scoured internet to no avail. any help appreciated. it was very cheap, and I am just really curious. Thanks guys.

[Silvia Bluejay]

Bump. If you don't get any replies I'll tweet your question.

[bridge]

Thanks BJ, much appreciated

Edited February 16, 2014 by bridge

[alyctes]

Just wondering if the scratchplate and trussrod cover match?

[HowieBass]

There was a Dallas Tuxedo guitar, one of the first British made solid bodies - have a read of this http://www.watkinsguitars.co.uk/history.htm

[Musky]

I've seen Guyatone guitars very similar to that bass. Guyatone were a big manufacturer in the sixties and produced for a number of other brands. Perhaps Tuxedo was one of them?

[BetaFunk]

It doesn't look like any Dallas Tuxedo i've ever seen.

What scale is it?

Broadway sold a UK made bass around 1961 that was similar shape and had a 27.5" scale.

I agree that there are 1960s Guyatones that are of similar shape.

[Bassassin]

This is a 60s era Japanese bass, it has specific hardware (pickup & tuners) which I've seen used on Teisco & Kawai instruments. It's not consistent with any Teiscos listed [url="http://www.mark-cole.co.uk/teisco/"]here[/url] but it is similar to several & this is far from an exhaustive resource. Musky might be right about Guyatone, who were a major Japanese manufacturer of the same era.

The name on the headstock probably won't link it to any particular manufacturer - a huge proportion of what was exported from Japan was sold under importer/distributors' own brands. Try asking on the forum at [url="http://www.vintaxe.com/phpBB3/"]Vintaxe.com[/url] - either the Japanese or Unknown Origin boards - chances are someone will have seen this bass before.

Jon.

[bridge]

Thanks guys, Yeh, it is definetly not a Dallas Tuxedo, and yes, truss rod cover and scratch plate match. I will follow up some of your links, see if I can discover any more. Its quite interestings stuff really, I bought it with a view to restoring/customising it, but it has sat in its case,(probably the original, heavy as hell!) under my bed ever since. I dont suppose i will ever get around to doing anthing with it!

Thanks again guys

Ray

Edited February 17, 2014 by bridge

[bridge]

Following your leads, just typed in 1960s Japenese bass guitar, and this popped up on USA auction site! still dont know make though.[attachment=155454:JAP.jpg] Appear to be lots of variations on same body, (different hardware etc) I have at last found pics, but at least now know it is 1960S AND Japenese!

Thanks BC,ers to the rescue again.

Edited February 17, 2014 by bridge

[bridge]

This bass is still in its case, under my bed!! Really need to do something with it. trouble is, not a clue what its worth!. I guess could just list it on here and see what occurs. any (sensible!) ideas welcome. ps. If I do sell, it will be on here and legit, ie paid for advert.

cheers guys.

[cybertect]

FWIW, it seems to have been made under the [i]Orpheus/Orpheum [/i]brand name (Japan, not to be confused with the Bulgarian manufacturer of the same name).

[url="http://www.triplesmileplus.com/Shop/images/_Musical/Guitar_Orpheus_4Strings_Bass_need1string_a.jpg"]http://www.triplesmi...ed1string_a.jpg[/url]

and some other, very similar instruments

[url="http://forum.megabass.it/viewtopic.php?p=762888"]http://forum.megabas...ic.php?p=762888[/url]

[url="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-1960s-Orpheum-Baritone-Bass-27-1-2-guyatone-Japan-MIJ-Worldwide-/121458188752?pt=Guitar&hash=item1c4778e1d0"]http://www.ebay.com/...=item1c4778e1d0[/url]

Guyatone were mentioned earlier - their EB4 model is [i]very[/i] similar in appearance, though perhaps a little more up market (a more fancy scratch plate)

[url="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152015724434797.1073741935.192721204796&type=3"]https://www.facebook...21204796&type=3[/url]

Apparently, Kay also branded some of their output with the [i]Orpheus/Orpheum[/i] name, which would fit.

and, since Teisco were also mentioned, here's what looks like the same instrument again, identified as a Teisco Ibanez

[url="http://www.ibanezbass.org/for-sale/teisco-ibanez-japan-vintage-electric-bass-guitar-rare/12284/"]http://www.ibanezbas...tar-rare/12284/[/url]

Edited October 14, 2014 by cybertect

[bridge]

Excellent stuff! much obliged dude. just need to decide what to do with it! seems a waste laying under my bed for ever and a day.

[MOSCOWBASS]

My first bass was a Tuxedo Bass, it looked very similar to yours. £10 in 1973, must look for pics of it. I remember the pickup response being different on each of the strings...it was the same pickup as yours. trip down memory lane...thanks.