mgeek

I've had one of these- this one, which I sold to Guy http://www.theguitarcollection.org.uk/guitar/burns-weill-super-streamline-bass-2/

Much as I love old UK weirdos and it looked really cool, it was a total piece of stinky poo as an instrument. HUGE body so it weighed a tonne, but neck exactly the same dimensions as a banjo. The fret positioning was totally off too- obviously hand slotted and pre calculators. The first three frets were the same width, which meant that on an instrument with a 29'' scale it just wouldn't play anywhere near in tune.

Seen one picture of Jet Harris holding one (he was given it by Jim Burns, and Marty Wilde was given the matching guitar, when they were both on a tv show called 'oh boy') and he doesn't look very happy! Pretty sure he played it for about a second then went back to his Framus. Kudos to the guy from Egg for actually managing to use his. He *must* have ended up having to bend certain notes into pitch

Anyway the listing in the op has gone now, so guessing someone paid the 'on crack price'. God knows why!? I've seen two of these in near mint condition complete with original case and they both went for about 400/450 or so. I paid 150, on ebay, and when I got it, it was in about the same state as the auction one- all there but non original finish, which I stripped

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1483710412' post='3209438']


Actually it appears to share many construction features with the Burns Sonic Bass which came out later the same year, in which case it will most likely be quite a good instrument.

There was fair bit of variation in body and scratch plate shapes on these (and the guitar versions) due to the fact that they were largely hand-made.
[/quote]

I had one of these a few years ago and it was genuinely terrible. Really big and heavy (made of solid sycamore, like maple), but with a 29" scale and a very narrow, almost banjo shaped neck that was too flimsy to not bend when tuned to pitch, despite the non adjustable aluminium rod.

it was also impossible to play in tune as the first three frets were the same width, octave somewhere around the 13th fret! still vv cool, and if I had it again (it was a stripped project) I'd replace the fretboard with a more accurate one and use baritone strings on it

The tweaked Fenton Weill versions from later on are more like a Sonic level of quality, but still a bit big and heavy considering they are short scale

Look forward to seeing this.

Fwiw- Fenton Weill was started by Henry Weill when he and Jim Burns split from working together as Burns-Weill, in late '59/early '60. He ceased manufacturing in '65 or so, with 1962/3 being something of a peak.

Should be able to give a rough date yours was made when I've seen the photos- there was a LOT of variation in features as they went along, and no two are alike!

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

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.

[quote name='BigRedX' post='781394' date='Mar 21 2010, 10:29 AM']It's a Fenton Weill - one of the pioneers of British guitars.[/quote]


Close! I'm pretty sure it's actually a 'Burns-Weill'

The body shape changed to a double cutaway when the B/W team dissolved, though it's possible some snuck out with just a 'Weill' nameplate on there.

Anyway- I just bought one, and it's just as nasty as it looks. Super skinny offset 'V' neck shape, frets in the wrong place above the 12th fret, and it's 29.5 scale length...which is insane given the fact it's the biggest and heaviest bass I've ever played! Oh- and a Co-Axial output socket...totally flat profiled fretwire with a really skinny tang, meaning the neck doesn't have any kind of stability added by a nice fat bit of fretwire...

Here's a pic- it's currently undergoing 'restoration'...previous owner stripped the original paint and sprayed it with rubbery car paint. I know it's slightly sacriligeous, but I'm gonna put the frets in the right place and use some real fretwire to see if that helps it out.