Re: Say hello...

by Raymondo Thu Sep 05, 2013 7:13 am

Hi to all.
Name - Ray
Location -SE Queensland
Age 50
First guitar-Yamaha
First Westone @ 20 yrs ago[only Westone]

I stumbled across this site because I've had this Westone I bought from a hockshop @ 20 yrs ago , and shame on me , I've rarely played it. I've been curious of late as to its model , hence finding this site. From what I can tell , its identical to the "unknown" model number 1.This guitar is a keeper, and I'm amazed at the quality , sound and playability of this great guitar. Unfortunately its not 100% original , the knobs look different , I replaced the tuners with Schallers , and I found out the hard way that diecast bridges and acid are not a good combination, but having fitted a similar sized steel bridge , this doesn't appear to have had any adverse affects on the guitar.With all that said , i'm now having some fun times with this instrument.

by **Barry** Thu Sep 05, 2013 10:03 am

Welcome Ray.
Even after all this time, we're still discovering new things about the Westone line, and once in a while an "oddball" model appears to make things interesting. Often, they turn out to be a prototype of a more familiar model appearing shortly afterwards and they're always interesting to see from an evolutionary point of view.

Glad to hear you're happy with it. When you're able, please start a thread and post up some pix. We'd love to see her. Very Happy

by Raymondo Fri Sep 06, 2013 8:49 am

Thanks for the welcome Barry, I realised after I posted my intro that Ive had another encounter in the past with the Westone family , a Vantage Avenger bass that I recall was a great solid instrument that did me for years. As soon as i can get my head around picture posting I'll certainly get some photos posted.

by **Barry** Fri Sep 06, 2013 2:12 pm

Have a look at this FAQ

by challpa Fri Sep 06, 2013 6:44 pm

Hello Raymondo - great that you found us here. I am also from SE QLD. Look forward to seeing your guitar pics when you can post them Very Happy

by Papa Slayer Tue Sep 10, 2013 12:44 pm

Hi!

My name is Bart and I'm from Cracow (Poland).
I'm about to buy a bass guitar Spectrum series II.

I think it's enough for this moment Very Happy

HELLO!

by The Chad Fri Sep 13, 2013 12:38 pm

Yakshemash Papa Slayer! Welcome to the forums. That bass should have a great neck.

by Papa Slayer Fri Sep 13, 2013 12:41 pm

Haha, I'm fine! :)Great Polish! hahaha. Nice !

by The Chad Fri Sep 13, 2013 12:53 pm

Dziekuje. Had Polish friends in college, I only know greetings and some food. Laughing

by Papa Slayer Fri Sep 13, 2013 1:04 pm

Polish is difficult. So good, that you know some basic words Thumb Up

by mortarman120gang11c Sat Sep 14, 2013 12:27 pm

Welcome to the forums

by SIMON BURRETT Tue Sep 17, 2013 9:51 am

Hi.

Just popping by to join in the fun. I have 60 guitars, though some are up for sale at the moment, but I always come back to the Westones and other MaMo guitars. I have a Thunder1A, a Thunder1 and a Spectrum SX and the build quality never fails to impress. My Gibsons will be cowering in the corner of the music room as I write this, and the Fenders for that matter, but the construction of these guitars is bulletproof. Very rugged and not always pretty, but incredible value compared with the guitars they were to compete with. The same goes for the Arias and my Ibanez Roadstars.

Typically, I have lost the whammy bar for the Spectrum and am at a loss where to find one. I certainly have no plans to replace the whole unit as, with the weird locking nut removed, I still stays doggedly in tune.

So why am I never seen playing one live?

Arthritis and tendon problems.

Not so much on the Spectrum but the Thunders have a wide fretboard that just catches me out after half an hour or so. Recording is another matter. If you can't find a great tone on these guitars something's gone horribly wrong. Get a better amp? Truly brilliant.

So now I have actually written something I look forward to seeing the chat, banter and good advice.

Simon Burrett
Blue Bishops

by SIMON BURRETT Tue Sep 17, 2013 9:54 am

The lovely Vantage that I DO play live!

by The Chad Tue Sep 17, 2013 9:57 am

Hello Simon! Welcome, you have a ton of guitars like several others on here! Post on the rest of our forums, someone will help with your whammy bar issue. Maybe under Technical or someplace.

by **Barry** Tue Sep 17, 2013 10:09 am

Welcome Simon. 60 guitars would qualify you for the padded room where we keep the more GAS afflicted forum members, although many have gone into three digits at this point! And if your collection consists largely of Matsumoku guitars then you also get room service. clown

I sympathize with the arthritis problem. 'Bin fighting that losing battle for a few years now along with a mild stroke which buggered up a lot of the fine motor control in the left hand. Others here are similarly afflicted but we still love our Mats, and our music, and to not play is to give up on life.

The trem bar for your Spectrum should be 6mm diameter. You can likely find one locally or get 'em online from Guitar Fetish or StewMac. We dig pictures here, post 'em when you can. (Oh, and lock yer weird nuts.)

by Sgt. Vimes Tue Sep 17, 2013 11:16 am

Welcome aboard the nut house Simon, see user Westbone for the Wang bar and/or collar, I have the locknut clamps and bolts should you have need for them, cheap too :-)

by mortarman120gang11c Tue Sep 17, 2013 2:38 pm

Always great to see another fellow egas fanatic that loves the quality and playability of our beloved Westones etc. Welcome to the forums.

by Lardzeppelin Fri Sep 20, 2013 6:29 pm

Hi, my name is Laurence, and im a 'Westieholic'... Very Happy

...

Since i took up playing bass again back in the midd 90s, i had a serious fancy for a thunder 3 bass with all the 'posh' kit on it, never actually believing one would come along 'purely by accident'...So it was last week, a guy i had done some business with a while ago decided to sell his Westie Spectrum LX bass...The decision to buy took all of a couple of seconds, and now i am a man at peace with the world...My LX is beaten and bruised, it needs lots of parts to do a half decent restore, but its going to be worth the time and money...
Heres hoping my joining the Westone Community will open up great possibilities to getting another great instrument restored and back out in the spotlight where it rightly belongs....

Thanks for reading, and i hope to cross paths with many of you along the way....

Laurence...

by JeffHopkins Thu Sep 26, 2013 5:39 pm

Hello one and all, My name is Jeff and im from the north east of England and ive just bought an absolute wreck of a Quantum bass Very Happy

basically its the tuners, body and neck and even that is minus a couple of frets! my aim is to restore it to somewhere near its former glory with either original parts or home made bits and bobs. I look forward to taking on any advice you fine people can give me.

by Sgt. Vimes Thu Sep 26, 2013 6:13 pm

Welcome aboard Jeff!
another member of the north east westone chapter!

by **Barry** Thu Sep 26, 2013 9:17 pm

Hello Laurence and welcome. (looks like we skipped over you there mate)
Glad to hear you got your LX bass. They are a unique instrument and there are many here who'd be happy to help you with your resto. Looking forward to pictures. Start a thread when you're ready.

by andymunro73 Sun Oct 13, 2013 12:24 pm

Hi there!
Newbie here - Proudly holding my leftie Thunder 1A. I'm really interloping from the other side of the Matsumoku factory being a collector of Westburys.
I'm probably on a wild goose chase here but I'm trying to get hold of a Super headless leftie bass. Anyone has one or knows of anyone selling please let me know. Thanks
Andy

by **Barry** Sun Oct 13, 2013 10:00 pm

Welcome Andy.
Some of the lads here have Westbury's so you're in good company.

I see you already started a thread in the Wanted forum. That's the right place to make a request.

Good luck.

by jimmydime Fri Oct 25, 2013 11:09 pm

Just wanted to say hello from a new Westone DX owner. I believe a 1985 with a Bendmaster FT. Needs a trem arm and some adjustment and Im searching the forums now for a tutorial on how to set up the trem. Innotation is way off at this point.
I currently own 2 fender guitars (MIM fat strat 2004, and a Classic Vibe 60's 2011). Since selling my Agile 3000 I've been wanting another Humbucker guitar for awhile. This one came up on the local CL and I managed to pick it up for $100.00. The body has some kind of over spray or something on it, hoping it will buff out with some elbow grease. Hardware is excellent condition and needs a little polishing but not much.
Glad to join a new forum and talk to new people about an old but classic guitar.
Cheers.
Jimmmy.
Laughing

by AshNathens Sun Oct 27, 2013 4:58 am

Hi - great to find this forum!

I was lucky enough to end up with a 1981 Westone Rainbow-I, and came to the forums to learn more about it. It's great to find other lovers of these very fine instruments.

I also play an early 90s Gibson LP Standard (which I had endless problems with) and a stunning EM325 Maton electric accoustic c. 1998.

The Rainbow-I is by far and away my favourite; incredibly versatile, superb action - and I'm currently enjoying bringing it back to life with the help of the forum members here:)

by **Barry** Sun Oct 27, 2013 10:20 am

Hello, and an "official" welcome to you both!

Jimmy, good score on the DX. like all Spectrums, she's a fun and comfortable guitar to play. A 6mm dia trem bar should fit OK. They're available online just about everywhere. Lots of info on the 'net re: intonnation/setup, etc. Search these forums for tips and ideas. Start a thread and the lads here will be happy to help you with any questions.

by beefy thunder1a Tue Nov 19, 2013 3:31 pm

Hi , Alan from scotland here , just picked up a 1982 westone thunder 1a (i had one back in the 80's) man i for got how good these were , i picked it up for mostly playing frank zappa tunes , and for that it's brilliant , cheers
Alan

by supercharger Wed Nov 20, 2013 7:34 am

Hello.
David here, from Monmouthshire in the UK, not far away from Newport.
I'm new to this forum and a proud new owner of a Prestige 250. This has had one previous owner and hadn't been played for quite a while. The hardware is quite tarnished but after a quick set-up plays very well indeed. To say I am happy with this guitar is quite an understatement. It is amazing!
I'm so pleased to find this forum which gave me lots of info prior to me purchasing the guitar.
Best wishes,
David.

by **Barry** Wed Nov 20, 2013 9:40 am

beefy thunder1a wrote:Hi , Alan from scotland here , just picked up a 1982 westone thunder 1a (i had one back in the 80's) man i for got how good these were , i picked it up for mostly playing frank zappa tunes , and for that it's brilliant , cheers
Alan

Brilliant it is! I'm lucky enough to have 2 of 'em. Welcome Alan. Post some pix when you're allowed, eh?

supercharger wrote:...I'm new to this forum and a proud new owner of a Prestige 250...To say I am happy with this guitar is quite an understatement...I'm so pleased to find this forum which gave me lots of info prior to me purchasing the guitar.
David.

Hey David, welcome to you too. You're very fortunate to have scored a Prestige. I've not been able to find one locally but the boyz on here who have 'em, love 'em! Pix when you can please.

by beefy thunder1a Wed Nov 20, 2013 11:30 am

hi Barry , i'll get some pics up as soon as i'm able mate , cheers
Alan

by supercharger Thu Nov 21, 2013 2:34 am

Hi Barry, thanks for the welcome.
I'll try and do some pics on the weekend when there might be a chance of some daylight. The ones I've done with a flash aren't too good.
Are the Prestiges few and far between then?
Cheers,
David.

by nusior Tue Nov 26, 2013 1:38 pm

Hello!
I'm Janusz from Poland. I'm self-taught guitar player/enthusiast, lately developing my new hobby which is guitar building from scratch. I am big fan of all those oldschool, vintage 80's hard rock/metal superstrat-ish guitars. I don't know if I will ever have the opportunity to own one of Westone guitars but recently I bought incomplete, kinda rusty Bendmaster Deluxe trem to use in one of my future projects and maybe I can find here some answers and tips:)
Cheers,
Janusz

by jim Tue Nov 26, 2013 8:48 pm

Welcome Janusz!
I'm sorry to say know little to nothing about those trem's or superstrats. I don't own any of these.
Still Matsumoku made fantastic guitars even though some don't live up to the reputation to be honest. They produced and sold that many during the eighties some must have slipped through quality control or suffer from design faults overlooked. Overall they were lovely instruments, and I hope you will see the day to be able to obtain one yourself. I know they were available in Poland and still are sometimes, offered second hand on Allegro. Wink

For tech questions the technical section might be the place to check out or ask questions. Enjoy!

by Hami Thu Dec 05, 2013 1:18 am

Hello,

So glad I found this site! I've had my Dynasty since 86 and just recently had it reconditioned, so I can start playing again and get my daughter into it. It's nice to see such an appreciation for these excellent guitars!

YEARS - Say hello... - Page 15 560127_10151729105446956_297410585_n

YEARS - Say hello... - Page 15 560127_10151729105446956_297410585_n

by **Barry** Thu Dec 05, 2013 10:37 am

Welcome Hami.
Beautiful picture. Nice to see you're re-igniting the passion. And great to see your daughter getting interested. Hope she takes a liking to it.

by Stickymagician Wed Dec 11, 2013 5:51 pm

Hello all I just recently acquired the bridge of my Westone Spectrum DX the Bendmaster Deluxe. Now I'm in need of the inner parts of the locking nut if it's possible to find them, or I may end up having to go with a Kahler replacement custom job. Would love to keep it original as I can though as the person I bought it from has already replaced one of the humbuckers with a Select Series made by EMG pickup which I'm hoping was a good wiring job but if not I'll beef the pickups up. Administrator wrote:Hi All,

Welcome to the forums. By popular demand, this is the place to introduce yourself to your fellow Westone fans. I've pinched the format from the old Westone forum, and like the old one, please feel free to say as much or as little about yourself as you like:

Name - Neil

Age - 34

Location - Bognor Regis (yes, it really does exist)

First guitar - Hondo Les Paul copy

First Westone - 1987 Thunder II

Later Westones - Clipper CL3012, Clipper Six

Musical style/favourite bands - PJ Harvey, Radiohead, My Bloody Valentine, CSS, The Breeders, The Beatles, Sonic Youth, Hot Chip, Arcade Fire, Beck, Klaxons, Guns 'n' Roses, Cream, Nick Cave, Peaches, Pulp, etc, etc, etc...

Current Westones - 1987 Thunder II, currently in pieces awaiting a new bridge and a re-finish

Other instruments - Fender Strat, Novation Remote 25 Midi keyboard, Hohner Arbor Bass (in canary yellow!), Westfield jumbo acoustic.

Favourite instrument - My Thunder of course!

by Cloggy Wed Dec 18, 2013 9:03 am

Hello all,
Never knew this forum existed!
I'm 44 year old bass player from the UK and the proud owner of a red 1985 Thunder III bass. Had it for 25 Years, gigged it everywhere. Currently stripping it down to rebuild it to its former glory.
Just thought I'd say hello and great forum.
Andy. Smile

by punkyjam67 Wed Dec 18, 2013 11:19 am

Welcome aboard Andy - can't beat a Thunder III! Smile

Not seen a red one before - is that an original finish? Presumably yours has the later 'Magnabass' pickups rather than the P/J set?

by Cloggy Wed Dec 18, 2013 4:17 pm

Hi punkyJam,
Should of wrote Red "Wings" with the Thru maple walnut striped neck.
yes its got the Magnabass pickups and original finish, although quite few dings and belt buckle rash on it.
Hoping to pick the brains of you lot, with regard to this bass Very Happy

will try and get some photos posted soon.
Andy.

by enaich Thu Jan 23, 2014 11:54 am

Hi

Neal here from Toronto, ON.

I only recently discovered Westones and just picked up my first two Westones in less than a week! The first is a 1985 red Monark and a 1982/1983 Pearl White Concord that I think is either from 1982(there is no serial number on the headstock). The Monark is an extremely versatile guitar (however a little awkward to play if you're not standing and/or are wearing a strap) - I can't believe how many different tones you can get from this guitar. The neck is very different (to me) it's really wide, but so very playable. I haven't spent much time with the Concord, but I was absolutely blown away by how hot the single coils were.

My first guitar was a really crappy no name classical guitar that I picked up in Camden Market for 40 pounds. Someone jumped on it so it is no longer with me, but it will never be forgotten.

Favourite Bands: Foo Fighters, Led Zeppelin, Pearl Jam, Radiohead + more

Other instruments: Korg M1, Gibson Les Paul Studio 50s Tribute w Humbuckers, Squier Classic Vibe Tele Butterscotch Blonde, Squier Classic Vibe Strat 60s, Crafter Electro Acoustic, Godin Kingpin I, Simon & Patrick Folk Cedar, Epiphone SG Special, El Degas P-Bass, Univox Deluxe, Profile Black Magic x2, Cort AN-2 Electro-Classical, Yamaha C-40, Yamaha Pacifica

Pics of the Westones as soon as I'm allowed Smile

by **Barry** Thu Jan 23, 2014 4:45 pm

Hello Neal. Nice to welcome a Home Boy! What part of TO are you from?

If you haven't already found our website there is some info there on your guitars:
MONARK
CONCORD

Do a search and you should also find some catalogue scans and other interesting stuff.
Really looking forward to seeing yer gear! Very Happy

by enaich Thu Jan 23, 2014 5:29 pm

Hi Barry!

I'm from the West sssssside. Near Roncesvalles. Thanks for the warm welcome!

Actually, thanks to this site and the forums, I knew a whole lot more about the guitars than the sellers did. Usually when I get something in my head I search out every little bit of info I can find on it and the site is AMAZING.

So thanks for the links, but I've looked at each of those probably a dozen times in the last week. And maybe every other link on the site as well! Slowly working through all the forum posts Smile

What is the Spectrum S like? That's what's in your photo no? Where are you located?

Rainbow II. That's all I can say. Need it. Want it. *_{at a reasonable price}

The Concord needs some lovin' - I believe someone dumped a bag of cheezies in the selector, but the neck is good and not a lot of fret wear. The pups are insanely hot. Hotter than Alnico Vs by a long shot.

The Monark is in excellent condition, aside from a couple of paint chips on the spiky parts, - it's just missing some parts. The trem arm and insert (<-- Westbone has already been helping me with that) are missing, as well as the inserts for the string lock. It's not the typical string lock, but honestly I'm not sure it's a must have thing for me anyway.

What blows me away about these guitars is the hardware. Incredible.

Looking forward to getting some photos up!

N

by Sgt. Vimes Thu Jan 23, 2014 5:37 pm

Hahaaaa, another one hooked fellas! there's no escape now matey Twisted Evil

Welcome aboard! I LOVE my 82' concord II so much, an incredible guitar although I don't think your pickups are the original if they are that hot, unless it's a concord III ?
the stock pups in the C I and C II's were ok, kinda flat and uninspiring for me.
can't wait to see pics!

by enaich Thu Jan 23, 2014 6:05 pm

Hi Sarge,

It IS a Concord III but I don't think it's got the super 2s in it, I believe it's got the SF480s if I've done my homework right. However, I was wondering if just maybe it's one of those Concord III that fell in-between models and might have the super 2s? Is there an easy way to distinguish them if I decide to take up the pick guard tonight? Very annoyingly (to me at least) it does not have a serial number on the headstock, and from what I can tell never did! Anyways, don't want to hijack this thread with tech talk Smile

I feel very welcomed!

Thanks

Metal Head

by **Barry** Fri Jan 24, 2014 1:21 pm

enaich wrote:...What is the Spectrum S like? That's what's in your photo no? Where are you located?...

It's fantastic, like all Spectrums, but without the bother of a trem.
Yes, the white one. I've just changed my avatar to the Concord II.
I'm in Milton (see avatar). Wink

by enaich Fri Jan 24, 2014 1:42 pm

Hey Barry,

Just checked out your store in Milton. Cool! Need any sales people? Very Happy

N

by **Barry** Fri Jan 24, 2014 5:44 pm

It isn't my store, I'm just the part time consultant/tech there.
And, nope, not enough business to be hiring.

by rideough Tue Feb 04, 2014 7:19 pm

Hey guys!
I've been lurking here for awhile, sucking up all the info I could. Finally got my iPad to register today!
Anyways, decided to look up this forum as I am a big Uncle Mats fan. I'm 38 but worked in a music store between the ages of 13 and 18 and have done a lot of consultation work for the same owner since. We had a lot of Mats stuff come through the store and it always fascinated me way more than the typical Charvel crackle finish new stuff we were selling.

At the time I had a Takamine gz300 ( not mats) and my buddy had a Vantage vs600 if I recall. But several times an Electra or Westone came through the used rack.

About 2 weeks ago I was in a hock shop with my kids and noticed on the used super cheapie rack, a Westone!

It was looking rough, sticker goo, paint scrapes from hitting walls and a couple of dings, but the headstock read Westone Spectrum DX. It was $99.

Well I know that they are worth more than this, and it looked like it was all there. My son said he'd seen it there since the summer. I picked it up and brought it to the counter and asked to plug it in. It worked fine, coil split worked, no crackles..good. So I asked the kid if there was any wiggle room on the price. He came back with $90 all in, no tax. I hummed and hawed and said sure. And laughed all the way out the door.

When I got home I started to clean and oil it up and had a looksie inside. Neck had the original UBC1 whack doesn't sound too bad, but the bridge was a Seymour Duncan DDJ....vintage 80's Duncan distortion! Worth about half as much as I payed for the guitar, but sounds like heaven!

So, the verdict is that I love this guitar and play it more than any of my others.my buddies thought it was funny looking compared to my Fenders and their Gibsons. Their stories changed when they strapped it on though.

I haven't told any of them about the FX down the road I've been eyeballing on Kijiji though, in case they try to snap it up!

by **Barry** Tue Feb 04, 2014 11:01 pm

Hi rideough and welcome.
Nice story, and congrats on your first Westie!

The Spectrum line is one I'm particularly fond of. I have 5, including the DX.
It's a crap shoot with the original pups though. If you got the MMK45 version you're golden, but many came with the less regarded UBC's (you can read about those on our website). That's likely why the bridge was replaced on yours. Sounds like you did alright there though!

When you're able to post pix, start a thread and show us your baby eh?

by rideough Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:27 pm

Oh trust me...I will be posting pics. There is a massive snowstorm going on right now, when it settles it makes for amazing pictures of guitars outside. Stay tuned!

by **Barry** Wed Feb 05, 2014 6:40 pm

rideough wrote:..There is a massive snowstorm going on right now...

Yeah, tell me about it. As I write, every joint in my tired old body is aching from shoveling--3 times today--so far! And the snow plow is no doubt coming back to piss me off a 4th time as it dumps snow and slush into the end of my driveway!!

Global warming my arse! Attention Al GORE, DAVID SUZUKI, et al: "Bite me!! Bite me now!" Mad

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