Application?\

Submitted

Westone name.

That would be interesting...

The hearing aid folks might have sumpthin' to say, no?
http://www.westone.com/

Yes!
Researchers first noticed something peculiar back in 1984, when they
heard people talking around NOC's enclosure when no one else was nearby.

Hear NOC the Beluga Whale "Talk"







"You could hear there was a conversation, but you couldn't make out what they were saying,"

Well... It SOUNDS interesting to say the least!

Huh?

Barry wrote:Huh?

Not much to it really. Just saying it's a mystery but fun, much like when a dolphin makes a sound so strange and hilarious (as the sound-file in the link I had to share. I can hardly hear under water and wonder how they recorded it). In my ears while being unable to interpret it and some might mistake it for speech, I still dig it! It is a surprise and holds a promise! Can't wait to hear what it beholds! Tease us Sarc!

I don't know what the hell is going on.

Agree.

Confusing?
I applied for the US trademark for Westone. I starting building guitars from scratch, and at some point would like to make some for sale. No time soon as I am still learning as I go. I really do not plan on selling them as Westones, but I would eventually like to do some modern versions of Westones that I like (not unlike Ben Chafin with Electra, although on a much smaller scale). we'll see....

sarcaster wrote:Confusing?..

Referring to the references to whales and dolphins.

Did someone say we are going to have a on the drink and then go whale hunting . All good with me as long as everyone is happy with the idea:D

sarcaster wrote:Confusing?
I applied for the US trademark for Westone. [..] I really do not plan on selling them as Westones [..] we'll see....

Thanks for the explanation Pat! Confusing?

Anyway, I really like your builds a lot! Not to mention the way you document the making of them so, keep on! Make us see it' happen

Don, I'dd rather swim with whales than hunt 'm! Sober or not.
Although I might be a tiny bit more frightened doing so sober ...

I thought that might have been what this was! Imagine all of us here actually making the brand we love and sharing ideas and what not. Maybe I'm living in a bit of an ideal world, but it sounds pretty neat to me! I'm interested to see where this goes. When do you expect to know?

jim wrote:

sarcaster wrote:Confusing?
I applied for the US trademark for Westone. [..] I really do not plan on selling them as Westones [..] we'll see....

Thanks for the explanation Pat! Confusing?

Anyway, I really like your builds a lot! Not to mention the way you document the making of them so, keep on! Make us see it' happen

Don, I'dd rather swim with whales than hunt 'm! Sober or not.
Although I might be a tiny bit more frightened doing so sober ...

Different whales my friend. My sort have two legs and you need to be drunk

eyebulger wrote:
Different whales my friend. My sort have two legs and you need to be drunk

Oh now I see! I never got the hang over slang Cheers!

Not official, but looks like the name will be mine shortly.  Only in the US though, it is a crazy money to do multi country.  I'm still doing some standard copy builds, but have a plan for my first 'official' Westone.

sarcaster wrote: but have a plan for my first 'official' Westone.

12 string Spectrum!?!? Huh? Huh?

corsair wrote:

sarcaster wrote: but have a plan for my first 'official' Westone.

12 string Spectrum!?!? Huh? Huh?

Sorry eh but it involves 2"thick Flame  maple - not cheap.   But if you want to order a 12 string , I am up for bids eh!

You'll get 4 x 1/2" caps out of that 2" bit.
Well 3/8" +/- after the saw cut.

oooo  - noooo caps....solid 1 piece.

Best of luck and will be watching for that first Westone

So I got the call.  All I need to do to complete the process for me to have the Westone name is build a guitar with the Westone name on it, take a pic, offer it for sale (doesn't have to sell) and the Westone name is mine.

This has to happen before June or I have to start over.

Those who know me, know I like Panteras, and know I'm working on a 12 string Spectrum.  

I have plans (like blueprints eh) to make newer, cooler versions of the Pantera, but no plans (currently) for any other model.  I really don't think anyone here is interested in a "new" Westone guitar.

I'm thinking of bailing on the name since Westone fans are looking for cheap nice guitars.  Not new handmade ones. 

Ben Chafin bought the Electra name, and I think the same thing - the Electra fans want the old stuff and wouldn't pay for a new one.

Maybe Ill bail on the Westone name and go for the Pantera name instead - I think that would be better

This indeed could be a delima. I am both a die hard Electra and Westone fan and I appreciate the value and quality of both. I have followed Ben on the Electra brand since the beginning and I am now the proud owner of one of the new Electra Omega Prime models. I can say that it is very nice to have a new version of my favorite Electra with new modern features such as Klusion tuners, ebony fretboard,tone pro bridge and tailpiece and many more updated hardware. It plays and sounds awesome and was well worth the cost as it hands down smokes any of the modern Gibson models I have played of late.  I have noticed that so long as you can live up to or exceed the standards for the original models there will be interest. I encourage you to go for it as I would also like to see and have a modern version of an old favorite. That's my opinion for what it's worth. Best of Luck with whatever you decide. Just consider this also that if you own the brand you can also sell all us hardcore westone fans the goodies such as shirts, hats etc.

Thanks Mortar.  See the thing with Ben is that he is awesome - great builder.  I've been familiar with him since he left Dean guitars and tried his own line of Chaffin guitars.  I've played both his handmade Chaffins and his Korean imports.  I played 2 semi hollow imports which were good, and then I played one of his handmade beautiful custom ordered Chaffin and it was reaaaaaallllllyyy nice .   I'm not in the position to make the 'good' handmades and then make cheaper far east copies as well like he did with Chaffin and currently with Electra.  So I think I'm gonna just use my name and build a few at a time.

Hopefully he is at the next Electrafest ( I think he went to the last one) and I can bring a few guitars to get his opinion. 

So while I will base an original build or 2 or 3 off of the  Pantera, I just don't think I'm one to try to make the Westone name new again.  The die hards won't buy them, and the non die hards will say "Westone? that cheap guitar from the 80's?"   I'm not calling them cheap, but the majority has that impression which is why I think this group is so tight.  They know they are good guitars that didn't cost a lot. 

So I will still update threads on the 12 string project (ugh too humid to do the paint at the moment) build and any other westone fixer upper I do - and maybe show ya some of my new stuff.