Re: 'Prestiges Everywhere'

Hi all,
 
I'm a newbie on here and this is my first post, so thank you for accepting me to your Westone Forum.
I've been following some of the posts for quite some time as a non Westone owner and must admit with
some 'jealousy' and (friendly) hatred towards you lucky guys that own Prestige models in particular
 
Anyway, after two unsuccessful attempts to join the forum (link never got sent back to my AOL account),
I used an alternative e-mail account ..... and 'hey presto' - here I am.
 
So, here goes. After making many attempts to secure purchases on various 250's that have rarely come up for sale,
I can now report that my 'jealousy' and 'friendly hatred' of you guys is now a thing of the past ......hooray!!!
 
In answer to the recent post 'Prestiges Everywhere' I am delighted to answer the question 'who got this one?' and announce that I am the lucky one that bagged this particular 250 here in the UK last week:-
 
Westone Prestige 250 Antique Cremona - (on flea Bay)
I'm not allowed to post a link to it as I've not been a member for long enough, so you'll have to look back at original thread.
 
 
Fortunately for me, the seller only lives 50 mile away and he'd put a mobile number on his e-Bay listing, so I got in touch
and arranged a 'quick and convenient / hassle free sale'. We met up last week and as Lady Luck would have it, I had a gig just a few mile away from where he lives, so he met me en route to gig .... and the rest is history guys. The e-Bay pics certainly do not do the 250 justice and he didn't bother 'bigging up' the advert. She's absolutely beautiful (in my eyes anyway).
 
I have given her a good polish, changed the strings and a set her up and I'll post some pics as soon as I can to
gain your valued opinions of her. There are absolutely no chips or nasty scratches on her and for her age, the hardware
has remained surprisingly shiny (pups / tailpiece & bridge). The guitar came with the original Westone Prestige brown leather case and
with the exception of the carry handle showing some signs of wear, the rest of the case is in surprisingly great condition with no rips / tears.
 
 
For those interested, I paid £500 for her which I consider a fantastic price having seen 'bruised and battered' e-Bay examples selling for over £650. I know some of you guys may remember a really nice example being for sale over here on Gumtree for £900 (FYI - this was withdrawn for sale as I was in contact with the seller). Note to self: 'All good things come to those that wait' - which I now believe is true as I think mine is in as good condition as the £900 example that I probably would have bought (due to 250 sales being pretty rare).
 
I'd love to get some sort of accurate manufacture date on mine. I know she's Mk1 model, due to the headstock decal. There is no serial number on the back of the headstock - so, anybody know how I can date her? (in a calendar way of course )
I have also noticed that the headstock 'bell cover' seems slightly different to pictures I have seen of others - where it says Prestige 250 (usually in one line of text), mine states 'Prestige' on one line, with '250' underneath it. Any thoughts on that guys?
 
 
Anyway, looking forward to reading and posting on this forum.
 
Over and out

Welcome aboard matey! 

Congrats on your beautiful purchase,  what a bloody stunner! I do love that cremona finish. 
I'm no expert but I've never seen it one without a serial number behind the headstock,  most are pretty hard to see but are there. 
What do you think of the pickups?

"who got this one?" has been answered!

I wish it was me, but no GAS money and too far from home!

Nice Score! I'm jealous....

Thanks for the welcome Sgt Vimes!

I've scrutinised the rear of the headstock - with and without glasses and no sign of a S/N, unless of
course she's had some sort of repair work ........ although I don't think so unless it's a terrific job.
Apart from that the original owner had her from new and I kknow he looked after her (you can
just tell when people are genuine can't you?) - in fact he never took the money out of the envelope
to count it when he handed over .... as he had obviously sussed me out during our conversations
to also be 'genuine' ............ wonder how he felt when he discovered the £500 was in Monopoly money eh?  

Re: your pickup question - to be honest to date I've only given her a 'quick twang' when setting up at
the gig following her handover to me. Taking into account that the strings had probably been on her for years
(previous owner had an accident, severing his tendons in his fingers so now sadly unable to play), so
she's been stored away in her case for at least 5 years ....... she sounded bl00dy great!
My main gigging guitar is a Telecaster and just in comparison for those few minutes, I could hear
the 'power' in the Prestige pups, especially at neck position. I'm sure she'll be capable of blasting
out all sorts of sounds.

Since I've got her home and stripped her down, polished het up and restrung her I'll now have some
free time on my hands this weekend to plug her into a nice valve amp at home and widdle to my hearts content.
Watch out neighbours!!!

Thanks for the comment Adey

Welcome aboard and congrats on the purchase 

A Prestige owner with a sense of humour....you'll fit right in here fella.

Pics when you can are obligatory of course....

Nice!! I guess those who have a Prestige like 'em so much that they rarely appear for sale, so well done, you, for obsessively tracking yours down!!

Yeah... you're gonna fit right in here, boy!!

As already stated, pix are obligatory when you're able to....

Welcome here!!

Um, yeah, congrats on the acquisition! Really.

But, crap, another Brit with a Prestige.  

Think of we poor suffering buggers in the Colonies.
North Americans seldom see them...or Rainbows for that matter. Spectrums mostly, and a smattering of Thunders and even fewer Concords. 

Weird World Wide Distribution.
Very happy for you, but dead envious.

hi there fellow prestige 250 antique Cremona buddy and welcome to the forums
they're something else aint they!

Welcome to the forums. You will find that you have a great player there.

Welcome, congrats on getting that lovely guitar at a great price. I think that finish is actually "Antique Brown Sunburst" though. Antique Cremona is the more common Red example

Good score!!!  Nice guitar....

Would have bought that myself.

As promised .......here goes, I'll attempt to share these pics. Pretty ain't she?

Love it. 

Want one. 

very nice sir
makes me want to play mine (but I'm at work  )

Those pics made me grab mine for a ten min play. 
Beautiful guitar!

That is guitar porn.

After seeing the photos I can now say that I officially "HATE" you
Great score you got there.

Love that top congratulations on a super nice guitar.

That's a good score, those pup covers are in great nick, replated?

Hi Grogg. No mate, pup covers not replated. No mods at all to the guitar

I got to hold one of these... once.  Twas like touching a cloud.  Colour me jealous.

How lucky am I ......just picked up a second Prestige 250 !!!!

Pics or it never happened

Nice, same finish?

Let's ban him from our forum...  no one should have two.  #jealous

Agreed Chad, Westbone pack yer bags sunshine

Will load some pics up ASAP as Photobucket is 'blocked' from access in work. This particular one looks unplayed with no tarnishing to any of the hardware. Sticker still on rear selector access cover. The other sticker covering the larger volume / tone electronics has only recently been removed too!

Hmmmm....

Why haven't I got one? (probably because I'm not disciplined enough to save my money up for one. I keep buying other "bargains" rather than waiting for a 250 to turn up...)

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Gorgeous!
Of course, you're now on my "naughty" list!

That does look like it's brand new. Where did you come across it?
And , can I have it?

Bloody Nora!