82 Westone Thunder - PEQ - Feeler

So I picked up ANOTHER 1982 Westone Thunder II in a trade this week. It's in good condition with original pickups. The brass knobs have been replaced with a gold gibson style, and the long travel bridge has been replaced with a more 'standard' size les paul bridge. Apart from that it's stock with the 53 MMKs, brass nut and fancy tail piece. It's also the Midnight Blue colour with the PEQ (not active). I'd be interested in a trade (would love a Rainbow or a Prestige, or some other Matsumoku guitar) or pm me if you're interested in a straight purchase. I absolutely love the first one I picked up last year and I think it deserves to be shared - unless I develop two more arms...

I'm in the Toronto area. I'll get some pictures up this evening.

Moved to Swaps/Trades Forum.

Thanks Barry, wasn't sure which it would fall under

No worries, and good luck finding someone willing to part with a Rainbow or Prestige!

Hey, how did the snow storm treat you on Tuesday? We got next to nuthin' down 'ere in the banana belt.

It wasn't too bad actually - I got to work from home yesterday! It was Tuesday night when I picked up the Thunder II and it was starting to come down really thick! Thankfully the guy was in my neighbourhood - driving was... interesting.

As much as I'd like either a Rainbow or a Prestige, I realize it's a long shot. I'd be interested in any semi-hollow from Mats, or an interesting Aria or Vantage. 

MIJ, preferably mats, is my only real constraint.

If you're after a non-Westone Mats make a post over at the Matsumoku Forum.

And there always seems to be a lot of APII's and Vantage on Kijiji these days.

I wish I could - I'd love to sign up for the Matsumoku forum, but all I have is a gmail account and they won't let me use it. So here I will watch from the outside looking in

Bummer. There isn't a whole lot of activity there at the moment anyway.
I guess Crusty (the Admin) has his reasons but I can only guess. Our Corsair is a Moderator there, perhaps he can check that out for you. Oh Johnny...

Thanks Barry, that's very kind of you. Maybe someone could just post a link to the thread here once I get some photos up. I'm already thinking of just keeping it, I love my first one that much.

Photos would be good...
Could have something you might be interested in.

Barry wrote:Bummer. There isn't a whole lot of activity there at the moment anyway.
I guess Crusty (the Admin) has his reasons but I can only guess. Our Corsair is a Moderator there, perhaps he can check that out for you. Oh Johnny...

 We had sh1tloads of trouble with spambots there a while back and Neal had to really tighten up on new applicants; most of the spambots were coming in through gmail so that got the push, sadly! 

Traffic is very light everywhere at the minute but especially so at Matsumoku - I think everyone's grown up and moved on!

As Damian says, photos would be extra curly, please....  

Photos!!!

Else we won't believe you.

He we go!

Thunder brothers! Or sisters?



From the back:


Forgot to mention, a new input jack (Switchcraft) has been added:


All of the wires:


A thunder, reflected in a thunder (neck pickup):


Bridge pickup, (aftermarket) bridge, and nick:


Closeup of said nick, with pen for scale (Pen not for sale):


Scuff on lower horn:


Nick on headstock:


Nicks at the top of the headstock:


Headstock:


The setup on this new one (I'm calling it Thunder B - so creative) is actually better than my current one. Also, the fretboard is in much better shape than the first. There a couple of extra dings on Thunder B, but to me they're just battle scars. I might do a short video on Sunday, so you can all take a listen.

Maybe I'll head back over to the '82 gallery and add ol' Thunder B

I want those pickups!  53's with the covers like that... drool...

It's got wear for sure.  Would you outright sell it?

I love the 53s, and the PEQs/phase just give you so many options.

I'm still really debating whether I want to keep it or not... I could be open to a straight sale. I think if I don't get a good trade offer I'd just throw it up on ebay and see what happens?

Maybe someone on here would like a shot at it first, screw Ebay and their dang fees!  What amount of $ would you sell it for?

I think I would most likely list it on ebay where everyone could get a shot, but I'd probably start it at CAD$480 - which I is what I "paid" for it in the trade.

I probably overpaid the market value, but to me, the guitar is worth at least that much. It's an order of magnitude better than my $1100 Les Paul studio.

That's pretty much in line with market right now, perhaps a little on the higher side (market tanked last year and hasn't recovered since).  And YES... they sell for a great deal less than they should, Gibby's hope to be that good!  Ever! 

Now if it said Gibson on the headstock... it would have been praised as one of the best Gibson's ever produced.

The Chad wrote:I want those pickups!  53's with the covers like that... drool...

It's got wear for sure.  Would you outright sell it?

Haven't you got a set in your prestige? 

No, I wish... 75's in that!  Though I like 53's the best!

What are the 75s like? Seems like a lot of people likem

Really good, just not as suited for overdrive as 53's are.  53's seem more focused and more bright.  However clean, or with slight overdrive, I prefer the 75's.