Say hello...

Thanks, will do.
I will get the camera out tonight and see if I can figger out how to post photos.


OK, Done...

Hi guys, my name is Warrn... hey wait a minute, I've been registered here for years! My computer broke a while ago and I've just gotten around to fixing it, so I'll be around here regularly again! It's good to be back.

Ah...so that's where you got to.
Welcome home wandering bass boy!

Warrn wrote:Hi guys, my name is Warrn... hey wait a minute, I've been registered here for years! My computer broke a while ago and I've just gotten around to fixing it, so I'll be around here regularly again! It's good to be back.

Whaaa...??? Broken computer? And you have Moderator privileges here??? Sheesh...


Glad your back, man. I posted a sweet Blue FV-575 auction in your memory ....errrrr, honor last week. Check it out!

Money is tight, even once I had the problem diagnosed I had to wait til I could afford the part. I did see that beauty while I was trying to catch up on posts though.

Greetings Fellow Guitar Addicted,

Been lurking this site on and off for quite a while and finally registered this year. I love the site and everything you all have put into it. It's one of the best model specific forums out there on an information and community basis.

I have to confess right off I don't own any purely Westone instruments. I do have a number of Electra/Westones (X199s) and am looking forward to losing my Westone cherry on a Spectrum FX.;-) I'm pretty well covered with Electras, especially Phoenixes, and have a smattering of Gibsons, Fenders, Guilds, G & Ls... ya'll know how it is. lol

I was a repair person, guitars and band instruments, salesman, and had my own repair and sales business beginning in the late 60's and through the 70's. Started off sweeping and took it from there. Still play and still do bit of guitar and amp work, though mostly for my own enjoyment. I'm also into mandolin, banjo and have a number of keyboards. Most importantly I have a very understanding wife. :-) I live in Middle Tennessee, US and am married with a boodle of kids and grand kids. Only one has become a player and I'm thankful for that.

I really appreciate the knowledge base here and how everyone pitches in to help resolve problems. I don't know that I'll pot much, but I will be hanging around.

Thanks to everyone on the back side of this site that are making it all work and offering all this for a shared love.

METESKY

Welcome again, METESKY. Electra, then Westone, now only the Guitar Gallery to go, eh??

Yer not wrong. ;-)

Hi all,
As I’ve become a rather regular visitor to the forum and info site I thought it was about time I should sign up and say hi.
My interest in Westones kicked off a couple of years ago after selling a rarely used concord 1 bass I’d had from the late 80’s and having lost interest in playing (well trying anyway) it had sat idle for years so decided to let it go to pastures new. Typically about 12 months later I got a renewed interest due to a couple of guys at work taking up the guitar so went looking in local music shops for a new bass but ended up on ebay looking for a Westone. As a result I bought myself a Thunder 1A and after taking such a liking to it decided to get it a companion in the shape of a Thunder III, needless to say that was me hooked and now find myself with a small collection of basses with the odd 6 string thrown into the mix as well. I’m no techy or whizz on Westones, or for that matter with any guitar and at the moment on a seriously steep learning curve but enjoying my new found interest.
No doubt like many I’ve found the forum and info site a great help and resource of information when looking at that next potential purchase, so many thanks to those who take the time to keep them maintained, although maybe they’ve been a little too helpful as I think I might be suffering from Matsumokunitus.

Regards
Pete

PS, I'm new to this forum malarky as well so if this ends up in the wrong place appologies in advance

Hi Thunder,

As the former "NEW GUY" I'm pleased to welcome you. Now that you're here I move up the ladder to "OLD TIMER." See how easy that is? This is definitely the spot for bring your guitar addiction up to a fine, red glow. Best of all, you get to pick the brains of your fellow afflicted in regards to the most minuscule details of Westone collecting, maintenance, repair, and barter.

And it's all free...

METESKY

Welcomr to all. Enjoy the Forums and your Westones.

Hi guy’s,
thanks for the welcome I’m sure I’ll enjoy my stay as much as my Westies.
Happy to have promoted you Metesky

Indeed, welcome here to both Metesky and Thunder Chunder; I do hope well see you blokes join in any of the discussions here that take your fancy, and also, we'd quite like to see your gear, eh!!

Bee#884 wrote:Thanks, will do.
I will get the camera out tonight and see if I can figger out how to post photos.


OK, Done...

No one has commented on the friggin' stool in this picture?...

Hey, Bee, could you take a picture of that item by itself? There is one already on the Westone.Info site http://westone.info/stool.html, but it is battered to hell, and the 'ink' is white. Yours looks pristine and in Gold.

Methinks that that item is worth a bit, at least to a number of members here, if not in general... How did you come by it?

The stool was mentioned and discussed some time ago Here

Thanks for the pointer Boyenjaybee. Yup, discussed and covered.

Still, I guess that puts me a little down the line in interest, and a lot further away! There must be more than two of those seats in existence on this planet, although I am guessing they are most likely to be Stateside

name is eric
first guitar was a westone spectrum lx, that i am currently working to get back in playing shape after years and years in the closet
although i had never heard of westone when i bought mine used, it turns out the guy that inspired me to play in a fifth grade talent show was playing a westone and then guitar teacher had one as well
didn't know there were so many lovers

Welcome, Eric..... now you know better, eh! I've got an LX, too; I like it!

Well it's about time that I join the ranks here since I've been so loyal to the guitars of Matsumoku including Westone which happens to be my favorite of the bunch. I've played guitar for around 35 years and in in several Metal bands starting at that time as well. Now I'm a solo musician that is still creating music, collecting guitars and building them as well.
The second guitar that I got (won't mention the first 'cause it sucked) and used in the first band I was in was a No-name MIJ Gibson Explorer copy. I loved this guitar and it started my loyalty to its makers. My next guitar was the Aria Pro II ZZ Deluxe which I ordered straight from the factory getting the 62 one made. Obviously I am a fan of the Explorer shape and after several years using these two I finally acquired my first actual Gibson Explorer. These were my axes that carried me through the band days. Years later and living away from my past band mates I began a search for a guitar like my first MIJ Explorer. As this search went on I began gathering up good deals I was finding on eBay for Matsumoku guitars. I think I had over 50 before I finally found what I originally was searching for which turned out to be a 1978 Aria Explorer which was a lawsuit Gibson Korina Explorer copy. This guitar stands above the rest including the two Gibson Explorers that I have.
Years later and after having well over 100 guitars (90% being Matsumoku) I began building my own guitar bodies under the brand name GIG 10. These guitars feature Radical shapes and exotic woods, mainly figured maple. If your interested I have a crude YouTube video that shows some of the designs I created. I'm not allowed to post links yet but if you search YouTube for GIG 10 Guitar Production you'll find it.
You can also view some of my collection of Westone guitars at the Westoneclassics web site under The Gigs Collection.
I've been selling guitars from my collection and currently have an awesome Electra Omega X230 for sale on eBay. I hate to see some of these classics go but times are rough and it's time to cash in on my investments.
I've obtained quite a bit of knowledge concerning the subject matter of this great web forum and I'm greatfull to be a member.

David Gregson
GIG 10 Guitar Production
Web Slinger

Welcome to you David, glad to meet you.

The Explorer is also one of my favs even though I have yet to get one. Seeing as you are chock full of experience with the body style why exactly do you feel your Mats copy outshines the actual article?


Also, (on the off-chance), if you happen to have the odd x910 (or two) lying about and the mood strikes you to move them, just pm me and let's not bother everyone else with them shall we?

To answer your first question as to why I like my Explorer copy better than my Gibsons, there are a few reasons.
Every guitar has its own specific overall feel to it and this 1978 Aria pre-lawsuit Explorer is blessed with a great one. But to be more specific I like the slimmer neck. Not all but some Gibsons have big club necks. Both mine are fine but not quite as slim as the copy. Also the 78 Aria is equipped with the famous super 70's pickups. I'm mainly a hard rock guitarist and for the most part Matsumoku used great pickups for use of that type of music.
I would like to say that The Saint Louis Music Company that were involved with pickups in Westone guitars did a great job accommodating this type of musician. I also heard that Dimarzio had a contract and made some of the pickups for Matsumoku where they did not put their name on them and added more wraps, requested by Matsumoku, making them hotter and brighter.
Here's a pic of my copy.

Oh yeah I forgot to answer your second question about if I had any X910 guitars.
I can answer that by saying, "I wish".

I assumed the neck profile had to be a good portion of your answer. Across the board it seems a common denominator for Mats builds that the necks stand tall. Freakin' Awesome Aria you have there!

No worries about the x910 dude. When I finally meet that guy who is selling 3 of them I will be sure to give him your name so when he finds a 4th one and tires of it he will know who to call...

Thank you for keeping me in mind if that extra X910 should magically be available. and for the compliment on my guitar.
By the way, I couldn't help but notice your user name and have to ask if it is in reference to the Iceman (aka: mirage or Artist 2663) guitar?
This is as close as I got to having one in my collection, It's an Iceman copy from Antares.
[/url]

Nope, nuthin' to do with that.

While I did dig Paul Stanley back in my youth I never was much attracted to that design of his, plus the tastefully understated phallic theme of that guitar makes certain that it will remain a permanently unwelcome addition to the stable here.

Now if you happen to know who George Gervin is (and was back in his heydey) you'll be much closer to the genesis of my moniker.... :bball:


YES!! Finally got a reason to use that smiley...

Ah yes, George Gervin the basketball player. Quite a shot he was. I was always a Dr. J fan back in those days. You have to admit that my assumption as to your namesake was an honest and understandable mistake (guess). I apologize for the unwelcome addition to the stable here.

Hello,

I love playing the bass guitar. My current bass is the Yamaha BB 424 RM.
Just today I found a picture of the Westone THE RAIL for the first time in my life and I love it.
Unfortunately it's not available to buy anywhere but I wonder why because this is a BEAUTY!

Anyway, I am on my way to research more about it now.
Maybe one day I will even be a lucky owner of one.

Cov

Hi Cov and welcome here.
You might try starting your search HERE. Then do a search on the site for articles and catalogue references.

Hi Barry,

thank you.

The more pictures I find, the more desperate I become
The other bass looking similar, the Steinberg / Hohner B2A doesn't look as beautiful as The Rail, in my eyes.

Wish it was still available brandnew though.

Hi everyone !! Just found this forum and found it a great mine of information. My names Martin and I've been playing for 30 odd years !! My first gu itar was a thunder jet - and as I'm a lefty you can guess that my choice was limited !! It was stolen from a gig in the 90's and I'm trying to get another one - always loved the sleek feel of that guitar !!

I graduated to an awful marlin sidewinder which was such a disappointment - then I got a fender strat which has had that many changes it easier to say it still has the original body !! Also have a Monterey custom shop strat that my lovely family ordered for my 40th birthday, a 68 strat that I bought from a friend and a Gibson les Paul special double cut which is awesome for punk thrashing !!!

Recently picked up a vintage icon Peter green and a vintage sg copy - and both are really good guitars which shows how far the quality of cheap guitars has come.

Don't play live anymore except for the odd jam with friends bands and they usually can't get me back off the stage !! Also have every boss pedal there is and a Marshall lead 12 mini stack and a blackstrap ht 5 combo which is extremely loud !!!!

So that's it in a nutshell - loving the forum and hopefully get that lefty thunder jet one day

Fragsie wrote: Also have every boss pedal there is

This one???



... and here's what I was using when I stopped gigging...



All you could get in NZ when I was playing seriously was Roland and Boss, hence that's what I've got!!

Haha not that one - have a few pix like that from the boss forum !! Been collecting them over the last 20yrs, became an obsession at one point lol. Will post a pic of them when I get to my laptop

Fragsie wrote:Haha not that one - have a few pix like that from the boss forum !! Been collecting them over the last 20yrs, became an obsession at one point lol. Will post a pic of them when I get to my laptop

Welcome Fragsie! If you happen to have an extra Slow Gear knocking about you need to move then I am your man...

A Slow Gear?! Silly pedal, and just a Noise Gate in reverse..... I sold mine a month after buying it as it did nothing that I couldn't do with my little finger on the volume knob, or with a volume pedal!

I agree, the slow gear is almost as useless as the spectrum but gotta keep the collection intact !! But if I'm letting it go I'll give u first shout

Fragsie wrote:...Recently picked up a vintage icon Peter green...

Love mine!

Hi all, just hooked on to this forum. Name here is Bernard, originally from Holland, now in New Zealand. A bit of a late starter to music but enjoying the bass! Acquired a Westone Spectrum LX with original case. The only thing missing is the extra fretless neck that originally was sold with it in the 80's. Will do some pics soon and post. I also have a Lancewood Acoustic/electric that I'm still using. All good fun! Enjoying the info and pics coming through here.

Welcome Bernard. Our resident Kiwi will be along shortly no doubt to welcome you as well.

Indeed... Always nice to hear from someone in the Shaky Isles! You just don't see the LX with the extra neck, eh: over the years of watching the auction sites, I think I've seen about 7 LX basses, and only one had the extra neck, which begs the question..... Where the hell do they go?!

HI! newbie from Sheffield, England here

I got myself a 1982 Ibanez artist about a year ago after not even considering such a guitar. After that I was hooked, shortly after aquired a spectrum SX. I'm now a total westone addict and want more!

Stefan 4 wrote:... I'm now a total westone addict and want more!

That's the spirit!

corsair wrote:Indeed... Always nice to hear from someone in the Shaky Isles! You just don't see the LX with the extra neck, eh: over the years of watching the auction sites, I think I've seen about 7 LX basses, and only one had the extra neck, which begs the question..... Where the hell do they go?!

Odd, every one I've seen with its ohsc has had the extra neck.

Tnx for the welcome. Had the bass going tonite, pots are a bit sensitive but plenty of nice noise. Will have to check the electronics to see if any issues. Overall for the age the unit looks very good and dare I say a steal for $300 NZ, case and all. Cheers people

zl1wt wrote:...pots are a bit sensitive but plenty of nice noise. Will have to check the electronics to see if any issues...

Contact cleaner is your friend!

Hi All. I'm a newby to all this network stuff so apologies if I breach any protocles or post in the wrong area. Thought I'd say hello as the site suggests. Been messing with guitars since late 70s. First guitar a kay/satellite/teisco plywood generic type closely followed by what turned out to be a Matsumoku Hondo Les paul copy (the one with the multiwood stripes) unfortunately long gone.

Currently have:

Black label Mexican Strat, Fujigen Squier Strat, Telecaster Bitza, Westbury Standard (Matsumoku) and most recently a cheaply aquired '85 Westone Spectrum ST. Bought the Spectrum as I was after a "Jack of all trades guitar". The Spectrum was filthy but all there.

Have sorted a dodgy jack socket and given the guitar a thorough clean. Next changed the strings ready to set up. Here in is the problem neck has no relief. Have loosened adjuster nut a small amount each day with no effect. Infact the barrell nut was removed today and still no change. Any ideas? Explains why it cost me £50. I would like to get her working with the original neck but fear I may well having to fit a different neck or break her up for parts (getting a luthier to plane the neck and refret takes the Spectrum well beyond its value and my budget).

Great site - keep up the good work

Cheers Dunk

Hi Dunk, nice to have you with us in the nut house!
Glad you got yerself a Spectrum. A lot of us think that these are just the greatest little workhorse gits Mats made. Luv 'em!

As for repair/resto advice I suggest you make a new post in either the Technical or Members forum, with pictures. We'll be glad to help if we can!

Thanks for the welcome and advice Barry. I'll try one of the forums you suggest.

The Spectrum seems like a guitar for all seasons if I can get the neck sorted. Been playing some Beatles/Shadows/Gary Moore through a small valve amp and she sounds pretty good apart from the continuous fret buzz putting my teeth on edge.

Cheers Dunk

Hi All,

Literally just obtained a 'restoration project' Thunder 1A (Serial 4071756).

It's missing its nut, had a look in the forum can't see any references to this vital piece of the 'jigsaw'.

Any steers appreciated.

Otherwise, really enjoying finding my way around and look foreward to chatting more with you fine folk.

Cheers,

Dave

Hi all,

I thought I should introduce myself here in proper manner.

Well, as all of you (I guess) I just adore these old nice japanese builds like Westones, Aria Pro, Daions and so on. But first of all I have the Daions as favourites! The only exception is the Prestige modelsfrom Westone which are first on my list as well.

My place on the globe is in the northern part, to be more specific it is in Sweden.

Nice to be here, I looking forward to get to know you nice folks!

Best wishes Chris

Welcome to the forums and congrats on the Prestiege score. You will like it and enjoy it as they are great guitars. We all hope you will share some photos when it arrives. Welcome Arthur aka mortarman120gang11c

Welcome Society an nice score with the Prestiege 250 mate..
Those Daions are beautiful guitars though never seen one in the wood yet.
Very warm welcome from the uk Society mate