Wanted": Westone neck-thru model

I'm search of one of these amazing guitars. I'm still technically a beginner but progressing quickly and getting to the point where I'm looking to do some lead stuff, and wanting the best guitar possible. From my research and reading about how much current owners love their guitars, Westone is the only choice. I love the quality and attention to detail the Japanese pour into everything they touch. My current guitar is a Takamine supernatural, made in Japan, and is amazing! Frankly every guitarist I hang with has either a Les Paul, Strat, SG, Tele. Boooriiing! The first guitarist I played with 20 years ago (I played drums back then) had a pearl X-390 and I was always blown away by the neck and the sound. I always wondered about that guitar, cause I never saw another one after that. What a gem he had!!! Anyway I'm looking for an 86-87 Pantera prefferably the X-390, but I'm sure the others in the line would still blow the pants off just about any other guitar. A Spectrum FX would rock just as well. Prestige 150,250,117,227 and the Thunder II. I won't stop until I have one of these works of guitar art in my hands. Thanks for taking the time to read this and keeping you eyes open for me. Chris

Ah; another convert! By all means hunt down an X-390 but don't forget that Matsumoku, Westones' parent in the early 80's, also had other premium models in the Vantage, Aria Pro II, Skylark and even the Washurn Eagle which was a neck-thru.

Good luck in the hunt, friend - just keep an eye on eBay and be prepared to lay out a fair chunk of change!!

None of the models you mention are neck-thru construction. They all have the Westone heel-less bayonet neck joint. It's really a set neck (screwed and glued) with a contoured heel.

The only guitar that I am aware of from Westone that is truly neck-thru is the Thunder III.

Having said all this, the bayonet neck joint is KILLER. These guitar have great sustain and excellent upper fret access.

Hey Colt,

Thanks for clearing that up for me, I'm learning something every day. Now if I understand it correctly, the set neck is what's found on LP's and SG's. The neck pocket is open on the face side of the body and the neck lays in this pocket and is fastened accordingly. The bayonet style is actually a hole mortised in the body and the neck is glued, slid into the pocket. and doweled in place. Or is it the other way around, or are there other methods. This is probably better suited in the tech category. Thanks

cnevins wrote:Now if I understand it correctly, the set neck is what's found on LP's and SG's. The neck pocket is open on the face side of the body and the neck lays in this pocket and is fastened accordingly.

Correct.

cnevins wrote:The bayonet style is actually a hole mortised in the body and the neck is glued, slid into the pocket. and doweled in place. Or is it the other way around, or are there other methods. This is probably better suited in the tech category.

Correct except that there is a screw instead of a dowel. Then the heel is sanded flush and contoured.

Thanks again!