1979 335 copy

Hi all. I saw on the unknown Westone guitar post a comment about a Westone model A1511. I have s/no 7910031, the one mentioned earlier was S/no 7910033.
I was wondering if more have been found or are they actually quite rare. Any info on this model would be great. Thanks.

If they were a factory build, I think rare might be overstating it; uncommon might be a better term. Do you like it, and have you got any pix??

Hi corsair. I am new to this so don't know how to put a pic on, sorry. There is a picture in the unidentified guitars section of this site and mine is the same. To be honest i'm a lousy player but I bought this guitar of a good guitarist mate of mine in the 80's and now for curiosity want to learn a little about it.

Hi again.
Unidentified guitar number 7 in the list if you would like to see it.

Yep; I'm familiar with the example on the info site. To post pix, I upload to an online picture server and then c+p the IMG links into my posts here; some of the other lads use the onboard picture server; your choice!!

We'd all like to see what you've got there, eh!!

Thanks mate.
I will get the son to do it tomorrow but i guess the bottom line is that we know little of this model. Is this correct.

I would assume(!) that it would be the predecessor to the Rainbow series, and thus quite well regarded... but, yeah; not a lot known about it really!

Could I ask if you have heard of any others besides these two. Is there a register for the A1511 that you know of.
Thanks again.

Hi Geof,
Coincedently last month somebody offered one on http://www.ebay.de/itm/SAMMLUNG-VANTAGE-WESTONE-MATSUMOKU-JAPAN-/230773226117?pt=Gitarren&hash=item35bb27fa85
Only one picture of just the front-body. Years ago a very nice one was for sale in Spain.

It seems close to the Aria AE-650 (aprox 1977) check Matsumoku.org. All that surfaced seem to date from 1979.
Love to see pics of yours!

Thanks Jim for your reply.
I cant say mine looks as good as the one you posted ( no gold plating anywhere on mine ) but I will provide a picture tomorrow if i can.
Cheers
Geoff

Geoff Douglas wrote:Could I ask if you have heard of any others besides these two. Is there a register for the A1511 that you know of.
Thanks again.

Nope. And generally anyone who's got Westones of any sort on the board here will have shown them to us at some stage. No register as such; just enthusiasts keeping a rough eye on stuff!!

Hi Guys.
Better late than never they say. The son was busy.
Cheers
Geoff

That is a lovely guitar right there, Geoff! It also bears an resemblance to the Aria HF-5502 in this post over at the GG Forums...

http://www.matsumoku.org/ggboard/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=8682

Does your Westone have only 2 neck bolts showing in the back at the join? If so then it is almost certainly 1979 or earlier as my Ventura is...

http://www.matsumoku.org/ggboard/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=8642&hilit=a+closet+find+of

What sort of material are do fret markers seem to be made of?

Hi Iceman.
The neck has 4 bolts and the markers look like Mother of Pearl. The exact same guitar is at the Westone info site under unknown models, Guitar number 7.
Is it worth fixing up, the pup switch is playing up through lack of use.
If I need to sell it would I get $500 for it.
What do you think.
Cheers

Hi again Iceman.
The guitar looks better than the photo. Only 1 small chip, more of a nick, down the bottom, back edge. I am worried though by a small crack that has formed in the backboard, right in the centre/middle. I think it only the stuff its painted with that's cracked but can't really tell. It is about 1 inch, dead straight, and in line with the neck. There are spider leg like small cracks sprouting of this main vertical crack. 9 legs each side. There is no sign of wood split looking through these spider legs but I just can't tell with the main crack.
I am very worried about this.
Could it be the wood actually splitting which caused the first vertical crack in this coating.
Is the guitar no good if the wood splits like this. Would it kill the tone/resonance of the sound box.
If the wood is cracked is there a repair process.
I will try to get a good pic of it and show you. This will take a while though as I'm still a beginner at all this. Sorry for the questions but don't know much about guitars either.lol.
Cheers
Geoff

Mate, you ask all the questions you want and we'll do our level best to answer them!

The crack is more than likely a finish crack, i.e. in the actual lacquer/poly coating and is therefore nothing to worry about, particularly if it's not getting any bigger. The only way of finding out for sure is to sand the spot back and see if it disappears.

If the crack is in the wood, then gluing and clamping may be an option.

Can you take a picture of the spot where the crack is, and then a close up of the crack itself?

Thanks for you help Corsair.
I am relieved to hear your thoughts and hope it is just the see through coating that's cracked.
I will try to post a high res close up pic.
Thanks again

Taking pictures outside in bright sunlight at about a 60° angle to the surface may help as well.

Is the neck made up of 3 pieces joined lengthwise along the axis of the neck?

Hi Iceman
Thanks for your suggestions re the pic. I will do as you suggest though it will take a little time.
The neck is solid 1 piece with the fret board glued I guess to it.
Cheers
Geoff

Geoff, thanks for the photograph ! Good call by Ice the about the neckbolts. I know of another unidentified version sold in Japan that predates it which had the two bolt-on system among other differences.

Now that I look closer yours seems to have more in common with the Aria AE-600 given the upper wings shape and f-hole shape, number of fret markers, pot position. Pickguard shape like the 650. It has alot in common with the later Rainbow series and we can see those had at least 3 predecessors. All info on these is very welcome!
You can see a catalog scan of the late lookalike '70's Aria's at www.matsumoku.org
Go to Models/Labels Specs> Aria Catalogs> Aria Mach I Electric Guitars Catalog> Page 3

The toggle 3-way switch shouldn't be a problem, like you said due to being left unused a little corrosion will occur. Just needs a little cleaning, contactspray, w-30 or w-40 and fine sandpaper usually is enough. I think it's def. worth it to try to bring it back to life. But I can't say anything either about the crack unless you post more pics of it. And yes Iceman is right! Daylight pictures outside make for the best pictures, more light, more sharp detail. Direct sunlight on the other hand will not always give better results (reflections).
If at all possible a shot of the label with what is written on it would be welcome here. The case btw also could well be the original OHSC. At this time the orange interior is common and it seems a perfect fit. Matsumoku guitars from the late seventies to early eighties are generally regarded as very fine well build guitars.
Cheers, jim

Hoax actually edumicated me on the "pair of screws" which in fact is four. The other two are hidden under the bridge pup and attach to a tenon.

Geoff, what I meant by 3 pieces to your neck has to do with a trick one can use to I.D. possible Mats builds that are not confirmed by any badge or label. It is a construction method where the center section of the neck has the grain running 90° to the length to promote strength and stability, if I am remembering it correctly.

jim wrote:...The toggle 3-way switch shouldn't be a problem, like you said due to being left unused a little corrosion will occur. Just needs a little cleaning, contactspray, w-30 or w-40 and fine sandpaper usually is enough...

Please do not use any WD products on electrical contacts. WD40 is OK to drive out moisture but it will leave an oily residue which will impede the connection become a dust magnet. Stick with contact/electrical cleaner which "flashes off" and leaves everything bare & clean. Same as the stuff used in dry cleaning.

Thanks for the help guys.
I will try and take a photo of the label to Jim but need the sons help again for that. Maybe on the weekend at this rate as he is busy these days.
There are no laminations in the neck at all Iceman that I can see.
Thanks for the tip with cleaning the switch Jim and Barry.
Cheers and thanks again
Geoff