Identifying my recently bought thunder 1a

Hi.

First of all apologies if this has been covered, I'll bet it has but can't find it on the forum.

Just picked up a thunder 1a today, it needs some restoration work, but mostly seems to be replacement knobs and switches. So my first job is to identify which version it is and I've run into a snag. According to the serial which is 7 digits and starts 109 this would imply its a 1981 (September ) model making it a v1 however it's got through body strings making it a v2. The active switch is snapped so can't tell if it's on or off but the knob adjusts volume not tone so this implys it's a v1!!!!

I might need to get the electrics sorted so really need to know which one it is!

Can anyone help

A total newbie to the forum but I first got one of these in 84 (got nicked in 99)

Early Thunders can be a bit confusing, as can many of the Mats made guitars around this time. Sometimes features overlapped a bit from version to version and we do the best we can to sort it all out some 30 years later!

Someone more knowledgeable than I should be along shortly to help you out a bit more, but in the meantime you can check your circuit against the schematics HERE.

here's a phrase you may want to get familiar with....

"Specifications subject to change without notice"

Ok thanks for that, looks like I've got myself a late v1 judging by the circuits but with some v2 innovations like the through body stringing. (pretty sure my old one was a later version as it had active tone not vol) the active switch is badly snapped off so ill need to repair or replace (yikes) the phase switch is fine but coil tap and selectors are both broken but you can at least get to them. The active switch is going to be the real pain I'm guessing it's a pig to get a replacement for this one as it doesn't look like your standard 2 phase switch

Sounds like you have a V1. Best version. With master vol. master tone and gain (active) volume. Which only works when the active is on. A mini coil tap switch active on/off mini switch and mini phase switch.

The very best version of a Thunder IA.

This model does come with through body stringing. Which is a big improvement on the very first version( top loader)

Yep yours is Sept. '81.

If you need a switch I'll point you in the right direction for a replacement.

The knobs you occasionally see on ebay.

Is this the kind of Thunder IA you have.

This one's november '81

Re-production knobs are available. Not exactly as the original but close.
http://www.westoneguitars.net/shop