Replacement 1-A 1981 Headstock Decal...and no serial number

Hey all -

I have a 1981 Thunder 1-A that I bought from a salesman in April or so of 1981. I can't find a serial number anywhere - not on the back of the neck or neck plate. Where should I look? The salesman told me that it was a sample bass not yet being produced; he had it since late 1980 as a sample...

I am also looking for a replacement headstock Westone decal. as I remember it, in gold. Anyone know where to get one?

I am in Chicago, Illinois USA area.

Many thanks!

Doc

What's up Doc?   (sorry, had to be said)
Welcome to the Forums!

Depending on the year of manufacture serial numbers are either stamped into the back of the headstock or the neck plate. Since there is nothing there it may well be a prototype instrument as the salesman said. They do surface here from time to time.

If you haven't discovered our web site already, there is some more information on your instrument HERE You may be able to narrow down the production date a bit more closely there. If you bought it early in '81 it could be a 1980 build.

Pictures would be helpful when you're able to post. I'm sure it will have some historical interest to many here.

Hey Barry -

Thanks for the welcome and the info. Looks like I have an '80 build, but the neck plate is different than any pictured. I will try to take pictures over the weekend and post. 

It was good to see in the pictures that my memory isn't that bad (maybe) and that the Westone logo I remembered was gold. Hope someone can help me find the replacement.

Thanks again and glad to be a member!

Doc

the two Westone Concord guitars in my collection with the oldest neckplate serial numbers, both have neckplates marked Matsumoku, one from December 81, and the other from January 82
Concord 2

Concord 3

from July of 82, this Concord 1 had the serial number stamped into the wood on back of the headstock and a very nice Westone neckplate

however, from September 82, here is an X-70 with a neckplate serial number. it doesn't say Matsumoku or Westone

i'm guessing that this must have been around the time that the name Westone was formally trademarked (mid '82), so the guitars around that time carried a variety of markings, maybe including no markings at all, possibly prototypes or samples or maybe just regular production before they formally, legally, controlled the name or something of the sort.
notice the trademark symbol on this neckplate from an August '82 Concord 1 (identical neckplate as on the previous example from July)

the oldest Thunder i have carries the same neckplate, and has a serial number stamped on the back of the headstock, July '82. notice also the appearance of the Westone branded tuners here

is this the style logo you were looking for?

I really appreciate the additional info. My neckplate matches your pictures #4 and #8. There is no serial number stamped on the back of the headstock or on the neckplate. The logo is the one you show in your last picture, style-wise, but my headstock is natural. I am pretty sure the lettering was gold or gold with a black outline (it has been many years...). The tuners are chrome as shown in the second to last picture, but the Westone insert is metallic silver with black logo. The key portion of the tuners are a rounded triangle shape, best description I can give.

As I am a newbie (obviously ) could you tell me how to post pictures, and I will gladly do so. Are you aware if the replacement headstock logo is available anywhere?

Thanks again - play on!

Doc

See THIS  for info on how to post pictures. Note that new members have 7 day waiting period. 

Doc, you could try printing one out on readily available waterslide transfer paper, board member Jim has uploaded a .pdf of his findings so far, these can be imported to an art package and printed out with a standard inkjet printer or even better a laser printer....
see his hijack of this post
CLICK HERE

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