Let's talk Westone necks.

I recently got a 1984 Electra Westone Phoenix.     It has a big fat neck that is very comfortable.   I just love it.   Best production guitar neck I have ever felt.   What other Westones have this same neck shape?   Did all the models feature it during this period?   Thanks for your help. 

I would love to add a few more Westone's to my collection if they have similar necks.

The Electra/Phoenix later became the Spectrum, so virtually any of the models in that line should feel "comfy" to you. 

The Spectrum neck is outstanding IMHO. Good taste my man!

Yep; one thing - amongst a good few things! - that Matsumoku got right was the neck. The later ones on the Korean built Westones are absolutely sublime if you like fast necks, but the normal old Spectrum necks are pretty damn good; I've not played an X350/390 but I'll wager that they're pretty good, too!!

Of all my guitars, buy a long way, my favourite neck is on the Westbury Deluxe. I only realised this after leaving it in it's case for a year or so. When I got it out again I was surprised at how slim and comfy it was.

It is currently back on the wall as my favourite guitar again.

I've never played a Speccy though. Hmmm..... maybe I should buy one...

When did they move to thinner faster necks?  I want to avoid them.

straightblues wrote:When did they move to thinner faster necks?  I want to avoid them.

In the late 80s when production moved to Korea, and why? Well, I'm guessing because the trend of the times was towards shredding and fast fingers!! Beyond that, though, they were almost an oiled finish and very comfortable to play; the finish on the Spectrum necks can get a little sticky with use.... 

I have a few of that model, the Phoenix's and later the Spectrums... a 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, and a 2014.  The 1980 neck is fatter than the rest!  I LOVE the 1980 Phoenix, it is just a little more comfy and better built than the later 1983-1986 and 2013-2017 varieties of the same design. 

So... you may want to check out a 1980-1982 Phoenix!  They did not have painted necks, they were maple.  

Though any year Phoenix/Spectrum is great.  Some of the best guitars, I tell ya.

From what I've seen, some of the Korean made necks are superb too, like the Clipper etc.
Thin build, comfortable, light and well suited but not limited to shredding.
I've only kept the Terminator in that style but really enjoy playing that neck.

The neck on my Clipper 6 is one of the nicest slim necks I have played on any guitar, and I prefer chunkier necks.

Mine's one of the last of the Japanese made ones, and on a 30 odd year old guitar, the fretwork is virtually flawless too.

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I rehearse and gig with this one quite a lot, I am looking out for an MMK45 pickup to drop in there if I can

Ohhh....I like it!
45's are getting very pricey these days, you may need to go with sumpthin' else. Whatchergot in there now?

Barry wrote:Ohhh....I like it!
45's are getting very pricey these days, you may need to go with sumpthin' else. Whatchergot in there now?

Its a Warman 12 Gauge www.warmanguitars.co.uk

Great pickup and with the series parallel split, pretty versatile.

I guess I'd like to keep it Westone authentic. The stock pickup was bobbins, though I still have it, in case I ever return it to stock. Which is unlikely, as it plays so well, and is like a Tele

Nuthin' wrong with a Warman. I have the HB90's in my Epi LP.

Regarding slim neck on korean made. I have a pantera X300pp from 86 that one has a fat neck. I asumed that all panteras had that. Then  I got a pantera x275  (86 as well ). That one had a slim neck identical to my korean made spectrum series ll 🤔.  Does this neck show up other modells aswell?

Hey, let's have some love for those Korean-made guitars! 

Actually, the Korean necks on the late 80's Spectrums started out as Japanese necks, so the specs should be the same even after Westone shifted production from the Mats factory. I LOVE the neck on my guitar. The only neck I currently like better is the one on the Ibanez JEM 7VWH. For comparison, among my other guitars I also have an EVH Wolfgang Special that was a gift- great instrument, but the neck is a bit too chunky for me.

I agree! They are great! This is the neck i learned to play guitarr with 25 years ago and I cant stop playing it 😆.  
This neck  along with  the spectrum dx neck are my favorites.