Westone Thunder 1-A Bass 1984?

Hi I have just been given a westone bass but it appears that someone has removed the battery and cover and taken out the switches, I am just wondering if anyone knows where I can get replacement parts for it as there are none available as far as I can see, I would like to restore it,it appears that it is working as a passive bass as they look like the original pickups,but the two switches have been removed

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* duplicate images removed--Barry

Hi Taryn and welcome here!
If you were only missing the battery and switches that's an easy restoration.

The important component is the circuit board which is attached to the control cavity cover. If that's what you are missing that's a bit more problematic since they are a proprietary design. However, one of the members my have a spare board for sale, so stay tuned!

Can you post a pic of the control cavity?

Meantime, here is the wiring diagram for the Thunder I-A for your reference.

Hi thanks for your reply I will take the cavity cover off and have a look now and post some pics 👍

Just wondering if they have just removed the switches and battery? could the bass originally switch from active to passive?

I think that the circuit board has been removed as from the panel cover,if anyone has one for sale please let me know, thanks 👍

G'day, Taryn.... so you have a passive Thunder?! :-) Does it work at all? Make sure that there is output from the pickup before going too much further, eh!!
As Barry said, the boost PCB is a proprietary one and no longer available new, but they do turn up from time to time on auction sites and the like, so if no-one in here has one, that is probably your best bet.
Unless... you get a generic PCB and use that?! The switches are available off the shelf - the internet is your friend there - and the battery compartment cover is something you can make from an old DVD case or similar.

Taryn Jenkinson wrote:Just wondering if they have just removed the switches and battery? could the bass originally switch from active to passive?

Yes.
Again, check our website for details and a manual.

(p.s. the blue text is a hyperlink)

Taryn Jenkinson wrote:

Yup, the red wires to the circuit boost & battery have been cut alright, and the circuit board tossed.
Why the hell would anyone do that?!

Maybe they removed it as it was faulty? the guy who gave me the bass said that it was like that when he bought it 20 years ago!

Thanks for all your advice and the links, I am going to have a good go at fixing it up👍

Good luck, and don't be too upset, you still have a good instrument there

Hi Taryn, I too am new here and from the UK, like you I have been given what I have been told is a Thunder Bass but mine differs from yours as it only has volume and  1 tone pots.
Now here's the interesting bit, someone has converted it to have both passive and active options. The wiring is very messy at the moment but I am in the process of restoring anyway so will be looking at that.
Just thought that I would send you the photo's of the current wiring that may help you, as said very messy at the moment but you can maybe identify the circuit board and go from there.
Regards David.

That circuit board appears to be a hand-built custom unit.
Not likely a commercial product unless there are identifying markings on it somewhere.

GuitarFetish sells a number of boost circuits. Perhaps something there may be helpful?