Is the Spectrum range as good as Thunder range?

Hi guys,

I'm new to the forum and just wanted some advice. I've been looking for a Westone since playing my friends Thunder at a jam night. It made a mockery of the Epiphone Les Paul and was just awesome all round. I wanted to know whether the Spectrum range is equally as good or better sounding than the Thunder Range? If anyones played both or has more info on the quality of the Spectrums that would be great.

Thanks,
Owen

Thunders are 24 3/4" scale apart from a Thunder III 25 1/2"

Spectrums are 25 1/2"

Which Thunder model did you play?

You're asking a question that is near impossible to answer because it's mostly a personal preference thing.

Both guitars are great players but differ in things like scale, as Westbone has said, plus weight, tone woods, pickups and pickup configuration, and circuitry in the case of the active Thunders, to name a few.

I have many Spectrums and a couple of active Thunders. They're all amazing guitars. But as a rule of thumb my G scale Thunders feel a bit Les Paul-ish with tremendous tonal variety, and the F scale Spectrums lean a bit towards the Strat world.

So it really depends on where your comfort level is, and what sort of sounds you're after.

I've had both and I'd choose the Thunder over the Spectrum I think, I couldn't get the spectrum action anywhere near as good as the Thunder. As already noted though, horses for courses, depends what sound you are after, neither of them are bad. Do what I did and have one of each then you can chop and change 

Going by your advise that they are different beasts, I will give the Spectrum a miss for now!

The Thunder was great all round and sounded good with everything it played ... Blues, Punk, Rock. Not sure which model it was, would have to ask. 

If the Spectrum is even close to sounding as good but different, then I'll probably get one at some point as well! Couldn't believe the price range for the quality.

Keep in mind too that there is a wide range of configurations in the Spectrum line: single pickup; HH; HS; HSS; HSH; together with phase reverse, split coil etc.

So when you make a comparison it should be with this in mind, and compare like to like.

I have a soft spot for Spectrum, since I played one in my band, but overall, I think the Thunder more deliver just a bit more versatility "out of the box".

Heavy buggers though!