Vantage Avenger AV325 in Rare Trans-White Finish

I haven't been able to find any Westones locally for a very long time (years actually) but I have picked up a few new guitars to ease the GAS pains, including a 2021 Epiphone Les Paul SL in cherry burst, and a 2021 Squier Affinity Jazzmaster in burgundy mist.

Both really nice playing guitars. But they ain't a Mats, ya know?

But this is!



This is a 1981 Vantage Avenger AV325 in a very rare trans-white finish.

The above pic is after I made a few minor modifications, mainly a bridge replacement to get rid of that dreaded brass barrel saddle bridge which plagued so many Westone Thunders and Avengers circa 1981. I have been "blessed" to have had to replace four of them now!

Besides the usual playability adjustments, changes have been mainly cosmetic. While the black and white look was OK I thought that there was perhaps too much black which was taking away from the finish. So I swapped out the black mounting rings for some chrome ones and the black speed knobs for some transparent ones.

I think it lightens up the body and "glams" it up a bit without detracting from the that unusual finish.
Here it is with the original black knobs, which are fantastic BTW:


If you are interested and would like more info, you can read the entire story with more pix HERE