The Electra Forums

http://www.deanguitars.com/dean_winter_09/USA_Leslie_West_40thAnniversary_en.htmThe Peace sign seems familiar. I doubt it is more than coincidence, but still a curious little piece.

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Addicted to Matsumoku.

It's his initials, the peace sign is an L and a W.

But I agree... quite a coincidence. I don't think he speaks very highly of his Electra model.

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/I ... _West.aspx

Pertinent quote:

Interviewer: "Didn’t... you play a Leslie West Electra MPC guitar at one time?"

LW: "The MPC never had my name on it. The guitar had effects modules that slid in and out."

Sounds like he's trying to distance himself from that guitar.

I think Leslie's sense of humor must have went along with all that weight he lost... bottom line is an endorsement is just that, someone being compensated to plug a product. The best endorsement is one that isn't attached to a contract, Like Jimmy Page using the same Les Paul for 30 years, or Bruce Springstein being married to that ancient Broadcaster of his, or Chuck Berry and his ES-335.

I'm not going to go buy a Carvin because Joe Walsh is in countless magazine ad's holding one, even though I'm a big fan of his (curiously live he uses all kinds of guitars). Although manufacturers continue to use this strategy, most players realize that owning a Jimmy Page edition is not going to make you sound like him or play any better, however they seem to sell pretty well...

Dean is just unbalanced enough to pay Mr. West to promote their products, and when they stop paying him, he'll most likely make similar lukewarm statements about that guitar. Personally I'd like to know more about the design process with respect to the X120 Leslie West model, as I do think he had some say in it (unlike many 'Signature' models out there), it is a slab mahogany body (just like a Jr would have) big fat neck (just like a early Gibby) and one of the few MPC's with a three way switch instead of the five way rotary. He probably wanted his name on the neck and that's why he's so sore (wink wink) Mike.

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Electra Guitar Videos ===> http://www.youtube.com/user/mjm33mjm?feature=watch

Yep - he basically said as much in the interview. "The MPC never had my name on it."

I know I've seen ads on eBay with him holding the x120 in a very "Here's the guitar I'm endorsing" pose

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magemusiconline.com

I personally think the X120 is super cool. Better than the more traditional LP style MPCs, and certainly more appealing than the Outlaw MPC guitars, which I think look hideous. I appreciate them for what they are, but come on, they look gawd awful! Plenty of nice features, granted. UGLY.

The X120 is simple and pleasing. I like the straightforward functionality of the three way toggle. It's just a solid slab of wood. The cosmetic aspect of the faux carved top of the LP style is eliminated. Aesthetically, I really like the cut away design. It incorporates one of the things that I have always loved about Rickenbacker instruments-- the curve of the two cutaways match up and imply a single, elegant line between them. The X120 has that same element. It's an original variation on a theme (LP Jr. or Special) with a few unique details thrown in.

...

Let's just say the Outlaw is an acquired taste... Michael Wright called it "A Potato shaped guitar" in the recent Vintage Guitar Magazine article! I like the scooped out heal on the Outlaw, it reminds me of the Washburn Falcons, they also have a Firebird-type Mahogany Neckthrough thing going on (which has got to be expensive to make), aesthetically who couldn't love the black 'Catface' pickguard:



It's part of the text on the X120 description in the Model Index here. Mine doesn't have any LED indicators, neither have the other two I've seen listed in as many years... I say 'URBAN LEGEND' until I see one in person! Even if we find one with LED's, who's to say it wasn't added after the fact? I need to see company literature (which we all know is 100% true stuff, I mean it's in writing, right? sarcasm intended)



Agreed. It is a pretty guitar, and a (fairly) original design. It has a most unusual neck joint:


Has the scoop (which I'm a fan of) but the neck doesn't fan out or anything, it's just stuffed in there. I like the color of these too, subdued but classy shade of orange. If you disregard the 'pointy' models, Electra only had four original shapes (correct me if I'm wrong): 1 and a half cutaway (Vulcan, Endorser, Walnut stained models), Outlaws, X120 Leslie West and the Phoenix X100 line... if there are more, they escape me now. Of those four original body styles, the Leslie West has got to be the rarest, even if it kinda reminds me of a tuna with its mouth open, is that better than a Potato?

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Electra Guitar Videos ===> http://www.youtube.com/user/mjm33mjm?feature=watch

Hmm, the Workingman shape may be derivative but it is original, sort of a 1 1/2 cutaway

Ask and ye shall receive:

Just found these on the 'net - apparently from 1978:









Looks like an X350?

RCSBlues

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RCSBlues

I haven't seen those particular pictures before, takes me back to the seventies man, anyone got a blacklight handy? Had to snicker at that hodge-podge of Marshal cabinets he's using... Sixteen 12" speakers, Yikes, I bet those Magnafluxes were squealing like a '68 Camaro on Friday night.

I've seen him using a Vulcan before, with and without a Vibrato Tailpiece and there is that Westone advert where he's holding some stratlyke thing, but I've never actually seen him holding an X120 MPC. The X120 Leslie West Electra ad (that I've seen) just shows a pair of guitars leaning up against a crate amp with a plethora of modules lying on the ground in front. I know he's been around for 40 years, but besides 'Mississippi Queen' I couldn't name another tune I've heard by him.


(Referencing the 2nd picture, how'd he get Duane Allman to roadie for him? j/k)

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Electra Guitar Videos ===> http://www.youtube.com/user/mjm33mjm?feature=watch

From the original post by BeatenPhoenix -

Notice the overlaid "LW" Leslie West initials (peace sign similarity?) at the bottom -

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RCSBlues

Recent articles based on interview w/ Leslie about his latest record, gigs, and amputation (above the knee) of one leg...

http://www.guitarworld.com/interview-le ... dium-shows

http://www.guitarworld.com/interview-pa ... l-suspects

Did not know that -

Appreciated.

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RCSBlues