The Electra Forums

Just brought another one back to life- but I'm too darned busy playing it to get the pictures ready to go! I just need to get some nice 'after' shots now, and it would be easier in the daylight. Oh well, guess I'll go play it some more... :)

Here's how it started out:

Well, when your fingers need a break from playing, type in some more info with pics! You mentioned this one in another post - from the UK I believe? At least no neck, it was easier to ship from the UK to the States (or did I get this one mixed up with another one you recently got?).

You're right, it was in the UK. I've seen a handful of black Dynastys in the US, but they're pretty uncommon. Then I saw this body on ebay.uk



I'm 99% sure this is an 85 or 86 Dynasty- I'm not sure there were any black ones before that, and I think it wasn't until 85 that the Tom Presley-designed SLM Electras rebranded Westone started appearing in Europe alongside the non-SLM Westones like the Corsair and Paduak.




The really great thing is that the pickups and wiring are untouched. The Dynasty has the same H-S-H pickup config and wiring options as equivalent Electra Phoenix and Westone Spectrums (also the Dimension IV).

And as it happens... I have a spare Dynasty neck. In fact, I have three of them! These three are from 83, 84, and 85. The headstocks are identical, but the branding changes from Electra to Electra Westone to Westone Dynasty.




It's tempting to run the 83 neck, because I really like the early Electra logo and name by itself. The 84 is in rough shape- somebody stripped the paint off the back and sides of the headstock, and there are like a million holes drilled in it. But the 85 is in great shape and has the locking nut. Most likely the 85 is correct, if the body is indeed an 85- so I'll go with that.




However, I soon notice another reason not to pick the 83 neck- the later Dynasty necks are notched at the heel, while the 83 is not. I'm really thinking that 83 neck is from an XV4GR, the earlier graphite Dynasty without the pointed tips.



Here's another view of how the heel is notched. This allows for less room between the neck and the neck pickup. The same notch appears on the Dimension IV, which has the same neck and headstock as the Dynsaty. It's like the neck for the Phoenix/Spectrum, but it's slinkier, especially up at the nut.




On with the tuners! I happen to have some correct Westone tuners in black with the silver Westone logo.


Here's a shot of the neck pocket, with the enigmatic letter K



This thing is going to gether like a kit so far- but realize, it wasn't a guitar in pieces when I got it. It was actually a whole bunch of seperate pieces gathered over time. I think the tuners were from a Spectrum DX.



Bolting on the neck is always such a Frankenstein moment- it really comes to life then. But this one had an awkward halt- the neck wouldn't fit in the neck pocket! I tried all three necks, to no avail. Finally I tried a little more force- a rubber mallet persuaded it to slip in. Hm, very strange...



And now for the bridge- a correct Bendmaster for an 85/6 Dynasty. This one was orginally on a Dimension IV. It's a great bridge, especially with the graphite nut on that 85 neck.



and finally, the bridge installed. two springs is plenty, it's still adjusted so the bridge isn't floating, but tight against the guitar body, which is how I like it.



You can see where this is headed. I strung it on up, did the usual setup, and it whipped into shape without difficulty! And then I got busy playing it... which is why I still don't have any pictures of it all together. Maybe if I can get some sunlight tomorrow I'll fix that.

It's wonderful to see you bring several separate salvage efforts together into one complete guitar, Xman.

looks great!

_________________
My Electra Pages
I have too many projects!

OK, thanks for waiting :)

Hot dang
That is one bad muthu... (shut yo mouth).

Marvlous photos X189, showing a wonderful rebirth. I was imaging fireworks shooting up in the sky behind the guitar...

Lovely job Xman, it's alive I tell you ALIVE!