The Electra Forums

Hi to all,
Been a long time since I have been over here, and still appreciate the great site and all the info. I just obtained a Westone I can't identify. It has no serial # or distinguishing info.It is a three pickup (s-s-h )solid body with reverse headstock. I volume, two tones, bendmaster deluxe trem,Five way switch.Has allen wrenches mounted on back of head, and no neckplate, but four screws set in trim rings. The color is a Graffiti or "pokemon" yellow. Really nice and in great shape, sans tremarm, and a control cover that looks home made, but not bad. I have done my homework on the various sites but cant find a matching picture. Have linked pictures, thanks for the help

The Dawg
Unidentified Westone[/img]

The link doesn't work for me (I get a login screen instead) but with the reverse headstock I wonder if it's one of the later post-86 Westones, I don't see those as well documented on most sites. Do the pickups have exposed poles or a smooth cover?

PM me if you need help posting pics, or many of the other fine folks here will probalby be happy to help as well. And btw, welcome back!

The Westones existed beyond 1987, some with necks being made in Japan, and other components made in Korea (straight from the horse's mouth). Many took on the more traditional superstrat appearance. Have you seen the 88 catalog on Stracalef's Westone site?

Let me do some digging here when I have a chance. I think I have some ads and such for the later Westone superstrats.

Thanks, guys...
the '88 catalog gets me closer at least. The guitar most resembles the SP115, but without binding or the switches. Also it has the reverse pointy droopy with Gotohs.It is definately a superstrat style, the body much like some Kramers or the current Fender/Squier Showmasters.
X187, did you get a pM from me? , if not I'll re-send it for help in posting pics.Thanks.

the Dawg

Thanks guys, thanks for tutorial x189, BTW pole pieces exposed.

[img][img]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b372/bass-dawg/th_westone3.jpg[/img]

[/img]

...buggered that up pretty well. What about pole pieces?

I remember from the day that SLM had a Korean-era Westone called the Corsair, and I think that's it. (I know Sid Poole's UK Westones were also Corsairs, different beast entirely.)

I'm going on hazy memory, but it may be that the Corsairs were released and promoted mid-year 1988, perhaps in association with NAMM, with separate single-sheet promos.

It's my understanding (fromt TP) that most of the reverse-headstock models were assembled in Japan, I believe after the Matsu factory went away. Parts could be a combination of Japanese and Korean.

Your neck, with the mid-80s flying-bird W and italic Westone script, is almost surely Japanese-made. I won't swear to it, but it makes sense that the "scrawl" script accompanied the move to Korean production.

But if I were under oath in court and the attorney asked, "Do you know what model this is?" I'd say, "Sir, to the best of my recollection, that is known as a Corsair."

I think this might be it, although it does not have a picture of the headstock.