The Electra Forums

There have only been a few guitars left on my want list, and recently the list got much, much shorter.

One that I had the hardest time finding was a black Westone Spectrum FX- not many made in that color, and people seem to hang on to them. Finally I found one as a basket case, missing all the hardware and electronics- no problem, I have most of what I need to make it whole again. This project will get posted here in upcoming weeks as I get the time to put it together (there are some others that have to come first, like the Outlaw).

Another was a black Dynasty XV2- not quite as rare, but not easy to find. Then I found the body of one in England- and I just happen to have a spare Dynasty neck. When it arrives I'll keep you posted on the progress.

But the crown jewel in my wish list was a guitar I barely had any information on- it was just my conjecture from shreds of evidence: an X199, Electra Phoenix or Electra Westone. in 85 and 86, when the name was changed to Westone Spectrum, the set neck X199 was called the FX. But what about pre-85? I had never heard mention about any set neck guitar with the Phoenix/Spectrum body except for the FX... yet on Electraman's site one of the models listed was X199, the same model number later used for the FX. The catalog shot listed there didn't give any indication it was set neck, and yet, and yet...

http://www.therathole.org/guitars/electra/x199.html

Finally I found one, yes, on ebay, and today I won it. It's an 84 Electra Westone X199CR.





I'm very happy, this will be a wonderful playing guitar and I'm glad to preserve it for its historical importance as the one of the first of the flagship model of my favorite guitars.

So what's left on my want list? Not much. I keep looking out for a black rail guitar like the one on the Westone pages site, though I don't think any of us have seen one around. Sometime when I'm filling in the corners of my collection I may pick up the odd models I don't have (like the Lady, which I'm not crazy about anyway) but for the most part, as of today, I'm really really set.

Congratulations! Shall we call you X189&X199player now?

Well, XEverythingplayer would probably cover all the bases.

Heh, yes, I can't wait to play the heck out of it. One of the nice things about the rarer high-end models is they seem to have gotten more hands-on attention in all kinds of subtle ways.

I don't really collect everything- especially when I think of how many Aria Pro models there are! For me it's mostly just Electra/Westone, mostly the last four or five years of production. Earlier Electra models are fun, but I'm not so drawn to the MPC's, or the Tree of LIfes, all that stuff. Pointy good, though!

If XMan is preferred, I can make that happen.

Since I have a small sampling of everything I've had to keep it to two or three. My favorite Electra is easily the TOL Pro Endorser, but then again I was weaned on a Paul so it feels right at home.

I only have one Westone left, and that's the Prestige 250. The rest is a mix of Aria Pro II, Vantage, and Westbury.

Ah yes, Cap'n' X, you dirty dog. I wanted that one too, and I tell myself I'm alREADy done collecting.

In fact, I threw a bid or two at it, but didn't want to end up in a billfold match with a fellow cohort.

Maybe another will appear and it will be my turn.

Not that I need another one.

I certainly don't mean to hog all the fun. In fact, I really prefer to know forum regulars' ebay handles, because if I see anyone I know bidding, I won't bid against them (much).

So yes... the X199 is a remarkable guitar, especially compared to the other 84 models. Nice finish- and the pickups are amazingly bright, much more so than any Electra or Westone I've ever played. Not that it's a bad thing, probably makes it especially good for distorted lead (it sorta sounds like Trevor Rabin...) But different, unquestionably. I have to wonder what the pickups are, and as soon as I change the strings I'll pull the pickups- probably yet another wind of the MMK45, but who knows?

Anotehr interesting detail is the early Bendmaster 2-point bridge with no tuners- this guitar has no locking nut!

What I need to do is post pics, and I apologize for the delay on this and other threads (like, where's the finished Dynasty?) The fact is, I haven't had the chance to do much in the way of photo shoots lately, but I hope to catch up soon.