The Electra Forums

I have acquired a 1983 brown metallic Electra Phoenix with the H-S-S pickups. Looking at the information on here this appears to be the same as the Electra Westone X190 from 1984 catalog.

So what model number is this? Is it still an X180, just not formally recorded in their product literature?
Is it more of a transition model from Phoenix to Westone that became the Westone X190 in 1984?

This guitar appears all original, a little oxidation on pickups and bridge metal pieces. Plays very nice and is a solid unit.
Bone nut, non-locking, simple tremolo. Cool 5 way switch/ push-pull pots. It appears that the bottom pullout splits the bridge humbucker. The middle pullout seems to reverse the phase of the middle pickup when joined with either neck or bridge pickups. ( IE switch positions 2 and 4)
Pickup output is pretty healthy and I dig it a bit.
Was in a tan case lined with wool. Looks to be similar age and the wear inside seems to match this guitar.

I have loved my '80 Japanese made Washburns, Kasuga made and just stumbled on this. Very impressed.

BTW=The new model link to X180 takes me to a 2242.

rm

Try this link to the old electra page for description and data
http://www.rivercityamps.com/electra/x190.php

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Always give thanks for everyday, It may be your last so Rock On Semper Fi!!

I have the green metalic model and it is a great player. Welcome to the forums and try to post a few pics for us to drool over.

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Always give thanks for everyday, It may be your last so Rock On Semper Fi!!

There are a couple references on here (too lazy to find them..!) from X189 player himself saying that there wasn't any X180 model. I don't think there is any mention in any catalog and it was probably a typo somewhere.

There are other errors in the Electra INDEX on here, many missing models (2257 and the Dan Armstrong off the top of my head) so like everything on the Internet, don't take anything as Gospel unless you can verify it through multiple sources.

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

I should have some pics soon. I want to do a full polish on it first.
Sometimes asking an old question gets new responses so I tried.
I have found nothing to verify this construct was available for sale as a Phoenix.

I have run across this on a couple other early transitional guitars from other makers. Changing manufacturers mid model screws up the historical records.

I'm just glad to have discovered this one. I bet it is made better than just about any mass produced unit from that whole era. The finish is as good or better than some new Fenders and at the price I paid.. sweet stuff.

OK not the best images and I am a lazy arse so it did not get cleaned and polished yet.
Album link below.
rm



http://s1131.photobucket.com/albums/m555/blazer2000/electra%20phoenix/

Nice Axe indeed That looks to be the X190 model in silverstone I believe. Anyone else got any guesses. I like it.

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Always give thanks for everyday, It may be your last so Rock On Semper Fi!!

I agree - a very nice guitar;

Here's the X180 link:
http://www.rivercityamps.com/electra/x180.php

RCSBlues

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RCSBlues

Yes, I found all that link and stuff. I am diggin this guitar. The neck is one of the best I've found on this period of guitar and the frets look like the only play it had was from a long time ago and in the first 5 fret zone.
I think the factory dress is on most all frets above 7.
I am one who likes to put pickups out of phase for interesting sounds and also dig a good overdriven humbucker sound so this guitar is pretty darn good at a lot of tones.

very pleased to say the least
rock on ya'll

So I have a few discrepancies after reading the specs on this site.
http://www.rivercityamps.com/electrapag ... ?m=01&y=08

My guitar which you see above has the following:
Bone Nut vs a spec of Graphite.
Fender style 6 screw trem vs two point system
Non-locking nut vs lock nut which supports the above.

It is still one of the best guitars I own other than the fact that the metal finish is poorly done and oxidized.
I continue to play with phased pickups and sweeten my tone with this thing. The MMK-45 bridge pickup has a lot of flexibility. All controls work smooth and without noises. Clean tones just make a real impact when jamming.

I would put this up against any American made Strat for quality and build accuracy for guitar designs.
The neck is straight and fast and the frets are small. Some people like those jumbo frets but these are nice gauge and take little effort to slide up a string.