The Electra Forums

Was watching the Rainbow 1 that recently sold on E-bay and became curious.....It looked about the same size as an Aria Pro TA60....Any feedback on playability/build?? The only Westone that I've come across in the Toronto area was a Prestige 250 that was rough. They seem to be a rare bird around here.....noticed in the pics of the one on E-bay that the Bass side F-hole did not appear to scroll in on the neck side like the ones in the catalogue??.....Too bad the pics were'nt better
things have been very quiet around here.....Bazz

I would have loved to have gone after that Rainbow, but if I had then one of my other hollows would have to go. The TA-70, JazzStrad, and VSH455 are not going anywhere so there it is. The pics of the one that just ended on eBay were pretty bad. If the Rainbow is anwhere close in class and quality as the Prestige 250 I have then I'd imagine it's a sweet one.

There is (well, last I looked earlier) a TA-60 up right now for a BIN of $285.

Yup, been very quiet here lateley.

I have a TA60 that is one of my favorite players. If I did'nt already have one I'd seriously be looking at the one on E-bay.....I have a Elvin Bishop that is beautiful but I'm having trouble warming up to the way it plays---Too familiar with the VHS455 type neck I guess.(thin) The TA60 falls pretty much between the two re size of neck......Later....Bazz

I caught the Westone Rainbow auction the night before it ended and put in a last minute snipe attempt and was beat by 4 seconds and $5! Ouch!

As you described, many similarities between the TA 60 and the Rainbow 1.

The f holes have a funky little unique curve, a little more binding, different tail piece, and the horns seem a to have a little bit different angle to them as compared to the TA60..... I'm sure Unc. Matt did this to avoid a suit from Aria...

Owning a TA 60, 70 and 100 has kept me from purchasing TA60's off ebay. Although I was highly tempted by a $150 BIN that was on about 6 months ago.....

Interesting to note (from this website) That the Rainbow 1 and 2 both have a 3 piece neck.... In the aria line, jumping from the TA 60 o TA 70 you go to a 5 piece neck that is really sweet. I guess with the exception of an ebony fret board and fancy inlays, that the Rainbow 1 and 2 are the essentially the same..... Much in the same fashion as jumping from a TA 70 to a TA 100......

You know what Keith Richards refers to when he says TA !!!! Yeeha!

I can't wait to find a TA70 0r TA100 up this way.......some of the guitar shops around here are a little uneducated about Uncle Matts guitars and oft times the prices are attractive .....sooner or later I'll come by one.....happy hunting.....Bazz (just got a hot tip on another VHS455)

The differences between the Rainbow 1 and 2 are only slight. Neck wood was the only other difference aside from those mentioned.

I not too sure Shiro Arai Co. would have sued as this would have been counter productive to a very lucrative and prosperous relationship with Matsumoku. The design was likely a marketing decision.

Compared to the Vantage VSH both the Rainbows and TAs had much pointier horns, unlike the more traditional mickey mouse ears on the Gibsons and other clones. The TA bodies are smaller than the standard 335 clones. I'd be curious to compare that to the Rainbow's body.

I thought the horns on the Rainbow looked similar to the TA60 ....I bet they are close in size too. ....The hot tip on the VSH455 did not pan out...as I was talking to the seller over the phone and getting directions(3hr drive) , one of his buds piped up from the background and told the seller he would be interested--ending my bid.....such is life....The deal was probably not meant to be.......Bazz