The Electra Forums

Hi folks
I just scooped up an old Westone on a recent guitar shop tour of Toronto. I can't ID it on either of the two Westone sites. It appears it may be a forerunner to the Thunder IIIA .
-Ser# 089010 (1980 ?)
-appears to be ash wings-natural finish
-gold hardware
-neck is maple 5 piece neck thru body-mini snowflake inlays
-front of headstock is black (jazzy) - brass nut
-Westone Logo is circular
-Controls:master volume/tone/boost volume/5-way chicken knob/boost toggle(2X9volts)/phase toggle/coil tap toggle/3-way PU selector
-string thru body-no trem
The first time I saw it I passed on it and regretted it when I got home. To my surprise it was still there 1 month later (at which time my wallet escaped the grasp of my pocket!)--neck PU was'nt working when I plugged it in at the store but the techy fixed the 3way in 2 mins and off I went.
I have several Uncle Matts and fully expected to swap out the PU's at a later date,but no need. I was floored by the sound--The PU's appear to be Dimarzio's (I have Lindy Fralin Unbuckers in a VP825 that I love) I plugged it into my Rectoverb(+Weber Blue Dog-ext cab) and rocked away all afternoon! I found that the boost feature can be overpowering ,but once balanced ,is useful . The sound using the passive modes was full -lots of bottom with mids slighlty scooped and clear controlable highs (not piercing) ...Even the bridge by itself was appealing to my ear.
I don't know how to post pics here so if anyone would like to see the guitar E-mail me and I'll send some pics--Help in ID'ing the model would be appreciated.......This baby's a keeper for sure.
----Thanks in advance---Bazzzz

The thing is gorgeous! I saw the pics earlier and forwared them on to the intended recipient (made it to me by mistake). I suspected the picskups had been upgraded by the difference in color from the pickup rings.

There was an entirely different line of Westone available in the UK compared to the US. My Prestige 250 orginated in the UK but also ended up in Canada. The construction is a lot like the Aria Pro II Thors of the same period. That is the third I have seen like that. One was in Australia.

I can't blame your wallet in the least! Mine may have done the same if it weren't on a diet.

Strange westone logo, I think it might have been changed from the oringinal it looks a bit amateur-ish if you know what I mean, but it does look similar to a few early Westone bass guitars that I have seen.






Early Logo found on the above


I think these pictures confirm you definately have a rare early Westone. Nice

Oops, there was one more:

Thank you for helping me with the pics. I have a 1983 Vantage VP825 with an unusual vintage sunburst finish that I'd love to show you also.....It plays better than any other guitar that I've ever picked up...and there's been a few....I'm infected like the rest of you folks!

The blue Skylark has similar inlays on the neck.