Alembic Guitars Club

Connecting => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: georgie_boy on May 21, 2009, 07:24:07 AM

Title: Westone Thunder 1A
Post by: georgie_boy on May 21, 2009, 07:24:07 AM

Anyone know anything about these. I remember them back when I was a pup, and they seemed well built, and had a great sound.
I've just seen one in a pawn shop, great condition, bolt on neck, and all original electrics etc.
 
What would that be worth on the market today......especially in the UK??

Title: Westone Thunder 1A
Post by: georgie_boy on May 21, 2009, 07:32:28 AM

Sorry, I think the bass is the Thunder 1, without the active electronics

Title: Westone Thunder 1A
Post by: white_cloud on May 21, 2009, 08:03:52 AM

I owned one of these back in 1985 George - it was great for the money!
 
A perfect starter bass for many youngsters during the eighties Im sure they were built in the Aria factory!
 
John.

Title: Westone Thunder 1A
Post by: georgie_boy on May 21, 2009, 08:13:34 AM

Thanks John.
I'm considering it.may even sell the Series to get it..................yeah  OK! I'm just foolin' around
 
G

Title: Westone Thunder 1A
Post by: olieoliver on May 21, 2009, 08:16:14 AM

I remember when Westone first came out. I was toying with the idea of switching to 5 string from 4. I didn't want to spend a ton of money to see if I liked 5 string so I purchased a black Westone 5 string. Played it maybe twice and hated every minute of it. Not sure if it was the bass or the fact that I'd been playing 4 string for so long that is to blame for that though.
I ended up donating that bass to a Church in Farmersville TX about 9 years ago.  
 
I do play 5 string now and love it. Of course they're all Alembics.  
 
OO

Title: Westone Thunder 1A
Post by: olieoliver on May 21, 2009, 08:21:59 AM

I think they were another Matsumoko product.

Title: Westone Thunder 1A
Post by: georgie_boy on May 21, 2009, 08:23:25 AM

You could have donated it to me Olie!!!
Thanks for the comment anyway,   as I said, it is in the shop, and seems a great price for what it is.
 
G

Title: Westone Thunder 1A
Post by: lbpesq on May 21, 2009, 08:43:48 AM

Westone was formerly Electra, IIRC.  Electra made a series of MPC instruments that had effects modules that plugged into a compartment in the back of the guitar.  There were several different modules and they were interchangeable.  Perhaps their most famous was the Outlaws guitar, played by The Outlaws.  Their logo looked like an upside down peace symbol.  The build quality was quite good.  I have a 335 style guitar with a Tree of Life inlay on the fretboard and one of the Outlaws.  Very nice guitars.
 
Bill, tgo

Title: Westone Thunder 1A
Post by: olieoliver on May 21, 2009, 08:51:21 AM

Bill, I've been told that Westone, Electra and Daion are all Kin. Not sure how much stock to put into that but the Thunder basses by Westone do have a Daion similarity to them.
 
OO

Title: Westone Thunder 1A
Post by: hb3 on May 21, 2009, 09:04:29 AM

Dude -- this was my first bass.

Title: Westone Thunder 1A
Post by: georgie_boy on May 21, 2009, 09:52:16 AM

So Hugh
What did you think of it??
I've got the chance of one, but am unsure at the moment what to do
 
 
George

Title: Westone Thunder 1A
Post by: lbpesq on May 21, 2009, 10:35:25 AM

Research I've read indicates that Electra and Westone, along with Aria, Vantage, and some Epiphones, were made at the Matsumoku factory.  Daions were made at the Yamaki factory.  Both factories turned out some very high quality instruments in the late 70's/early 80's.
 
Bill, tgo

Title: Westone Thunder 1A
Post by: terryc on May 21, 2009, 02:34:07 PM

I almost bought one many years ago as a back up but the neck was like a baseball bat.
The Aria's were better, Aria even made basses with Alembic pu's in with associated pre amps.

Title: Westone Thunder 1A
Post by: hb3 on May 21, 2009, 03:05:10 PM

George --  
 
I'd get it, if it's cheap. Maybe a couple hundred bucks.  
 
H

Title: Westone Thunder 1A
Post by: flaxattack on May 21, 2009, 10:36:14 PM

i have a westone 5 string
for a cheap bass its pretty darn good
plus it has a narrow neck
i got mine with a snakeskin body.........