hamfist

[quote name='Leon Transaxle' timestamp='1380102066' post='2220704'] As a Westone owner I am really impressed with what you have done here. Did Westone change other hardware as well as the pickup? I have a brass bridge and a brass nut on mine. Mine is tatty but I'll not do anything to it. Partly as I lack the necessary ability and partly because all the dings on it are mine. [/quote] Thanks for your comments ! There were 3 versions of the THunder 1a I think. v1 had the brass nut and bridge and traditional P pickup, V2 lost the brass nut. V3 added the different pickup (also nearer the bridge) and a big, chunky cast bridge instead of the brass Fender-esque bridge. THey are all great basses as far as I can tell, but V3 has rather a different character to the other 2.

Cool. You in a ska band ?

[quote name='Jonnyboy Rotten' timestamp='1380099937' post='2220669'] Did you add the pup cover or is that standard too? [/quote] Standard pickup cover. I wasn't absolutely convinced about the colour until I put all the parts onto the body. As a plain body, the green was almost "too much", but with all the black and chrome (and the wood of the neck) I love the effect.

Well, this is my second attempt at a re-finish. It's not perfect but I am very pleased indeed with it. As a bonus, this Thunder 1A plays absolutely magnificently. I do prefer these version 3's, with the pickup (still a P pickup under that cover) a bit nearer the bridge. Anyway, I got the bass as a slightly tatty natural oak finish. Now's it's a satin "Pistacchio" finish. Painted with Plastikote super, primer and satin finish paints. I find these much nicer than Halfords acrylics, which do tend to sputter a lot when only half full. Also, the Halfords pain is not as durable as quickly as the Plastikote super (still an acrylic). The bass is completely standard apart from the obvious re-finish and a lovely rosewood thumbrest from that very nice chap Guy Lewis at http://www.classicguitarboxes.com/ I do ove the tone and punch of the Westone pickup (more in it's passive state I think at the moment). Although I'm not sure about the sloping pickup end. My thumb doesn't sit nicely there. I have a MIJ Westone Spectrum with the pickup in the same position and I have an EMG 40DC pickup in there, which is the standard square-edged rectangular shape and my thumb sits very, very comfortably on it. So, ultimately I might well tinker with putting an EMG (40 series) pickup in there, maybe even with one of their tone control systems too. But for the moment, I'm well chuffed with it. Will try it out at rehearsal this evening. [url=http://www.ephotobay.com/share/thunder-body-front.html][/url] [url=http://www.ephotobay.com/share/thunder-main.html][/url] [url=http://www.ephotobay.com/share/thunder-back-body.html][/url]

To be fair, it's a very clever and well worded advert. I'd put money on it being bought by a youngster though. I can't see anyone with a bit of experience falling for such a hugely inflated price.

Agreed, the basic bass big muff is pretty flawed. THe Deluxe version is a completely different beast though, and still reasonably priced. Has plenty of mids. I think you will like the gate on it too, for staccato on/off stuff .... very effective.

It doesn't like volume does it. Does it have any sort of input gain control ? Apart from that it seems like a decent little unit.

Paul, bought a Yamaha bass from me, sent to him via a courier. The whole transaction was easy and utterly painless. A top chap to deal with !

[quote name='Annoying Twit' timestamp='1379920894' post='2218115'] I'm local, so could have bought it. And in fact I did bid on it. But, I'm not sure why I'd need another Japanese four string fretted bass. Given that I didn't feel that a Aria Pro II SB700 was significantly better than what I have now, I'm not sure that the spectrum would have been. I submit a fair number of lowball bids on basses, but feel that the reason for my lowballing is not just stinginess mixed with unrealistic expectations, but also because it's not possible to buy every attractive bass that turns up on ebay. I'm sure the same applies to many people here. If the spectrum was a once in a blue moon instrument then I'm sure people would have made more serious bids. I'm now keeping a long term eye out for an unlined fretless 4 string. If a Thunder 2 of that description turned up local to me or with reasonable postage ... then my bid will look more serious. But, there are absolutely loads of fretted Matsumoku Westones turning up on ebay, so if one goes unsold, another will be along. In any case, it's quite possible the seller will relist the item. [/quote] I think my general point is not to anyone in particular but just a general rant that Westones are not appreciated or trendy. The build quality and parts on many is right up there with the equivalent Aria models. However, without the links to Cliff Burton and John Taylor, Westone stay firmly in the perceived "Japcrap" division. Good for me, in that I can buy awesome cheap basses, but I would love more people to discover and appreciate them too.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1379864606' post='2217520'] Is it just me or does the reflection on the back of the bass (picture 2) look like Darth Vader? [/quote] Looks more like King Kong to me.

If you're getting genuine dermatitis with nickel roundwounds, you very likely have an allergy to nickel. Try Steel roundwounds instead.... much lower nickel content.

[quote name='the hand of john curley' timestamp='1379878513' post='2217755'] Shocking...didn't meet reserve at £68..... Amazed....I had one as my first "proper"bass when they came out. Amazing guitars. [/quote] I am also amazed. Why did no-one here pick it up ?? I have the exact same model already, plus a Thunder, so it wouldn't have made sense for me. Those Spectrums are easily as good as the Thunders. Got an EMG 40DC in mine, which takes it to another level. It's a stonking bass.

Bit easier with a link ... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261291375801?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D261291375801%26_rdc%3D1

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1379799676' post='2216973'] Thanks, much appreciated! [/quote] Were those the sort of clips you were hoping for ?

[quote name='Bassman Sam' timestamp='1379798267' post='2216949'] Cool. Show the pix. That's the rule. [/quote] Slight correction ... That's the LAW

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1379784556' post='2216771'] Is anybody out there with one if these able to record some clips? Particularly interested to hear how it sounds played aggressively and how close it can get to Precision territory on the neck pickup! [/quote] You're in luck. I'm bored so here you are..... https://soundcloud.com/alanbridges/yamaha-trbx504-bass-clip-clean https://soundcloud.com/alanbridges/yamaha-trbx504-bass-clip-dirty

Assuming we're talking Westone here. If so, congrats !

Nice one. They are well thought of. Interested to hear your thoughts on it.

[quote name='Meddle' timestamp='1379709521' post='2216140'] I still hope I can buy a Thunder neck that isn't a complete banana before the hipsters drive up the prices of the old 'Uncle Mat' gear well beyond what it is worth. I own a wonderfully figured Thunder 1 body, but the neck was a basket case. I've come across some junker Thunders since, but they all suffered from a warped neck. Anyway, my Thunder after I stuck a 3/4 Samick neck on; [/quote] You're right, that is some lovely figuring on that Thunder body. And I like the dot pattern on that neck, with the Thunder body. Very nice ! I'm surprised you have struggled so much to get a decent neck, or at least buy a Thunder with a decent neck. I don't have that much experience, but both my Matsu Westones have beautiful necks. It's quite possible that separate necks for sale are for sale precisely because they are bad. And when a Thunder becomes a "junker" I guess one of the main things that cause it's "death" is damage to the neck or a ruined neck. Anyway, keep up the search !

[quote name='jeid' timestamp='1379687544' post='2215751'] I'm looking for pickups for a bass just now.. I loved all of those tones! [/quote] Interesting, I hadn't seen that vid before. The J pickup seemed very strong and tuneful indeed to me(and I'm not normally a great bridge J fan). The P pickup sounded rather weak in the mids however. I think it would have a tendency to disappear in a band context. I didn't like it at all. The distorted sounds were nice, but all you were really hearing was the tone of the distortion "device" (software ?) rather than the pickups as they all sounded very similar.

That sounds a bit worrying ! Sorry I have no idea how to help though. Greater minds than mine will chip in I'm sure.

Cool. Looks late 80's, Korean build probably ?