Westone Thunder 1A version 3

[Paul S]

Does anyone own a Westone Thunder 1A version 3? This is the '85/6 onwards, Magnabass pickup rather than split P type, chromed 'high mass' bridge and coil tap on volume control, rather than via a toggle switch. Shown about halfway down this page - the red one [url="http://www.westoneguitars.net/basses/thunder/"]http://www.westoneguitars.net/basses/thunder/[/url]

I recently bought the fretless version of this and was pleasantly surprised to find it weighs just 8.5lbs, rather than the heavy old lump I was expecting to put up with for occasional use. My old early Thunder 1A was over 10lbs.

So this begs the question - are all version 3s under 9lbs or was I just lucky? Does anyone have a version 3 and able to weigh it, please?

ta!

Paul

[chriswareham]

Could it be a Korean made one that was built from a different wood to the earlier Japanese ones? Just a supposition on my part that they used different woods, but it could account for the difference in weight.

[davehux]

I have one up for sale on here http://basschat.co.uk/topic/230180-westone-thunder-1a-open-to-sensible-offers/page__p__2412019__hl__westone__fromsearch__1#entry2412019

I'll stick it on the scales tonight, or you could just buy it and weigh it yourself

[Paul S]

[quote name='chriswareham' timestamp='1396875764' post='2418206']
Could it be a Korean made one that was built from a different wood to the earlier Japanese ones? Just a supposition on my part that they used different woods, but it could account for the difference in weight.
[/quote]

Logical thought but I neglected to say mine is an '86 and has 'Matsumoku' and 'Made In Japan' on the neck plate.

[quote name='davehux' timestamp='1396876964' post='2418221']
I have one up for sale on here [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/230180-westone-thunder-1a-open-to-sensible-offers/page__p__2412019__hl__westone__fromsearch__1#entry2412019"]http://basschat.co.u..._1#entry2412019[/url]

I'll stick it on the scales tonight, or you could just buy it and weigh it yourself
[/quote]

So you do! Would you be so kind as to weigh it? If it is a lightweight one I will quite likely buy it.

[davehux]

8lb 2oz according to my trusty kitchen scales

[Paul S]

PM incoming....

[geoffbyrne]

I had a Thunder MkIII (version 2) Fretless (not illustrated in that link) with the Magnabass T pickups, but don't remember it being particularly light.

G.

[Paul S]

Hi Geoff - maybe it is a quirk of the 1A version 3? Anyway, I'm not going to let a lightweight Thunder 1A go by...

[davehux]

...............and he didn't - mine is about to sprout wings and fly to Essex

[Paul S]

Yeehah!

Gotta love Westones!

[hamfist]

I have a v3, but the neck is sitting neglected in a corner and the body now has different neck, pickups etc on it.
In it's current format the bass with the v3 body weighs just under 9.5lbs

[Paul S]

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1396978414' post='2419414']
I have a v3, but the neck is sitting neglected in a corner and the body now has different neck, pickups etc on it.
In it's current format the bass with the v3 body weighs just under 9.5lbs
[/quote]

Go on then - do tell - what have you done to the poor thing?

[namefail]

Go on Hamfist, tell of your fishy ways? Oh and I do dig your A1 makeovers.

[hamfist]

[quote name='namefail' timestamp='1396983978' post='2419502']
Go on Hamfist, tell of your fishy ways? Oh and I do dig your A1 makeovers.
[/quote]

Don't want to take this thread over. I'll start a new one