My Westone Thunder 1

[simon73]

[attachment=109:IMGP0014.JPG][attachment=109:IMGP0014.JPG]My Current and only bass (at the moment) I have had this for nearly a year.

Edited May 21, 2007 by simon73

[MacDaddy]

[quote name='simon73' post='1878' date='May 19 2007, 12:04 AM'][attachment=109:IMGP0014.JPG][attachment=109:IMGP0014.JPG]My Current and only bass (at the moment) I have had this for nearly a year.[/quote]

That's the bass I learned to play on. Or the bass I used when I first started to play

[simon73]

It was a good one to start playing with again after a break of many years.

[paul, the]

It's a beaut', classy with a bit of bling.

[simon73]

Thanks paul for that

[Mrs Tinman]

Yes, 'tis nice, Mr T has just explained the concept of PBass pickups to me (I just thought they were wonky lol)

[simon73]

Yes, my wife thought there was something wrong with it when I first got it, she said that the black boxes (pickups). don't look right!. Thankyo for your kind words.

[Krysbass]

Ah, at last another Westone owner! That's a nice bass - looks to be in good order. My first "proper" bass (as opposed to "pretend") was a Thunder IA in the same finish.

In fact, I liked my IA so much I moved on to a Thunder III, which more than 20 years on is still my main bass. I've looked for something newer from time to time, but could never find anything better without having to take out a 2nd mortgage.

[simon73]

THE III was the 1st bass I ever played. (That was about 20 years ago) and when I started again I chose the Thunder I because I realised how good they are. I have seen your bass in a previous bass porn thread. My I is very jealous and when he grows up he wants to be a III.

[Krysbass]

That's one thing about Westones - it tends to be those of us who were there when you could still buy them new (ie mainly the '80's) who know first-hand how good they are.

With production ending in the late '80's when the Matsumoku factory burned down (or whatever happened to it), those who've begun playing guitar or bass since then often aren't aware of the heritage behind this brand, and the low prices Westones usually fetch on Ebay don't give any clues about the quality either. They've become a bit of a well kept secret.

Good news if you're buying, but bad news if you're selling!

[Guest]

[quote name='Krysbass' post='7303' date='May 26 2007, 08:40 PM']That's one thing about Westones - it tends to be those of us who were there when you could still buy them new (ie mainly the '80's) who know first-hand how good they are.

With production ending in the late '80's when the Matsumoku factory burned down (or whatever happened to it), those who've begun playing guitar or bass since then often aren't aware of the heritage behind this brand, and the low prices Westones usually fetch on Ebay don't give any clues about the quality either. They've become a bit of a well kept secret.

Good news if you're buying, but bad news if you're selling![/quote]
Just like my fist bass about 18 years ago, eventually i put a jazz pickup in the bridge along with a better bridge and just volume and balance controls. Fantastic bass apart from the neck dive, to be honest after a fret level and a good setup ive always gauged a basses playability against it. The 'secret' may be starting to get out as prices seem to be creeping up on the bay, i would love a good III

[simon73]

I would love a good iii. I could end up as a westone collector!

[mildmanofrock]

[attachment=318:bass.jpg]

I got a Westone Spectrum ST (or GT? Not sure now) when I was fifteen. I finally sold it around 10 years ago. A great bass, especially for the price. In that time, I had a Rickenbacker and Status, and they didn't even come close.

Edited May 30, 2007 by mildmanofrock

[Rayman]

Has anyone tried a "Westbury" bass? I've had the guitar version in the past, and that was a real cracker, but I've only ever seen one bass on ebay a long time ago. The Westone basses were great, I think they're under valued today. That Thunder 3 is fabulous.

[jwbassman]

Guys, i saw this and thought of you ...

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WESTONE-Thunder-I-Bass-1984-Matsumoku-Japan-Classic_W0QQitemZ300115394819QQihZ020QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]link[/url]

John

[stingrayfan]

Great basses. My 23 year old Thunder 1A is sat right next to me. Almost identical to yours - but I went "deluxe" in 1984 and opted for active electronics. I use it for practice and recording - works a treat.

[jwbassman]

Just come across another one on ebay... [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WESTONE-THUNDER-1-A-BASS_W0QQitemZ260123676164QQihZ016QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]link[/url]

[BargyBass]

[quote name='jwbassman' post='8859' date='May 29 2007, 10:17 PM']Just come across another one on ebay... [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/WESTONE-THUNDER-1-A-BASS_W0QQitemZ260123676164QQihZ016QQcategoryZ4713QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]link[/url][/quote]
Thats what I used to have!! And to think I sold it to buy a guitar when the band I was starting couldn't find a guitarist.. They were the days of a glut of Hardcore Punk Bass Players in London..

[Hamster]

[quote name='MacDaddy' post='2334' date='May 19 2007, 04:14 PM']That's the bass I learned to play on. Or the bass I used when I first started to play [/quote]

My first bass was also a Westone - a IIA IIRC.

Hamster

[simon73]

Sounds like they were popular when they came out! I can understand why.

[elom]

There was an early Thunder 2 on the bay a couple of weeks back in very tidy condition. Sadly I could only afford an ultra-low bid (and couldn't really afford that). In the end it went for £310 which I think is still a bargain for someone.

[simon73]

Yes, I did see that. Was a bit pricy for me and I would still love the 3a.