Rich Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 (edited) Picked this beauty up from @Moos3h last night... thank you so, so much, and I hope you had a safe journey to the Riviera This really is a 37 year itch finally scratched... these were all the rage when I started out playing, I'd always fancied getting my hands on one and now after all these years I have. Yes it has some issues, as James pointed out in his ad: the electrics are not working and one of the switches is knackered... should all be straightforward (oh blimey, that's the kiss of death isn't it ) and if it still doesn't work I've got a Yamaha 2-band eq I can put in there instead; there's a hairline crack in the neck... I'll flood some thinned glue into it if it needs anything, but it doesn't seem to affect stability or playability; it's got a few major league dings in the body as the pic shows... I'm not sure what to do with these really, a refinish would cost a fortune and I don't want to spend a shedload of cash on it. I might just seal the edges of the dings with glue to stop any more flaking off, and call it mojo The serial number places it in December 1982. The neck feels great and it plays well, action is fine and all the hardware works. The missing knob is present, I'd taken it off when I took the pic. I've not yet plugged it in so I don't know how it sounds, but from what I've seen on yootoob the 1A core tone appears to be P-bass-on-steroids. I have a feeling that my bitsa P is going to struggle to keep its place in my working group. Happy day. Edited May 10, 2019 by Rich 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 My first bass...mine had a natural finish. People now complain about how heavy they were - I didn't notice. Good basses - enjoy. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted May 10, 2019 Author Share Posted May 10, 2019 It really doesn't strike me as all that heavy at all. Having said that, I have a few heavy basses anyway -- the Sire V7 is heavy, the Wal is heavier, and the bitsa P is like wearing a sofa -- so I'm used to it I reckon this is lighter than any of those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 Nice. It can also be wielded in a zombie attack without fear of breaking, practically indestructable. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted May 10, 2019 Share Posted May 10, 2019 As another bassist who started out in the early 80s I sooooo wanted one of these. Looks like you got a great bass there @Rich 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassislife16 Posted May 11, 2019 Share Posted May 11, 2019 (edited) I was 15 minutes too late. Gutted. Please let me know if you choose to move this on, I could do with a backup. Edited May 11, 2019 by Bassislife16 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted May 11, 2019 Share Posted May 11, 2019 Lovely bass. This one's a particularly nice looking one 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moos3h Posted May 11, 2019 Share Posted May 11, 2019 Glad you like it mate! And no, the journey was bloody awful thanks to the A38 *and* the A380 being shut...swines! Back now so all done for another week hehe. Enjoy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted May 11, 2019 Share Posted May 11, 2019 Welcome to the club! I bought one too, a few weeks ago. When I plugged it in it turned out that it sounds rather good. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted May 11, 2019 Author Share Posted May 11, 2019 14 hours ago, Bassislife16 said: I was 15 minutes too late. Gutted. Please let me know if you choose to move this on, I could do with a backup. Will do, but... don't hold your breath waiting 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stingray5 Posted May 11, 2019 Share Posted May 11, 2019 Another "welcome to the club" here, Rich. 👍😎👍 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebs Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 Fab bass! Still have mine - first ever bass! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewblack Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 Back in the day it was Aria or Westone. We never actually came to blows over it and didn't realise the name which really mattered was Matsumoku on the neck plate. I have a couple of Thunders, sale pending on one and the other needs a little work to realise its worth. Of course if you're lucky to find one given away.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted May 14, 2019 Share Posted May 14, 2019 Is this an original finish? Love the colour Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 15 hours ago, AndyTravis said: Is this an original finish? Love the colour Just had a peep at the description and it states it's had a makeover prior to present ownership. Isn't this the work of one of our Basschat members? Seem to remember seeing this and another one being done. Whatever, fabulous makeover! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 Ah. I should learn to read Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebs Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 Just a bit of random Westone info if anyone is interested... Westone Thunder active guitar and bass manual.pdf Westone Randomness.pdf 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted May 15, 2019 Author Share Posted May 15, 2019 Update: Well, despite my best efforts with a new set of switches and a review of the wiring, the active innards remain unresponsive. I think my next move will be to strip it out carefully and replace it with an EMG BTS control I've got lurking around. I can run it at 18v like the original Westone circuit. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 Or run it passive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbiscuits Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 I had two of these in the late 80s and they were decent basses - really well built and solid sounding bits of kit. I've got a soft spot for getting one for old time's sake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc S Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 (edited) I had a Westone Thunder Jet, back in the early 80's. Great bass. Re the refinishing - I think I'd be tempted to to do an expensive refin job, unless you're adept at it yourself and it isn't going to cost a fortune. I always liked the colour of these, and the appearance of the contrasting bands of wood - looks fab to me. Perhaps as you say, best to seal the cracks in the finish, so it doesn't get any worse Re the electrics - could Kiogon of this parish help you out? He's a great BC'er to deal with and his solderless wiring loom kits are amazing quality and simple to fit I'm sure he could sort you something, as he's a really helpful sort Just a suggestion - I'm sure he'd even advise you on what you need Great new / old bass - enjoy, I'm sure you will EDIT: The only problem with my Thunder Jet, was the bridge saddle screws protruded outwards quite a bit - and as I played punky style, with plectrum and hand back right at the bridge, I ended up with cuts on the side of my hand. Nowadays, I'd just use a dremmel to shorten the screws - or buy slightly shorter alternatives Edited May 15, 2019 by Marc S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzmanb Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 Had a 111A fretless new in early 80s Too many knobs and too short a top horn for me,end of neck miles away Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted May 15, 2019 Author Share Posted May 15, 2019 Update update: I've fitted the EMG guts and it's huuuuge sounds absolutely awesome. 2 hours ago, prowla said: Or run it passive? Yeah, but I'd have to tipp-ex out the 'A' from the trussrod cover 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prowla Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 2 hours ago, Rich said: Update update: I've fitted the EMG guts and it's huuuuge sounds absolutely awesome. Yeah, but I'd have to tipp-ex out the 'A' from the trussrod cover A for Awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveFry Posted May 16, 2019 Share Posted May 16, 2019 Wiring diagram for anyone ;- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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