N(O)BD - Westone Thunder Jet

[bartelby]

I picked up a lovely old 1984 Westone Thunder Jet yesterday. It's in need of some tlc as it looks like it's had quite a life. 

 

None standard knobs or bridge. New, more accurate, bridge is on the way. I've got some brass Thunder I style knobs on the way, but I am watching an auction for original ones. The pots are in dire need of a clean, or replacing.

 

 

The logo has gone, I'll get one made, and the truss rod cover is worn, so I'll sort that too.

 

I'll need to investigate why one machine head is wonky, and they're quite tight to turn. Fortunately they're not branded so replacements are easy to find.

 

 

 

I've been after a Thunder Jet for a while now and I wanted a little project to keep my occupied while some work being done to the house means my music room is out of action. Through a preamp pedal and headphones this bass sounds amazing, the pickup has a lot of output. Westone were right to name them Hard Puncher.
I might give the body a light refinishing, just enough to return it to a more flat finish it came with, but not enough to look new.

 

If anyone out there has a Thunder Jet can you tell me if the logo is white or that flat gold colour Westone used. Cheers

[rwillett]

This one looks similar to yours (for some value of similar)

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325784004555?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=fiyFn5zpR12&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=70h8JO93TH6&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

The knob look like the ones I have on my 6 string so guessing this is fairly original. I'm no expert though so take this with a pinch of salt. 

 

Rob 

Edited August 24, 2023 by rwillett

[Paul S]

I had two of these, fabulous things.  An extra fret and lighter in weight compared to the 1A.  And the stealth look is cool as anything. 

 

Logo was flat gold.  Knobs were black, like the rest of the hardware.

 

 

 

Page here about them.  http://www.westone.info/thunderjetbass.html

 

[Paul S]

Edit for extra.  Checking my old pictures I had three of these!  This one had one of the original knobs, looked like black cupcakes that sloped slightly inwards at the base.

 

Edited August 24, 2023 by Paul S

[bartelby]

37 minutes ago, Paul S said:

Edit for extra.  Checking my old pictures I had three of these!  This one had one of the original knobs, looked like black cupcakes that sloped slightly inwards at the base.

 

Yep, those are the kind I’m watching. But for now I’ll spray the brass ones, that are coming, matt black.

 

cheers for the confirmation of the logo too 😊

[Paul S]

I seem to recall that a similarly shaped knob was used on a radio of some sort - there is or was a Westone forum and people used to talk of it.  Might be worth a search. 

[Shaggy]

Great score bartelby 👍 -  as for the TRC I guess you can carefully touch up the logo; if not, these guys will make one for you: 

https://reproguitarparts.com/#!/Electra-Westone/c/1385115

They custom made a creme version of the TRC for my Thunder II, which is now also part of their catalogue.

 

[hooky_lowdown]

Westone Thunders are hugely underrated. I had a mint Thunder 1A, fantastic bass, one I miss selling. I think the "Hard Puncher" name for the pups are a referrence to the Tokai Hard Puncher - same pup. Sound great.

Edited August 28, 2023 by hooky_lowdown

[Shaggy]

Just noticed it looks like that site I mentioned for the TRC does the knobs you’re after as well: 

https://reproguitarparts.com/#!/Electra-Westone-Volume-and-Tone-Knob/p/199597582/category=1391098

 

edit: also just noticed they’re sold out, but if you contact them I bet they could source some more

Edited August 24, 2023 by Shaggy

[bartelby]

New bridge arrived. Action is now lower, intonation spot on and no hand shredding bridge screws sticking up. 
 

 

@Shaggy I’ve email them to see if they’re getting any more in stock.

[WinterMute]

I had a Thunder 1a Fretless in black, my first fretless bass, very underrated basses at the time, i think they get the recognition these days.

 

I P/ex'd it against a Wal Pro 1 fretless, which was a better built bass but didn't play as well.

[bartelby]

The brass knobs turned up earlier. Was rather surprised to find that at some point, someone glued the current knobs on. I got the tone one off ok, but the volume one snapped the shaft.

I'll replace the pot and spray the knobs matt black.

 

[dmckee]

Nice! My first ‘proper’ bass was a Thunder Jet, bought for £100 from pawn shop in Glasgow in the mid 80s. Very fond memories. I heard a 1A getting played at Belladrum this year (by someone younger than the bass!) and it sounded great. 

[bartelby]

I was sat playing the bass earlier and noticed there was a tiny bit of logo colour on the headstock. Wondering if it had just been painted over I grabbed a couple of alcohol wipes and bingo!! 
The truss rod cover was painted too!!

[Paul S]

Result!!  Clearly a past owner was ashamed of the brand but liked the bass.

[Musicman666]

On 25/08/2023 at 15:43, WinterMute said:

I had a Thunder 1a Fretless in black, my first fretless bass, very underrated basses at the time, i think they get the recognition these days.

 

I P/ex'd it against a Wal Pro 1 fretless, which was a better built bass but didn't play as well.

i pxed my thunder iii for a wal pro 1 fretless... long time ago but i did remember the thunder had serious neck dive issues ...the wal was way better.

[WinterMute]

18 hours ago, Musicman666 said:

i pxed my thunder iii for a wal pro 1 fretless... long time ago but i did remember the thunder had serious neck dive issues ...the wal was way better.

I don't remember if the Westone had neck-dive problems, it was the bolt on, not the through neck, so I wonder its that made a difference.

 

The Wal sounded great, but I didn't like its dimensions as much. I p/ex'd it against a Thumb 5 string in 1988, kept that for 25 years.

[hooky_lowdown]

On 24/08/2023 at 08:49, bartelby said:

Yep, those are the kind I’m watching. But for now I’ll spray the brass ones, that are coming, matt black.

 

cheers for the confirmation of the logo too 😊

If you're still looking, I have some original knobs available...

 

 

[Skybone]

One of the few basses I regret selling, a Thunder 1A.

 

Great score @bartelby, enjoy!