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Electra/Westone club

#282
Waxed the neck and body last night,just 2 coats but probably do 2 more as I'm still waiting on parts,only fretwire,Lemon Oil and a Nut arrived so far.
Scanned the body then played around in PS for a bit to get the grain matching. Should work out Ok as it's only the part over the Control cavity needed and there'll be slight distortion through the clear plastic.

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#283
While searching CL today I found an ad for 2 guitars for $60. The heading mentioned Electra so I clicked it open. Checked out the ad and called the guy asking about just the bass. He said he'd sell me just the bass.

So I'm now the proud owner of an Electra Phoenix bass that cost me $30. It needs some work (needs a nut, a set of strings and probably a setup and check of the electronics) but even after all that I still feel like I hit the jackpot. Before I got it I humored the idea of defretting it but after playing it, that idea went out the window. It plays very nice.

I don't have pics yet of it, but when I do I'll post them :cool:
 
#286
Here's the Spectrum ST bass I bought for under a hundred Euro at the guitar fair last week.
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I owned a Westone Thunder 1 (the non-active version) before but this Spectrum is a better bass.

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It looks like its been run over by a tank but is still sound, which is the thing I love about Matsumoku instruments, they are indestructible.
 
#288
Here's my Concord after the rub down. Re-Fretted, Nut added,New Machines,Bridge and Strap Locks.

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Waiting on Mylar caps for tone pot.Still toying with the idea of a clear pickguard or maybe another rub down,re-spray and a later style pickguard. I like the Yellow one.

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#292
Spectrum said:
Did someone say Spectrum GT?

I certainly did. It's funny I never really considered them before, probably because Thunders were the model when I started playing.My loss cos mine's a great bass.
In little over a month I now have 2 and realise Westone were serious in the 80's,confident to market they're own designs. I'm looking forward to getting the Concord finished.

Upon reflection your GT looks mean and moody,the element of Cool.
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#297
My friend had this moldy old bass with two necks. The batteries were all messed up so I replaced them and the battery connector. Plugged her in and OH MY GOD (sorry for the valley girl talk) this bass ROCKS !!!! The neck shape is fantastic, the action is superb, the black finish is like glass. And the variations on the tones are incredible. Looked it up and wound up here. It is a electra westone bass 695JB with 2 necks in the original case. I need some help. What do all the knobs and and switches do? And what is this market value on this? I think I want to buy this thing from my friend, who has no idea what it is. I want to give him a fair price for it.
 
#298
Ottobasskirk said:
My friend had this moldy old bass with two necks. The batteries were all messed up so I replaced them and the battery connector. Plugged her in and OH MY GOD (sorry for the valley girl talk) this bass ROCKS !!!! The neck shape is fantastic, the action is superb, the black finish is like glass. And the variations on the tones are incredible. Looked it up and wound up here. It is a electra westone bass 695JB with 2 necks in the original case. I need some help. What do all the knobs and and switches do? And what is this market value on this? I think I want to buy this thing from my friend, who has no idea what it is. I want to give him a fair price for it.
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These are getting sort of rare. There was a couple on EBay a few months back that were in cherry condition that sold high, around 900, but the average is around 500, give or take.the knobs ,if I remember right were VVT but maybe someone else here would know about the toggles. You are correct about the quality and tone. Worth every penny. Haven't been made since 87 . One neck is fretted the other fretless. Hope this helped a little.serial number on the back of the neck, the number it starts with ,like say 2 , means 1982. Matsomuko made bass.
Extremely well made in Japan basses and guitars.
 
#300
Thanks Wolfmancharlie. The knobs are clear, numbered 1 - 10. Are these original? And some of the screws are tarnished so I am wondering if they are brass? Since the serial number is 4010145 I am assuming it is a 1984. Does 145 mean that this was the 145th bass made that year? 401? 1984 January? How long do the 9v batteries last? My newer Fender Jaguar Modified HB bass has over 6 months with the same battery. I think I read somewhere that these basses eat up batteries. This bass is heavy. I am thinking this bass is a real keeper. I opened up the back and got a chuckle about the old electronics. The assemblage looked like some of my early amateur electronics projects. I am hearing that some guys are replacing the pickups. But aren"t these pickups unbalanced and that is part of there unique sound? I am going to restore this one. Who knows, maybe I'll learn how to play fretless.
 

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