Electra/Westone club

[theoldman]

Just picked this beautiful specimen up at a local pawn shop this afternoon. Looks like it's hardly been played. Aside from a few very minor scratches it's pristine. Can't wait to get started putting it to use.

 

[JIO]

Just picked this beautiful specimen up at a local pawn shop this afternoon. Looks like it's hardly been played. Aside from a few very minor scratches it's pristine. Can't wait to get started putting it to use.

Man, I've got to start haunting pawn shops - nice score! - only time I bought a bass from a pawn shop (we called them 'hock-shops' back then) was in 1974. A '63 T-bird for (wait for it…) $150 w/orig HSC & all covers & brass/felt mute in place. It was a bit beat-up, and it was only 9 years old then…

 

[DanAdams]

I really like the looks of the Genesis. Sweet bass.

Just picked this beautiful specimen up at a local pawn shop this afternoon. Looks like it's hardly been played. Aside from a few very minor scratches it's pristine. Can't wait to get started putting it to use.

 

[DanAdams]

I love the basses, but the angled shape on the edges of magna bass pickups makes them unusable as thumb rests
Also I'm noticing many of the upper horns only extending to the 18th fret, and/or bridges sometimes not being at the bottom of the body makes the 1st fret a pretty long reach when wearing it with a strap.
Is anyone else noticing these things?

 

[theoldman]

Man, I've got to start haunting pawn shops - nice score! - only time I bought a bass from a pawn shop (we called them 'hock-shops' back then) was in 1974. A '63 T-bird for (wait for it…) $150 w/orig HSC & all covers & brass/felt mute in place. It was a bit beat-up, and it was only 9 years old then…

Now that's a heckuva deal! I found this one on Craigslist. Definitely had some luck with that site, just gotta keep checking every so often.

 

[theoldman]

I love the basses, but the angled shape on the edges of magna bass pickups makes them unusable as thumb rests
Also I'm noticing many of the upper horns only extending to the 18th fret, and bridges sometimes not being at the bottom of the body makes the 1st fret a pretty long reach when wearing it with a strap.
Is anyone else noticing these things?

I'll have to watch out for that. I got this bass to use with a jazz group I play with. The electric bass songs in that band have a lot of chordal stuff up around the 12+ fret area. So hopefully those things won't be much of an issue there.

 

[DanAdams]

Just picked this beautiful specimen up at a local pawn shop this afternoon. Looks like it's hardly been played. Aside from a few very minor scratches it's pristine. Can't wait to get started putting it to use.

All the pawnshops I visit just have 1000 Deans, few weird pointy Washburns, an overpriced Schecter and a broken Peavey.

 

[JIO]

Now that's a heckuva deal! I found this one on Craigslist. Definitely had some luck with that site, just gotta keep checking every so often.

Yah, bummer though as it was stollen a couple years later - an apt break-in. I replaced it with a "closet classic" '64 for $750, which I still have. It was from an east coast biz that sold vintage gear in '78. I could have had a T-bird IV for $50 more but couldn't afford the extra money! How times have changed.

 

[DanAdams]

Which one of you grabbed the cheap janked-up Super Headless?
I'm bummed that I forgot to bid.
Westone Super Headless Bass guitar

 

[Ottobasskirk]

post a pic! I have found the active circuits on the Westones to be stupid and useless. it's an active one knob thing that doesn't create any useful sounds (for me). You may just have a dead battery. I would not bother fixing the active electronics if they are broken. If you've got the Magnabass pickups then you should get awesome tone and really hot output passively.
Does anyone like the active westone thing? Is it always the weird single knob active circuit like on spectrums, later thunders, and I think it appears the same on genesis and super headless and others?

Well, I went ahead and did it. I took out the pickups and active preamp, and replaced it with cheap internet parts. Just had to do a little bit of filing to get the pickups in, nothing drastic. I hooked her up, and OMG, it sounds fantastic!!!! I have a Fender modified Jaguar HB bass, and my friends Yamaha, and my new outfitted Electra/Weston bass kicks their ass!! I have also been playing with my friends Mexican Fender Jazz bass and I think my new rebuild is superior to that too. I only hope that these cheap parts last. I also now have three extra holes in the body. I left the three way switch that selects the pickups in. But I took out the three little switches under the knobs, and put the pot that selects the pickups in the last hole. Now, what to do with the two extra holes.

 

[JIO]

Well, I went ahead and did it. I took out the pickups and active preamp, and replaced it with cheap internet parts. Just had to do a little bit of filing to get the pickups in, nothing drastic. I hooked her up, and OMG, it sounds fantastic!!!! I have a Fender modified Jaguar HB bass, and my friends Yamaha, and my new outfitted Electra/Weston bass kicks their ass!! I have also been playing with my friends Mexican Fender Jazz bass and I think my new rebuild is superior to that too. I only hope that these cheap parts last. I also now have three extra holes in the body. I left the three way switch that selects the pickups in. But I took out the three little switches under the knobs, and put the pot that selects the pickups in the last hole. Now, what to do with the two extra holes.

If you don't feel like adding more electronics - you may be able to find small black rubber plugs or some sort at the hardware store that will fit the holes. I think the cheap electronics will last just as long as any. A studio engineer/player (i.e., a discerning ear) I know A-B'd an OP-3 against a similar MIC cheap preamp and he couldn't tell the difference. (other than the cost difference!) - rock it!

 

[DanAdams]

Now, what to do with the two extra holes.

Congratulations. Did you use that $6 p bass pickup I mentioned? I love that thing.
you could always always add a series parallel switch for the split coil and a phase switch as a cheap DIY project. It probably wouldn't give you any really useable sounds, but it would fill the holes and add some extra fancy-ness

 

[DanAdams]

My Thunder one had a crack by the knobs, and a previous owner's finger scum had invaded the grain in parts. A grain fill and cheap ass refinish (flat parts only) and it's looking like this now.
It's a little kooky but I'm digging it and both problems were taken care of with the grain filling. whoohoo. WESTONE! I love these necks too.
I'll rub on some poly later so it shines just a bit.

 

[Spectrum]

Sweet. That's all maple, right? According to sources my Spectrum is a maple body.

 

[DanAdams]

Sweet. That's all maple, right? According to sources my Spectrum is a maple body.

This is a thunder, the body sides are Ash. It's a maple neck, rosewood fretboard and the lighter colored wood down the center of the body is maple, the dark stripes are walnut.
Lots of different woods in this bass.
It has the same body shape and electronics as some of the early Spectrums and Electras.

I sanded down my Spectrum and it is indeed solid maple. it's pictured earlier in this thread. The later pointy Spectrums are not maple.

 

[JIO]

My Thunder one had a crack by the knobs, and a previous owner's finger scum had invaded the grain in parts. A grain fill and cheap ass refinish (flat parts only) and it's looking like this now.
It's a little kooky but I'm digging it and both problems were taken care of with the grain filling. whoohoo. WESTONE! I love these necks too.
I'll rub on some poly later so it shines just a bit.

looks fab! I also love the Westone necks!

 

[Ottobasskirk]

Congratulations. Did you use that $6 p bass pickup I mentioned? I love that thing.
you could always always add a series parallel switch for the split coil and a phase switch as a cheap DIY project. It probably wouldn't give you any really useable sounds, but it would fill the holes and add some extra fancy-ness

Yep, cheap pickups, neck and bridge. Cheap preamp. Million dollar Electra Weston. Now, I might have to replace the frets. They are pretty worn. First I'll try and sand the high ones, but the worn ones are pretty low.

 

[DanAdams]

I've got a full blown case of Westoneitus. I'm not well.
But if I can get a Spectrum GT in great condition with original case shipped for under 200 bones, I can not say no.
That brings me up to five Westones. only my thunder III cost more than $200 (at $230 plus shipping)
When will the rest of the bass world realize?
Does anyone have five or more?

 

[DanAdams]

HOLY CATS!
My bargain Spectrum GT came in the mail today. the electronics needed some severe cleaning, but :O this thing is MINT! not a scratch or dent on it. Original case. WOW, this is a surprising and thrilling score. it even has new strings... it's a Punchy one indeed.
Does this bass look familiar to you Mr. Spectrum?

Sweet. That's all maple, right? According to sources my Spectrum is a maple body.

 

[Spectrum]

HOLY CATS!
My bargain Spectrum GT came in the mail today. the electronics needed some severe cleaning, but :O this thing is MINT! not a scratch or dent on it. Original case. WOW, this is a surprising and thrilling score. it even has new strings... it's a Punchy one indeed.
Does this bass look familiar to you Mr. Spectrum?

That is beautiful! Did Westone sell a case for these? I never had one, I just used whatever generic case it fits in. I actually got it to fit in a spare plastic Rickenbacker case by squishing the foam a little bit in some spots.

That finish is amazing, seriously, that's one of the cleanest Spectrums I've ever seen.