Westone Spectrum FX Guitar
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- Westone Spectrum FX put through its paces. This is one of the last versions of the Spectrum made in May of 1986 and features a scooped out heal, earlier versions would have a typical stepped setneck heal. When SLM changed the name from Electra to Westone (around October of 1984), the Phoenix models were also renamed to Spectrum, with the FX replacing the top of the line X199 Phoenix.
This one is totally original, down to the inverted knobs and strap buttons, just a really nice example that has mellowed to a off White, almost Yellow color. It would have been a striking pearl white when new. Missing the Trem bar. Got one? Give me a holler!
Sports the super versatile H/S/H pickup setup with the 3 push pull switches built into the vol/tone knobs. First switch is a coil cut for the humbuckers, 2nd switch turns on the middle single coil, 3rd switch reverses the phase of the Bridge Humbucker. Lots and lots of different pickup combinations are possible with this uncluttered layout. Some of the tones are subtle, and most players find 5 or 6 tones they like and can get to easily. All of the Phoenix/Spectrum guitars are well built, under-valued guitars, and the FX represents the pinnacle of this design with the all Maple body and scooped out heal. Thanks!
i got mine today.. x199.. now i understand why this guitar got so much love.. really good and tasty..weight,body,neck is so perfect..
Great guitar and playing...
Awesome guitar. I have a Westone Spectrum bass which I got in 1985; it has the same shape body and headstock as your guitar and it's still my special bass. I remember the shop I bought it in had lots of Westone guitars and basses on the wall. If I run across a Spectrum guitar I'm going to be tempted to grab it as a match for my bass. Especially if it's as nice as yours.
I had a feeling that would come to an end. Partly we are to blame because as owners we constantly rave about how great they are. Well, they'll always be great guitars, but the prices might might not be for long. especially as they are oop. They were the PRS of the 80s but never took off the way PRS did--maybe it was the MIJ factor.
I have almost the same guitar that I got for 50$ at theft store. Mine doesn't have the same pick ups or built-in neck but same colour, pick up arrangement and push pull knobs. Can't wait to take it apart to clean then restring and hope she sounds as elegant as yours
Thanks for the comments guys, you're too kind! I've been looking for a H/S/H Electra for a while now, and I think this one will keep me pacified... I hope!
Brilliant Guitar
Lovely looking guitar lovely sound and you play it so well I have a sx which is nice too
my bass is a spectrum II from around 89. i love how its rarely seen so no one else has my exact bass
Dude, I totally have that same guitar!
I have ro tell you I really enjoy your videos... quite an impressive collection. I've become a huge Matsumoku fan over the last year or so, I purchased a 1980 X260 with the thin flamed maple top last summer and it quickly became my go to guitar .... also have a 1981 black x210. Just bought a 1984 X185 in blue-burst new condition including original strings ... delivery coming this week...CANT WAIT .. Please keep posting the videos ... love your playing and reviews of these wonderful instruments.
I have the 1985 Spectrum ST Bass with the exact same body and color as that guitar. Even has the exact same head stock. S/N 5082868 so I am guessing it could be one of the earlier models. I picked mine up for a steal of $135 and it still sounds and plays like new. Very dependable and has lasted all this time with the original factory settings and gear except strings of course.
80's gold!
I have this exact model and mine is also the creme white. However mine must have been made after yours because mine has the bendmaster Deluxe tremelo system. The Westone site says the later models switeched to the deluxe. all esle is exactly the same. Love this this guitar, Thanks for the demo was nice to see what it looks like being played by someone else.
lovely guitar . I've not long bort a blue Pantera ebony neck . it's oh so easy to play . I got it because I love my 6 string thunder 2 active . just renewed the soldering and switches that made it much crisper got heavyish strings on it westone never out of tune.
Westone guitar which were branded "westone" have been around in Europe for as early as 1980, we had models like "Thunder", "Concord" and "Paduak"
When the Spectrum series appeared in 1984, both the Concord and the Paduak were discontinued, so I guess what they did was to give both the US market and the European market matching models under a matching brandname.
Westones, like any Matsumoku made instrument, are good value for money and indestructible.
Thanks for the excellent video, you've given me a renewed appreciation for my guitar. I have the exact version, in fact my S/N is 6053310, just a couple of guitars away from yours. Your tone sounds cleaner, but probably because my strings are a couple of years old.
That's just the Channel switch on the Mark IIb Boogie. Most of the demo is done with the rhythm channel, and after turning down the gain at the beginning, it was just easier to click in the Lead channel at the end.
great playing and tone
I want one of these BAD. What tones you have sir!
Whoah! I have 3 Westone Spectrums, 2 ST's and a red MX with a red fingerboard! Fine guitars for the money but the UBC humbuckers sound thin at the bridge, almost Tele like. This type of Spectrum i have never seen for sale in my country. I really like the necks on the Spectrums, perfect for my hands.
i have collected about 5 Westone guitars including an Electra Phoenix. Though i don't currently use any of them in my band they hold their own and are quality axes. I have a Spectrum but not the FX like this. However I did a repair / setup for a guy who had this same color and model and I did not want to give it back! LOL
I just got a red one for $60. VERY pleased.
sounds great
Nice job, Mike.
Nice Blackfoot riff
According to the August 1986 pricelist, the FX in Snow White listed for $659 without a case, that would be another 100 bucks. Stores were probably selling them for 25% less to players. Thanks.
Very nice indeed.
I'm watching a GT version on ebay, but I don't think it's a patch on this one !
Thanks for this - as usual a great Vid loved the ZZ top - I also love the old Westones
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh though..... enough people know about these already and you can't pick them up on e-bay for peanuts anymore which makes my wife very happy but me quite morose!!
Cool video.
wow. definately tastier than a cheeseurger deluxe
Good tool!!!
Nice!
BTW just fyi my other matsumoku made guitars are a LP Custom copy Aria Pro II. Great guitar very heavy. An Aria gibson double cut out copy with a rose vine down the fingerboard, incredible tone on the neck pickup p90. and a Washburn Eagle with a neck thru design. also a great guitar but Im thinking about selling that one because I dont' play it much.
~ Hey Mike, nice Kiss licks there!!!
I grew up on a Black, Westone Spectrum Lx (MIJ 198-MBK) though, Was defrauded & lost everything! Just purchased a Westone SX, NOT EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED BUT, BETTER THEN NOTHING! I am happy with my purchase but, it's definitely not my original Westy! Still searching!!! P.s. LAST SEEN ARROUND THE Wheeling W.V. area & WHEN LAST SEEN, IT HAD A WHITE & BLACK DC STICKER ON IT & IT WAS IN ITS ORIGINAL CASE- ALL BLACK WESTONE SPECTRUM LX WITH A SMALL DING ARROUND THE VOLUME & TONE KNOB AREA- WILLING TO PAY FOR IT'S RETURN!!!!!!!!!! Personally, I had mine tightened up a smidge & was running 13 gauge strings for more of a metal sound but, Did not fair well for the tremello/lesson learned. What color does your white Westy turn under a blacklight??? My black one turned a neon green! I could play my Westy better then any other guitar! Purchased a line 6 series 3 spider amp & was given a satin finished Takamine G-series as a gift from my father & they sounded great threw that line-6 series 3 spider! Especially the Takamine, It sounded & played perfectly! Was my 3 favorite tools,,, That & my Steinway & Sons piano!
the Tremolo is a throwaway tho
what do you mean is there a trem change out possible
What pedal did you kick in? It sounded like my rockbox in fat asymmetrical mode
I have this very same guitar in my collection (color also). Judging by the serial it was made in august of 1986. I may be interested in selling this, as I have been playing more acoustic stuff. What would be the price I should ask for this guitar?
I paid around $400 with shipping a few years ago for mine and don't regret it. Check eBays completed auctions to see what the current going rate is, or just list it with lots of clear photos and see what the market will bear. If you're trading it to a store, expect a lot less as they will have overhead and need to make a profit. Good luck.
+Vincent, Ash As far as the Pickups go, These are all Maple heavy bodies and are bright by nature. Some people think the MMK's are a little harsh, but I'm used to how they behave and like them. Changing the pickups won't affect the value that much, most of these guitars have been languishing in the $200 range for decades. Check eBay for Bridge parts, ask questions about thread size, etc., you could get lucky.
How much did this guitar originally cost?
You make EVH circa 2018 look like dirt.
You'll have a lot of time to play Japanese Guitars when you're LIVING IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!!!
mjm33mjm I have one that's so similar but its bolt on neck, different humbuckers and has the same Bendmaster trem. Its not an FX though. I am jealous! I bought mine for $85 and its not in as good of condition but sounds just metal as yours. ....almost lol
What years did Westone put the output on the bottom edge? I cannot remember exactly what year my Westone spectrum lx (198mbk) was but, Mine also had the output on the bottom edge, like yours & I also had a white spectrum lx However, I LOST MY BABY@ I OWNED IT FROM AN EARLY AGE, WELL OVER 25 YEARS & LOST IT TRAGICLY ARROUND THE WHEELING W.V. AREA & I WOULD PAY TO GET MY BABY BACK! It had a small ding & also had a DC sticker when last seen & was in it's original case! I will constantly be searching for my baby & willing to pay! IF ANYONE HAS A WESTONE, PHEONIX, OR ELECTRA FOR SALE, PLEASE CONTACT ME PLEASE???
What a sound. I met a guy had one and wouldn't sell it to me so I shot him and took it. Kidding
I have almost that same guitar. Made a video comparing the Spectrum with an Aria Pro II 'The Cat', a Hondo h77 and a modern Yamaha Pacifica 311H: ua-cam.com/video/uvHzNQFRBkw/v-deo.html