Boodang Posted September 23, 2021 Share Posted September 23, 2021 (edited) Now £200 including UK delivery. This is a version 1 Thunder (hence the 'script' logo) made at the Matsumoku factory Japan in 1982. As a consequence it is proudly displaying some battle scars! Not entirely original as it now has a Bartolini 8S pickup. This Thunder has an ash, maple & walnut laminate body (the solid colour models were solid maple), with a dark ash finish. There's a bit of the finish missing on the side of the body where you can see the laminate construction (see pic below). Other than the general wear to the body, there is a nick out of the edge of the fretboard at the 1st fret but it doesn't interfere with the string and in that respect is cosmetic only. The original pickups and electronics are truly hideous, so although the bass was in original condition when I got it, they got shown the inside of a bin and a Bartolini 8S was loaded. I use external pre-amps, so like all my passive basses the pickup is wired straight to the output jack. The pots and switches are original but they're not connected to anything. Other minor alterations; the knobs are from a jazz set (the originals were large brass) and I put in a neutrix locking jack. So, as the separate basschat thread asks, are Westone basses any good? Well, back in the day Matsumoku used to make the Aria pro ii series, so yes I think the craftsmanship is good but it does feel like a bass from the 80s. The neck is chunky (not necessarily a bad thing) and the thing is HEAVY! My first bass was a thunder so I like the neck shape, it's a sort of flat U shape near the nut and a rounded U shape the higher you go. Different to most modern basses. The electronics I thought always let it down but that's easily solved and I think the Bartolini has an organic sound that suits the Thunder. It does come with a hard case but to be honest it's knackered (the handle is missing and the finish is peeling). It'll do the job for postage but not much else. Collection or £20 postage in the UK. Edited January 29, 2022 by Boodang 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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