Westbury W-20

No brainer- two knobs, on/off switch...even Rush Limbaugh could figure it out in the midst of an oxy binge.

I play a 1970 Les Paul Custom, a 1968 Tele, or a lawsuit Jap LP Junior into a TC Electronics Line Boost+Overdrive, vintage MXR Micro Amp, and this little beast..super simple set-up, yet very versatile. I can dial in raging crunch with this puppy, or go for classic rock sounds, all the way to Sonic Youth type mayhem. The sound is sterling-nothing else sounds like it, really. You hear the tone of your guitar.

Never even had to change the tube in 5 years of constant use...go figure.

Long gone.

I play a lot of styles, but my natural leaning is toward classic punk or proto-punk stuff: Stooges, Dolls, Pistols, Damned etc. This pedal excels at these gnarly rock tones. However, dial back the gain and the blues sound great, and there are pop tones galore. I think this pedal slightly favors humbuckers, but sounds ungodly with P90's too. I have been playing for over 20 years and I know good tone. These are friggin' expensive now- all the collector's want them. I saw one sell at a swap for a MIM Tele Custom and $100. Wow.

My Westbury W-20 is the best sounding pedal I've ever plugged into. It has a gain knob, a level knob, a stomp switch, and an on/off switch. Highest sound quality made simple!

My Westbury W-20 can make even the cheapest solid state practice amp sound like a vintage Marshall. (No I'm not kidding!)
Crank the gain and get the classic Van Halen sound.
Bring the gain down a few degrees and get the classic Brian May sound.
The pedal also adds a lot of ballsie warmth to the high E and B strings, which are naturally prone to sounding a bit tinny without the use of a good EQ. However, the W-20 achieves this without the added EQ.
If you can find one, buy it, and then send it to me. I'd love to own a spare!!!

I bought my Westbury W-20 on a fluke one day over 20 years ago. I was in Discount Music Center in Orlando, Florida. I told the saleman I was looking for the classic Van Halen sound, the George Lynch sound, the Eric Johnson sound, the Brian May sound,...etc... (you get the picture.)
The salesman reached behind his counter, pulled out something I'd never before seen (nor another since), and advised me to take it home. It was used when I bought it. I think I paid around $10 for it. That was a good day!

I have no idea about the company.

I play mostly classic 70's and 80's guitar styles. I've studied classical and jazz, although I prefer classical to jazz as classical stylings assimilate into rock guitar music more easily than jazz stylings to. (My opinion based on my experience.)
I've been playing for 30 years.
I own a Marshall 50 Watt half stack, a Roland Space echo, a chorus pedal, and a stereo flanger. My practice amp is an Estanban. It sounds as good as any solid state Peavey I've played through. Add my Westbury W-20 into the mix and I'm really happy with the sound I get for practicing in my room. My main guitar is a mutt that I built: Dimarzio strat body (black), Kramer hockey stick neck (maple/ black headstock), 2 Seymore Duncan humbuckers, gold harware, whammy bar, locking nut, etc.
My other guitar is a vintage 70's tele with a Seymore Duncan humbucker. It sounds GREAT! Yes, it would have been worth a fortune had I left it original, but I needed a rock guitar and couldn't afford to buy a new one.
I also have a late 1970's Gibson ES-175 (second). Original owner, all papers, case, etc. Probably worth a fortune! Any bidders?

Very simple to use with range of tone. I bought or traded for this pedal new from a local music store over 20+ years ago. The company did not make many of them and through the years have tried to find another one for back up. I've only seen one in over 20+ years and that was at a Nashville Vintage Guitar Show. The guy in front of me traded it to a dealer. I tried to buy if off the vintage dealer but he wouldn't sell and immediately stored it away.

Through over 20 years I have used this pedal with Marshall 1968 Plexi's, Marshall JTM 45, 1964 Fender Concert, Mesa Boogies...you name it; with, mainly vintage Les Pauls and stratocasters. It is without a doubt the best pedal distortion I've ever had--great lead sound. I've owned two original TS-808's and several TS-9's, original Fulldrive (aluminum box), and other effects; however, in my opinion it is by far the best sound. I enjoy playing a variety of artist; however, I was influence alot primarily by three artist--Jimi Hendrix, Duane Allman and Phil Keaggy. I try to keep it simple a chorus, flange, or echo device and different types of distortion. I've found that the Westbury W-20 has a range of sounds and works well with other distortions.

Very dependable and buildt like a rock. Made in Japan with quality. I've use it live in a variety of settings as a contemporary Christain artist from coffee houses, on the streets, schools, college, Churches (big and small), recordings, concerts, and prisons with no backup. Probably should have a backup but didn't use one.

I don't understand why more pedals where not made and support for it would be kinda rare; however, I use a genius electronic tech and I believe if there where a problem he could fix it. So far as parts I don't know if there standard today or the manufactures are still in business. On the other hand, what about a Tychobrahe Octavia, Shin-ei Univibe or Pre-CBS fender amps or original Marshall Plexi's. The point of support is almost of no concern in this case because of the age ( example: support for an original Stradivari violin). Opinions vary but alot of vintage instruments, pedals and amps are not in business. However, if there where a problem I believe I can get it fixed.

I played alot of different styles from classical, jazz, blues and rock.
I find the Westbury W-20 has alot of range to handle different styles of music. I've been playing guitar since 1965. I've own a 1968 Marshall Plexi, 1964 Fender Concert, 1957 Fender Deluxe, Marshall JTM 45, Marshall 900 series, and several Mesa Boogies to include a Triple Rectifier. I most play vintage Les Pauls and stratocasters; however, I owned PRS 10 top and other guitars. If the Westbury W-20 where lost or stolen in would be a miracle to replace and if not replace a since of emptyness could occur. I just has a unique sound that I've never heard from another distortion pedal or amp. I loved the sound when I traded for it new 20+ years ago and that hasn't changed. Like I've said I've owned TS-808's with the malaysian chip, TS-9's, Fulltone, etc. and it's still the best.

level and gain , foot switch, power on off (110ac)

smooth and edgy ,wide eq response,puts out what you put in . the best sounding fuzz box Ive heard.I bought this new in the early 80s and ive never seen another.Its one of the first distortions to use a tube.,

Ive abused this thing for 18 years,still works .Id hate to lose it, there is no replacement.P.S.I checked out the tube screamer when they were new way back when... they sucked then and they suck now.

your kidding !

the best (for me) P.S. tube screamers still suck !

VERY SIMPLE GAIN AND LEVEL CONTROLS. A 12 AX TUBE INSIDE, DC POWERED,
GREAT SOUND. YOU CAN DIAL IN A WARM OVERDRIVE SOUND ALL THE WAY TO BALLS OUT DISTORTION WITH KILLER SUSTAIN. THIS PEDAL SOUNDS BETTER THAN ANY I HAVE HEARD INCLUDING BOOGIES, AND FULLTONE. THE TUBE ALONG WITH DC POWER IS THE BRAINS BEHIND THE SOUND. JUST FIVE MINUTES WITHA GOOD TUBE AMP AND THIS AND YOU WILL FIND LOTS OF SOUNDS QUICK.

I HAVE THE FOLLOWING AS MY GEAR: A 1979 GUILD M-75 BLUESBIRD, A 1978
GUILD S-70, A 1973 FENDER SUPER REVERB, WESTBURY W-20, AND A MAESTRO FUZZ. ITS ALL I NEED TO GET THE SOUNDS I WANT INCLUDING DISTORTION.
THIS PEDAL IS NOISY IF YOU CRANK IT UP BUT HELL ITS A PREAMP! YOUR JUICING THE SIGNAL WHEN YOU HAVE IT CRANKED BUT THE SOUND IS WORTH IT.
I CAN GET CLASSIC ROCK OVERDRIVEN SOUND ALL THE WAY TO NEIL YOUNG CRAZY HORSE WALL OF SOUND.

BUILT TILL THE HILT NOT LIKE THESE CHEAP $30.00 CRAP BOXES OUT THERE DISQUISED AS A DISTORTION BOX. IT IS LATE 70'S AND IS LIKE NEW. YOU COULD GIG THIS TO THE END JUST HAVE SPARE TUBES. SAME TUBE IN FOR 2 YEARS NO PROBLEM.

GUYATONE INSIDE SO THEY BUILD SOME OF THE COMPONENTS? ANY GOOD TECH COULD PATCH IT UP BUT IT SEEMS TO BE A SURVIVOR.

iF YOU FIND ONE GRAB IT YOU WONT BE SORRY. i HAVE PLAYED FOR 20 YEARS AND HAVE LOTS OF GEAR. THIS PEDAL IS ONE OF THE FINEST I HAVE PLAYED.
IF YOU ARE A DEATH DEVIL METAL HEAD YOU WONT LIKE IT BECAUSE IT HAS TONE, NOT A SHRILLING METALIC SOUND BUT A SWEET TUBE OVERDRIVEN SOUND.
I WOULD REPLACE IT IF SOME *&%@# STOLE IT.