Product: Westone RAIDER II
Price Paid: USD 125.00 USED
Submitted
07/17/2008
at
11:35am
by
Grant Koeller
Features
:
8
This bass was made in 1983 based on the first digit of the serial number.The Westone Raider basses were 22 fret,not 24 fret, and futuristic shaped! The neck is maple with rosewood fingerboard.One hot pick-up,(like a precision bass) and 2 control knobs, tone and master volume.This bass was meant to rock, in an 80's hair metal kind of way.I could see this bass being used by Poisons or twisted sister's bass player. Totally passive electronics, with Krazy Sparkle gold or yellow and blue finish with tons of style and far-out looks(or just plain ugly,it depends on your viewpoint). Super heavy solid brass boat anchor,bridge, and graphite nut. The Westone(Gotoh) tuners stay perfectly in tune forever!
Sound
:
8
While I'm a Jazz player, this bass is a total contrast visually.
Walking into a Jazz gig, people seem offended by the jagged, sharp 80's can-opener shape of the body. Then, they have that look on their face,(like,.. what the hell is that?)Then they ask, and I tell them ,'83 Westone Raider II. I play it though a Peavey TNT Amp with Incredible tone and punch! My only problem is finding a case for it.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
8
Action was perfect, until I changed strings. The old strings were black plastic coated flat wound,lite guage, the new ones were regular 105's GHS, so with more tension on the neck, I had to tighten the truss rod to remove excess neck relief. I then set the intonation, and dialed in the perfect action. It plays like a dream, now, up and down the fast thin neck, with perfect intonation.Perfect for slapping, like flea from the Red Hot Chile Peppers). The Pick-up was adjusted perfectally. Only flaw I could find is a ding on the side of the neck, and also at the end of the pointy shaped body.
Reliability/Durability
:
8
Perfect for live situation's with the total wow factor of eye appeal!The hardware has already lasted for more than 25 years.I would adjust the truss rod depending on the humidity levels, but only if it needs it. Totally indestuctable!!!Totally from Bill and Teds Excellent Adventure!!
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Westone from Japan,inported by St.Louis Music, manufactered by MATSUMOKU is long gone now.Sad...They made the best Guitars and basses ever! Totally top quality hardwoods and tonewoods. ( They also made Aria Pro 2, and Electra). During the early and mid 80's,Westone was on top of the world!!
Overall Rating
:
8
I have been playing Bass since 1977,and own several other basses.
1968 National Beatle bass,usa,1967 Audition bass Japan,
1965 Klira "Arkansas" bass, West Germany,
and a Westone Genesis 1987 65th anniversity bass, Japan
