Westbury Standard

22 frets, twin humbuckers, 3 position selector, 4 pots - volume and tone for the two pickups. No tremelo - so if you like them - tough. Mine is cherry which a lot seem to be. Nice attractive colour. Visually I would say the nearest famous guitar is Gibson SG. The Westbury is an "inspired by" rather than a slavish copy. I think the Japs took the SG's style notes and built the best guitar they could independently - so much better than apeing another guitar 100% and expecting the sound to match the looks.

Although there are 22 frets I would not pesonally attempt playing much above A on the E-string second octave. It is cut away enough to play in G an octave up no sweat whatsoever, the A is passable but you are going to have trouble there getting your fingers into any bends on the high E-String. Beyond A ...Don't start playing scales you can't get fingers in to finish! :)

The frets are low, the action is low, the neck is middling wide and not that deep. Very playable as described below. I'm going to say 9 as my daughter, who is on the small side, has trouble getting her hands round it.

I play blues and heavy rock and use a Peavey backstage amplifier. I have recently purchased GNX4 guitar workstation. They both appear to love my rather older Westbury and it appears to love them.

It's an extemely soulful guitar and resonates even when not plugged in as described below. Not sure it would be as ideal for finger tapping and other such nonsense but hey - bleugh, why would I GAS about that kiddie fad?

For blues and rock it seems pretty much ideal - 'sings' on its own before you even allow for the difference a decent amp can make. ...Trying to make up for the tone of a bad guitar with effects and amps seems a house built on sand to me. With a Westbury you are putting in a good foundation sound on which to build.

Two minor flaws ever.

#1 the zeroth fret / nut or whatever you personally wish to call it was a bit "grabby" on the B string. Would tune it start playing and then some extra slack would ping through from the machine heads to teh fretboard section (or vice vera) and detune it slightly. After 10 years (heh) of playing it like this regardless took it to the famous Andy's Guitar Workshop in Denmark Street and they just filed it out. Doesn't happen now.

#2 Pickup selector ring became loose at some point and doesn't really stay tight for any length of time. The problem - If I just let this go the switch ends up upside down sometimes so that Hi is up instead of down. Meh. It's minor!

As indestructible as others say. Mine has keeled over whilst leaned carelessly against something and taken the most almighty ding off furniture and amp corners. Bar a few digs on the exact spots where it hit, it's practically untouched.

Never needed

Someoen else said the quality can be discrened by.. "You can tell by the way they resonate when played without an amp" Actually I had read that advice in a guitar mag before I bought mine from new in (cough) 1982(?) and it's why I chose a Westbury in the first place despite never having heard of the brand. This remains as true today as it ever was - a solid body electric you can play with the power off for a quick practice it resonates so well. (not to other peopel obviously).

I also had the usual dumb decison to make between Strat style guitars with their weedy little necks and Les Paul style with their "railway sleeper" frets. Did not like either to be honest and the Westbury seems a much better compromise with it's middling-wide flat neck, low rounded frets and low action. (It's as easy to play as that sounds)

Yes I would probably seek out another from E-Bay if my shop bought model was ever stolen.

I keep thinking about buying other guitars now I am older and have a lot more money. But then I think why bother? Me and the Westbury go back a good 20 years now what am I seriously going to get from another guitar? Settled in the end on a GNX4 guitar workstation to add some versatility instead. Does this up to date full-on modelling effects pedal worry that I have an old guitar? No of course it doesn't. The two sound brilliant together.

Purchased on E-bay for $200
Finish- Black
Probably made from 78-80 Japan Matsumoku factory
Les Paul-type controls and features... This model looks to have the original DiMarzio Pick-ups. This baby is beat... buckle-rash dings and gouges... truss rod cover missing. Original tuners. Bridge is missing one adjustment screw and spring under the "B" saddle. Has a great feel to it... light and comfortable... originally I was a bit thrown off by something so light and comfortable...

I generally play through a Fender '63 Vibroverb (2x10) or a '68 Fender Bandmaster head through a Crate Blue Voodoo (4x12) Currently I process through a Korg AX3000G. It definately has the Les Paul flavor about it, with some differences, Thank God! Generally I prefer minimal tone adjustments on my Fender Amps... Treble from 8-10 and Bass around 5-6. Has a pretty clean voice as well as hefty overdriven sound, plenty of Highs a good round bottom. This thing sounds pretty damn good!!! I imagine it was AWESOME before the abuse and neglect.

Well-made... this things been through the wars... still in one piece, still plays and sounds great. Solid set-neck construction...the action is terrific (after I paid for a set-up)and the replaced the neck p/u volume pot. Again, probably awesome before the war. Great slim FAST neck.

Haven't played out with it...YET. I wouldn't play ANY gig without a back-up regardless of the name on the headstock. I'm sure this one will be more than fine in any situations... I HAVE used it AS a back-up guitar on more than one occaision.

N/A

30 year player...I play a Gibson Les Paul Jr. Lite, Eastwood Stormbird, Epi Dot, Burny Les Paul Custom...too many more to list. I remember these being "New" at my local guitar shop. It's not my main guitar and not likely to be... I would like to find a cleaner model possibly the custom version... as far as it goes in all fairness "No" I wouldn't replace it... I would miss it though. It's fast and it rocks...beat up and I don't ever have to worry about being too careful... I love playing guitars not normally seen or heard...

Bought my Westbury in 1982 from the excellent and sadly defunct Rainbow Music in Dundee. Paid ??125 for it with the cash burning a hole in my pocket on the bus to the shop. Was looking for a good first 'proper' left-handed guitar and liked the finish and fact it has Di Marzio pickups. Essentially it's a Les Paul/SG combo with good quality hardware, great finish (mine is chipped and bashed now)and is comfortable to play. Mine came with its own genuine cardboard box.

I love the sound of my westbury. Great sustain and able to cope with range of music with it from blues, rock, clean chorus/delay. Somewhat bright on top end but rolling back the tone pot lends a beautiful rich and creamy drive. I have used it through a number of amps (primarily a Lavey Linebacker 30) and it sounds great. Putting it through a Marshall 100w tube head and a Mesa Boogie 100w head and it just soars. Sustains for ever. Just a great sounding guitar, I'll never get rid of it.

Action is great, easily adjusted subject to string gauge. Pickups just keep growling. My frets are now so worn I need to have the guitar re-fretted. Was toying with putting a wammy on it a la Alex Lifeson's last batch of Les Pauls with the same but think I'll keep to the way it is. All in all, the Westbury standard is a well made guitar, great weight for gigging.

As Ronnie Wood said of the Telecaster, this is like a Sten gun...seems to be indestructable. Pots crackle a bit (hardly surprising after 26 years) but a bit of spray inside the cover and under the pots and it's sorted. Strap buttons good for gigging. Used on gigs with/without backup and never needed the backup...main fear is if a string snaps and quick change needed but rely on this guitar and it delivers. Other than replacing my worn frets and, as of the past month, the toggle occasionally pinging back into the middle from the treble position I think this guitar will continue to rumble for years to come.

Nevr dealt with Westbury. Wish some sort of westbury presence starts up again. Any well known artists ever used them?

Been playing with this guitar pretty much from when I started aside from a horrible Kay I had prior to the Westbury. Played other guitars but this one is like coming home. Suits my style of music which is primarily blues/rock. Would be most upset if this was stolen or damaged. Jammed with some serious players recently with Les Pauls, Jacksons and Strats and they couldn't believe the sound of the Westbury. The look is now sort of 80's retro (bit like the Westones from that time) and a bit of an oddity. I play this through a Boss multi-fx and it slots into any style from Simple Minds to Lou Reed to Knopfler to Clapton to Rush. A brilliant guitar and a big part of my teens through to 40's.

My Westbury Standard: It's the "wine" colored one, clear coated to show the deep rich Mahogany wood. A Neck thru double cut away, w/ 2 vol/2 tone (Les Paul set up)Chrome Hardware, dots in the rosewood fretboard, medium frets (that are in excellant shape)The headstock has a " W " on the face as is customary w/ the Westbury Instruments. As I said, it's clear coat Lacqured, only the headstock is black. The tuners are sealed, and have a script " W" on the back, and are excellant tuners. She stays in tune, and I tune 1/2 step down from 440, and even when I drop "D" tune the low e string, it holds the tuning w/ no slap or drop out. There is a serial # on the back of the neck, and it was made in the famous "matsumoko" Japan factory. (think that spelling's right)There is a beveled edge around the body, and came w/ the Ducan Super Distortion in the Bridge, and matching neck pic up which has a beautiful toneal quality, different from the Bridge pic up.( Passive set)

I play Rock/Hard Rock/Blues Rock/Metal and this instrument serves me well. It would be a fine instrument for many other type of styles as its range of sounds would suit it so.
I have played it through Marshall Jcm 800/900, Mesa Boogie Rectifier, and now currantly through my MASSIVE Crate Blue Voodoo 300 Head and matching Cabinets loaded w/ 30w Vintage Celestions. It just screams when you wanna really rip! The differant tones and sounds from clean to atomic are all there and the neck is just awesome. I use GHS 9's and the bends, powerchords, and solo voicing are pure addictive pleasure . There are no noise/crackles whatsoever, all electronics are clean and solid. It's not too heavy, and is very comfortable to wear while playing.
The only thing I would say that is a trouble for me, is the tone overall (w/ the bridge S. Distortion) it can be more "bright" or "treblely" compared to my other axes when I make switch offs for different reasons. I just back off the treble on my amp, or set the "Classic" channel, ( Crate Blu Voodoo's come w/ 3 channels: 1-Fender type,British/vox clean channel. 2. "Classic" British/English/Marshall older Tube amp type channel. 3. "Modern" Atomic Distortion Overdriven boosted type channel)to accomidate using this guitar. I get a full, warm, biting aggressive tone, and also a beautiful full, warm, lush clean sound. All good.

I bought this guitar from a Pawn shop in Connecticut. The owner was a wise ass who knew nothing about guitars, so after down playing the features and saying it was for a kid who was "just starting out and needed a beginner instrument...." he didn't take the $260.00 price tag, and after it had sat in the shop for 3 months, he took $100.00 for it plus the new Fender H.S.Case that was in the corner for another guitar! (Score!!)
Honestly, even I didn't know what kind of deal I got. All I knew was that it was a set neck, had Duncan Super Distortions in it, and was in great shape. I was only looking for a back up, and was curious about this fine looking instrument that needed a polish, strings, and a minor set up which I did myself.
The only flaws I found were very small marks on the underside, @ the back edge, looked like in got bumped a little, and of the 3-4 marks, only one had a small "pop out" of the clear coat about 1/8" round exposing the mahogany underneath. Other that that Once wiped down, and gone over, I had one NICE VINTAGE INSTRUMENT!!!
I looked online and found that in the 70's this model sold for $400-$600.00. I also found old ad's from papers showing the guitar, and other instruments they had available from the Westbury Company.
I'm very pleased w/ this find, and watch for them on e-bay, the Black ones look great too! Maybe some day....

This is a great guitar, I have used it in "Live" rehearsals, and in the studio w/ great results. Some people have even commented on how well it compares to instuments costing hundreds, even thousands more.The hardware is sturdy, solid, and beautifully chromed- which has held its look all these 30+yrs of life. The finish is tough, and sweet when polished, no other marks on it anywhere. Strap knobs are good enough to use w/ out locks. I depend on it, and have grown very found of this little guitar I stumbled upon.
Only an idiot would play a "gig" w/ out a back up, always be ready to pull your own weight!

The Company is no longer in business........to bad. They made excellant guitars.

My overall rating of the WESTBURY STANDARD DOUBLE CUTAWAY Electric Guitar is a 9. Only because of the differance in the treble/brightness from my other instruments. With a solution of adjusting or designating a channel for it specifically, this axe is tops in quality, toneality,toughness,feel, and playability.
I put it up against my other instruments: Gibson Les Paul Custom(2), Gibson Exployer(2), ESP/LTD EC1000 Deluxe (2), B.C.Rich Bich Classic,
B.C.Rich Mockingbird(2),& Ibanez Exployer and she fits in very well, and they all have welcomed her into the "Family".
If you come across one of these little gems and she isn't too banged up, pick it up, try it out, and bring her home to meet the Family!!

Made 1979,not sure where it was made.it has 22 frets,made of mahogany and finished in a deep rich burgundy lacquer.2 tone-2 volume & a 3 pole toggle switch.slim body & one piece neck.
lefthanded version but has no serial label

Rich sounding good alround instrument

action is quite low,it has a few dings and bruises but plays well,plenty of character.

all of the components seem to be quite good condition.certainly would use it live.

never had customer support

I have many guitars mainly lefthanded,some expensive some new some second user but it is one guitar which I would not sell without some consideration

As documented

Roll the tone off off the bridge pup and this guitar is great for legato style and sweep picking as it has a really slinky feel and low action. I'm currently using a Peavey Classic and Hughes & Kettner Warp factor and this baby sustains forever.

As documented

Pickup selector seems to pop back into the middle position sometimes when set to bridge. Minor niggle for a 20+ year old guitar easily remidied.

I've been playing for over 20 years and have always dreamed of finding that 'undervalued bargain guitar' Well, I think I've done it. I'm already looking at evilbay to try and find another one. Only thing I slightly dislike is the shape of the headstock. I think that there should be a Westbury standard aprreciation society, no wait, that would only increase the prices, scrub that! ;-)

all ready cover well

think it a freat sounding guitar

it is beat to death - chipped - buckle rashed bad - but - it plays so well - set neck was truly set and stayed set - action is low no buzzes

has proven it's self a true tank

na

i collect double cut-a-ways - this week was great i found this treasure and an '83 carvin aalso a set neck w/24 frets - both black
both cream pickups - you can't beat two great guitars for under $200
been playing for years - five years in a band - now for fun - but i like collecting as much as playing - this was a great addition - may never be worth much as a collectors but to just to play it - greater than the any money - if you find a westbury treasure - but it - you'll like it

You all will have read the features stuff on other reviews so I won't bother.

I've always liked the sound out if this baby, the DiMarzio's pump out some serious noise.

As I bought it form a second hand shop I tinkered with the set-up, no real need to, and haven't needed to since...Over 20 years. Only slight downer is that one of the machine heads was replaced (prior to me buying) but still works fine.

All chrome buffs up nicely!

Un-breakable! The finish (apart from the odd buckle mark on the back) is pretty much indestructable, the strap buttons are as solid now as when I first got it.

Who cares, it's built like a brick-out house.

Love this guitar. Own a Aria pro-II semi-acoustic. They are have a nice contrast. I was a little surprised to see that they came from the same factory, but then the Aria's another under-valued guitar in my option.

Made in Japan (as the sticker on the back of the neck shows)
22 Fret
Two volume, Two tone controls laid out in Les Paul Style. Three way pickup selector switch, again in Les Paul fashion.
Two Dimarzio humbuckers which currently sell for around #70 each on their own!!
Came with a fitted Westbury case, which after 20 odd years is showing its age

This guitar has served me well during my many years playing. The sustain has to be heard to be believed. Great for those bluesy/rock riffs and stunning lead.
I have always used marshall gear which really brings out the quality of this guitar.
I have fitted an active mid boost to the pick ups which allow the dynamics of the guitar to come through at lower volume.
My only gripe is that the tone pots do not have a smooth change in tone to them. They tend to be either dull or bright.

When I bought the guitar the frets had been stoned flatter. The pickups still had the factory stickers on and the finish was superb. All the controls were tight and smooth in operation, and still are. The action was a little too high for my liking and was easily lowered, with minor adjustments made to the intonation, the guitar plays beautifully. Much better then my Les Paul bought new.

Was once my main guitar and stood up to many many gigs being thrown around. I always used this guitar without a back-up as it has never given me any problems with string breaks or crackles and pops.
The finish is now showing the many years of playing, with plenty of buckle rash, chips and dings but hey, its got character.
One moan is that the plastic nut split at the G slot and was hard to get a good replacement. Also the plastic pick up selector switch broke far too easily. Hmmm I really must get around to replacing that.

Never had the need to deal with them even if they were still around

In my 25+ years of playing, this was the first real quality guitar I bought. It turned out to be the best #100 I have ever spent. The Westbury now sits at home while I take the Gibbo and Fender out with me as the guitar does not offer me enough variation in the sound I now need. My advice to anyone is if you see one of these babies for sale then buy it. They are not only built to last, they play beautifully. Not only that, when you strap one on you dont feel as though you have just put a giant redwood around your neck.
Of all the guitars I have and have owned, this is the one i will never sell.

Like most of you out there know, Westbury guitars are from Matsumoku factory in Japan. I thought they were made in the early to mid eighties but I read on here that they were only made from 79 - 81. Mine is a wine colored Standard model with cream Di Marzio pickups and 2 + 2 volume and tone which are identical to the gibson speed knobs on my Gibson Les Paul Studio. It is a solid mahogany body with set neck, a bit lighter than a LP but slightly more meaty than an SG. Standard controls, no coil taps here.

The sound of this guitar is awesome for rock/blues and probably jazz too. It sounds like my LP,though it has a little bit more crunch but remains smooth and creamy. This is down to the excellent construction and quality pickups. Sustain is great and the range of the tone pots is good with no noise from any of the electrics.

For a twenty odd year old guitar mine is near mint, I was very lucky to get this example. The set neck joint is flawless and allows very easy access to the higher frets (better than my LP), the action is absolutley spot on.The hardwear is heavy quality and my only gripe would be that the tuners could be of a little better quality. Having said that, for the about #30 you could easily put a basic set of Schallers or Grovers on and you would almost have a Gibson/Gordon Smith quality guitar.

As mentioned the hardwear is good solid stuff like you get on proper guitars, not cheaper copies. Strap buttons are similar to fender ones with the felt pad and ample diameter. Pickup switch is solid and there are no crackles or noise from any of the electrics. Finish is translucent so you can see the woodgrain, very nicely done. I would use this live without a backup, no question. It is amazing to think that these guitars have been around for 25 years and still play like new, only set up properly.

No longer manufactured.

I have been playing guitar on and off for 20 years and I remember when I started plating my Satelite LP copy, my mate had a Westbury, I was so envious because even back then I knew that these were fine guitars. You can tell by the way they resonate when played without an amp. I also own a Fender 1986 Jap Strat, a 1996 Gibson Les Paul Studio and have had one or two other Strats and a Gibson SG in my time and this Westbury stands up on a par of quality with all of them. Though I only bought this Westbury recently I would be gutted if it got nicked, it has the character of a Les Paul Junior/SG. If you buy a Westbury guitar you will not be disapointed.

neck thru body construction. dimarzio super distortion in the bridge (though i changed it to a a seymour invader) and a dimarzio PAF in the neck. i recently a/b'd it with a $1400 les paul, and it EASILY held its own. and he paid $1400 for his! sucker...

awesome. the only thing i wish it has was coil taps, so it gets a 9.

it sounds great. i get niel young and spiritualized and dead kennedys. i play this one through a vintage club 50 with 3 10s. before i changed the bridge pickup, it was a little shrill ( i hate thos dimarzio SD's). now it rocks. i will say that the bridge PAF is super sweet. a credit to the DM guys.

action is great. it plays great. matsumoku rules. i wish to GOD they were still around. all this new crap is crap. no kidding, they had it going on.

held up all this time...

they are gone.

i have been playing forever. i am old. i play prfossionally for a band that wears masks. i am not allowed to say which one by contract, but let's just say i do very well...

if you are looking for a GOOD guitar for reasonable amounts of $$$, get something from the matsumoku factory. let's face it, working sucks. and you have to do it to get the money. why waste it on the crap McGuitar center pedals??? if you are not sur which guitars matsumoku made, got to therathole.org. it will do you young whippersnappers well.

Black body with cream pickups.

Perfectly suits my psychedelic prog rock style. Increradable screaming lead. Quite trebley really. But that may have been due to the fact that I got it second hand and never got round to fully fixing the rhythm setting, however I love that sound. Powerful, Harsh and cutting.

Got mine 2nd hand 20 years ago and Im not good a t fixing things so there is some sort of intermittant cutting out of the rhythem pick-up - I just stopped using that one (pick up setting) 19 years ago and just love the treble settings.
Love the sliky smooth action - had very thing strings for ages and then changed to thiker ones - more for practical reasons - they dont break so often.
I love the feel of the neck - very smooth covered in that black laquer of some sort.

I gigged it for 20 years - every gig I ever played. Travelled well and rarly went out of tune. Lasted very well. Have worn the frets now to look like hair combs. Strap buttons are solid. I depended on it untill I wore out the frets. I never had a back up.- in my gigs.

Unknown - never contacted them.

Been playing it for 20 years. Love it through my Ibanez Super Metal foot pedal. I always DI'd it straight our on stage mixer and the house PA. Bought a strat to replace it when the frets ran out. It just feels right and that sound is fat and heavy with plenty of treble. One of the best #50 I ever spent and am going to keep it - you'd have to offer me much more to part with it.

I just saw the reviews here and was reminiscing.

I had a wine red Westbury Standard from 1982 to around 1994. It was a great guitar and I don't know why I ever traded for a TPOS Dean/Rich lookalike.

I have warm memories of the guitar. I played it in Jazz Band in high school for several years. I made the mistake of leaving it in an unlocked cabinet in the band room and some nimrod dropped the guitar and knocked a chip out of the finish.

I was a good, solid guitar with a nice tone. Held up pretty well for being a "road" instrument (the band would go on tour in the spring each year).

When I started college, I had little time to play or practice and mostly carried the guitar around from place to place.

If I could find one for cheap, I'd love to have another.

Well it has what everybody else says it has. I don't know much about guitar tech. so have given it an 8 - coz I guess if the parts were rubbish it would sound bad - right?

I guess as a player you need to know that the frets are flat and smooth and that the neck is as broad as say a folk acoustic. It will feel like a plank to strat player no doubt. It does indeed have dimarzio pickups. If you want to play jangly chords it'll be fine and if you then want to switch to lead it'll be great for that to. It's configuration makes it a pretty good all rounder.

I bought the guitar because someone once told me if a guitar sounds and feels great and sustains great acoustically that's a sign that it's a great electric guitar. (You have to be quiet when doing this test - obviously a solid body guitar played acoustically is not very loud at all). The Westbury sounded absolutely fine without any power connected - you could feel the sound ring properly through the body whereas some others in the shop despite being more expensive just sounded lifeless. I still believe this advice is true and is what helped me to pick what now seems to be a bit a of a gem. Having said that - as others have commented the pickups have an excellent tone anyway. They also have a good range from high to low and the pickup switch makes a discernable difference as do the tone selectors. A Westbury is very far from being a one-sound guitar.

My westbury had a small flaw for a long time - which was that the G string would snag on the zero'th fret and then suddenly whap through de-tuning the guitar. Andy's in Denmark street fixed it. If yours does this it's a simple and very cheap repair.

Well I bought it new and its still with me and its still well in one piece and well in tune. The tone and volume controls have got a bit crackly and the two way switch has come loose but I guess both are easily fixed and so don't count as major issues. You can't expect a potentiometer on anything to last 22 years without a crackle anyway (E.g. knobs on old radios)

Never had the need, and you can't buy one new anyway so what do you care? However I have never had a complaint from a guitar shop about it being hard to service or anything and I guess if you can't get manufacturer support that's the next best thing to know.

I have only ever played this electric. When I try strats their sharp pingy sound makes me jump! A Westbury has as others have said a deeper soulful sound more like a Gibson. But I don't like Les Paul's because the frets are like railway sleepers whereas as a Westbury has nice low ones that work just fine. AND FINALLY - I would like to thank this site, as being a roughly one guitar now and always person it's made me realise it's not just me that likes Westbury. These guitars really are as good as I alway thought they were.

I found it works for rock and blues the best (mostly what I play). Sound good for some metal work too. I can get some really wild sound out of it when I push it hard. Has good harmonics.

Action is good.
Considering its age it is holding up great.
Finish has lots of personality.

Well it must have taken some abuse back in the day, but keeps right on sounding and playing great.

Considering they went out of business a long time ago... none.

If this guitar were stolen I would cry then find the butt-hole who did it and beat him to death.

This was my first guitar and I haven't found a guitar I like better yet. Truthfuly I haven't been looking that hard because I like this one.

All the features you need just read other reviews

I bought this guitar yesterday and plug it into a Hiwatt amp and she sings, I bought her to plug a hole in my guitar collection, and she will be doing the job of a Les Paul which from early impressions she can easily cope with, this a very phat sounding beast.

she plays very well, as I say I just picked her up and she 20 years old with the odd knock everything works fine after all this time, I've only got one job to do that is one tone control is a bit bent but thats not hard to fix.

solid built guitar which will last the course of time and abuse ( I prefer not to abuse my guitars) I've got a Westbury bass which is why I jumped at the chance to buy this baby

what can I say

All I can say if you live in Cornwall UK and you see a Westbury for sale don't give it the time of day just give me a phone call and I will do duty and take the beast away for safe keeping, my advice is go and buy a Stagg or Tangelwood

This post is to inform everyone who is interested that as of November of 2003, ?Westbury guitars Inc.? is back in business and will have their product out by mid summer. These guitars are high end but affordable and not made at Matsumoku or in Japan, rather, right here in the U.S.A.---100% U.S.A. made guitars. Other high-end guitars say they are made in the U.S. and indeed are not. It is my obligation to expose companies like Brian Moor and PRS who have their guitars made over seas in Korea and assembled here in the U.S. and are legally allowed to put the U.S.A. stamp on their product. There may never be an Uncle Mat again but there will always be an Uncle Sam and Westbury Guitars Inc. realizes this and that?s why there will be a 100% USA made stamp on the new line of Westbury Guitars. (Not at all affiliated with Univox)
Prototypes are being made in PA and LA and Westbury Guitars Inc. is very close to Ok-ing the design and will begin production in April. Low serial numbered models can be ordered through www.westburyguitars.com and the site will also have a ton of information on the vintage models.
Westbury Guitars Inc. P.O.Box 10582 Westbury N.Y. 11590-3226 info@westburyguitars.com

Made by the japanese Matsumoku guitar factory between 1979 and '81
I have two of these babies, the first one I got for free when I was working at a mental hospital. One of the patients bought it on his I'm-gonna-be-a-rockstar mania. Said that I would be doing him a favour if I just took it, looking at it would only bring him down again.
I loved that guitar so much I went on ebay and bought another one.
I also made the other guitarplayer in my band buy one!
It has basicly the same features as a les paul.
The bridge pickup is a DiMarzio SuperDistortion and the neck one is a DiMarzio PafSomething.
It's all you need!

It has all the range of tone you want, from warm bluesy sound to trebly lead sound.
Tremendous output!!
I play a lot of different music styles with a few bands and it suits every one of them, from punkish pop to heavy stonerrock and it really just kicks ass!!
I use a Marshall JCM900, a fuzz face and a big muff

They're about 25 years old and play like new.
A few dings on the paint, but nothing serious.
No wear at all.

25 years and no maintainance needed, ever!
Only have a backup because i tend to brake strings

The company is long time dead.
But a few guys are starting up a site on www.westburyguitars.com
They say tthat it's possible that these guitars will be made again.

The best thing you could ever buy.
Just as good as a les paul.

Westbury STandard, wine cloured finish, 2 brilliant dimarzio humbuckers, don't know too much about the rest

this guitar is unbeleivable, it sat in my bedroom for 6 years and i'd never played it, i'd had a strat and then saved up for my dream guitar, a fender jaguar, got bored of looking at it there and fixed it to make it playable and the jaguar hasn't been played since! the sound is truly breathtaking, and when played on the top pickup setting through my boss ds2 and fender twin it's great, get a really heavy but defined sound if that makes any sense???

i bought this second hand and it's condition wasn't great, not through poor manufacturing just that it'll lay in someones wardrobe with allsorts of crap piled onto it for so many years, the action is perfect, better than my jag and as good as any les paul i've ever played

would never think to bring a back up for this guitar, for the hard life it's had it's agood as the day it was made, no tell tale backs where the neck joins the body, the pickups are still nearly mint, theres a slight crackle if you keep on twisting the tone knob but why would you do that only to look for a fault?

the body has been badly mistreated by the previous owners and there some pretty deep scratches, you'd only worry about them if you were into your image while you played

?????????

i've been playing for about 8 years now, i will never part with this guitar. if somebody stole it i would want another one badly, but looking at the prices on here i'd have to delve a bit deeper this time.

the reason why i never played it in 6 years was when i bought it there were 2 machine heads missing and i was too lazy to buy new ones, i'd always planned to ripp out the humbucker snad fit them into my jag but then decided to at least try it out and bought the machine heads, so glad i did, this guitar and produces tones like nothing else, and don't even mention sustain, with the distortion on you can hold a hammer on around the middle of the neck for over 3 minutes!! believe me, i've done it.

if you'rre thinking of buying one of these, DO! you won't be dissapointed, and if you are, mail me and i'll buy it off you!

I've played a lot of guitars. This is by far one of the nicest weapons you could get. Most people want a les paul but this is the closest I've ever felt... Just great

Warm, trebly, what ever you want. You can play pumkins to hard thrashy lead. No limits

I have a black one. Its simple looking but sexy. The cream and black is funky. The neck is so solid, I've had mine nearly 10 years and the neck is mint. I've had les paul owers wnting to buy it...! The finish is good for what it is. Its a paint and as I say I have it 10 years nearly and theres only one mark that went down to the wood

Not one problem ever...

who gives a s**t its great for the money.. I bought it second hand anyways..

No words really I love it..

Made approx 1980 it has dual Dimarzio humbuckers fitted as standard with seperate volume and tone controls, high quality tuners, tunamatic and stop tail bridge, set neck. Very good quality hardware and woods have been used in the construction.

Sounds like a cross between an SG and Les Paul due to the construction being like a heavier SG. Good selection of tones due to the Dimarzio PAF PRO and Super Distortion Pickup's. Overall very versitile with a great tone through a Marshall on 11!

Black finish has worn well, has the expected few scratches and dents from being over 20 years old. Overall very good condition for age a testament to the Japanese builders who made it!

See above - Built to last!

Company have been long gone sadly :-(

Very good value for money, far better than any Epiphone Les Paul or SG and not far from the quality of a real Gibson. If you can find one of these buy it while you have the chance, like all older Japanese guitars is only likely to go up in value.

Mine is a wine colour with shape and fittings as described by other reviewers. High gloss finish that still looks immaculate despite its age and use.
Would have liked a tremolo bar, but I suppose you cant have everything in life!

This guitar rocks big time!. The cream coloured dimarzio pickups give a tremendous level of overdrive suitable from blues right up to the heaviest of metal songs. The only complaint could be that getting a clear sound for quieter songs is difficult unless the volume is pared almost back to zero.
The vol and tone knobs are getting slightly noisy, but I'm sure I could cure that myself.

THe guitar was reaonably well set up when I got it. Setting the action is a doddle, as is the intonation which to be fair rarely needs resetting.
Zero flaws in finish when new. Still very few.

I got this guitar new as a present in 1985 and have been gigging it since - its very reliable and I dont carry a spare.
The head has a few knocks from general use, and the back has some scratching from belts/buckles etc. Otherwise still perfect after all these years.

Never needed any.

This is a terrific rock guitar for a suprisingly small amount of money.

A Les Paul type guitar, but with no maple cap, and a double cutaway. Features have been described above, so I won't repeat them.

There's an interesting curved bevel around the top edge of the body. The cutaway shape takes a little getting used to from an aesthetic standpoint, but it's a good looking guitar.

I'm playing heavy Blues/Rock in a three piece band. I plug straight into a Marshall Bluesbreaker re-issue cranked right up. I haven't used this guitar at a band practice yet, but in a quick comparison with my Les Paul Special, into a Vox AC30, the Westbury blew it away!

I should explain that the pickups have been replaced with similar quality units. I'm not sure what they are, but the guitar still sounds great. No noise problems - as you would expect with humbuckers. Deep rich rock sound, it's no Telecaster!

I'm only giving it a '9' here because I haven't used it in anger yet, and reviews with all 10's are annoying!

The fit and finish of this guitar are superb. The neck/action is the best of any guitar I've owned. Puts my Les Paul Special to shame. I bought it used, so set-up info is not relevent. I can't see any flaws in the manufacture.

It's twenty-something years old, and still going strong. Some of the chrome plating is a little blistered, but nothing to worry about. The finish has only the slight damage you'd expect on a guitar of this age, and the frets hardly have any wear at all.

Westbury (Univox) are long gone. I don't need or expect any customer support.

I've been playing about 25 years, and have owned enough guitars to be able to say that this one is up there with the best of them. If I'd payed three times the price, I'd still be happy with the quality.

My advice to anyone considering purchasing a Westbury is to go for it! You might have to wait a long time before you see another one for sale, and they're a fantastic bargain on the second hand market.

I own a lot of equipment, but this is only the second time I've been moved to submit a review here.

This guitar was made in the eighties, before i was born (and is probably in better condition :-) ) and was made in good old UK (like me). The other reviews all seem to be correct about the spec, so ill be breif, and just give you the best bits
* made of solid wood (not sure what)
* Set neck, very little heel
* 2x DiMarizo humbuckers (excellent)
* Schaller type sealed tuning pegs
* A very quality instrument.

Mine came with a Hard case (Black Gibbson style), but i dont know if they came as standard

When i first picked this guitar up i started on whole lotta love by ac/dc, great
Then hey joe (hendrix), great
Then some classical rubbish, and youve guessed it, great.

I dont think there is any thing this guitar cant do.
Great tone from pickups
Good sustain

As i bought this guitar second hand, it was well used, and a bit abbused. But for a guitar older then me, and rapidly aprotching 20, its not at all bad.

as Ive said its not at all bad, with a bit of tlc, it would be much better than any new guitar in that price range

Had it a while, and still nothing has fallen off, so it must be good

Dont have the slighest
I think that any warrenty would be void after umpteen years

GREAT, for the money you cant go wrong

got it given 2 me from an uncele

ive played one gig with it and i restrung it streigt befor i played rythem withoutout distortion and it demmed to withstand.the strap butttons are solid and my strap has never once come off.mines about twenty years old now and still sounds as good as new

batty old company never heard of them befor i got this guitar.

ive been playing it for a year now and its done me well but im in need of a new guitar. for a 20 year old guitar its exallent.

Solid Mahogany Body and Slim Tapered Set Neck with Rosewood Finger Board, 22 Fat Gibson like frets (my fav?s), Tuners are Westbury Branded Schallers, Bridge is Fixed Tune-O-Matic Type, Scale length is 24.75? (very Gibson Les Paul), The pick-ups are the classic Dimarzio Super Distortion Humbuckers Output 425mV, DC Resistance 13.68K.. The standard Gibson like 2 volume, 2 tone layout and 3 way toggle switch on upper horn

Surprisingly versatile and does not sound like a super Humbucker Super- Strat!, think more on terms of a good Les Paul or SG with Good Tight Bass, Pokey Mid?s & Good High?s it excels at Rock tones & and screaming Harmonic?s are ridiculously easy, also excellent for AC/DC overdrive tones and Blues either clean or overdriven.. the tone and volume pots are superb and really help contour the overall sound, simply back off the volume to clean up the sounds and you can even get wah-wah effects with the tone pots? and that?s pretty rare these days.., I?ve never tried the coil tapping so can?t comment.

Got this one used, but after a little minor tweaking the set-up is superb, and the general fin on all Westbury Standards is very good.

OK I never give a 10, but I had one these many years ago and a mad girl friend took an axe to it!.. and apart from a couple of nick?s it survived and I carried on gigging with it.

I think you?d be hard pressed to get any support long after the company had has gone.. but you won?t need it anyway.. these are built to last.

This is my second Westbury Standard it took me a long time to find it, I got my first Westbury Standard many years ago around 83 I guess, I only bought it because it looked nice and it was cheap.. I used it for gig?s around the world for years without a back-up even after the mad girl friend incident, which resulted in me cutting certain bits off? at some point I let this guitar slip away and started using a 70?s blond Fender Telecaster which I hated, but looked nice? these days I have lot?s of guitars but when I saw this one for sale I grabbed it. For a hard tail rock guitar I would use it over a Les Paul (I?ve since sold mine) and a SG any day as it sounds great and play?s like a dream.. to hear the Westbury in action check out some of the Blues Band recording Dave Kelly still uses one in preference to his SG? and if you do see one up for grabs buy it, before they realise what they have..

10!! I have owned a Westbury deluxe for 20 years, and it has as many features as a les Paul, at lesser price (must watch what I say about Gibson, remember when Santana chose Yamaha instead of Gibson!)Strong as an army tank, and much nicer tonality! If only I could get my hands on a Westbury custom!!!

Deep, mellow, surprisingly good jazz tone. Also nice distorted sound, I play through a 1992 Fender 85 watt studio tranny combo, sounds really nice, with a good sound balance.

Nice fron the factory, though frets needed stoning down, no probs though.

20 years on, still polishes up like new! Though about ready for re-fretting, still can't complain!

I don't know that much about the company, thogh I am aware of the Aria connection. Also they made a range of amps in the early 1980's, though what their like, I honestly don't know.

Overall, Westbury excellent guitars, and I would advise anyone comming accross one to try it and see what they think. Great finish and quality for the price (I only wish I had brought the Westbury custom!!!)

MY WESTBURY I PICKED UP WHEN I GOT BORED OF PLAYING SQUIER GUITARS SO I SWAPPED MY STRAT AND TELE FOR THE WESTBURY JUST BECAUSE IT HAD HUMBUCKERS. I STILL DON'T KNOW HOW OLD IT IS BUT I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW HOW MUCH ITS WORTH. IT PLAYS GREAT, GIVES A ROUGH PUNISHING TONE AND CAN WITHSTAND LOADS OF BUMPS AND KNOCKS

I USE A SQUIER 10 AND A ZOOM 707 ADMITATLY NOT THE BEST GEAR I COULD USE BUT WHEN I PLUGGED IT INTO A 65 WATT PEAVY IT JUST EXPLODES INTO A GRUFF PIERCING SOUND CAUSED BY THE DIMAZIO PICK UPS PUT IN BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER

IT HAS AN EXELLENT ACTION WITH EASY ACCESS TO THE 21 FRET WITH THE PRS STYLE BODY BUT IT HAS SLIGHT RUST ON THE SCREWS ON THE HUMBUCKERS AND SOME GIG SCARS BUT OTHER THN THAT IT S FINE

THIS GUITAR IS TRULY SOLID I CAN COUNT THE NUMBER OF TIMES I THOUGHT I HAD SCRATCHED OR DENTED IT BUT IT JUSTREMAINED IN TUNE AND SOLID DESPITE IT BEGIN A FIXED NECK

DON'T KNOW DON'T CARE DON'T THINK I'LL EVER NEED THEY'RE HELP

Unlike the other 2 reveiws placed here, which are very brief I happen to know quite alot about Westbury and their guitars.
made around 1981-1985 period by the by the "Mitsimokuo" factory in Japan (incidentally the same company who make Westone and some Aria guitars) Mahogany body with mahogany set neck, 22 medium jumbo frets.
Standard Les Paul 2 volume, 2 tone layout with 3 way toggle selector.
Pick-ups are very decent indeed. Fitted as standard with 2 Dimarzio Super Distortion cream humbuckers. Both have adjustable hexagonal polepieces. My own guitar is black but came in many other finishes, natural is especially nice. Bridge is Nashville tunamatic style, and alot more sturdy than any Les paul bridge I've came across. Tuners are Westbury branded Schallers and work very well indeed. Neck is slim tapered and very comfortable. In all this guitar plays very well.

A very thick Tony Iommi/Brian May sound is easily achieved. The Dimarzio are very potent and provide a good mid range growl with plenty of attack. You wont get a stratty clean tone off this thing.
Excellent lead sounds at bridge compliment a smooth creamy neck tone.
No squeal or feedback is present at high gain moments with both pickups. This sound suits me down to the ground. Good rock/metal guitar though blues would still be at home here.
Forgive me for saying this but this guitar sounds BETTER than my 1981 Gibson Les Paul custom!

When bought the guitar was slightly used but playing very well. Action was low and buzz free but I have since refretted it with extra jumbo frets for my lead style. Routing to body is machined and pristine. All neck body joins are built to last and I have had no problems with the guitar ever!

I reguarly use this guitar live with no problems at all. Have used it to play outdoors, the bitch got soaked in the rain and the neck is still as straight as a dime. Perfect, I look after the guitar and it looks after me. I have had it 7 years now and although its not my main guitar I would always use it quite a bit.

There is no info on these guitars but if you go to www.timpatton.com his site has photos and details of all Wesbury and Univox guitars ever available. Never dealt with the company cos I bought it used but I never would have had to.

Westbury guitars are seriously underrated and they do offer far more than you think. Most go for #75 to #125 and considering the Gibson-esque quality on offer dont let it pass you!
I wish I could get another cos I'd love another back-up one.