Westfield Strat Copy

Maple neck & fingerboard which had a lot of sharp edges. However after dressing the frets and realigning the neck I like the neck profile a lot . The Body is made out of plywood. I dismantled the whole thing as the neck to body joint was bad and needed filling.

I bought this for home use only and I like the sounds it gives through my Korg effects.

The set up and playablity was not very good but with a bit of work is acceptable.The neck body joint was very poor.

Reliabilty been OK

None needed

I have been playing since 1958 and if the body was made out of solid wood and not plywood would rate this more highly.

Finish: Sunburst
Body style: Hardtail Strat copy (hence the 22 frets rather than 21 for standard strat)
Tuners: Very basic, I've had these apart to grease
Neck: It's a stick neck, probably maple with a rosewood board. Standard spot inlays.
Accessories: I got it with an peavey rage 158 transtube, but I think that was the shop's decision. And a cable.
It doesn't say when it was made, but I got it new in about 1997. It's been cheaply made, probably by people who have been paid next to nowt...
Frets: like i said, it's got 22 frets.
It's got a 5-way switch, 2 tone controls and a volume control, and 3 single coil pickups, which are unbranded so are whatever Westfield use. I have no idea what the guitar's made of.

It's got a tremolo bar (actually it's not tremolo at all, this is a misconception!). I've filled the back of the guitar with foam rubber to stop the springs resonating, as they manage to interfere with the pickups.

It came with a pretty basic white facing, which I replaced with a strat black one. It needed different holes, as the stock westfield uses 8 screws, not 11.

The guitar's been mine for a long time now, I've been tweaking it for the past few years, so the pickups are quite diagonal and the neck's straight now (it wasn't when I checked it). I've taken the retention springs out of the bridge, to tweak the intonation, so it's a lot closer than it was before (still a little out on very high notes, but fairly close).

I use it either plugged straight into my 158 or through a Yamaha MagicStomp II. On high gain effects with a bigger amp it usually feeds back a lot - probably to do with the cheap pickups, which buzz near CRT screens (TV's and computer monitors) due to RFI. Also, don't play it with a mobile in your pocket. The buzzing disappears if you use one of the intermediate positions on the pickup switch.

The sound was pretty crap as per the default setup, but it's quite good now i've tweaked it. Pretty good response. I can get pretty good range of noises for different styles out of this guitar.

The stock action was pretty awful, but that might just be my playing style. After lots of adjustments it's ok. The pickups came badly adjusted, I've played with their setup to get a nice noise too. The original facing on the guitar had been badly routed at the neck. Also, on the inside, the retention screw for the tremolo springs has split the wood at the front (still inside) of the guitar. This is pretty crap craftsmanship (maybe I should call it crapsmanship?)

Largely the guitar has mediocre finish, except the wood finish which is very well done. I keep it polished so I can see my ugly mug reflected in it :D

I've not played this guitar live, but I've not had any problems with parts falling off, and the electronics have also been very solid. The hardware seems to be durable, it's had a few knocks and is still fine. The finish has lasted very well, there are no marks from wear, there are a few dings in it though. I don't think that can be proofed against!
The strap buttons are pretty standard, i've tightened the screws a couple of times. I can depend on this guitar, though as I say I've never played it live properly.

I'd never gig with no backup.

I've never tried to get support for this. I don't even know if there was a warranty.

I've been playing this guitar for about 10 years, I played a bit before that. The other stuff I play is all my mum's, and my friends', and their parents'. The only 'gear' I own is 2 identical peavey amps (rage 158) and yamaha magicstomp II effect processor.

If this guitar got stolen or lost I'd be very pissed off! It's been my pride and joy for long enough now. Even without a name, i'm still attached to it. I wouldn't go out and buy an identical one though.

I like the guitar as it is now because it looks fairly good, and plays quite nicely. It's a great beginner's guitar, and comes quite cheap. I didn't really compare it - I was about 8 when I got it - and I knew next to nothing about guitars. I remember playing it in the shop, and it was quite good to play so we got it.

This guitar is a load of crap, from its Brownburst finish to its sort-of S-type body. the bridge is no longer usable coz of the tremolo arm. all 22 frets are sticking out proud on the treble side making it hard to play. body probably made of Kafka/birch ply.

Three single coils should give you a fair range of tones but please dont be fooled by that thang. You can get a decent sound if you use a shitload of flange/phase. But dont not never put it on the neck pickup, cousin, cos you gonna get all shat out. It got a tinny sound with too much TWANG dude.

I aint never had no guitar that is so badly set up, i cant get no action on this thang, i cant even tune it, man. i had no bong thang with this i did not even get a groove with some jazz/blues.

i aint never played outside my house.

never had to. wouldnt want to.

I have the average Westfield strat same as the above reviews.
I bought it second hand, it was in a terrible state, scratches and chips, as well as a huge crack running down the through the body to the neck.
It has three single coils, this makes it hum when near the TV, and get feedback at loud volume.
The neck on this thing is fantastic.

The sound is AMAZING, is was good when i bought it, but i put a mod in it (secret mod) and it SOUNDS BETTER than my mates mexico made FENDER (?500?)
I play clean classic rock, sounds great. Espesially with slincky XL strings.
this is the cheapest of my guitars but the best.

It was well setup when i bought it; but i change the action on all my guiatrs, so it doesnt matter.
Finish was average, this the sound that matters.

This guitar is a rock; i rarely have to tune it; and i can rely on it.

Don't know; any problems i would sort myself.

I love it; would never sell it; this sounds as good (or better)as any Fender.
i cannot say how great this thing is
If i see another one, i would buy it because THEY ARE SO GREAT !!!!!

I have no idea bout the details of the guitar because all it says on it is WESTFIELD. The 3 pickups give poor sound, with a buzzing.

you play a note and the noise comes out, that's all. It gives a 'wow' sound on the higher notes and sometimes sounds clangy and rattley.

I found the action to be O.K. actually, almost perfect on mine but that's probably fluke. As for the pickups they have started to come loose, i tried tightening the screw which made the pickup turn and become wonkey which made the screw stick further out. The body wasn't properly painted where it meets the neck, theres a bit that looks badly chipped but was actually just not painted. On the other hand the back of the neck is smooth in a matt kinda way, which is nice.

I've only had it about 2 years and never gigged with it, but due to the cruddy craftsmanship i wouldn't be suprised if it all fell apart in your hands.

I can't find a website, i'd just hope it didn't go wrong.

I've been playin for 3 or 4 years now and practice every day, i have to tune it each time i play, I also play an epiphone jumbo acoustic. the westfield feels like it came from a toy shop. Anyway, i'm off to buy a fender........

Contrary to what most people think I belive this guitar is probably made of MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) which can in some cases give a great sustain because its so dense and would explain why mine is soo light.
We have two of these in the house Mine is over 3 years old now, but my younger brother bought one about 4 months ago and the two are so unbelivably different. I think his is plywood.
I don't like the Machine heads, If it was worth it I would change them but its not really worth it.
I have compared this to a number of similar guitars, A Yamaha Pacifica, 1986 Korean squire strat, peavy raptor and a newer Westfield and it holds up quite well.However I got an Ibanez RG from the states and a EP Firebird for next to nothing and they both blow it out the water.
The neck feels ok is quite thin, but my Ibanez totally spoils any other neck now anyway. Its rosewood fingerboard has taken some use over playing every day for 3 years, went on a ferry to france and survived. It took me ages to sort the action out, and seeing as this was a new guitar the setup was awful.
Mine feels solid unlike the new ones which are quite simply cheap crap. Pickups are ok, as before better than the new ones, but the pick selecter is ahem tempremental to say the least.
Not bad but needed to much user setup and for someone with that much experience needed will not want to play this anyway.

The style I play varies from Punk/Emo Really heavy metal, melodic metal, and funky Incubus style so it only really fits into the Punk catorgory which is why I have the other guitars I mentioned before.
The bridge single coil is quite meaty except it has absolutly no gain, the only way I can get any kind of harmonics is though my Zoom effects pedal cranked right up.
Thin sound, but thats the strat sound hums a bit on the middle pickup when its on some settings but again single coils sometimes do.
Forget drop tuning, the machine heads wont have it I tried Drop C, Drop D, down one step, and Low E tuning and it doesn't like any for very long. Average again, its possible to get a nice sound but again it needs tweaking alot.

Absolutly awful, the shop told me they hadn't touched it, it came wrapped in a box, the action was terrible, I have had to raise the nut because if the buzz on the low E when I got it, had to alter the height of the saddles and. It looks fantastic, well it did when I got it, and it sang in the music shop, My dad made sure I played it clean, I think its got good wood.

I'm not sure if this would play live, again a bit of work to make sure everything won't let you down then it probably would be ok. I will use it as a backup but there is NO chance I would use this as a backup.
The finish is quite good and the strap buttons solid. A beginners guitar, and If you buy one I Strongly suggest u watch the tech at teh shop set it up correctly!!

What customer support?? They have no website, no phone number, i'm sure pixies just put them in every music shop in the country, when I had a problem with it my shop told me it couldn't go back they had to fix it, which they did.
I do wonder if Westfield is a larger compant producing very cheap guitars under that name.
The PRS Westfield copys feel pretty solid however.....

well I think that if you get a used one, set up and played in then they would be an ok guitar.this is why i think they are made by someone larger.
If you want to buy one, as a beginner, because they are pretty cheap and WAYYY better than an encore tehn go ahead, just get it set up in the shop before you leave.

22 frets
plwood body and a maple fretboard
probably cheaply made in korea or somewhere [no offence]
its made out of plywood....what more do you want me to say!?
do not buy this guitar, if i could call it one!

Sound? what sound!? hahaha... I play in a pop rock/grunge-punk style band. Try and use this thing in anything from a dodgy leem to a marshall stack/mesa-boogie speaker and it still sounds like a bitch!
and i'll tell ya what kind of sounds come out of this...thing...
MUFFLED, OUT OF TUNE ONES!

hmmm, i dont know where to start, i cant express enough on how band this guitar is! Its a horrid, vile green colour, and i have discovered that the grain is fake!!, i think its just made out of plywood! the tuning pegs are so loose that after playing it for about an hour or so it needs tuning again! the pickup selector crackles when you change it and the the control knobs keep falling off.
Just what is wrong with this thing!?

ok,ok maybe ive been a bit harsh this one gets points, you could throw it about onstage and it would be still working, even though the sound couldnt get any worse. (i couldnt resist! heh heh) No seriously folks..just dont, FULL STOP.

customer support doesnt even exist!
There's something strange about that. i have a theory that encore, westfield and every other crappy strat copies in existance are made by the same company...

havent i made my point clear yet!?....hmmmm, ok one last time...
LOCK UP YOUR DAUGHTERS!! AND DO NOT BUY THIS PIECE OF PLYWOOD! if you're that desperate for a guitar like this...make your own, you could do a better job.
oki, i admit i have'nt been playing that long, about a year and a half and you don't need to to see how band this thing is! I now own a proper used '69 reissue now, and if this thing was kindly taken out of my hands (i mean stolen) i'd sit in my room silently and weep for hours.

For the price I paid this guitar does the job well. If you ignore the headstock then you basicly have a fender encore and the newer versions match that of even the strat. Most of the things have already been included in other reviews, but please take pity on this guitar it isn't as bad as some that I've paid twice as much for are no better.

I bought my guitar second hand so it had quite a few teething problems but as soon as I took it down the music shop and paid them another #20 it never gave me any trouble again except for an anoying buzzing sound that would only stop if you fretted the strings which brought the score right down.

nothing special, but nothing to complain about really.

This guitar is indestructible! I've seen them be dropped, hit, crushed, rained on and survived 2 years stapped onto the back of my burgeon, when I was in Cyprus with the army. It still plays as well as it ever has (which to be fair isn't great) and I have gigged with it a few times when I was starting out.

I can't find a website, phone number address or anything for westfield

It's cheap and it's chearfull and I feel it may be crap in sound but it's no worse than a bottom range fender

This is the cheap basic Fender copy with a black finish & white pick-plate; mahogany neck; 22 frets; 3 single coil pick ups and 5 way toggle selector. Not sure where it was made, as there are no makings at all apart from the compamy logo on the headstock. That and the fact that I bought it second hand. Upon opening, I realised it was the typical laminated wood, similar to the extremely cheap and nasty 'Encore'. But thats where the similarity ends with the latter mentioned guitar makers.

The amp I use is an old Laney Linebacker 80W; using the effects processor from my computer sound card. (A blinking superb one too!)The sound itself is somewhat vague. For instance the tone controls might as well not exist for all the effect they have. The centre pickup, sometimes needs a hard 'tap' to get the right sound even though the wiring seems in order. It does seem to have a decent sustain with good clean sound when using harmonics (when centre pickup works!)The action though is better than my old BC Rich and is the best I've yet experienced on ANY guitar. No really.

Dont know how well the factory set-up was, but when I bought this guitar it was set up well, but needed fine tuning. The nut was somewhat worn-down and needed replacing. The finish was excellent...you could have a shave in the reflection. No buzzing from the tuning heads...notorious with cheap guitars (right?) The pickups were in good allignment, except for the problematic centre (again!)

This guitar has not yet been giged, as this is the first guitar I have purchased in over 6 years of not playing and I dont think its seen a live stage so-far. I dont think I will use this if I join a band again, but may come in habdy as a last minute back-up.

Never dealt with Westfield, dont think I will.

I have been playing for 12 years now, have done a few gigs. Other equipment used: BC.Rich Rave II, with old 'V-amp' (dont laugh!)Would probably buy a new Westfield if they went more up-market and put in an ounce more quality.
Overall though, not a bad piece of kit, but recommended for the beginner primarily.

I've been playing this guitar on and off for the past 2 years, I DON'T ACTUALLY OWN ONE. OH NO.
I'm not actually sure of the birth place of this thing, but another review mentioned Japan so I'm guessing this is also Japanese. It has 22 frets, as apposed to the 21 on a proper Strat. It's obviously got the same setup as a proper Strat - 1 Volume, 2 Tone, 5 way selector. Has 3 single coils. After taking off the tremolo cover on the back I witnessed the nightmare that is the body.....this thing is basically a slab of plywood given a fake grain and a heavy coat of laquer. Yuck.
The trem system is modelled on a proper Strat's one but it stinks even more - DON'T use the whammy bar! Your asking for trouble.
The tuners are actually the worst I have ever had the displeasure of handling in my entire life. You can tell just by looking at them they can't do their job properly, so it comes as no surprise when you find out they can't.

It honestly doesn't mater what your style is - these pickups can't cope with anything. I played this thing through my Boss GT-3 effects unit and my 50w Marshall JCM 800 head and 4x12 cabinet, they made it sound a lot better but you can't disguise the fact that it stinks. It has no nice typcial stratty tones and no sustain whatsoever.

The action was really really bad when I first played this thing. Every note I played just sounded dead. I have fixed it up a little now but it still sucks. The craftsmanship is nothing to rave about, it's just a porr quality guitar. Even for the low price.

I've never played live with this thing, and I never will. I would rather miss a show than play with this. You could probably snap it in two in seconds with your bare hands.

Never dealt with Westfield before. I might spam their e-mail one day but thats as far as it goes.

I've been playing for 6 years now and have had and played a few guitars since beginning - everything from a Telecaster copy to a PRS. I'm currently playing through my Marshall JCM 800 50w head and a 1960 Vintage cabinet (a snip at #500 second hand), as well as a Boss GT-3 (#300 brand new). This guitar is really bad, even for the mesely #120. I would personally recommend forking out an extra #70 or #80 and buying a Yamaha Pacifica. The difference between these 2 guitars is totally gobsmacking at only a #70 or so difference.

Very nice looking. first guitar so not sure about the rest comaired to others.

Ive played my friends fender which he bought for #300 and he and I agree the westfield strat has alot better sound.

No flaws perfect condition, Guitar was perfect when bought in tune no problems.

Stays in tune for ages, I tune it about every 3 weeks. ive had it for a year no problems and only one string has snapped, due to me not knowing how to tune the guitar. Ive dropped it a couple of times when i played at school but no dints or anything.

dont know havent needed them

I'd only change the guitar if a saw one which looked better and i havent yet.
I love this guitar and would and have recomended this guitar to friends.

I dont really know much about the backround of this guitar, except it was made in Japan. It has 22 frets and, basically everything a Strat has. The pickups are not of the best quality but what can you expect, when the guitar was under #120. The pickup selector i am told is as good as the Fender Strat. I bought this as a package with a Marshall 10watt amp, and a strap etc etc.

As i am new to guitars, i mainly play powerchords, and i have no problems whatsoever with the sound. As i progress i will most likely find that the sound is not of the best quality(but again, what do you expect for #120), but for now it'll do me fine.

The action, i am told is very good, at 3 or 4 millimeters on the 7th fret. The pickups (read what i have said above) The guiatr had no flaws(that i could find)

I have no idea if this will withstand live playing, but i guess it would. The body is very strong and the finish is good also good. The strap buttons need tightening every once in a while, but that is no problem. I can definately depend on it. I noticed that the fella who reviewed this guitar before me said it goes out of tune and the strings always snap, but it hardly ever goes out of tune, and ive had it about 2 months and only 1 string has snapped(the day i got it, due to me tightening it too much)

Never dealt with them i dont think i will ever have to.

I have been playing around 2 months but before you think i wont know what im talkin about, some of my mates, who have been playing for years have said it is an excellent guiatr for the price. I like everything about this guitar, as it is basically a Strat without 'Fender' written on it. I chose this guitar mainly for the colour, a great sunburst browney colour. If it were stolen or lost i would definately consider buying the same one.

This was your run of the mill strat copy designed for beginners. I did not expect any features other than the standard three single coil pickups and 5 way selector switch. Ia am not a great strat fan so this review will probably be slightly biased. Anyway enough of being nice. Time to find out the truth about this 'guitar'.

This guitar is fucking horrible. It sounds like what it is. a piece opf shit strat copy. The tuning was, to put it mildly, diabolical. I am not exagerating when I say that it would not stay in tune longer than 30 seconds. Simply touching the whammy bar would destroy any hopes of playing in tune.

The guitar looked fairly cheap with the typical strat tobbacco/flame finsish (not copied particularly well.) Whilst playing there did not appear to be any flaws in the setup or action however something must be seriously wrong for its tuning capabilities to be so, so, so poor. I'm sorry this guitar makes me want to weep sweet tears.

The pickup selector switch bent, fatigued and fell off within a few days of me becoming aquainted with it. Apart from that no other problems allthough It was not long before I decidwed this guitar was a piece of crap.

Didn't have anything to do with westfield. This is an extremly poor guitar. However, I am not totally unreasonable. The bassist in my old band had a westfield bass and it was a sweet instrument. It compared even to his Fender preciscion bass so it is possible only this model and not the company.

This is the worst attempt at a guitar I have ever played. I have seen better guitars coming out of my arse. It is pathetic. DO NOT BUY IT FOR GOD'S SAKE. If, as I suspect, it was bought as part of a starter pack I feel sorry for the poor person who bought it. What a dpressing start to an amazing instrument. If you want a decent starters guitar. Buy an Ibanez Gio GAX-70. My mate picked one up for #140 it plays very well.

Just for my own self indulgence here is my setup.

Framus Les Paul Custom Copy / Fender Japanese Strat (w/ Floyd Rose)
Boss BD-2 (Blues Driver)
Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi
Jim Dunlop Cry Baby Wah
Boss CE-5 (Chorus Ensemble)
DOD FX747 (Supersonic Flanger)
Marshall G30RCD (30 watt dual channel(the overdrive is amazing))
*I also use a heavily edited ZOOM GFX-707 on its own but I try to only use stomp boxes nowadays.

This guitar was made in the mid 90's. Before Westfield changed there name to Westwood. It is a BASIC strat copy, having 22 frets. The body is made from what looks like ply-wood (hey you take the tremolo guard off the back bits of wood falls out). It is just layers of wood stuck together. It comes with standard strat pick up configuration, S/S/S, and a 5 way pick up selector. The only good thing about this guitar is the finish. I was a nice tobacco sun burst.

If your happy playing G C and D in your bed room for the rest of your life then this is the guitar for you. But quite frankly this is a very poor guitar for what I paid for it. (#120) The first I got it I managed to snap a E string. this I because the saddles are really really crap. Strings regularly snap over the saddles at least once every week and a half. The tuning is the worst I have ever played. It stays in tune for the first 3 chords. If you try and bend a string it will immediately pop out of tune, and as for the trem DON'T TOUCH THAT THINK!! unless you want to detune the whole guitar 3 tones!

Fortunately my guitar teacher took petty on me and put a set of spare machineheads on which did improve the tuning somewhat. I really don't know who I used this guitar for 2 years! There are much better guitars out there for beginners. A Squire Strat for #130 or Yamaha #180. Don't be fooled by looks like I was, there is a lot of shit out there.

A strat is arguably the most versatile guitar in the world. It can produce tonnes of different sound (Hank Marvin to Steve Lukather)! This can produce nothing of interest. It uses cheap pickup that produce uncontrollable feedback even at low volumes. Worst still they also produce a constant high pitch "grrrrr" sound that is present even when not playing. No amp settings will change this basically if you are playing a gig in is unstable. If I could give this a lower rating than 1 I would. SHIT!!

The three way pick up selector broke after a year.

Action - Large distance from the guitar neck. Ok for chords at frets 1 to 3 hard to play and 7 to 12 impossible to play above 15.

Feel - If you have been playing guitar for a while you will realise than this is a piece of shit. But when I was a beginner I could tell this from a #1000 strat. It feels terrible. The intonation is poor even if the open strings are in tune is unplayable beyond the 7th fret its so out of tune.

Finish - However the guitar looks quite nice, so I will give it a 2 rather than a 1.

This guitar will not last 1 song in a live situation. The hardware, tuning. The strap buttons broke once the blood thing hit the floor like a dart (strange it made the best sound I have every heard it make).

Its crap.

Didn't try....?

To sum up, I only realised this guitar was this bad when I had the experience to know otherwise. It is truly a hunk of f**king junk! However saying that it got me through learning pentatonic scales and a few Oasis songs. There are MUCH BETTER guitars out there with the same price tag on HAVE A LOOK AROUND.

This is your basic Strat copy. I have no idea of the actual manufacturers spec or model number, is has no markings except for the name "Westfield" in the headstock.
The body is made from four pieces of wood, and the neck is bolted on and is a standard Strat scale.
Pearloid pick guard, fitted with three single coils. As I said, it's a standard Strat copy.
The finish is transparent blue.
I only rated it 5 coz there's nothing special here, it's a Strat.
The guitar was bought new from Bulmers in the city of York (UK).

I've been using this with a Imp/Celestion amp through a Korg AX1G unit. The guitar performed OK initially until it came to recording.

The guitar hums, the volume controls crackle and the pickup switch maked cracking noises as you change pickups.

I found that the guitar is impossible to tune. After much tooing and froing to the shop (who insisted that the guitar is OK). I have finaly given up with it. The nekc is poorly made which means that if you tune it in, every fret will be a semitone sharp.

The action on this guitar was very poor. I took it to a guitar tech who I know, he said that the neck "was like a bloody banana", we then also found that the truss rod was very tight and it required some very nervous tightening to straighten the neck a bit. The bridge saddles needed raisng to stop the strings rattling on the poorly fitted frets.
The pickups are crap and needed adjustinf.
The pick guard was warped within two months of buying the guitar.
The body is lovely. I bought this guitar on looks alone, a big mistake. It is in a lovely transparent blue, I will keep the body and make a new guitar from it. (This is why it gets a 2 and not a 1)

This guitar is simply horrible, I can't belive I bought it, I will never buy a Westfield again. After trying some other Westfield strats (from a different shop) I have discovered several guitars that have similar tuning problems.
I would probably play live with the guitar, just for the last song, so I could smash it into little pieces and jump up and down on the f**king thing.

I never dealt with Westfield, but the shop where I bought it, Bulmers of York, are the dodgyest bunch of cowboys I have ever met, I feel ripped off. They offered no assistance, refused to take the guitar back or offer an alternative and insisted that the guitar was in perfect working order.

I've been playing for a few years now, this guitar was my first new purchase, and I have learned alot from it.
I wish I had taken a knowledgeable friend with me, there's somethign to be learned here for everyone.
If someone stole this guitar, I would be a little bit upset because of the finantial loss, but I wouldn't miss the guitar, I wouldn't replace it either because I've already replaced it with a Fender Jag-Stang, which is a contrastingly better guitar.