Westone Thunder 1A

The features of this guitar are well know here so i will not go into this because of my 2 finger technique of writing.

I'm using it for different styles at this moment. But as soon as i can find my another Matsumoku build guitar it will be set in drop B so i can use it for the death metal band i play in. Because of the many knobs and switches you can create a lot of different sounds. Played on using a Sovtek Mig-100 tubeamp with fame 4xv40 celestions cab it can be used to down enemy fighterplanes. Its a wall of sound but still clear and crispy. Almost have to disconnect a preamp tube.

I bought mine about half a year ago for 200 euro incl a Marshall 30watt master reverb amp. It was set fine but was first puzzeled by the on/off switch untill i discovered the battery cover.
Looked like i was the first because amazingly enough there were 2 9Volt batteries with an expiration date of june 1984!! Luckely they haven't leaked. There is a bit oxidation on the brass but everything works without noises. I've brought it away to have it checked but it was in perfect condition they said and didn't have to do anything.
Because of the farnish finish it's hard to see scratches or dents int the body. After 25 years it still looks beautifull.

My brother owns a thunder1 and has played numerous gigs on it. Never failed him and he has his thunder1 about 25 years.
The hardware on my guitar works perfect. All switches and knobs work without noises. In tune means in tune. You can play like Pete Townshend and it will do the job. I think even Pete would like this guitar.
The strapbuttons work fine and can take stage action easely.
It's as dependable like a zippo lighter.. No more.
I would use it as a stage guitar but I'm the vocalist.

I,ve just started playing again but this one suits me just fine. I will buy another thunder1A in a second if i would find one.
My other guitars are an accoustic Eko aw-n. that's an 1984 rangerlike 6-string. An Eko studio-L (restauration project). And looking around for another westone or Matsumoku build guitar from the early eighties.
Would it be stolen i'd track down the thief and hang him by the balls.
And buy a second one. I love the guitar in all it's simplicity and heldback beauty. My only other e-guitar i had was a fender squire bullit that disseapeared a few years ago but i never missed the thing.
Just good enough to start a fire with.
The only thing i miss is a second one standing next to it.

Many others have described the features but I really rate the choice of active / passive and the coil tap as it gives a wealth of tonal options

Mine is a gorgeous plain wood finish and even though it is 27 years old it has hardly any wear or blemishes. Brass bridge and controls which are solid, relaible and match the wood of the guitar. MAchine heads are Westones and do the job perfectly well - and the guitar stays in tune.

Neck is Rosewood, hard wearing and smooth. No real fretwear after all this time!

I rate the features as matching those found on a top quality bass guitar (I also have Rickenbacker, Gibson and Guild basses). Minor niggle is 22 frets but most basses have that

I play allsorts of music from opo through rock through to folk. The Westie has such a vareity of sounds available from its active / passive arrangement it can play anything - jack bruce, chris squire, tamla sound are all there. I can even get a passable double bass sound! Absolutely no noise from my guitar other than that when i play a string!

I use either a SWR or an Ashdown rig depending on size of venue

No idea about the factory. Mine has a good action and perfect intonation. Action can be easily adjusted as can intonation.

As I said, after 27 years the finish is pretty damn near perfect, only the brass fittings need a polish.

27 years and still going strong so i think its proved the reliability issue. I would be happy to use this on its own in any situation. I love the fact that even if the batteries die the passive tones are very acceptable

Rock solid, robust, totally dependable

Never needed to and they don't exist anymore!

Been playing for 34 years, own rick, gibson, guild, ibannez basses plus a number of quality 6 string guiatars. Amps used now are SWR or Ashdown for bass

This bass is just so versatile in terms of tone, great to play, great sustain (but heavy body), build like a tank, easy to adjust if needed. And they are sooooo cheap - I reckon snob value keeps the price down! Any bassist would like this guitar and rate it highly.

-Made in Japan in the 80s.
-22 frets?
-volume, passive tone, active tone, 3-way selector, coil tap, phase reverse, active/passive
-H/H with coil tap to turn off inside pair
-Westone pickups
-Woods unknown (heavy as hell)
-Beautiful transparent black finish with unstained faux neck-thru
-somewhat of an offset SG shape, but its really a shape all its own
-string through bridge sounds great/sustains forever
-westone tuners
-thinish/finished neck feels great in my hands.
-mine came with a really crappy case, and an Arion headphone amp

My band, Christmas All Year, is somewhat of a jazz/punk/funk/experimental/new wave sound, so as you can imagine I demand alot from my guitar. And it delivers what I need everytime I pick it up.
I use it throught these effects:
Ibanez TS-7 Overdrive
Ibanez DE-7 Delay/Echo
DOD Stereo Flanger
Danelectro Pepperoni Phaser
Dunlop 60s Crybaby
Morley AB-Y
Digitech Hot Rod Distortion
(all powered by Dunlop DC-Brick)
Amp: Laney PL-100 (100 Watt, Solid State, 2x12)

The guitar itself is never noisy. It is grounded very well. It sounds however I tell it to. It is so versitle and great sounding at all times. Lots of variety.

I didn't get this guitar new, but when I got I know it had never had any work done on it. With that said: Great action. Great pickup placementyness. No Flaws. None at all.

This guitar has lived through 6 years of the clumsiest person you will ever meet, being dropped by a blind guy, life in the closet of a spending junky, and tons of live shows. The only problem with it is that once I dropped it in my kitchen (tile) and it hit the active/passive switch just so that it broke off. The finish has lasted perfectly, with exeception of where the blind guy dropped it (chip in the finish near the output jack) and where the headstock had a battle with my cieling fan (more chipping). The strap buttons are very stable, and big enough for a less than new strap. I depend on it about once a week to deliver the goods as my only guitar at our shows. If it ever goes out (which it never will) I would be stuck using... *shudders* another band's guitar.

I've never tried to do anything about this guitar. It has last fine. It would be nice to get that switch replaced but Westone is out of buisiness.

I've been playing about 7 years. I would replace this guitar 100000000043975294875 times. Seriously. But I never will have to, because the thief would bring it back after finding out what its worth. I love everything about it. I especially love all the controls. I don't know what these one pickup/one knob guys are thinking! The ONLY ONLY ONLY problem is that its a bit heavy, but, hey, you can't have sustain and lightness at the same time.

THIS GUITAR IS AN INCREDIBLE VALUE!!!

Dunno what it's made of or when it was made. Is Japanese. Gotta be at least 10 years old.
Inherited this thing from my friend. Was all beat up and uncared for. Had been lying around gathering dust in his parents attic.
I gave it a little TLC and it's GREAT! Had to fool about with the settup, and it's still not perfect, but for a free guitar it has so many features!!!
Mine is a black version with 2 humbuckers, and a fixed bridge. Weighs a ton too. Has active circuitry which can be turned on/off, and an active tone control as well as a passive tone control (i think). Also has pick up selector switch, and single/double coil selector. The middle switch I think reverse the phase but again am not sure. See what I mean......how many features does this thing have!

Really good all rounder. Can get a whole range of sounds on it from blues to metal. Doesn't really excell at any but for what it is it has bang for the buck!

Was in a bad state when I got it so considering that it's in pretty good nick.

Built like a concrete dunny! Strap buttons are particularly good. Hardware has oxidised though which is a shame.

I think they went bust so there is none.

Like it a lot. Well, actually I love it as it has inspired me to play again after so many years.

I own two, one was not enough, both 22 frets, both active pickups sound real good, the fret board is alive, with the gain turned up. The finish on the one I bought new is better than the second hand one, the sound is fatter on the new one with 11s on anyway.

I killed an amp with one, it never got over the active pickups, sounded like it had been turned up to 11 one to many times.

I think they are both Japaneze, the sound through a Roland GP100 is out of this world, the active pickups really fattern the sound. There are so many different tones available.

With the gain turned up, the notes are fat, blue and beautiful, the sustain is from another planet, the feel and power is awsome. It can be played clean as well, but blues and rock is what active pickups really excell on.

Had to set them up a little, the quality against the price is real value. I like the feel of the necks, the frets have worn a little, they will one day be renewed if I trusted anyone enough to let them get near them.

This is one heavy, solid guitar, if you were playing at a medival banquet, hiding behind this would defend you from arrows and axes, if you were faced with some critics.

n/a

Sounds mad, but if I saw another, in real good order, I would find it REAL difficult to walk away. If they were stolen, I would buy 4, just out of spite, as not to own 1As would hurt too much.

It would be nice if they had 24 frets but I can forgive them for 22. I always go back to the Westones, when I die, I am taking them with me.

as per previous revies.

i used to think the sound wasn't that great, except for the active sound, which i always loved! but last year i played it through my mates genesis 1, and it sounded awesome...made me want it back!!!

best built guitar i've ever had, by quite a way...

built like a brick shit-house!

never needed to find out.

i had one of these from about 1983 to 2002. i bought it new for #150 from grattens catalogue. japanese made, from the matsumoku corporation, built like a tank, a nice player, loads of different sounds from the 2 coil-tapped, active humbuckers. bit of a dogs dinner, looks wise, due to the stripey faux thru neck body styling. but good solid woods all of them, so mustn't grumble too much. and the swamp ash did look lovely! actually aged really well. you can still get them for #150 or even less. i gave mine to my best mate(and favourite guitar player), to get him playing again, as he'd stopped playing and sold up a few years before. also, i'd just bought a new epi. les paul hollow body, and didn't think 'westie' would get much of a look-in. i'm a bit sentimental about this guitar, i'd actually advertised it to help pay for the les paul, but i withdrew it. then i got a call from someone wanting to buy it , and i couldn't do it. so i ended up giving it my mate, so it'd stay 'in the family'.

Got this guitar about 18 years ago, no idea how much it cost as my mum came home with it one day for me - she saw it in a second hand shop. Serial number:2021401. I think some one has one with a serial number in the 4000000ands and says it is at least 20 years old.
The finish is satin and has lasted very well, in fact it is just about perfect; and the westone has never even seen a case. The nobs on the pots have long gone, I realy should get some new ones. The tuners are the the best I have ever used. They feel silky smooth and though they don't lock the guitar is always in tune. If it is out I know it has had a knock. The neck is perfect, for me, maybe a bit wider than some and not too deep.
The acctive electronics are ace; at some point you have to stop playing around with the sounds it can make and acctually play the thing.

Music style, ho ho. Well, It does the lot. when I got the guitar I was only interested in Black sabbath, G'n'R, Maiden and the odd forray with pink floyd. I've grown older with the westone - still like all that stuf - but have found it will play anything you ask it, I've just started learing some worship song for church on it!
The guitar isn't noisy, though some of the switches could do with a dust to quiet them down.
It seems like you can make any sound you want on this guitar. Sure it will have it's limitations. But if you ever wanted just the one instrument as a jack of all things you wouldn't go too far wrong with the 1A.
By the feal and sound and build and finnish I always thought this would have been an expensive guitar; but have never seen another one in a shop to price it up. Looking it up on the web was just a whim, but what interesting reading it has made.
There isn't a single thing to dislike about this guitar, I wish there were, then I would have the excuse I need to buy a gibson.

There is a little discolouration on the bridge now, but like I say, no case and who knows how old.
The brass nut is well cut and works well.

This guitar is like a sherman tank that has been made in the rolls royce factory.

If it were stolen I might buy something else for a change, I hate to buy the same thing twice, though I didn't buy it in the first place. But that's the thing, it realy is that good that it has lasted for ever, sounds and plays great and I realy have had no excuse to part with it. I'm not a pro so I would have to justify getting a new one and I can't.

While in school like most young boys i wanted to play the guitar, but where to start? Lucky for me my brother knew of a cheap electric guitar being sold for only #5. When i purchased the guitar i had no idea what it was, except that it was an active guitar. 'Westone', 'made in japan' and 'thunder 1A' were my only indication of its origin. Using google i was able to research this find to learn more about it. Anyway...a couple of weeks later i completely striped the guitar, rewired the electronics because wires were missing and loose inside, sand down the body to the bone and completely re-spray. Now i got my own personnal active guitar for peanuts. When i could play i also bought a epiphone sg copy, but i still prefer the thunder 1A.

Loads of effects to play with, i use it for more punky tunes and it works great. I love the neck and find it easier to play than my sg.

I can't really comment on the fit & finnish because when i bought the guitar it was a wreak. All the components were loose inside where someone had previously attempted some D.I.Y and failed. The body has a small crack running through it. Plus some idiot decided to use normal cream house paint all over, which took a lot of time and detail to remove.

Wow...this guitar is invinsible. Even when treated so badly for god knows how long, with a bit of free time and energy the guitar is back to its best. Solid is not the word, if anyone wants a guitar to pass down as an airlome for some novice to learn on this is the guitar, it will take many beatings.

I love this guitar, i learned to play using it and also had the opportunity to rebuild and custome the guitar in my DT lessons.

Produced in the 1980's in Japan, this guitar was built to last.
The basic features are, double humbuckers, active electronics, rosewood fret board, well crafted machine heads and a lovely neck.
Loads and loads of tone variations.

From jazzy tones to wailing rock solo sounds, this guitar provides a huge selection of sounds.
The neck pickup is so powerfull it seems to play for you, and the bridge pickup is perfect.
I use the out of phase setting for a funky stacatto sound, the full neck pickup for a bluesey rock sound (with pedal distortion) and clean for jazzy solos. I have had this for 14 years now and it still kicks ass. I learned on it and have played strats, les pauls and ibanez guitars yet this one seems to have that little bit more when you need it.
The active circuitry is mad, it gives a real boost to the whole tone and volume of the guitar, but even if you never keep batteries in the power (2 9volt ones!) the active switch can be used as a simple on off switch instead, which is a cool effect in itself.
It does growl a bit on a clean setting but this can be overcome by backing off the volume control (on the guitar) if needs be. To be honest though I think it adds character!!!

My dad bought me the guitar to learn on when I was ten in 1989, and the guy who sold it said no work had been done on it. I haven't set it up, yet it still feels great to play. I think the guys in the factory must have set the machine to optimum when they built this because it has been dropped downstairs without a case (sorry), drenched in gig sweat and even seen rain at a bike festival, yet there are no crackles in the circuit, now bad markings and the tuning is always reliable.
I've just realised how bad a lot of the guitars are that are made now!

As I've said before it was built to last, and it has.
I think it needs a once over by my trusted local guitar repair man (Phil Boot), but thats just to clean it up really, I will be very surprised if it needs a major repair.
The few dents on it are actually caused by HEAVY knocks it has taken over the years, they do give it personality, but when I picture the accidents it has survived and think of other guitars in those situations I wonder if they would have been picked up in one piece afterwards?

I don't know if the westone company exists anymore, so I can't comment on customer support, but I do know a couple of people who have sold their westones and regretted it dearly, so I guess somewhere out there someone might be planning the return of the Thunder 1A

I learned on this guitar, I have owned and do own other guitars, but I would never part with my Westone Thunder 1A, because it is so good and reliable.
I have used it onstage in front of big crowds, in the studio (because it always has a trick up it's sleeve tone wise), and at home to just to play for pleasure.
I own a Fender Strat plus deluxe that I play more now, (only because I want to), yet I still return to the westone for inspiration with sound. The strat can get some cool sounds easily, but with just a little bit more work, the westone can shine!
Some guitars are like tools, they break or get worn down after a while, and some guitars are like part of the family, there in times of need, reliable and when all is well, they can even lead you to great things!

Made in the 1980's in japan, this guitar is heavy but has a solid built, has a wide neck but very playable and looks stunning. It has string thur body bridge. It has 2 buckers each with a vol. pot but only 1 for tone. Each pot has a small 2 swich under it, but I'm not sure what they do, they make it sound good. It has piezo electronics. Its edge laminated with mahogany with a maple inlay and a rose wood fret board. It is shaped a bit like a gibson SG but with no scratch plate and the top cutaway a bit ferther foward. Finished with a transparent gloss this is the best guitar I've owned

It suits my style to a tee. I love this guitars distortsion, even on a crudy amp with crap over-drive the distorstion rings through like a bell! Thought I'm less impessed with the clean sounds they have their charms. This guitar is best played through an clean amp, maybe with a effects pedal to get the most out of it.

This guitar it the the toughest guitar I've owned, cosidering it was made 1980's. I've dropped it several times(crud straps) and there has only been a few scuffs. I got this guitar from a friend who brought it new and I've seen this guitar go through the normal wear and tear and it still looks fine. The guitar has never gone through a set up from perchase but the action is perfect

Brillient never gone out of tune unexpectedly and has never had to take it to a shop to have something checked. Has never had any thing changed on it.

From new the warranty was 2 years but 23 years old it is way out of its warranty! But I understand that the company has long stopped so I cant really say.

this guitar is the best guitar ever and if it broke or got stolen I don't know what i'd do