Westone Choice

[Rob MacKillop]

Hi folks. It’s nice to be talking about guitars again instead of my health (which, by the way, is on track, and I should be home in a month!). Treating myself to a new old guitar. The choices are the Westone King II (1985) and the Westone PO501 (1980). The King II is laminate, the PO501 has a spruce top. Both have original pickups. Both described as being in Excellent Condition. Looking for that Wes tone.

Anyone here have experience with one or the other, or indeed both?

[FourOnSix]

Hi folks. It’s nice to be talking about guitars again instead of my health (which, by the way, is on track, and I should be home in a month!).

I know nothing about Westone guitars, but I do know this sentence will bring a sigh of relief to a lot of people on this forum.

Is this the earliest thread drift on record?

[Stringswinger]

I too know nothing about Westone guitars, but I am also glad to hear that you are on the mend and still with us Rob.

For a budget way to get a guitar that nails the early Wes tone, I would suggest a 60's Gibson ES-125.

[mr. beaumont]

I think the solid top is going to deliver on that Wes tone a little more...

I've never played a Westone but I've basically heard nothing but good.

By the way, this is great news!

[joe2758]

Westone .. and the Westone.. Looking for that Wes tone.

Sounds like a good place to start based on the name

[GuyBoden]

Rob, have you searched the Westone forum?

Westone Top End Guitar Collection For Sale

[digger]

What a splendid thread :-) Great news, cloaked in a potential new guitar thread. Perfect.

[2bornot2bop]

Rob, it’s great to have you back on the farm! Wishing you well!

[pingu]

Well done mate , keep going !!

pingu
still loving the AF2000

[Mick-7]

Surprisingly, the Westone website is your best resource -- Westone Guitars: the Home of Westone – Matsumoku

Q. How do guitarists usually cope with the stress of health challenges?
A. They buy guitars.

[Woody Sound]

I’m glad things are going in the right direction for you, no matter how slowly.

[Cunamara]

Yay, Rob! Glad to hear improvement is continuing and on track. Hope you are indeed home soon and able to start picking up a guitar again.

[Rob MacKillop]

As it happens, Cunamara, I am being allowed a day-release tomorrow for a few hours. I’ll be home from 2pm to 5pm. Very much looking forward to it. First I’ll cuddle my wife, then my guitars!

[Doctor Jeff]

Glad to hear the good news!

Slàinte Mhath!

[kris]

I played a Japanese Westone semi-hollow guitar.
It was at the beginning of the 1980s.
Best
Kris

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks for the info, Kris. But what did you think of the quality, even though it is a different guitar.

[Boss Man Zwiebelsohn]

IIRC the Westone brand was sold after having been a quite solid brand made in Japan. My first guitar was a Trevor Rabin (of Yes fame) Super-Strat with Floyd Rose (which I hated) but a well-built guitar. I think they changed the logo after the selling of the brand. No idea about their archtops.

EDIT: I overlooked that you are looking at guitars from '80 resp. '85. Might be something good. Long before the brand was sold.

[Max405]

Great news Rob!
And no matter what guitar you purchase, it’s “tone” will be unmistakebly Rob’s tone.
I’m sorry can’t help on the guitar, but I’m over the moon knowing you are OK.
Joe D

[Rob MacKillop]

Thanks, gentlemen. This forum has many friends for me.

My understanding regarding these 1980s Westone guitars is that they are great value for money, close to the Gibson L5. I’ve written to the seller asking more info regarding fret wear, intonation, etc.

I’d had to sell my jazz guitars and a couple of classicals in the chaos of the last months, but have enough left to buy an archtop again. My feeling is that I’d prefer a guitar that is broken in, rather than buying new again, though the Comins GCS-1 is always tempting.

[Mick-7]

The Westone brand was a Matsumoku factory product during that time period, thus their consistently high quality.

See my post here -- Epiphone Emperor T (and similar Matsumoku guitars)

[nyc chaz]

Great to see you feeling better Rob!I knew someone 30 years ago that had a Westone King and i remember he got quite a nice jazz tone from it.

[kris]

I recorded an album in the 1980s on Westone Rainbow guitar. with chorus effect.As I remember, I bought it for about $350.

[garybaldy]

I know nothing about these other than I've heard of the brand.
They both look very nice. In terms of appearance I'd go for the PO501 with the more 'traditional' headstock.

[mr. beaumont]

I recorded an album in the 1980s on Westone Rainbow guitar. with chorus effect.As I remember, I bought it for about $350.

Don't want to derail Rob's thread, but this is great stuff Kris.

[deacon Mark]

Rob I don't care what guitar you play I am just thrilled to see the progress and you posting. Guitars can come and go but gents like you are the real deal!