Westone Quantum Bass X850. . . . . .

Westone Quantum Bass X850

This is not a toy and never was. 

These were serious instruments, with a fairly hefty price.

Back in 1986, these were listed at $529, which in today's money,

is over $1000, at today's $ to £ rate, is just over £640!! 

Medium scale, well balanced, with a great range of tones.

When you go to pick it up, it is quite a surprise - it is almost as heavy

as a standard bass, having a maple neck and body. 

Matsumoku built, so pretty much ticks all of the boxes.

It has a cut-away, so if you wander into a bit of 80's Slappin' and Poppin',

you can easily get your fingers under the G and D string.

This was also a feature on the Super Headless, which is the one that

has escaped me, so far - would love to have a go on one. 

The stringing set up is as per the Westone Rails I had, so there is no

need for double ball strings - any string will do, so if you have a favourite,

stick 'em on and get playing.

This one has it's original silver carry bag and I believe the original strap,

as one of my Rail basses, also came with the same strap.

It is in very good condition, aside from the marks on the pick-ups, which

is common on this type. 

As you can see, got some shots at last - I think it's time for some lemon

oil and a string change - might take it to rehearsal next week!

Quantum Info 

Now I have done this one, I think I will carry on the headless theme and do

my Yamaha BX1, which is lurking somewhere and I may also do my Hohner

B2A, which is also probably lurking in the same area as the Yamaha!!

Cheers. :) 

If you have landed on this page and you want to go to the 
latest post, go here:
Latest post. 

Gordy Headless Bass. . . . .

Gordy Headless - another one!

 

This one is mine, which I covered in November, 2010.
A really Great Bass!


Gordy Headless


These things are as rare as hen's teeth, so when someone pointed out one 
on ebay, it was well worth taking a look. 

I now know of a fretless conversion and have had more details on the red one but
they don't come up very often - no idea how many were made!

This is the black one up for sale. Looks lovely in Black.
 

If the person who wins this beauty, sees this blog entry - I would love you to get in touch.
 

contactflateric@gmail.com 


Some more headless action, when I finally get round to the Westone!!


Cheers. :)

Guitars as art. . . . . .

How about this then??

 

The other day I came across an unusual site for guitars - This one:

Tony Cochran Guitars 

Some very interesting ideas and some really weird stories that go with them

but that is what these are all about - Something a bit different

As I still haven't got any shots of the Westone, I checked with Tony that it was 

OK to link it into my blog and he very kindly said yes.

I have no association with Tony but thought it would be something interesting

to have a look at, while I get some much needed shots of the rest of my collection.

So, have a good look.

He also does Cartoons!

Back to my stuff, as soon as I can.

Played my Doug Wilkes last night - Very Nice indeed!

This one:

Doug Wilkes Bass 

Back soon. . . . Honest!

Cheers. :)

Firebird Twin Neck, one of my favouite shots.

The weather is awful again, so no chance of getting on the garden. . . .

So, I have been going through some of the images I have taken 
over the last few years and every time I get to this one, I always
pause for a longer look.

 

For anyone who read the feature on Peter Cook, the guitar builder, you will

have seen this before.

If you are interested in the story, including his work with The Ox, the Gibson

man in the UK, Mighty Mite, The Axis and many more things about Peter,

go here:

Peter Cook Luthier

Because of how images are presented on here, they are shown smaller.

There is a larger shot on The Gibson Forum, here:

Firebird Double Neck

Back next time, hopefully with the Westone I mentioned.

Cheers, :)   

If you have landed on this page and you want to go to the 
latest post, go here:
Latest post. 

Guitarz Blog and 61K. . . . . . . .

Hi to you all!

All set for my 60,000th visitor and it passed me by!
There have now been 61,000 visits to my collection blog - amazing.

I have also had a listing on the Guitarz Blogspot, which if you
haven't ever seen is here:Guitarz Blog

This has been running for ten years and has listed some very
unusual instruments in that time.
There always seems to be something new - well worth a visit.

A couple of gigs over the Jubilee weekend - one very hot and 
sticky night, followed by an outdoor event, were I struggled to
feel my fingers.
On both occasions, the Canadian Odyssey had a trip out. Nice!

I am trying to get back to regular posts and with most likely do
another Westone, as one of my readers has mentioned one to me.

Westone Quantum, complete with it's original silver shiny case.
As I have now sold both my Westone Rail's, this is the only Westone
headless I now have.


Until next time - more pics, more scribbling.

Cheers. :) 

Electra Outlaw Bass Part II. . . . .

This has to be one of the most unusual basses I have.

So, I thought I would put a bit more detail into this one.

Not exactly a shape inspired by anything else and yet it
works very well. 
Well balanced on a strap and sitting, not too heavy, nice
neck, which for me has a Gibson sort of feel.
The bridge is obviously a direct copy of a Rickenbacker,
the Precision pick-up is as a Fender P, the other pick-up
has, I'm sure, been seen on other Japanese basses but
it is the electronics that are different.
Just look at the size of those switches!!
They control the modules that are inserted into the rear
of the bass.
These are mine.  

There are 11 different ones you could have.
 Phase shifter, Fuzztone, Bass Treble equalizer, Tank tone,
Triggered filter, Envelope follower, Automatic Wah wah, 
Tube tone, Octave splitter, Flanger and and perhaps 
the oddest effect I have ever heard of. . . . . . . . . .
Frog Nose!!!

As well as all that to be offered, there are five different options
on the pick-up switching.

 

Chris Squire,  famously "altered" his and used it live on many occasions.

 

Something else I didn't know until recently and have never seen it 

documented before, there was a passive version.

  

What's it like to play?

Very nice!

The two modules on mine give an extra colour to the sound,

so you can use pick-up selections as a basis for your sound

and then kick in the other two as you want them.

The whole thing says Quality!

As well as looking very attractive from the front, the neck/body

joint is a masterpiece of joinery. 

There are also very decorative inlays, that I think look like

Butterflies!

Very Nice!

 

That's it - Electra MPC Outlaw Bass!

Something a bit different, something a bit unusual. . . . . .

Something a bit nice!!

Cheers. :)

 

Comments on the Collection. . . . .

Hi - Friday again!!!

Since Blogger changed the set-up, I have now had
to find all the features that I was used to and looked
at others, whilst I was at it.
On the previous set-up, I had tried to install "Comments"
but somehow never got it to fire up.
Now, it's sorted and I already have a few linked to the
instruments in question.

Like this:

"Thanks for a great blog - keep up the good work!
I had one of the '85 black Quantums - it was my
first bass, and still my favorite for overall feel,
sound, and playability.
Will you be posting yours on here anytime soon?"
on On the Rails. . . . . . .

"A beautiful instrument, thanks for the description.
Those silk ends must surely affect intonation too,
not only tone?" on Ovation Magnum Bass. . . . .

"Hi, just picked up an Ibanez SB70 for €159.
I agree with your comments. Do you still own yours?
Have you registered it with the SB70 register at
ibanezcollectorsworld.com?
They are trying to establish how many there are in
the world...
(PS your blog gets visits every 10 minutes, you should
keep it going)" on Ibanez Studio SB70 - A rare one??. .

Always nice to hear from fellow owners.


The last couple of rehearsals I have used one of
my White Aria Laser Heritage and it's cousin,
a Black "active" Laser.

If you are looking for a great bass, that won't
break the bank, you wouldn't go far wrong.
Smiles all round - thumbs up from SixString!

So, now we have "Comments". . . . . any one 
reading this, who has one, let me know what 
you think of yours.

The guy who I bought the active from, who from
memory was a "Precision" man, said he as VERY
tempted to take out the pick-ups and electrics. . .
Glad he didn't!!

I will try and put up the details for the Electra Outlaw
next time around.

Cheers. :)

Electra Outlaw MPC X620. . . . . . .

Looking more like a Starship than a Bass!!!

This is one I have had some time and mentioned before but never got 

around to taking any shots of it
That was until today, when the sun finally came out, after what seems 
like four weeks of solid rain!!

So, there you have it. . . . . The Electra Outlaw Bass, MPC X620.

I will let you enjoy the images and I will come back with lots more detail
on this beauty, next time.

Enjoy.




                              

As I said above, lots more details next time.

Cheers. :) 

If you have landed on this page and you want to go to the 
latest post, go here:
Latest post.