Westone Concord III
There are at least four (Possible five) versions of the Concord III - all were made by Matsumoku
1982
As shown in the 1982 German catalogue -
- 25.5 inch scale, 21 frets 3
- GS450 pickups (White covers)
- Front of headstock matches the body colour.
- Script logo on headstock
- Available in metallic red or blue 12 screws on the scratchplate.
- Truss rod adjustment at the body end of the neck
- Rosewood fingerboard.
- Jack socket mounted on the side.
Version 2 (1982-3)
As shown in the 1982/3 catalogue -
- Solid Alder body, one piece Maple neck and fingerboard (Skunk stripe on the back), bone nut.
- 25.5 inch scale, 21 frets
- 3 SF480 single coil pickups (White covers).
- Controls - master volume, two tone, 5 way pickup selector.
- Brass trem system, brass knobs, gold hardware.
- Available in Purple Red and Pearl White, both finishes with a white scratchplate (9 screws, different shape to the earlier version).
- Front of headstock matches the body colour.
- Script logo on headstock.
- Truss rod adjustment at the headstock.
1983-4
As shown in the 1983 catalogue. Differences from version 2 -
- Fingerboard is Rosewood on models with a black finish,
- Maple on the rest
- 3 Super II single coil pickups.
- Available in Purple Red, Pearl White (Both with a white scratchplate) or Black with a black scratchplate.
- Scratchplate has 12 screws.
- Front of headstock has a natural finish, 'bird' W logo on headstock
- Jack socket mounted on the scratchplate.
1984
As shown in the 1984 catalogue. Differences from version 3 -
- Same scale, but now has 22 frets H/S/S pickups - 1 x Hammer I and 2 x Super I
- Available in Onyx or Candy Apple Red, both with a black scratchplate.
- Front of headstock is the same colour as the body
I'm not sure where the one pictured below fits - there are some similarities to versions 1, 2 and 3, so it may fit somewhere between them, but there are also parts that do not match any other version. As the neck plate is an early design that seems to have been phased out in 1983, I suspect it dates from 1982/3. It may be either a transitional model between other versions or a regional variation (It was bought in the US). It's possible that it is a prototype / pre-production model (There is no obvious serial number). Similarities to other versions - Side mounted jack (Versions 1 and 2) Scratchplate - same shape and number of screws as version 3 Rosewood fingerboard - (Versions 1 and 3). The logo is different to any other version It has brass saddles, but the bridge is steel
The truss rod cover and the hole in the end of the scratchplate by the neck are not original. (Thanks to Gena for the pictures of this one)
