Westone Thunder IIA
There are at least 3 versions of this model. As with the Thunder IA,
the earliest version has variable gain for the active circuit, later
versions replace that with separate active and passive tone controls
Version 1 (1981-82)
As shown in the 1981 catalogue:
- Body - Canadian Ash, Maple and Walnut
- Neck - 5 piece laminate of Ash, Maple and Walnut, Rosewood fingerboard, brass nut. 22 frets 24.75 inch scale
- (Set neck resembling the joint used on the Rainbow, not the heelless set neck of later models)
- Steel tailpiece and bridge with brass saddles
- 2 Magnet-F530 pickups, 3 way switch, phase, coil tap and active on/off switches. Master volume, tone and equalizer volume (Active gain) controls
- Available in Navy Blue or Sunset Red with a Light Oak centre stripe
- Script logo on the headstock
The serial number of the guitar below dates it to 1981. Thanks to Ronnie for the pictures. (The single coil pickup and extra switch are not original.)
Version 2 (1982-3)
Here are technical specs of the Thunder IIA in the 1982/3 catalogue, but no pictures of it
- Ash and Maple body, 3-ply Maple heelless set neck, Rosewood fingerboard, brass nut, 24.75 inch scale, 22 frets
- 2 HF530C humbuckers, 3 way switch
- Controls - master volume and tone, equaliser (Active) tone, switches for active on/off, coil tap and phase
- Swiftlok tailpiece, 'long travel' steel bridge
- Available in Midnight Blue and Pearl White (Must also have been available in Red, the one below has not been refinished)
- Script logo on headstock
It is possible that the specs in the 1982/3 catalogue are wrong. The guitar below dates from early 1983, but has the earlier version of the active circuit. (Volume, tone, active gain controls)
Version 3 (1983-?)
As shown in the 1983 catalogue:
- Solid Maple body, 3 ply Maple heelless set neck, Rosewood fingerboard, 24.75 inch scale 22 frets. Bone nut.
- 2 Super Twin I pickups, 3 way switch, coil tap, phase and active on/off switches
- Master volume, tone, equalizer tone controls
- Swiftlok tailpiece, long travel steel bridge
- Available in Pearl White or Midnight Blue
- 'Bird' W logo on headstock
