Westone Thunder II bass
Manufactured from 1981 until at least 1984, probably longer. There are at least three different versions of this bass
Version 1 (1981-82)
As shown in the 1981 catalogue
- 24 fret through neck, two split pickups, active controls
- Body is solid Canadian ash, with a through-body heelless neck which is a laminate of maple and walnut with a 24 fret ebony fingerboard with snowflake inlay position markers.
- Two split-coil Magnet F675 pickups with 3-way selector switch
- Phase, 'dual tone' (Series/parallel) and active tone switches
- Volume, active and passive tone controls
- Brass nut, saddles and bridge (Substantially more massive than the bridge on the Thunder I), metal backplates. (Anodised aluminium, not brass)
Pictured below is a 1981 model. The only difference between this one and the one above (Which is an early 1982 model) is the output socket - an XLR connector. I have seen one other 1981 Thunder II with an XLR socket. According to the 1981 catalogue, the XLR connector was available as an option. Colours available were originally Walnut and Savannah Yellow
Version 2 (1982-3)
As shown in the 1982-3 catalogue. Specs as above, except for:
- 22 frets
- P/J pickups (HF600B and SA800B)
- Available in Ash Black and Walnut
This version was renamed the Thunder III in 1983
Version 3 (1983 on)
As shown in the 1983 catalogue.
- Solid Maple body, 3-ply heelless built in Maple neck. Rosewood 22 fret fingerboard, bone nut. Shorter (32.25 inch) scale length.
- 2 Super Boomer I pickups, 3 way selector, master volume and two PEQ tone controls.
- Heavy duty brass bridge, chrome hardware
- Available in Pearl Silver or Onyx
