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Westone Rainbow I and II

Westone Rainbow I

There are at least 3 versions of this model

Version 1 (1981-2)

As shown in the 1981 catalogue -
Wider, rounder horns/ears than later models and the F holes are a different shape.

The body is laminated Canadian Ash, 3 ply Maple neck, centre block is Maple.
Rosewood fingerboard, 24.75 inch scale 22 frets. Brass nut.
Long travel Azusa bridge (Steel with brass saddles), plain tailpiece.
2 Magnet A750 pickups (Not covered), 2 volume and 2 tone controls (All 4 pots are enclosed in shielded steel cans -thanks to Lars Muller for confirmation)
Available in Translucent Walnut and Vintage Maroon
The one pictured below has lost it's scratchplate
early Rainbow I

Version 2 (1982-3)

As shown in the 1982/3 catalogue
Smaller f  holes

The body is laminated Canadian Ash, 3 ply Maple neck, centre block is Maple/Mahogany/Maple.
Rosewood fingerboard, 24.75 inch scale 22 frets.
Long travel  bridge (All steel), Swiftlok tailpiece (More ornate than the early model).
2 covered Super Twin 750 pickups, 2 volume and 2 tone controls (All pots shielded in individual steel cans)
Available in Antique Walnut and Antique Maroon  (According to the catalogue - they must have been available with a translucent  black finish at some point, the model shown below has not been refinished)

Rainbow I frontRainbow I back.

This is an August 1982 model with a brass nut - the 1982/3  catalogue says they have a bone nut.  The script logo on the headstock appears to be inlaid mother of pearl.
 

Version 3 (1983-4?)

As shown in the 1983 catalogue - same as version 2, except for -
Different shape on the f holes

Pickups - 2 Super Twin II
Body is laminated Maple, not Ash
'Bird' W logo on headstock
Rainbow I 1983

The Rainbow I appears  in the 1981, 1982/3 and 1983 catalogues and the 1984 UK pricelist. It also appear in the US pricelists from 1986, 1987 and January 1988, so it is possible that they were made throughout the 80s until Matsumoku ceased guitar production. It does not appear in the July 1988 UK pricelist.

Westone Rainbow II

There are a few differences between the Rainbow I and Rainbow II - the Rainbow II has gold hardware (Chrome on the Rainbow I), an ebony fretboard with much larger mother of pearl position inlays, a Mahogany neck and 2 PEQ tone controls. Only the volume pots are in screened cans - the dual-gang pots used for the PEQ tone controls only just fit in the body cavity so they are not fitted in screened cans.

There are at least 2 versions -

Version 1 (1982-3)

As shown in the 1982 catalogue
F holes the same shape as the version 2 Rainbow I

Body - Flame Maple
Pickups - Super Twin 750
Script logo on headstock, Rainbow II wriiten in italic script on the truss rod cover
Available in Burgandy Red and Brown Sunburst

Version 2 (1983-4?)

As shown in the 1983 catalogue
F holes the same shape as the version 3 Rainbow I

Body - Laminated Maple
Pickups - Super Twin II
'Bird' W logo on headstock, Rainbow II written in non-italic script on the truss rod cover
Available in Burgandy Red and Brown Sunburst




The Rainbow II appears  in the 1981, 1982/3 and 1983 catalogues and the 1984 UK pricelist. It also appear in the US pricelists from 1986, 1987 and January 1988, so it is possible that they were made throughout the 80s until Matsumoku ceased guitar production. It does not appear in the July 1988 UK pricelist.