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
