Rainbow

Production

Matsumoku  to Jan 1987
Rainbow I 1981 to 88
Rainbow II 1982 to 88

Description

There are at least three versions of the Rainbow I and two versions of the Rainbow II.

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

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.

Rainbow I

Version 1 (1981-2)

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

Specs

• body: laminated Canadian Ash
• neck: 3-ply Maple
• centre block is Maple
• fingerboard: Rosewood
• 24-3/4 inch scale
• 22 frets
• brass nut
• long travel Azusa bridge (steel with brass saddles)
• plain tailpiece
• two Magnet A750 pickups (uncovered)
• two volume and two tone controls
  all 4 pots are enclosed in shielded steel cans -thanks to Lars Muller for confirmation
• available in Translucent Walnut and Vintage Maroon

Update November 2013 This stunning model courtesy of Forum member AshNathens: (click to enlarge)

Footnote:

The above guitar has been identified as the actual instrument used in the original 1981 Westone catalogue !
You can read all about its history from its delighted Australian owner in his own words HERE.

 

Archive Picture: The one pictured below has lost it’s pick guard

Specs

• body: laminated Canadian Ash
• neck: 3-ply Maple
• centre block is Maple/Mahogany/Maple.
• fingerboard: Rosewood
• 24-3/4 inch scale
• 22 frets
• long travel  bridge (all steel)
• Swiftlok tailpiece (more ornate than the early model)
• pickups: two covered Super Twin 750
• controls: two volume and two tone (all pots shielded in individual steel cans)

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
• W ‘Bird’  logo on headstock

UPDATE June 2011
Thanks to Forum member bowenjaybee for this restored 1986 Rainbow I:

Rainbow II

Version 1 (1982-3)

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

Specs

• body: Flame Maple
• pickups: Super Twin 750
• script logo on headstock, Rainbow II written in italic script on the truss rod cover
• available in Burgandy Red and Brown Sunburst

Update June 2011
Thanks to Forum member Westbone for pictures of this stunning Birdseye maple example (click to enlarge):

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
• W ‘Bird’ logo on headstock, Rainbow II written in non-italic script on the truss rod cover
• available in Burgandy Red and Brown Sunburst

Update one, April 2015
Thanks to Forum member gandalf1961 for this recently acquired version 2 model (click to enlarge):

Update two,April 2015
Thanks to Forum member westbone for these version 2 pictures (click to enlarge):

Side by side comparison of Version 2 (left) and Version 1 (right)