Famous Westone Players - Name and (no) shame them!

[Old Gregg]

Here's a fun idea for a thread - how about trying to name some famous Westone users (past and present) and posting YouTube clips, if available!?

I bring this up because the bassist who inspired me to take up the instrument, back in 1985, was a Westone devotee and it occured to me recently that I couldn't think of any others .

The bassist in question was a guy by the (stage?) name of Stuart Morrow and he was the original bass player for English, Cromwellian rockers, "New Model Army". I loved this band and used to go to see them regularly (in spite of the fact that their hardcore fans followed a fashion for wearing wooden-soled clog shoes, which they used to frantically kick at people in the "Mosh Pit" with . I can see Pollyanna recoiling in horror at the very mention of this kind of behaviour ).

Anyway, Mr. Morrow's "weapon of choice" was the all-black, Westone Thunder Jet Bass (high on my "Wanted List" ). Here's a great video of the band (and the "moshers") in action, in 1985: Link ....

Amongst the things that I love most in that clip are; a.) the fact that the bass guitar is by far the loudest thing in the mix (take note, rock bands everywhere ), b.) the speed and inventiveness of the bass playing, c.) the great close-up shots of that coolest of Westone logos and d.) the evidence of why British dentistry trails the world (except for, maybe, Bangladesh ).

After Stu Morrow left the band, his replacement jumped onto the Matsumoko band wagon, by championing the Spectrum GT Bass (yes, I want a black one of those, too ). Sadly, I can't find any video clips for that one, so you'll just have to take my word for it .

Anyway, what famous (or even, semi-famous) bands do you folks know of, who've used Westone guitars or basses in the past ?

[Pollyanna]

... (in spite of the fact that their hardcore fans followed a fashion for wearing wooden-soled clog shoes, which they used to frantically kick at people in the "Mosh Pit" with . I can see Pollyanna recoiling in horror at the very mention of this kind of behaviour.

Oh, you might be surprised Gregory! I'm not that Prim and Proper! I too used to wear those wooden soled clogs, but I must admit that most of my 'Clog Flinging' was aimed at my older sister!

Good idea, but I haven't got a clue! The only ones that I know of were Status Quo, but I think that they only used the Westones for a publicity campaign and not actually on stage - Does that still count?

Pauline

[Old Gregg]

I guess that Status Quo would count ... if we could see the publicity photographs to prove it .

Maybe our cousins from accross the pond can supply some input on this one!? There must have been some other well-known bands using Westone/Electra instruments (especially in Japan )!

[Pollyanna]

Will this do???? http://www.westone.info/ads/quo/index.html

There is also another, lesser known one, but I'm having problems uploading pictures at the minute! I'll get it sorted out soon though, hopefully!

Pauline

[Old Gregg]

That'll do nicley, thanks Poll !

Can't say that I've ever seen John "Rhino" Edwards using any headless bass other than his red Status, though .

You'd think that a band like Status Quo would sell enough records worldwide, not to need to "prostitute" themselves to a guitar manufacturer whose gear they're not prepared to use, wouldn't you ? Oh well, it gives us some more nice pictures to look at (the Clipper guitars, not the hairy men )!

[Pollyanna]

That'll do nicley, thanks Poll !
... Oh well, it gives us some more nice pictures to look at (the Clipper guitars, not the hairy men )!

Now that, dear Gregory, is a matter of opinion!

And as promised, here is the other advert!




HEE HEE!
Pauline

[corsair]

..you'll be pushing it uphill to find any "major" names; the only ones I can think of would be Mountain's Leslie West, INX's Kirk Pengilly and Hawkwinds Dave Brock! Oh, and Trevor Rabin from Yes. And I don't go near youtube as we're only on dial-up out here in the backblocks of NZ!!

http://www.westone.info/adverts.html

Happy hunting, y'all!!

[Old Gregg]

...And I don't go near youtube as we're only on dial-up out here in the backblocks of NZ!!

Happy hunting, y'all!!

Dial up? Wassat, Sport!?

[Old Gregg]

That'll do nicley, thanks Poll !
... Oh well, it gives us some more nice pictures to look at (the Clipper guitars, not the hairy men )!

Now that, dear Gregory, is a matter of opinion!

And as promised, here is the other advert!




HEE HEE!
Pauline

Polly, if we had a "Westone calendar" every month, I'd prefer to see you on it than Francis Rossi , any day !

Is that a tatoo of a Spectrum SX on your arm, BTW, or shouldn't one ask!?

[corsair]

Is that a tattoo of a Spectrum SX on your arm, BTW, or shouldn't one ask!?

..yes, do tell us!!

[corsair]

Dial up? Wassat, Sport!?s

...Ooh, that's considered a vile insult down here, to call a Kiwi an Aussie!! ...but I forgive you!! Dial-up, my friend is what you get when you choose to live miles out inthe scrub - hell, we're lucky to have 'phone and power!!

Hey, wish me luck on that blue Spectrum GT on the 'bay at the moment...

[Old Gregg]

Dial up? Wassat, Sport!?s

...Ooh, that's considered a vile insult down here, to call a Kiwi an Aussie!! ...but I forgive you!! Dial-up, my friend is what you get when you choose to live miles out inthe scrub - hell, we're lucky to have 'phone and power!!

Hey, wish me luck on that blue Spectrum GT on the 'bay at the moment...

My bad, sorry! I really couldn't think of a stereotypical NZ image to post . All I know about the country (from friends who've visited) is that it's the most beautiful place on Earth and that Lord of the Rings was filmed there ... not much to work with, really .

Anyway,

[Pollyanna]

Polly, if we had a "Westone calendar" every month, I'd prefer to see you on it than Francis Rossi , any day !

Is that a tatoo of a Spectrum SX on your arm, BTW, or shouldn't one ask!?

Shucks Gregory! You've got me blushing again!

The tattoo in question is just one of about nine that I've got, (all my own designs) and that particular one is of a Pheonix rising with a rose in its beak!

Oh, and before you all ask, No, I'm not going to show you them, so there!

John mate, Good luck with the GT!

Pauline

[Sfalj]

So all of these great guitars were never really played by the guitar greats? That's unfortunate...

After reading the first post I actually tried to find a famous person who did play one and well, no luck...

Someone here needs to get famous and promote the brand!

[Pollyanna]

Someone here needs to get famous and promote the brand!

I did!
Pauline

[corsair]

I did!
Pauline

Umm, OK then - I'll just be standing over here....

[corsair]

My bad, sorry! I really couldn't think of a stereotypical NZ image to post . All I know about the country (from friends who've visited) is that it's the most beautiful place on Earth and that Lord of the Rings was filmed there ... not much to work with, really .

Yes, very true; it was but I've never seen it - World's fastest Indian was more my style, and that was filmed in my old home town of Invercargill!! As for icons, I guess the kiwi, or the fern leaf or the Air New Zealand koru are all that come to mind readily, so you're forgiven, man!! We are at the bottom of the world, living quietly, not being a burden to anyone...

So, thank you Gandalf - (?) - for the best wishes!!

[Old Gregg]

....

So, thank you Gandalf - (?) - for the best wishes!!

Gandalf is one of the key characters from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Still, if you've never seen it (or read the books), then that won't mean a lot to you.

I guess I should have just posted a picture of the All Blacks, instead .

[Sfalj]

Someone here needs to get famous and promote the brand!

I did!
Pauline

PROOF! Proof is what I demand!

[corsair]

I guess I should have just posted a picture of the All Blacks, instead

...nah, wouldn't help; I don't follow what over-priced prima donnas do on a big paddock with a little ball....