The tremolo frenzy had continued, and although reasonable minds might have argued that a correctly adjusted full-floating bridge out to offer plenty enough tuning stability if used carefully, wilder voices insisted that the only way to go truly crazy and return to tune again was a locking nut, and that meant a bridge with fine tuners. In 1985 the X198 replaced the X189, upgraded not only with a new brand and model name, but a new tremolo system with locking nut and Bendmaster FT bridge, whose cast plate held fine tuners. By 1984 its tekglide trem was superceded, leaving the X195 discontinued in favor of more familiar configurations.īolt neck double cutaway with maple body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, black hardware, graphite nut and Bendmaster FT two-post bridge, locking nut, two humbuckers, one single-coil pickup with three pull-switch knobs (V-T-T) for coil tap, fat (center on) and phase and 3-way selector switch. It was the last of the new variations in Electra Phoenix. As a result, an X195 can do a better job of ‘passing for a strat’ although its tonal range is much wider than that. The difference is that the X195 offers a wider range of single coil tones, and then adds a humbucker in the middle to add a warmer tone- rather than the other way around. The controls are intuitive, like the H-S-H, and immediately offer a wide range of tones. The unusual blue burst finish added to its strangeness.ĭesigner Tom Presley is reported to have said he liked this configuration best of all, and upon playing it, it’s easy to see why. When it seemed that just about every other pickup configuration had been released, its S-H-S configuration left everyone guessing (and still does). The X195 is arguably the oddest model in an already remarkably varied lineup of guitars. Whatever Tom and his buddies had done in the latest generation of pickups, it was good mojo, and all the flagship models got them, including also the Dimension IV and Monark when they appeared.īolt neck double cutaway with maple body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, black hardware, graphite nut and Bendmaster two-post bridge, one humbucker, two single-coil pickups with three pull-switch knobs (V-T-T) for coil tap, fat (center on) and phase and 3-way selector switch.
Beyond saying they sound better, they have more dynamic range, more headroom, and a richer tone in-between. The X199 also had a new generation of MMK45’s that are a noticeable difference from the already excellent MMK45’s. Every X199 feels like it’s had personal attention- today we’d call it ‘custom shop’ treatment and the intention was clear- show a premium model to attract attention and build reputation for quality, and then sell them the cheaper model which is still good quality but oh such a value. The X199 was all of that, and not only was its set neck smoothly integrated into its body, its Phoenix lines had been massaged and smoothed. Alice Cooper had told us we were all clones, and laminated wood tones and brass hardtail mellowness had to go in favor of candy apple red and black hardware. In 1984 the X199 appeared as the new flagship of the line, replacing the X149 and X150. Read about the Gotoh GTC101 bridge HERE.Set neck double cutaway with maple body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, black hardware, graphite nut and Bendmaster two-post bridge, two humbuckers, one single-coil pickup with three pull-switch knobs (V-T-T) for coil tap, fat (center on) and phase and 3-way selector switch.
The Japanese company who made the original bridge is still in business, and they still make this bridge! Bridge Assembly & Saddle Replacement (“the real thing”)Ī string-through-rear style brass bridge assembly is a more reliable replacement for the poor “barrel saddle” design found on many early 1980’s Westone Thunder and some Vantage Avenger models.
Their original knurling was also coarser than the original Westone, but they now offer 3 degrees of cut. The good folks at Armadillo Guitars have updated their original Westone repro’s and added several much needed options, including your choice of aluminum or brass, and with or without an indicator. Some Forum members have made their own but not all of us are able to use a metal lathe. Looking for replacement brass knobs for your Thunder? Each shirt helps keeps this site live and around! Brass Knobs
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