Westbury Guitars

[colinmorris]

When I was 13, I started fooling around with my dad's electric guitar when I wasn't practicing piano. I knew nothing about guitars, and despite the fact I've been playing nonstop for the past six years, I still don't know much about the gear-related side of what I do.

What I DO know is that the guitar is a Westbury, and that the company went under. I also know that I've never played another electric guitar (in any price range at any shop) that I like as much. I'm sure the guitar has sentimental value added on, but there's something about this off-brand axe that feels and sounds fantastic.

Anyone here know anything about the current state of Westbury guitars? I've been to a new site that claims to be a revived version of the company, but it's hard to know if they're for real.

Colin Morris

[bobsynth]

I agree. They are great guitars. I have 2 Customs. I have a top of the line Westbury Custom, in nice shape, that I am looking to sell. Anyone interested?

[jm417]

For everybody who hasn't heard of these guitars they were made from about the mid to late 1970s until the mid 1980s in Japan by Univox. Probably comparable to the nicer Ibanez stuff of that era. And probably better than most of the Gibsons from around that time (Marauder, Sonex, etc.)

[jimye]

Theres a couple on Ebay right now, they look nice and aren't too pricey on the whole.

[bobsynth]

If you've never played one, read the reviews at Harmony Central and other places and you will know how good they are. Even the bottom end standard was a great axe. go to http://reviews.harmony-central.com/r...er+Custom/10/1

and
http://www.electricguitarbay.com/blo...rs/#comment-56

a guy playing one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCZZqotb1aU

and description and pictures.
http://www.univox.org/guitars/

[bobsynth]

If you've never played one, read the reviews at Harmony Central and other places and you will know how good they are. Even the bottom end standard was a great axe. go to http://reviews.harmony-central.com/r...er+Custom/10/1

and
http://www.electricguitarbay.com/blo...rs/#comment-56

a guy playing one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCZZqotb1aU

and description and pictures.
http://www.univox.org/guitars/

[guitarmanifesto]

Originally posted by bobsynth
If you've never played one, read the reviews at Harmony Central and other places and you will know how good they are. Even the bottom end standard was a great axe. go to http://reviews.harmony-central.com/r...er+Custom/10/1

and
http://www.electricguitarbay.com/blo...rs/#comment-56

a guy playing one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCZZqotb1aU

and description and pictures.
http://www.univox.org/guitars/

You can't really tell what that guitar sounds like with all the processing going on.

[guitarmanifesto]

Originally posted by bobsynth
If you've never played one, read the reviews at Harmony Central and other places and you will know how good they are. Even the bottom end standard was a great axe. go to http://reviews.harmony-central.com/r...er+Custom/10/1

and
http://www.electricguitarbay.com/blo...rs/#comment-56

a guy playing one
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCZZqotb1aU

and description and pictures.
http://www.univox.org/guitars/

You can't really tell what that guitar sounds like with all the processing going on.

[superjesus117]

I have a 1977 Westbury Standard, that has the stock 1975 DiMarzio Super Distortion/PAF combo, still with the original DiMarzio sticker on it.

I know that Westbury was going under, UniVox bought them, the Univox went under.

My Dad gave it to me, along with an Ibanez Firebird and Fernandez Telecaster.
These are my favorite guitars, even above my custom made ESP guitar
I agree, they are built amazingly, and they have a lot of sentimental value to me. So much so I use them exclusively for recording, they have never left my studio.
EVER

[bobsynth]

I was so impressed with my Westbury Custom, that I ended up buying a Standard for my son, who wanted to learn how to play guitar. He took lessons and played it for about a year. He lost interest and sold it. While it was a nice guitar, and certainly great for the money, in my opinion, it was not in the same league as the Custom, for playability. It did have a great sound, comparable to the Custom, but the varitone switch on the Custom allowed many more sounds, that the Standard couldn't duplicate. I have never tried the Performer or Deluxe models, so I can't judge how they match up to the Custom. Has anyone ever played these guitars as well as the Custom? I would be very interested in their opinions of how they compare.

[sad machines]

Not to hijack the thread...but I have a similar story of my dad's Aspen acoustic (made in 70's in Japan). I have yet to hear a better acoustic! It was a no name cheap knock-off of the Gibson Hummingbird.

[Mapleglo]

but I must part with my treasured Westbury Super Custom. That's the one with the gold pickup covers. It goes live on Ebay on 06/02/09 at 22.00hrs GMT.
I am not a dealer; this instrument has been owned, played and loved by me since 1995. This is truly an emotional event for me. It would ease the pain if it went to a genuine enthusiast.

[jimye]

Just out of curiosity you've linked an item that isn't up yet and the link is invalid?

[Mapleglo]

Originally Posted by jimye

Just out of curiosity you've linked an item that isn't up yet and the link is invalid?

Yes, the auction is scheduled to start today at 22.00hrs GMT; I believe that's 17.00hrs EST or 14.00hrs PST. The link should work then (it works for me right now, as the vendor).

[jagfangirl27]

I started playing the bass again recently, and my dad retired from gigging so he sent me his Westbury bass. Had never heard of the brand so I was a little skeptical. It has a ginormous sound. Very well built. Pickup arrangement is perfect. I love this thing.