Westone Rainbow 1

Made in Japan at Matsumoku ( Westone was Mats'own label) in the early 80's, the Rainbow 1 could looks like a ES 335 copy, (with better finish and its own design);Plywood maple (bird's eyes) body. 22 frets set-in neck made of 3 pieces of maple (Rosewood fingerboard) There is a central beam, as in 335 (maple and mahogany) Bindings neck;, head, "f" holes, top and back. Tune-o-matic type bridge, quick release tailpiece (spécial design) , Gotho like machine heads,2  humbuckers, 2 volumes and 2 bass / treble, shielded knobs, a 3 positions selector. 

UTILIZATION

The neck is a delight, One of the best I've ever taken in hand. The guitar is not light but well balanced, easy access to the highest notes. The settings are childish; plug and get "the" sound.

SOUNDS

It is a guitar that loves to be played loud, that's where she express her full potential, reactive, sensitive, gentle or explosive and nervous like a wild horse ... a  bluesman's feast, a rocker's dream. The neck pickup provides full and warm tones, from the intermediate position, the sound become crystalline. No feedback problems but endless sustain . I plug it in my old solid state Fender amp or in my heavy  Laney tube amp, she does everything I ask. (Yet It's better with the tubes)

OVERALL OPINION

I got her few months ago, in addition to my old LP. I hit a lot of guitars for decades I'm playing, this Rainbow seduced me at first contact by its look and feel. It is not, in my view, an instrument which claims to be versatile. To play jazz, I prefer the LP (which is designed for.) When coming out in early '80s it was compared (with honor) to the 335 and praised for its mind-blowing value for money, it is still true. I just grade it 9, because the perfect guitar does not exist, each one has its own personality and limitations.