Westone Thunder 1 upgrade.

JAYJO

Hi all.  I was thinking of replacing the brass bridge on my Westone Thunder 1 as it is missing a few tiny allen nuts.  I have a spare 52 vintage tele reissue bridge (6 saddle) doing nothing. Is it easy to just swap the bridges over ie Do i just unscrew existing bridge and line up the replacement as near as i can to the already predrilled holes from the original etc. Many thanks for any help with this..

ICBM

I don't think those two bridges are compatible in any way. The Tele bridge will have a cut-out for the pickup which probably won't line up with the pickup cavity on the Westone even if you did want to change it to a Tele pickup.

You need something like this -

https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/All_Hardware_and_Parts_by_Instrument/Electric_Guitar_Parts/Electric_Guitar_Bridges_and_Tailpieces/Non-trem_Electric_Guitar_Bridges/Gotoh_Hardtail_Bridge.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=2019-06-gp&pref_currency=P&shipcalc=UK&gclid=Cj0KCQjwov3nBRDFARIsANgsdoENNr3Iy5x33BvqjKFwTmzjsOg1trvK8zPubcaEnr84-3-gvUznpPcaAqjBEALw_wcB

- and even then, I would take the old bridge off first and measure the positions of the string-through holes, since if they're not in the same places and spacing, it won't fit.

Jalapeno

Why not source some replacement allen nuts ?

Funkfingers

OPTION 1
Ascertain the dimensions of the stock Westone saddles. Order replacement saddles.

OPTION 2
Ascertain the dimensions and thread pitch of the stock Westone bridge height adjustment grub screws. Order replacement screws.

OPTION 3
Contact @HarrySeven to enquire whether he has any spare Westone Thunder guitar bridge parts stashed away. Even if H7 has no original Westone parts, he might be able to advise on compatible bridges from other manufacturers.

JAYJO

Jalapeno said:

Why not source some replacement allen nuts ?

This was my first idea but then i just thought maybe i could switch the bridge. ICBM is of course correct it will not fit anyway.
As Funkfingers suggests i will need to either replace the saddles or get some allen nuts. I wil try @HarrySeven for any bridge parts for westone thunder 1 ?. anyone recommend where else i may get the parts i need?.  Many thanks  to all for your help and time with this. 

prowla

Allen bolts (or screws)?

Revolting1

For your allens try an industrial fastener supplier

  go there with a couple of the allens you require-they may not have them in stock - mine can usually get any next day

   they'll want to sell you a whole box -take it,thats how they operate then spread the goodness to other Westoners

             they're usually called  something imaginative like Trent Fastners /Mersey fastners etc

                                                 thats actually a good sign

                      

                                 probably wont be able to do Brass but may do Stainless        

                                                                

                                                                          

                                                         

ICBM

The Allen screws are an industry standard size and available from any guitar parts vendor - you just need the far-east/metric rather than US threads.

Sarge

As @ICBM says these are metric, 3mm x 10mm
I got mine from ebay for my Thunders, you'll need oval point, or cone point screws, flat point will move about as you adjust them.

JAYJO

prowla said:

Allen bolts (or screws)?

They are the tiny little screws that adjust the saddle heights. They are  as @Sarge says oval. sorry if ive confused anybody by saying allen nuts i have no idea about any of this. Really grateful for  all the help. I'm gonna do a ebay search.

JAYJO

I have found a supplier but have no clue which to select. drop down menu says M4 diameter = 4mm which is the  smallest with socket wrench size 2mm this goes on as M5 M6 M8 M10  etc with the socket wrench size increasing as 2.5mm 3mm 4mm and 5mm.? would i select M3 = 3mm x 10 mm?

Jalapeno

JAYJO said:

I have found a supplier but have no clue which to select. drop down menu says M4 diameter = 4mm which is the  smallest with socket wrench size 2mm this goes on as M5 M6 M8 M10  etc with the socket wrench size increasing as 2.5mm 3mm 4mm and 5mm.? would i select M3 = 3mm x 10 mm?

Measure one you have ....

JAYJO

Jalapeno said:

JAYJO said:

I have found a supplier but have no clue which to select. drop down menu says M4 diameter = 4mm which is the  smallest with socket wrench size 2mm this goes on as M5 M6 M8 M10  etc with the socket wrench size increasing as 2.5mm 3mm 4mm and 5mm.? would i select M3 = 3mm x 10 mm?

Measure one you have ....

OK will have a go at measuring one cheers

CasperCaster

As @Sarge has already said, they should be M3 (3mm) x 10mm. Loads of sellers on eBay. Stainless Steel would be good - any grade stainless will do, (A2 is typical grade, A4 is marine grade so more corrosion resistant etc) 

JAYJO

CasperCaster said:

As @Sarge has already said, they should be M3 (3mm) x 10mm. Loads of sellers on eBay. Stainless Steel would be good - any grade stainless will do, (A2 is typical grade, A4 is marine grade so more corrosion resistant etc) 

Thanks mate much appreciate your hep with this.    

JAYJO

 Ordered the 3m x10mm only cost £1.55 for ten. Unfortunately they are a bit too long i think i should have got 6mm length. Anyway ive put two in for now. The bad news is the selector switch has snapped off so i now need a replacement one of them lol... 

Sarge

JAYJO said:

 Ordered the 3m x10mm only cost £1.55 for ten. Unfortunately they are a bit too long i think i should have got 6mm length. Anyway ive put two in for now. The bad news is the selector switch has snapped off so i now need a replacement one of them lol... 

If it is a Japanese thunder (pre 1987) then a standard box type 3 way switch will do.
This type of thing : 
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/390322262654

Funkfingers

Those switches are utter shite.

Take the opportunity to buy something better. An Asian imitation of a sprung leaf toggle switch would suffice.