Westone Concord II
4011193
 
Reunited with its bass counterpart after nearly 40 years, this 6 string full scale Concord is a delight. 
 
4011193 lost its Super I pick-ups many years ago, a previous owner installed some Fender Ceramic coils from a MIM standard, but to our ears they were too bright and peaky. A 1978 Stagecaster ST-600B had given up a set of SP-1B during an upgrade so where better to rehome them? They give a very sparkly yet full and rounded set of tones. They will drive an amp, but you need to want to - they stay clean when you want them to.
 
 It's not trying to be a Strat, you'll need one of those as well if that's the aim, but it's a fine instrument, very well made and characterful. Like many of the Rosewood necked Matsumoku guitars here, it has a comparatively soft feel. These were workhorse instruments - they wear their parking dents with pride, but if we still have this Concord later in the year, we'll treat it to a full refinish.