Spectrum SX

Production

Matsumoku to Jan 1987
1985-87

Description

First appeared in the 1985 UK catalogue, available in Transparent Red or Transparent Blue (With Hard Maple neck and fingerboard), it was also available in red and black, both colours with a Rosewood fingerboard.

First appears in US price lists in Jan 1985 at $399.50 for the Trans Red, Trans Blue and Black finishes (Red finish not mentioned), rises to $460 in August 1986.
Last appears in the Sept 1987 price list (Only the Trans Red finish is available at that time)

Oddly, it doesn’t appear in the April 1987 price list, and none of the US price lists show the (non-transparent) red finish.

None of the catalogues or price lists mention any changes to the spec of the SX, but there are at least two versions. Most of the ones seen are as shown in the 1985 and 1986 catalogues, but there is also a later original factory model with only a single tone control, and  no phase reverse switch.

Specs

At first glance, this looks like the Spectrum MX.
There are a  few differences.

  • The SX has a different trem: double locking Bendmaster FT with fine tuners; later models (1986) also come with Bendmaster Deluxe
  • two tone controls; later models (1986) are seen with a single tone control
  • push-pull tone pot for phase reverse, in addition to the coil tap present on the MX; later models (1986) have no phase reversal
  • pickups are also different: Magnaflux IV single coils with a Magnaflux II UBC humbucker

In the pictures below, the first trans blue model is as described in the catalogs. The black one and the second blue example are examples of the modified guitars which date from mid-1986 (Serial number begins with 605 and 607 respectively)

Spectrum SX front

Thanks to Ebay member meg1528 for these photos
This1986  trans blue courtesy of forum member Barry (click on image to enlarge):
Westone Spectrum SX -front full 1 Westone Spectrum SX -rear full 1 Westone Spectrum SX -headstock front
Westone Spectrum SX -body front 2

Note that this 1986 model is also factory fitted with a Bendmaster Deluxe bridge instead of the FT.

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