Westbury Guitars
At the weekly blues jam last Monday, one of the regulars showed up with a really nice guitar I had never heard of, a beautiful black model with a rosewood fingerboard called a Westbury. The guitar’s owner, Tom Veltri, owns quite a few nice guitars that he brings out to the local jams, but the Westbury had a unique tone that makes it perfect for blues. From the beginning of the first set, the sound of this guitar caught my attention - nice fat tone with a ballsy bottom end. Being a gear freak, I was really curious how a guitar that sounded this good could have completely escaped my notice all these years. The next day, I started Googling to come up to speed…
The story of Westbury goes back to the 1960s when a company called Unicord, originally manufacturing electronic transformers, bought Amplifier Corporation of America (ACA) in Westbury, NY and began marketing a line of tube amps under the name Univox. At this point in the story, things start getting a little confusing, so stay with me…
In 1967, Unicord was purchased by Gulf+Western (yeah, the oil company, go figure?) and also merged with a guitar import company named Merson, who were bringing over brands like Giannini and Hagstrom from Japan. After the merger with Merson, Unicord began manufacturing copies of Les Pauls and Dan Armstrong models under the name of Univox at their plant in Westbury, NY. This changed in 1975 when Merson and Unicord split and all production was shifted to Japan - affected Unicord employees were only given a single days notice.
From 1975, all guitars marketed by the Unicord company were primarily manufactured at the infamous Matsumoku factory in Matsumoto, Japan, known for it’s legendary quality and craftmanship. By this time, Unicord was now producing copies of Fender Strats and Rickenbackers too. They continued making copies until 1978 when marketing under the Univox name ceased and Unicord began selling an original line of guitars named after the home city of the Unicord company, Westbury. This line continued until 1982 when all guitar manufacturing and marketing stopped in favor of focusing on keyboard equipment imported from Korg of Japan. In 1985, due to financial strain of the US recession, Korg bought out Unicord and brought the story to an ultimate end.
Although Westbury guitars were only made from 1978 to 1982, the quality put into these guitars is clearly evident. Unfortunately, the only way you’re probably going to see one is on eBay unless you’re lucky enough to catch Tom tearin’ it up on his own Westbury playing with the “Not Dead Yet” Blues band here in Greensboro, NC. If you’re a tone freak like me, it may be worth the trip…
on February 3rd, 2007 at 6:38 am
Very good history lesson, Kirk, and thanks for the kind comments. I’ve had my Westbury Deluxe since the late 80’s and I defy anyone to show me any axe with better tone or playability! I would definitely replace it should it ever disappear - there are still a few to be found on eBay.
For anyone looking for a little more info on the Westbury line check out this site : http://www.univox.org/guitars/
Tom V
on May 31st, 2008 at 5:53 pm
I too Own one of these magnifcent walnut guitars,I purchased it used in a small mom&pop music store in 1984.It had two dimarzio distortion pick ups,the thing rocked,I used it thru my roland jc 120 solid state amp which everyone knows is a super clean amp.Well the westbury didnt know that and my the amp sounded like a marshall plexi. I still use this guitar ,among my 13 other guitars,its still my favorite,I did tame it a bit ,I dont use the varitone switch,and i installed duncan 59′ pick up in neck pos.and a duncan JB>in the bridge I originally payed 225.00 with hard shell case and I woulndnt part with it.
on December 16th, 2008 at 8:39 am
When I was 17, I walked into a music store in La Habra, CA. to buy some strings, or a new cable (or something). I got to talking to a sales rep and he told me he had a great new guitar called a Westbury. I played it once and was hooked. Whenever anybody plays it they can’t believe the playability. The model I have is the Performer. It is a dark walnut finish with covered pickups, chrome hardware, and a wrap-around bridge/tail combo. It has a three position switch and only one tone and one volume control. I have yet to find a picture of my particular Westbury on line, but on the Univox site that Tom V lists above, there is a description of the Performer. The craftmanship is amazing, and all of the hardware and electronics has held up for almost 30 years now. I have to say, I have yet to find a better guitar at any price.
Tim
on December 25th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
I owned and basically cut my musical teeth on a tobacco sunburst Westbury Custom I bought used from a friend in or around 1980. He sold it to me in order to “upgrade” a Dean, which at the time had been popularized by The Cars.
I sold my Westbury in 1992 because I was broke, had other guitars “anyway” and couldn’t find a luthier good enough to get the intonation right on it, even after having it refretted by (supposedly) the best luthier in the Westchester County (NY) area.
That being said it was a WONDERFUL guitar and I’ve never forgiven myself for consigning that guitar. I was able to mimic Brian May and Jimmy Page tones to a T (to name just 2) and it was GORGEOUS. It was also very comfortable to play and hold.
I should mention that it had been customized by adding DiMarzio pickups with gold-plated rings around them, but other than that it was essentially as Westbury made it.
A few years after selling my Westbury, which again I empasize had incredible sentimental value for me, I met a luthier from New Jersey (who a mutual acquaintance informed me was commissioned by Sting to build him an acoustic guitar) and he fixed my other guitars so incredibly well that I realized that HAD I BEEN PATIENT and waited, I could have had him save my Westbury.
The Westbury sold really fast, by the way.
I recently heard that Westbury is back in action. I have no money for another guitar right now, but I’m having a hard time coming up w/ one I’d rather save up for right now. I wouldn’t buy a Dean like my friend bought, I can tell you that much.
on January 5th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
I got my Westbury in 1978 when I was 13. My Guitar teacher turned me on to it. It been on tour with Foghat in the late 80’s (My brother was in the band).
Love the guitar, still pay it all the time
on January 12th, 2009 at 8:26 am
I first heard this guitar in 1978 when I was vacationing in New Hampshire. We were out to dinner and a band was playing. My ear was captured by the sound of the guitar. It was clean and brilliant like no other guitar I had ever heard before. It was a Westbury Custom. I searched every music store in Connecticut but couldn’t find one. I finally located one in Elizabeth N.J. I drove there and played it and was stunned at the playability. It was $500 and I bought it on the spot. I have played professionaly for more years than I want to admit, and I still use it. It is simply the best guitar I have ever owned or played, and that includes my 54 Fender Telecaster and my Gibson SG. If you ever get a chance to get one, don’t hesitate.
on January 15th, 2009 at 10:43 am
I purchased my westbury deluxe in 1981 after putting it on layaway for 6 months and paying $50 a month for 6 months and a final payment of $100 dollars. I went to a local music store trying to buy a gibson les paul but they were way out of my price range at the time. The sales person said that the westbury was perfect for my budget and he was right. I played in several bands through the 80s and 90s and still have that guitar today. I replaced 1 pickup. I am thinking of selling it now… because its a shame to see it not being played and I don’t have the time anymore. And it is…. the best guitar I have ever played.
on January 15th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
There is a Westbury Guitar Owners group on Facebook that just got started.
on February 2nd, 2009 at 3:37 am
Thanks, good article. Do you know any other places that discuss this?
on February 13th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Good article, adding it to my favourites!
on February 14th, 2009 at 5:53 am
I got my Westbury Deluxe brand new in 1978 from the then Carlsbro head office store in Mansfield UK. I originally went to trade a Gibson SG which had a crack in the neck for a Washburn Falcon. After examination they would not give me enough trade in to get the Washburn but offered me the then unheard of Westbury instead. I have had it ever since, all the pots and hardware are original, it just keeps getting better. Whenever I take it out gigging it always attracts attention from anyone in the know. I dont play it as often as I should cos the skinny neck does’nt suit my hands so well these days. I toy with putting on ebay but can’t bring myself to do it. In conclusion you need to see one or hear one to understand what we are talking about here.
on February 21st, 2009 at 2:13 pm
Great article, adding it to my bookmarks!
on March 6th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Bob Hugh’s response nearly brought a tear to my eye. Most of us had a guitar that we never should have sold. Mine was a westbury standard, black. Shortly thereafter my 63 SG was stolen. I sure wish I had them both today!
on March 10th, 2009 at 6:17 am
Hi There,
Great comments regarding the Westbury’s.
I just bought one on ebay and thankfully had resources such as this to referance as I decided to jump into the BIDDING.
I can’t wait to recieve the Guitar and will follow with some more comments .
Thank again for your opinions.
Cheers, Scott
on March 31st, 2009 at 10:16 am
HI fOLKS,
The Westbury Standard bought through ebay after reading feedback on this site has been in our home a couple of weeks now and is every bit as Good an instrument as described here.
The feel of this Guitar is Great.
Does anybody have a sugestion as to a change in PUPS.
Don’t get me wrong These Dimarzio SD’S are not bad at all but still want to try another combo.
I have some Gibson Burstbucker 1&2 I am considering giving a whirl.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Cheers, Scott
on April 22nd, 2009 at 7:51 am
I’ve just dug my deep cherry red Standard out of hibernation after 22 years, and it feels as good as it did back then. It’s great to hear people rate them – I’ve only had the pleasure of playing on a handful of guitars, none of the ‘classics’, so I’ve had little to compare to. BUT the weight, the action, the neck, the sound – somehow I felt this one was a good’n.
I wonder if someone could put me straight on a small point. A friend, impressed with my Westbury Standard purchase, bought one for himself about a year later. Exactly the same, but sounded slightly less wicked – he was convinced the manufacturer had switched from DiMarzio super distortion humbuckers to cheaper DiMarzio humbuckers, or something like that, some way through its brief 4 year production life.
Also, don’t know about over in the states, but I’m sure I remember them being re-badged under the VOX name for a short period before disappearing from the music shops I’d gaze into as a teen.
Thanks Kirk and all
Roland in sunny London
on June 1st, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Hi, good post. I have been wondering about this issue,so thanks for posting. I’ll definitely be coming back to your site.
on June 2nd, 2009 at 5:18 am
I’m regretting it already, but I must part with my treasured Westbury Super Custom. It goes live on Ebay on 06/02/09 at 22.00hrs GMT.
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.
I have listed it as a Super Custom because, although it bears the Custom title on the truss rod cover, not Custom-S, my research suggests that it has Super Custom furniture, eg cream neck binding, trapeze pearl fret markers and gold coloured pickup covers. If anyone can enlighten or correct me, I will alter the description accordingly.
on July 22nd, 2009 at 11:25 am
Hi
I was the marketing director at Rose, Morris & Co Ltd in London NW5 1NE up to the summer of 1985, and I was deeply involved in the design of Westbury guitars, as RM and Unicord had a close relationship as distributors of Marshall amplification.
I decided that we should approach the then legenday Larry DiMarzio to see if he would allow us to feature his then market leading pickups, which RM distributed in the UK, on Westbury guitars, to be made at Matsumoku, where I visited to check prototypes.
By far the most popular model was the Standard, which had two Di-Marzio Super Distortion Humbuckers, then costing about UKP60 for a pair, in a guitar that sold at list for UKP149 I think.
The range was a combination of US and UK design, produced by the excellent Matsumoku factory.
If anyone has any specific questions, I’ll do my best to respond (jim_wilmer@compuserve.com).
I believe production stopped about 1982, and RM then began producing rather comparable VOX guitars made by Matsumoku. There is a picture of me holding a prototype in the VOX book by David Petersen, who I last saw in Chandlers Guitars in Kew, London in about 1999.
on July 25th, 2009 at 10:12 am
I’m staying with my cousin for a few days recovering from swine flu and check out his guitar, which my dad used to have back in the early 80’s and gave to him,..
it was from a brand I’d never heard of but sounds and plays like a charm so i decided to google it and this is what it came up
I really love the instrument
on August 4th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Have a black Westbury standard that I got from a friend. Changed the tuning gears (one broken) to Schallers. Needs a switch (also broken off). Holes where he attached the strap. Some nicked spots, but still hot. Original hardshell case is rough but serviceable. Need to sell. Best bet to Ebay or
trade in to Guitar Center, or what? If it’s not worth anything I’ll just hang it as a display.
on August 18th, 2009 at 8:44 am
I hate to upset anyone, but while i was collecting some donated items for the charity i work for, the guy gave me a westbury super custom on pain of death that it was never sold or given away.
It’s a great guitar, but unlike the ones i’ve seen on the web, mine has seymour duncan pickups and a master volume switch.
Oh yes……the items he donated were an old marshall valve combo and a fender twin reverb.
the generosity of people never fails to amaze me.
on November 6th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
I bought my Westbury Series 200 brand new from a music store in Russell Springs, Kentucky, called “Moonglow Entertainment Center”. Mine is black, with the maple fretboard…exactly like the small pic on the univox.org website. It was my first good guitar. I had a no-name Les Paul copy that I believe came from JCPenney at the time. This would have been around 1981, and I was just a teenager. Anyway, I traded in the Les Paul and gave $219 I earned from mowing lawns to boot for the Series 200. During high school and college, and beyond I gigged that guitar in several states in the midwest. I took out the old Strat bridge and replaced it with a Washburn Wonderbar, back when everybody wanted a Floyd Rose. Took out the bridge DiMarzio and replaced it with an overwound Shadow humbucker. Still have the guitar and bring it out sometimes when I need that hot humbucker something.
on December 12th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
i have a Standard that was given to me,it has a super d in the bridge and a paf in the neck,stock tuners,gibson bridge,and GFS pots/switch/jack…it looked like this when i got it
[IMG]http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff29/diceman1000/westbury015.jpg[/IMG]
[URL=http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/ff29/diceman1000/?action=view¤t=westbury015.jpg][IMG]http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff29/diceman1000/th_westbury015.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
i refinished it with napier of london gunstock oil and she now looks like this…
[IMG]http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff29/diceman1000/westbury056.jpg[/IMG]
[URL=http://s241.photobucket.com/albums/ff29/diceman1000/?action=view¤t=westbury056.jpg][IMG]http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff29/diceman1000/th_westbury056.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
she is my #1 player.the guy i got her from was going to trash her:(…i will never get rid of this one and i’m currently looking for other models as well…