New Wals vs Old Wals

[hunterred43]

In a turn of good fate yesterday I found out that I overpaid the IRS and they owe me. I am in the market for the Wal bass that I have always lusted over. Is there any difference in quality/sound in the current production models vs the older ones? Does anyone have experience with ordering a new production? Thanks in advance. Oh yeah think I'm looking to sell a ball family reserve 5 string stingray to help fund a 4 or five string Wal. Thanks

[4001]

What is the line on old/new Wal basses? What year/s are considered "old" and "new"?
Just wondering.
My Wal was built in 1993.

[hunterred43]

I guess I should say since they began production again. I forget the names but the two founders aren't the primary builders now. I guess not really so much on a year but on who makes it and the quality. There are two in the forums I was looking at or should I just call and place and order and wait.

[Caca de Kick]

I have both new and old. You can't to wrong either way. The builder now used to work for Wal for many years...so he was building them too.Since he's taken over, you can see the quality has gone up, and better attention to the miniscule details.
The only "problem" being, that its currently a 19 month wait if you're ordering a new one.
If you can find what you want used, then its the instant gratification.

[hunterred43]

Thanks. 19 months is a long time.

[Musicman1901]

Wow I didn't realize it was 19 months! I had my heart set on ordering a brand new MKII and I didn't want to fuss with the waiting time, shipping overseas, dealing with customs, all the charges etc. I bought a 1983 MKI on ebay (what I guess you would consider an old wal) and I absolutely love it. However I have nothing to compare it to because it's the only Wal I have ever owned. I would listen to caca de kick seeing as he owns/has owned different wals from different eras. I guess it depends if the wait is worth it for ya!