Wal Bass Club, Part 2

[djaxup]

you, Sir, have a very nice bass sparkling new - and with a classic story attached to it to boot great.

[India_Sierra]

Originally Posted by StevenM

Here's a better (hopefully) shot.

Attachment 291873

Talk about a topwood! That is a pick and a half. What a lovely looking bass you have!

[Ricketboy]

Hello Bassers,

After years of using TB as my bible, I finally signed up membership in order to celebrate my new acquisition. A Wal MkI. My dream bass for years. Here's hoping for my own Wal club membership number.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricketb...57632114272707

If y'all are interested in how I ended up owning it, let me know.

[MC1970]

Ricketboy,

nice bass and...... of course we are interested in knowing your story ;-)

[Ricketboy]

Thanks MC1970. Kind of you to show interest. My story isn't as good as Marcos epm above, but I saw this bass in the window of my local shop in Crouch End, North London. They deal in a lot of new stuff but now and again something interesting comes in. The bass caught my eye when I was driving past and I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I parked right up and tried it and I think that anyone that handles a Wal probably wants to have it. So I bought it for £2300. Got a new Hiscox case and a set of strings thrown in.

The shop thought it was a late 70's model but I had a feeling it was 80's. Backed up by when I checked the serial number (W28##) which indicates mid/late 80's (more on dating below). The bass is a little battle scarred with knocks on the body, wear above the pick up where the thumb has rested and cracking in the varnish on the head but that's cool, it mostly seems original and the sound is immense, but I was disappointed to find that the back cavity cover wasn't original. There isn't the usual silver insulation and a little hand written note with details. There may be date on the heel of the neck but I'm not in a hurry to pull it apart. I've emailed Wal and given the serial number to ask if they can provide any details but I am prepared to wait for the replay as I believe they may get a lot of queries.

Needless to say I am stoked about it. It's the perfect (and final, according to the wife) addition to my current basses (Jazz USA Delux 5 string and Musicman Stingray). Yay!

[Caca de Kick]

Backed up by when I checked the serial number (W28##)

Great looking MkI there Ricketboy. Judging by my oct '86 with serial W279x, yours seems late 86 or early 87.

Always love hearing stories, especially since these are rare and make their way around the world.

So updated numbers:
#49 marcos epm
#50 Ricketboy

[kulit17]

Originally Posted by Ricketboy

Thanks MC1970. Kind of you to show interest. My story isn't as good as Marcos epm above, but I saw this bass in the window of my local shop in Crouch End, North London. They deal in a lot of new stuff but now and again something interesting comes in. The bass caught my eye when I was driving past and I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I parked right up and tried it and I think that anyone that handles a Wal probably wants to have it. So I bought it for £2300. Got a new Hiscox case and a set of strings thrown in.

The shop thought it was a late 70's model but I had a feeling it was 80's. Backed up by when I checked the serial number (W28##) which indicates mid/late 80's (more on dating below). The bass is a little battle scarred with knocks on the body, wear above the pick up where the thumb has rested and cracking in the varnish on the head but that's cool, it mostly seems original and the sound is immense, but I was disappointed to find that the back cavity cover wasn't original. There isn't the usual silver insulation and a little hand written note with details. There may be date on the heel of the neck but I'm not in a hurry to pull it apart. I've emailed Wal and given the serial number to ask if they can provide any details but I am prepared to wait for the replay as I believe they may get a lot of queries.

Needless to say I am stoked about it. It's the perfect (and final, according to the wife) addition to my current basses (Jazz USA Delux 5 string and Musicman Stingray). Yay!

Not a bad find Ricketboy!! For £2300 it's quite a deal! At UK basschat I don't think I've seen one lately get posted less then £2500. Especially with a new hiscox case!

Judging by the serial number it's probably an 87/88. Kinda looks like a American Elm facing with Indian ebony fretboard.

Btw looking at the pictures, your E tuner and G tuner seem "off" looks like there seems to be an unusual screw on the G tuner as well,is this holding the tuner in place?

It seems like the tuner pegs of the M4S has broken of judging by there orientation. Am easy way to tell is to loosen the tension of the strings and see if it spins out place. The anchors typically hold them in place, so it it's broken off then,they'd be free moving.

Anyways don't let me observations sway you to think your bass is any less! Looks like a sweet bass!! I found the same thing on my 84' that I just recently sold and I loved it the same! Enjoy and welcome to the Wal club. Mike,Caca de Kick, is giving out the numbers so he should be able to get u one shortly.

[kulit17]

Originally Posted by kulit17

Mike,Caca de Kick, is giving out the numbers so he should be able to get u one shortly.

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

Great looking MkI there Ricketboy.
Always love hearing stories, especially since these are rare and make their way around the world.

So updated numbers:
#49 marcos epm
#50 Ricketboy

Lol speak of the devil

[Ricketboy]

Thanks for the comments guys. Helpful stuff kulit17. You are right to point out that the M4S pegs have an issue so thanks for the guidance. However, I played this bad boy in anger for the first time tonight at rehearsal and at least it stayed in tune fine. Useful to know your observations about the woods too. I wasn't sure about the facing (thought it could be zebrano as per the Wal website) but I guessed the Indian ebony fretboard (which is in excellent condition).

@ Caca De Kick: #50. Nice round number. I'm happy with that.

Gotta say, I was amazed by the variety of tones from this bass tonight. It took me a while before I got the sound I was after through an Ashdown amp/Ampeg speaker set up. I ended up with exactly the attacking percussive sound I wanted. Beautiful!

[djaxup]

This might be an ash top, zebrano has much more contrast and usually thinner lines.

Beautiful battle scarred bass, very nice man welcome to the club.

[Caca de Kick]

Yup, looks ash to me.
The easy thing about the Schaller tuners is the replacement sets are very easy to find.

[ZuluFunk]

Beauty! Congrats.

[kulit17]

Originally Posted by Ricketboy

Thanks for the comments guys. Helpful stuff kulit17. You are right to point out that the M4S pegs have an issue so thanks for the guidance. However, I played this bad boy in anger for the first time tonight at rehearsal and at least it stayed in tune fine. Useful to know your observations about the woods too. I wasn't sure about the facing (thought it could be zebrano as per the Wal website) but I guessed the Indian ebony fretboard (which is in excellent condition).

No prob! Thats what we're here for! Also Here's for less clicking guys!! perhaps we can take votes for this mystery....













facing is pretty tough to say: american elm, ash...and now that i'm look at past pics from the forum english olive (see TMB post #156)

Originally Posted by Toolmybass

Friend of mine owns this Olive Ash....Thought about buying it off him and having frets put back in!

I based my opinion on this Wal...but looking at it now...it seems similiar to TMB post's more.



anyways, Ricketboy, it'd be cool if you let us know what Paul says when he gets back to with the info.

[mesajoe]

Finally, I got round to taking pictures of all my Wals..



Can I have a membership number now please?

Mark

[nibs208]

Wow mesajoe! What a great collection you got there. All are amazing but those 4 string Mark II's are fantastic.

[Toolmybass]

Originally Posted by Ricketboy

Hello Bassers,

After years of using TB as my bible, I finally signed up membership in order to celebrate my new acquisition. A Wal MkI. My dream bass for years. Here's hoping for my own Wal club membership number.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ricketb...57632114272707

If y'all are interested in how I ended up owning it, let me know.

If you unscrew the backplate, there is info on the bass there
-year of production
-who did final assembly/inspection
-woods used (body+fretboard)
-serial #
etc

[kulit17]

Originally Posted by Toolmybass

If you unscrew the backplate, there is info on the bass there
-year of production
-who did final assembly/inspection
-woods used (body+fretboard)
-serial #
etc

I think he may have thought that lol!!!

Originally Posted by Ricketboy

So I bought it for £2300. Got a new Hiscox case and a set of strings thrown in.

it mostly seems original and the sound is immense, but I was disappointed to find that the back cavity cover wasn't original. There isn't the usual silver insulation and a little hand written note with details. There may be date on the heel of the neck but I'm not in a hurry to pull it apart.

Mesajoe, that is a sweet collection. I'm still favor the Pro I, but all in all pretty awesome!!!

[Toolmybass]

Originally Posted by kulit17

I think he may have thought that lol!!!

My bad...just saw his post about "non orig backplate"

[Caca de Kick]

Yes, mesa joe gets #51.

[mesajoe]

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

Yes, mesa joe gets #51.

Woooah, way to go! Thanks!

Mark