It's like Alembic wannabe's: Without the genuine bespoke pickups and electronics, what have you really got?
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Is there a Wal Bass Copy
- Thread starter Kip Page
- Start date
It’s interesting these “clones” or “Wal-a-likes” are other relatively boutique makers. Someone needs to come in at $1000 price point. For now, I’d say the best bet would be a Warmoth build…
Form Factor Audio Wombat pretty much cops the body shape. I have no idea about the pickups or preamp...
Someone already mentioned Octave basses. It looks like he does good work. The Wal sound, I believe, comes primarily from the pickups and the preamp circuit. Multi coil p/u's and frequency sweepable preamps are available, so why not? I think, at this point, when you're paying $10,000 for a Wal, you are paying for scarcity. I don't value scarcity all that much.
Octave basses
Octave Wals mk2 tribute 2022 Orange flame burst | Reverb
Octave basses
Octave Wals mk2 tribute 2022 Orange flame burst | Reverb
The pickups and preamp cost quite a bit. Not sure $1000 is realistic
Not sure if that's the reason. I think if they could do it they already had done it. I think it's a matter of not having the exact same parts and electronics etc. Apparently there is a market for Wal Copies these days since they are unaffordable for most people.
I’ve wondered if these two would play well with each other.
https://lusithanddevices.com/product/double-nfp-special/
Big BladeMan 4
https://lusithanddevices.com/product/double-nfp-special/
Big BladeMan 4
As others have mentioned as well, octave basses get about as close as you can, I think
I think there’s certainly a desire for them. But that’s not the same thing as there being a market for them until someone decides to start manufacturing them.
Regardless, there’s nothing magical about electronics or components. Despite the claims made in some circles for things like the unobtainium diodes in the Klon Centaur, there’s no truth to it. There are substitutes with equivalent specs for every electronic component under the sun.
Unless some company paid the exorbitant amount of money necessary to have a custom electronic component made for them (a rare event unless it’s an extremely large corporation like Yamaha or Music Tribe/Behringer) they’re using COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) components available for sale to anyone. So I doubt a tiny British guitar company is using any unique or exotic components.
If somebody wanted to to exactly copy the Wal preamp or pickups then all that would be required is for someone with a suitable electronics background to examine the real deal. And I’m sure it’s already been done numerous times.
I would love an in depth review of one of these. They look pretty good but without having my hands on one it’s too hard to say.
Enfield Guitars: Cannon — Sims Guitar Works UK | Super-Quad Pickups, Enfield Bass Guitars, Spray Shop, Custom LEDs, Pickguards, Servicing, Repair
Being a former Wal owner/'player it is unlikely these will quite make the right noises, but the construction and looks are clearly 'inspired by'. Dropping in a Lusithand preamp (Lusithand Devices - The Tone is Yours) will backfill most of the shortfalls.
Being a former Wal owner/'player it is unlikely these will quite make the right noises, but the construction and looks are clearly 'inspired by'. Dropping in a Lusithand preamp (Lusithand Devices - The Tone is Yours) will backfill most of the shortfalls.
Came here to say this! I actually think I like these more than an actual Wal, these give off a real Sterling vs Stingray bass vibe. The model, not the brand.
I've never owned a real Wal but my Octave tribute sounds just like Leigh Gorman's '79-80 model on all those Bow Wow Wow records.
(I applied the logo, not Dario)
It seems that none of the Wal copiers include a balanced XLR output on their basses, at least not that I've seen.
He is developing his own Multicoil pickups and filter EQ, I don't think they are ready yet, there are updates on his Facebook page.
That’s awesome and I have so many questions. How’s the hardware? What are the knobs made out of? Would you like to post a detailed video review? Just kidding about the video thing, but truly would love to know more and how you like it.
