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I've decided to buy a Wal

#162
And I’m going to reply in blue...

Mk 1 big headstock & short upper horn maybe neck dive? nope, they are currently are fitted with M4S lights, since the standard M4S tuners are no longer available - this negates any possible neck dives that people "may" have experienced with older Wals - I for one had never experienced any noticeable neck dives with any Mk1's i own or owned in the past. The big paddle headstock was the Pro Series. Mk 1s have a perfectly ordinary sized two a side headstock - and smaller than many 2 a side brands. Even with the old tuners (and a good quality wide suede backed strap) I’ve never had neck dive Issues with my Mk 1.

Mk 2 regular upper horn to 12th fret but big headstock so guessing maybe want to sit fairly horizontal on a strap?. not really. with any decent strap, it sits just fine without any issues 4 strings have same headstock as the Mk 1, 5s have the “streamlined” one. I’ve seen custom ordered Mk 3 necks on Mk 2s. Mk 2s have a reputation as the heaviest model because of the bigger body but Paul is being very particular with wood choice and can build them lighter.

Mk 3 regular upper horn to 12th fret but tapered headstock so most suitable if you like your headstock up a bit? imo this is the most balanced of the three. has a deeper cut to up registers as well... Errrrmmmm... what he said. A more modernised take on the Mk 2.
 
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#163
casualmadness said:
. . . . . . . . I have purchased several basses without trying them first. The only one that really worried me was my Fodera. It was very expensive and I had never had played one. Had never even seen one in the wild. So I was terrified but did it anyway. I've bought others that were less stressful as they were less expensive. I have a Mike Lull that I'm absolutely crazy about. I think it may even surpass my Fodera. But the Wal will cost me in the neighborhood of what I paid for my Fodera. So I'm a little hesitant but in the end, I believe life is short and I probably have more yesterdays that tomorrows. So I will hopefully get my hands on one to try out but if not, I'll likely still pull the trigger. As many owners have said; they can easily be sold.
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Sounds to me like you don't need us to be worrying about how you spend your money. Looks like you have plenty. Order the best Wal you can. You'll love it.
 
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#164
I love Wal basses and will be one of the first to recommend them based on tone, but the prices are just scandalous for what you get from them these days. In the distant past, they were pretty reasonably priced all things considered and could be had used for very little. The construction is very simple, the electronics are proprietary but other similar products exist - the real value is in the name!
 
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#165
casualmadness said:
So that's it...I have a milestone birthday coming up in about 3.5 years and according to the website, their lead time is currently about 30 months. I want to try to time it to arrive near my birthday so it's a legit birthday present. I've never actually played a Wal but I've always held Wal as my ideal bass. Just something about the tone, the appearance, all of it just speaks to me. May be crazy to spend that much on a bass that I've never played but hey, life is short and at the risk of sounding arrogant, I can afford it, and I want it.

So Wal owners...how was your experience? Did any of you buy your Wal without having played one? Were you disappointed or was it everything you imagined it to be? Can any owners speak to the payment process? The website says you make an initial payment then when the neck is assembled you make a second payment, then when it's complete you make a final payment. I assume each payment is a third of the total?
Did you get a MKI, II, III? I'm leaning toward an MKI but I honestly am unsure of the difference. I was initially drawn to the MKII but I honestly don't know why. So at this point I'm researching to figure out exactly what I want. I'm leaning toward a four string as that's what I typically play the most.

Anyone outside of the UK (preferable the USA) have any issues with import? The website mentions the import fees and other import requirements being the responsibility of the buyer. Can anyone educate me about that? I've ordered things from other countries and it's never been something I had to think about.
Anyhow, that's my big news. I assume the wait will be the hard part though I have no desire whatsoever to grow any older. But it's inevitable so I will make a lifeliong fantasy a reality to distract from my aging meat bag.
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What kind of bass do you play now? What’s the best sounding and feeling bass you have ever had?
 
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#166
wes stephenson said:
What kind of bass do you play now? What’s the best sounding and feeling bass you have ever had?
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I’ve owned probably around 40 Basses over the course of my three decades or so of playing. I’ve discovered some brands I just don’t like and some I love. What I have now: three fender jazz, a fender P and a Chinese P copy, a steinberger, a Mike Lull and a Fodera. I would say best feeling and sounding bass I’ve ever had would be a toss up between my Mike Lull and my Fodera. I also had a Sadowsky about ten years ago that I really liked a lot. Don’t know why I sold it and actually plan to buy another one some day.
 
#167
India_Sierra said:
I love Wal basses and will be one of the first to recommend them based on tone, but the prices are just scandalous for what you get from them these days. In the distant past, they were pretty reasonably priced all things considered and could be had used for very little. The construction is very simple, the electronics are proprietary but other similar products exist - the real value is in the name!
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if you know of a cheaper option that has the Wal sound, I’m all ears.
 
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#168
chris_b said:
Sounds to me like you don't need us to be worrying about how you spend your money. Looks like you have plenty. Order the best Wal you can. You'll love it.
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I definitely don’t have plenty of money. But I do well in my career and am pretty frugal aside from music gear. That’s where I tend to spend like a drunken sailor. But my bills are paid first and my retirement/savings accounts second, then I get paid third.
 
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#170
casualmadness said:
I’ve owned probably around 40 Basses over the course of my three decades or so of playing. I’ve discovered some brands I just don’t like and some I love. What I have now: three fender jazz, a fender P and a Chinese P copy, a steinberger, a Mike Lull and a Fodera. I would say best feeling and sounding bass I’ve ever had would be a toss up between my Mike Lull and my Fodera. I also had a Sadowsky about ten years ago that I really liked a lot. Don’t know why I sold it and actually plan to buy another one some day.
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Obviously just my opinion but you should go with a totally custom build with one of those companies then.
 
#173
India_Sierra said:
I love Wal basses and will be one of the first to recommend them based on tone, but the prices are just scandalous for what you get from them these days. In the distant past, they were pretty reasonably priced all things considered and could be had used for very little. The construction is very simple, the electronics are proprietary but other similar products exist - the real value is in the name!
Click to expand...

Could be said about anything these days.... I've been craving a Spector again. And in the distant past used US spectors were 1600-1800 all day long, and new were just over 3k. Now if I want something other than black or Forte, I'm looking at 4k used and 6500 new.
 
#174
mikeswals said:
Shouldn't be unless a bunch of options are added to it.
A no-options Mk1 is £6050 which is $7398 today. figure bank fees, shipping, customs duty will add another $1000 to that.

Of course any other model has a higher cost, so does 5 and 6 strings.
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I feel you man but if it's a lifelong dream and I'm doing it just one time I think this is the only bass or thing I wouldn't skimp on.
 
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#175
Man there sure is a Wal of negativity here :roflmao:

Just go for it. The worst that can happen, is being disappointed. I am pretty sure you can overcome it - especially given the (apparent) resale value of Wals. I bought my Fender Tony Franklin sight unseen, and hadn't even ever played a decent fretless before I bought it. Sure, it's about a fifth of the Wal price, but it was a good deal of money for me. Couldn't be happier with it!
 
#177
kulit17 said:
Just gonna reply to this in red........

Mk 1 big headstock & short upper horn maybe neck dive? nope, they are currently are fitted with M4S lights, since the standard M4S tuners are no longer available - this negates any possible neck dives that people "may" have experienced with older Wals - I for one had never experienced any noticeable neck dives with any Mk1's i own or owned in the past.

Mk 2 regular upper horn to 12th fret but big headstock so guessing maybe want to sit fairly horizontal on a strap?. not really. with any decent strap, it sits just fine without any issues

Mk 3 regular upper horn to 12th fret but tapered headstock so most suitable if you like your headstock up a bit? imo this is the most balanced of the three. has a deeper cut to up registers as well...

View attachment 3838835



out of the 8 shown here i only still have 3......:rolleyes:
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Cool, an expert! Nicely chimed in too. :)
 
#179
So for those keeping score...I’ve reached out to Wal several time since I created this thread. They’ve not even acknowledged my requests. I’ve sent 4-5 messages explaining that I would like to discuss some options and get a down payment sent to get it started. Considering the build time, I have a few months to order so that it arrives for that milestone birthday. But they must have enough business that they can ignore a guy trying to give them money. I’m almost to the point of giving up on Wal and giving my hard earned money to a company who can be bothered to reply to a guy trying to give them money.
 
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#180
casualmadness said:
So for those keeping score...I’ve reached out to Wal several time since I created this thread. They’ve not even acknowledged my requests. I’ve sent 4-5 messages explaining that I would like to discuss some options and get a down payment sent to get it started. Considering the build time, I have a few months to order so that it arrives for that milestone birthday. But they must have enough business that they can ignore a guy trying to give them money. I’m almost to the point of giving up on Wal and giving my hard earned money to a company who can be bothered to reply to a guy trying to give them money.
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Same issue here, but Killer basses....I moved on after a month of no reply. Ordered another Skjold Slayer instead. I will order another Wal one day or buy used...I will keep building the bass fund and have the means to pounce on the right one..or make the deposit and wait for the response next time. The product is so good, it really is worth the wait..alas...I have one.......plus, I absolutely LOVE my current Slayer...
Edit: I did get a friendly response after the month, no real reason for the month wait..but it's fine, I am not tarnished by it..crud happens.
 
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