It's a versatile bass for sure but I don't know if it really sounds like a Wal. That said, I also think the coolest part of a Wal is this:
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I want to know how to say Marusczyk. If ya can't say it ya can't play it.![]()

I want to know how to say Marusczyk. If ya can't say it ya can't play it.![]()
I pronounce it "Marusczyk"
Very pretty bass. Sounds really good too. And for $2700 at current exchange rates it seems like a pretty good deal for a boutique-y bass.
But to my ears, it doesn’t sound like a Wal.
Looks like they’re using a multi-coil pickup design. But Wal’s preamp is pretty unique in that it’s based around a pair of LPFs rather than your typical boost/cut shelving EQ. And that preamp is a lot of what makes up the Wal sound.
The bass that was featured on the OP was using an ACG/East EQ-01 preamp, which has dual LPF's, blend, and a HPF treble control that can be blended however you'd like between each pickup.
Maybe it’s what YT does with compression on the video. But it didn’t sound like a Wal to me. At least not like the two I got a fortunate chance to play.
Glad to see the ACG/East preamp is making an appearance again. For awhile it seemed like it had disappeared. Or at least it seemed to be perpetually out of stock over on Best Bass Gear last I checked. I was thinking of pairing one with a set of Alembic Activators I have.
They don't sound like a Wal at all to me plus they have the dreaded Zero-Fret. No Thanks.
They don't sound like a Wal at all to me plus they have the dreaded Zero-Fret. No Thanks.
Beautiful and cool bass, but respectfully, sounds nothing like a Wal
If was going to attempt a poor mans Wal now, I would either get a Stingray HH and put either an ACG or a Wal replica preamp in it (this is theory of course)
It has pretty much disappeared from retail locations, but it is still available on a build from ACG. Totally guessing here, but I would think some sort of licensing agreement was put into place with Marusczyk.
I had an ACG EQ-01 in one of my basses for a brief period of time and it could sculpt some cool Wal-like sounds with Bartolini soapbars. However, and I think Alan from ACG will agree with me about this, it's only going to be as good as what the pickups can deliver into it. They are the deciding factor part of the equation. Even though those are multi-coils in the Marusczyk, they still aren't Wal pickups and it will never sound totally like a Wal just because of that. It might get close though. The EQ-01 is also the first generation of the filter preamp from ACG/East and, while good, it has some quirks that I didn't care for. ACG is now up to the improved DFM model that looks to have fixed those things. I have to give a hand to ACG and East for continuously innovating on their original design.