McCartney's Wal Strings?

[ggvicviper]

Just a curious question/discussion regarding the strings being used on McCartney's Wal Bass in these shots. They're obviously roundwound, but trying to narrow them down. Maybe the savvy sleuths here at TB can join in.

They look a little on the dark side, so I'm guessing they are steels, but nickels could still be a possibility.
No silk wraps, so Roto 66s are out. I think GHS would be out too.
In 1989/1990 when this was taken, DR was still getting off the ground, so they're likely out too.
Fender seems unlikely - did they offer any 5-string set at this time? Also, I think Fender rounds years ago also had silk wraps?
If they're steel, I'm not sure they'd be Ernie Balls either.
The ball ends are buried in the bridge, but D'Addario Steel Strings could be possible.
At this time, I think his Hofner had started a run with La Bella DTB, so La Bella rounds could also be possible on the Wal. However, I think their roundwound B string was tapered at the bridge for a while, pre-Rx string sets, and this doesn't look to have a taper core B.

Any thoughts?

 

[Tom Gallo]

Long shiny ones.

 

[57pbass]

Never saw him play a 5 string.Can you tell me some of the recordings where he used this bass ? I would love to hear them. Thanks

 

[J Wilson]

Here's 'Figure of Eight' with the Wal 5. This is the lead-off song on his TRIPPING THE LIVE FANTASTIC double live set from 1990. IIRC, the Wal was a gift from Wal. Listen close and you'll hear him walking around down there past where the Hofner could have gone . . . . God Rest Linda.

On the CD, this tune is in E major, and in spots where he goes to the five chord (B), he sometimes drops it on the open B-string.

 

[J Wilson]

Or in Color !

 

[J Wilson]

So . . . what did Wal use for their 'factory' strings, what came on them when you bought a new one? That would probably be who they got the 5 set from, maybe not if Paul's team spec'd some fave of his, but I'd bet Wal's usual vendor.

 

[burgerdj]

No idea, but seeing him with a 5 string is wild.

 

[ggvicviper]

Never saw him play a 5 string.Can you tell me some of the recordings where he used this bass ? I would love to hear them. Thanks

He used this very Wal 5er on the Beatles reunion track Free as a Bird. You can hear him go to a low C in the middle of the song, where there's a modulation to C:

So . . . what did Wal use for their 'factory' strings, what came on them when you bought a new one? That would probably be who they got the 5 set from, maybe not if Paul's team spec'd some fave of his, but I'd bet Wal's usual vendor.

Haven't any info on this. Even prompted AI, and it said that Wal has no OEM for strings. It's apparently whatever you request put on the bass.

 

[markjazzbassist]

likely whatever it came with. Wal is british, find a british string manufacturer active late 80's early 90's, i would guess rotosound.

 

[ggvicviper]

likely whatever it came with. Wal is british, find a british string manufacturer active late 80's early 90's, i would guess rotosound.

I doubt they're Rotos. No silk wrap.

 

[pineweasel]

Wal fitted Picato strings as standard back then, so that would be my guess.

 

[Deleted member 394181]

Never saw him play a 5 string.Can you tell me some of the recordings where he used this bass ? I would love to hear them. Thanks

"Flowers in the Dirt" album.

 

[mikeswals]

Yes they would be Picato strings in those days Wal was using. No silks wraps. Very stiff strings, I hated the set that were still on a Wal fiver I bought.
Paul seemed to just play a bass as it came.

Pic stolen for sample

 

[kodiakblair]

Wal fitted Picato strings as standard back then, so that would be my guess.

Status Graphite were another who used Picato, their Hot Wire strings came from Picato.

 

[mikeswals]

Never saw him play a 5 string.Can you tell me some of the recordings where he used this bass ? I would love to hear them. Thanks

Paul heard Trevor Horn playing his 5 string Wal, and loved the sound. And so Linda was the one who went to visit the workshop and bought the 5 string for Paul.

He used it all thru the late 80s on tour and TV shows, not hard to find all that footage on YouTube.

He showed up with it to work with Elvis Costello, and Elvis downright ridiculed him for playing such a modern beast, that is wasn't 'him', and that he should bring the Hofner back out.

 

[ggvicviper]

Wal fitted Picato strings as standard back then, so that would be my guess.

Yes they would be Picato strings in those days Wal was using. No silks wraps. Very stiff strings, I hated the set that were still on a Wal fiver I bought.
Paul seemed to just play a bass as it came.

Thanks for the answers! Agree, Paul rarely ever played anything that wasn't completely stock. I guess case closed here, too.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

"Flowers in the Dirt" album.

"my brave face" definitely sounds like the Höfner

 

[Deleted member 394181]

"my brave face" definitely sounds like the Höfner

"Figure of Eight" has some B String though.

 

[iiipopes]

Wal fitted Picato strings as standard back then, so that would be my guess.

Yes, and Sir Macca, as also did John and George, tended to stay with the OEM strings that came on any particular instrument when they could get them.

 

[mikeswals]

"my brave face" definitely sounds like the Höfner

Yes it is. Here is the Making Of documentary.
The Wal and the Hofner are in there.