Most Wal like sound from Jazz, PJ or Ray?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Vanheusen77, Jun 16, 2021.

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  1. Vanheusen77

    Vanheusen77

    Nov 9, 2016
    For those who have played these basses. Obviously none of these basses can sound exactly like a Wal but I’m still curious which of these three sounds more Wal like?

    First I thought a jazz bass, but from a lot of stuff I hear on records a PJ might actually have more of those snarling mids. On the other hand many Wal players seem to play Stingrays also and they too have that midrange character in a different way and are active.
     
  2. Lesfunk

    Lesfunk Bootlegger guitars : S.I.T. Strings Supporting Member

    Apr 5, 2007
    Florida USA
    Stingray with a Nordstrand Big Blade Man pickup
     
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  3. Vanheusen77

    Vanheusen77

    Nov 9, 2016
    Interesting!
     
  4. Lesfunk

    Lesfunk Bootlegger guitars : S.I.T. Strings Supporting Member

    Apr 5, 2007
    Florida USA
    Well, the Big Blademan is Nordstrands WAL pickup in a stingray housing. it just might work!
     
  5. metron

    metron Supporting Member

    Sep 12, 2003
    Denver
    I hate to be this guy, but none of them are close to my ears. Something with two humbuckers like G&L L or M2000 can actually come close to Wal type sound.
     
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  6. 2112

    2112 Supporting Member

    Apr 30, 2005
     
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  7. bovinehost

    bovinehost

    Dec 5, 2002
    Endorsing Artist: Ernie Ball Music Man/Sterling By Music Man
    Get a Bongo.
     
  8. mikeswals

    mikeswals Supporting Member

    Nov 18, 2002
    Seattle / Tacoma
    not even. its just a blade pickup, nothing like a multi coil pickup that a Wal is.
     
  9. mikeswals

    mikeswals Supporting Member

    Nov 18, 2002
    Seattle / Tacoma
    I have one, as well as Jazz, StingRay, and a G&L. none of those cop it.

    However I have had the 2006 StingRay 30th Anniv before and those have the mahogany bodies. Those can cop a pretty good tone best because of that low-mid bump from the mahogany and it smooths out that high end clack.
     
    Last edited: Jun 16, 2021
  10. luciens

    luciens

    Feb 9, 2020
    My L2000 cops a fair Wal tone, with just the bridge PU in passive and parallel mode. And costs about 1/10th what the Wal does…..

    L
     
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  11. Lesfunk

    Lesfunk Bootlegger guitars : S.I.T. Strings Supporting Member

    Apr 5, 2007
    Florida USA
    So Nordstrand is not accurately describing their product.
    I didn’t think they would do that
     
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  12. Medicine Man

    Medicine Man

    Apr 10, 2015
    none
    I get a pretty good BloodSugarSexMagic out of a Modulus Q5 with Lane Poors, but Wal is its own thing. If there was an easier option, price would be lower and delivery time faster.
     
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  13. None of those. Nothing sounds quite like a Wal humbucker, and a Wal humbucker with Wal active electronics is something else again. If you play a Wal (even a budget one like mine) you know.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 16, 2021
  14. JeezyMcNuggles

    JeezyMcNuggles Supporting Member

    Feb 23, 2018
    Santa Maria, CA
    I suck, but nobody really notices
    Stingray with a big blademan pickup. Screenshot_20210616-163656_Samsung Internet.jpg
     
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  15. hotrodjohn

    hotrodjohn Supporting Member

    Aug 7, 2009
    I have found that the EBMM Sterling H with the selector in series mode (neck side) copped a pretty good JC Tool Wal tone, if that is the Wal tone you are seeking…
     
  16. tindrum

    tindrum Supporting Member

    May 2, 2007
    Suffolk, VA
    Same here. It gets fairly close.
     
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  17. Wood and Wire

    Wood and Wire

    Jul 15, 2017

    Given that, to this day, most bassists still believe that Flea recorded all of "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" on a StingRay, just get one of those, save yourself a load of time, and money, and help perpetuate the myth.
     
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  18. 40Hz

    40Hz Supporting Member

    May 24, 2006
    home
    I vote: none of the above.

    I own a JB and a PJ.

    I have played several Rays, and had the good fortune to play three Wals.

    IMO nothing sounds at all like a Wal other than a Wal. If something did I’d already own it.
     
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  19. Grapevine921

    Grapevine921 Supporting Member

    Feb 8, 2011
    Lafayette, Indiana
    None of those will get close unless you put a pretty penny into a whole new electronics package.
     
  20. john_g

    john_g Supporting Member

    Sep 14, 2007
    Pennsylvania
    My Stingray get the closest to my Wal IMO though its not exact. My L2000 gets in the same zipcode but the SR has that "springy top end" like my Wal. Doesnt do the resonant "wah" when you pluck the Wal hard, but close enough on a budget.
     
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