Most Wal like sound from Jazz, PJ or Ray?

[Vanheusen77]

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.

 

[Lesfunk]

Stingray with a Nordstrand Big Blade Man pickup

 

[Vanheusen77]

Stingray with a Nordstrand Big Blade Man pickup

Interesting!

 

[Lesfunk]

Interesting!

Well, the Big Blademan is Nordstrands WAL pickup in a stingray housing. it just might work!

 

[metron]

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.

 

[2112]

 

[bovinehost]

Get a Bongo.

 

[mikeswals]

Well, the Big Blademan is Nordstrands WAL pickup in a stingray housing. it just might work!

not even. its just a blade pickup, nothing like a multi coil pickup that a Wal is.

 

[mikeswals]

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.

 

[luciens]

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

 

[Lesfunk]

not even. its just a blade pickup, nothing like a multi coil pickup that a Wal is.

So Nordstrand is not accurately describing their product.
I didn’t think they would do that

 

[Medicine Man]

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.

 

[Deleted member 165050]

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.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

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.

Stingray with a big blademan pickup.

 

[hotrodjohn]

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…

 

[tindrum]

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

Same here. It gets fairly close.

 

[Wood and Wire]

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.

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.

 

[40Hz]

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.

 

[Grapevine921]

None of those will get close unless you put a pretty penny into a whole new electronics package.

 

[john_g]

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.