• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Most Wal-like tone on a Fender?

A

-Asdfgh-

Apr 13, 2010
15,356
27,563
UK
#1
This is one born of wet-afternoon curiosity...

Many people like the tone of the Wal, although it isn't a universal love. Some of it comes from the very specialised electronics. So a question is - to what extent can you replicate some of that sound with pickup and preamp choices on a modern standard bass (Precision or Jazz as starting points)?
 
#3
-Asdfgh- said:
This is one born of wet-afternoon curiosity...

Many people like the tone of the Wal, although it isn't a universal love. Some of it comes from the very specialised electronics. So a question is - to what extent can you replicate some of that sound with pickup and preamp choices on a modern standard bass (Precision or Jazz as starting points)?
Click to expand...

I'd say four coil pickups wound like a half Wal pickup with ACG filter preamp.
 
#5
By upgrading the bass and the electronics you should be able to get a Wal sound. I'd say, give Wal a call and see if they will sell you one of their necks to put on your Fender. You'll probably find it won't fit...in which case, you could ask Wal to sell you a loaded body to put the new neck onto. That should do it.
 
#6
Jools4001 said:
By upgrading the bass and the electronics you should be able to get a Wal sound. I'd say, give Wal a call and see if they will sell you one of their necks to put on your Fender. You'll probably find it won't fit...in which case, you could ask Wal to sell you a loaded body to put the new neck onto. That should do it.
Click to expand...

I'm not expecting to do it. It was an academic question out of interest.
 
#8
I don't know what pickups you'd put in unless routing the body is an option, but you could definitely drop in an ACG-01 filter preamp; basically an intersection of the Wal and Alembic filter preamps, with an additional high-pass filter that neither possess. A Jazz Bass would definitely be the preferred vehicle for a mod like this, due to the dual pickups. If there are any "bright but thick" J-Bass pickups, those would be the go-to.
 
#13
Buchada Azeda said:
Has anyone ever thought of copying a Wal's preamp and circuit and putting it in pedal form? I'd pay Invalid Link Removed to see that happen.
Click to expand...

There's a pickup maker here who has been working on it for years with lots of excuses and few results. You can scroll around to find the multiple threads of complaints about his customer service if getting involved with him sounds appealing.
 
#20
Hopkins said:
I think that was just a pickup not the preamp.
Click to expand...
He was working on both, at one point farmed out the preamp to someone even less reliable than himself. Progress on it has been even slower since then.
Toolmybass said:
If it's the same pup builder I'm thinking of there hasn't even been any talk for awhile that he is even still working on it or a prototype pic posted of the pre-amp. My guess it's still on the "written down on paper" stage
Click to expand...
You are an optimist, I don't even estimate he's tracked down a working writing tool.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back