NBD: The Wal-Moth Clone

[hrbassji]

Idea for this one was simple: always wanted a Wal but can’t afford a real one. So I scavenged some parts and bought Turner Multicoil pickups and a Lusithand Filter Preamp.

Full Specs:
34” scale
Warmoth Lacewood jazz bass neck
Lacewood fretboard with 21 frets
1.5” Brass nut
Warmoth Mahogany chambered body with walnut top
Gotoh Res o Lite tuners
Import bridge
Lusithand knobs
Custom 3d printed pickup rings
Pickups placed 12” and 15” from the 12th fret

Sounds incredible and plays so easily. Pics are attached.

 

[Isaac_James]

Wow, that's beautiful! Does Warmoth allow you to specify the location of the pickup routs? I've played around with their custom builder but that's not an option in any of the drop-down menus.

 

[hrbassji]

Wow, that's beautiful! Does Warmoth allow you to specify the location of the pickup routs? I've played around with their custom builder but that's not an option in any of the drop-down menus.

So, I bought this from another user here. I don’t know how he ordered it but the cavities were in the right spot for me. Really lucked out. This positioning is very close to the Wal Mk 2.

 

[Sharko]

Came here hoping for moth man bass content

 

[AncientNoob]

Came here hoping for moth man bass content

Not gonna lie... me too.


**Edit**
Almost forgot, nice bass OP! Not what I was expecting, but very cool!

 

[hrbassji]

Sorry guys!

 

[spiritbass]

The figuring of the grain in the fretboard and headstock is incredible and mesmerizing. If it sounds half as good as it looks, you have an awesome bass in your hands.

 

[J Wilson]

Nicely considered and executed bass. I love that satin finish 'brown bass' look with black hardware. I like builds that are thought-out-of-the-box and not just another Fender-shaped-object.

If it plays and sounds anything like it looks, you're all set !

All the Best,

JW

 

[hrbassji]

The figuring of the grain in the fretboard and headstock is incredible and mesmerizing. If it sounds half as good as it looks, you have an awesome bass in your hands.

Thanks, it sounds great, about 95% to an actual Wal.

 

[Topkat13]

In this case I am ok with building a Wal.

 

[RobD_BritBass]

That is a lovely looking bass, I've been contemplating converting a bass into a WAL inspired bass (possibly a Yamaha BB to make a YamaWal).

How much low end is available in the Lusithand preamp? I'd heard a few people saying that they can be a bit bass light, although I guess that's quite authentic to the Wal sound.

 

[Neon Blues]

In this case I am ok with building a Wal.

Keep all the Mexican Fenders out?

 

[hrbassji]

That is a lovely looking bass, I've been contemplating converting a bass into a WAL inspired bass (possibly a Yamaha BB to make a YamaWal).

How much low end is available in the Lusithand preamp? I'd heard a few people saying that they can be a bit bass light, although I guess that's quite authentic to the Wal sound.

The preamp can be pretty bright, but how you blend the pickups can help add low end. Also, you can bring the pickups closer to the strings for more baseline low end. The pickups are very sensitive to the height it seems. I think it’s a worthy investment. I’ll try to post some sound samples.

I forgot to mention, Turner pickups have different voicings now. These are the English voiced ones.

 

[Bassinthemudd]

Beautiful. Could you post pics of the back?

 

[hrbassji]

Beautiful. Could you post pics of the back?

Sure, probably should’ve done that in the first place.

 

[Bassinthemudd]

I really like the lacewood. The fingerboard in particular, is really striking.

 

[Michedelic]

Sorry, but it’s still a FSO…and did you choose a neck with an extreme V shape, a Wal trademark? That is one thing that led me to reluctantly sell the Wal fretless that I had years ago…just could not get used to it.

 

[hrbassji]

Sorry, but it’s still a FSO…and did you choose a neck with an extreme V shape, a Wal trademark? That is one thing that led me to reluctantly sell the Wal fretless that I had years ago…just could not get used to it.

True, and looking back, it’s not really a clone, more a tribute/method to get that type of sound. The neck is a typical jazz with what I think is a C-shape, possibly a shallow U. I did pick the body specifically because I know Wals use mahogany and have used walnut tops in the past.

 

[LowWay]

This is very cool. I’m in the middle of a wal-ish build myself. I love seeing these success stories. Congrats!

I seem to be in the minority using an underhill instead of a lusithand. But I’m not trying to get a perfect wal knockoff. Just something in the broader neighborhood.

 

[hrbassji]

This is very cool. I’m in the middle of a wal-ish build myself. I love seeing these success stories. Congrats!

I seem to be in the minority using an underhill instead of a lusithand. But I’m not trying to get a perfect wal knockoff. Just something in the broader neighborhood.

So, last time I had checked, Underhill didn’t have the ability to handle multicoil pickups. However, I see now that they do and have the pick attack feature…which is intriguing and now giving me GAS hahaha