played a wal today...

[greg]

So today i walked into bass emporium before my lesson at 1:30 when i spotted this.....Invalid Link Removed
i've never seen one up close or played one..so i checked it out. Cool bass, pretty comfortable neck, really cool looking also. The olive ash top looks much much better in person. It sounded really great and is really versatile. Couldn't really figure out the controls besides volume though. Not really my kind of bass but pretty kickass nonetheless.

 

[Fawkes007]

$3200 used for a bolt on?

 

[brothernewt]

$3200 used for a bolt on?

Wal's don't show up for sale very often and the very few I've seen recently are in this ballpark.

 

[Pennydreadful]

If that bass had a giant pickguard, it'd be pretty awesome. I dig the shape a lot.

 

[RAM]

$3200 used for a bolt on?

I take it you only think neck-throughs are worth that kind of cash?

 

[Fawkes007]

I take it you only think neck-throughs are worth that kind of cash?

I think $3200 for a used bolt on is a little high, yes, even if it is a Wal. And both of my basses are bolt ons. Bolt on instruments are cheaper a,d much easier to produce than neck throughs. I am somewhat astounded that new jazz style basses can cost $3000+ these days. That being said, I would love a Lakland JO and a Sadowsky. And that Wal looks sweet.

I am also amazed at the resale value of some fine boutique basses. They seem to drop $1000 right off the bat. That's worse than the loss on a new car when you drive it off the lot, percentage wise.

I also think the vintage market for '70's era Fenders is ridiculous.

 

[Unchain]

If that bass had a giant pickguard, it'd be pretty awesome. I dig the shape a lot.

What? Why? Eww!

 

[brothernewt]

I think $3200 for a used bolt on is a little high, yes, even if it is a Wal.

good thing you don't want a Wal huh?

 

[phxlbrmpf]

That's so hot, the Mark 1 is my favourite Wal shape.

Too bad this is shaping up to be the weekly "bolt ons are cheap, easy to make and worth no more than X" thread.

 

[oddio]

$3200 used for a bolt on?

Yep, and at that price you can be sure that an olive ash MkI will disappear very quickly. Thanks for the heads up. I wish I had that kind spare cash or it would be gone.

 

[caruso]

... and one has to keep in mind that Pete will no longer exept orders due to his bad health. He does not agree to an Walbass owners buyout or even let them help him with some things not directly involved in the bassmaking.

 

[vene-nemesis]

Yep, and at that price you can be sure that an olive ash MkI will disappear very quickly. Thanks for the heads up. I wish I had that kind spare cash or it would be gone.

Hey oddio can you explain a little to us how do the wal tone controls work????

 

[Belka]

I remember looking back at some of my old Bassist (the UK one) magazine from 1999-2000. There were always second hand Wals in the classifieds section. The prices back then were stupidly low. I remember early '80s models going for 450 pounds and some guys ash body flame maple top five string going for about 800 pounds. I could have kicked myself that I didn't investigate further. Mind you, I suppose that they will always be a bit cheaper in the UK

 

[mbulmer]

If that bass had a giant pickguard, it'd be pretty awesome. I dig the shape a lot.

Kind of like these?

 

[Tbirdbassist]

Can't you get a brand new WAL (if Pete were taking orders) for about $3,300 or more (depending) That seems a bit steep... although I'd glady drop the cash if I had it.

BTW theres a Mk III on ebay now , after 7 bids it a $3,500 US.

 

[bearcubs9497]

I'm sure that Wal's are great basses. Never played one, though. And to be honest, I think they're a bit unattractive. Not fugly, just not my thing.

Of course, my opinion's worth absolutely nada

 

[8guy]

It was 1981 I was Stationed in England at RAF Alconbury, Im Watching the Old Grey Whistle Test and The band Japan comes on.
Im Watching this Guy(Mick Karn) play these wonderful fretless lines with a Wal....what a wonderful looking bass!!!!!!

I got the oppertunity 2 weeks latter to play a used one in a store in Cambridge...OMG It was a dream.

comfortable, Deep sound, while still having the high end I like. it was £450 wich in american at the time was over a thousand dollars, The Air force Did not pay me that well so I Never bought it I wish I would have scrimped on things and got it.

By the way Im one of those who wishes Geddy never went back to a Jazz bass, I loved his Wal playing more.

 

[Niskamies]

Didn't Wal make a model called pro-bass? Would they do me a signature semipro-bass

Btw, how much do new Wals cost?

 

[Tbirdbassist]

I think $3000 and up. Not very expensive compared to some other "custom" manufactures.

 

[Unchain]

I'm in love with these basses, and the thought I'll never have one...well...it just hurts. :scowl: