I know discussing counterfeit basses is against the rules. This is not labeled Wal, so I guess it is not a counterfeit, but the body and fat humbuckers remind me of Wal. I don’t think it has that sound, however.
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This sure looks like a Wal!
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
I know discussing counterfeit basses is against the rules. This is not labeled Wal, so I guess it is not a counterfeit, but the body and fat humbuckers remind me of Wal. I don’t think it has that sound, however.
I believe the proprietary Wal electronics (specifically, the multi-coil pickups and filter-based preamp) are the keys to achieving the Wal “sound.” I’ve owned three Wal Mk 1 basses.
To my knowledge, only Alan Cringean of AC Guitars (in Scotland) offers anything comparable in the electronics department. I have one of Alan’s Uber-spec Finn basses (a fretless 5) on order and am hoping for delivery before the end of the year. Keep you posted.
To my knowledge, only Alan Cringean of AC Guitars (in Scotland) offers anything comparable in the electronics department. I have one of Alan’s Uber-spec Finn basses (a fretless 5) on order and am hoping for delivery before the end of the year. Keep you posted.
Any idea what it is?
No way. Everyone knows it's all in the wood.
All you have to do is use the same wood as Wal and it will have the same tone.
I guess Stingrays sounding the same whether they are ash, alder, poplar, or okume is just our ears playing tricks on us too.
The video says it’s the Form Factor Wombat.
Totally didn't see that.
I'm not much of a words guy.
More of a pictures and sounds guy.
songwriter21
I have an obsession for wood. The musical kind.
Enfield has similar designs, too...no ACG pre, but very Wal-inspired shape for certain models. Their Black Raven option gives you a carbon-wrapped mahogany neck, too.
Enfield Overview — Sims Guitar Works UK | Super-Quad Pickups, Enfield Bass Guitars, Spray Shop, Custom LEDs, Pickguards, Servicing, Repair
Really that’s sucks... their website looks like everything‘s fine but I’ve seen that happen with other companies
It's definitely Wal inspired, visually at least. It sounds good. The neck pickup looks to be dual coil but one is split like a P pickup (so yes, technically 3 coils, 4 if the other side is split like a split-J ). The bridge looks like a MM/J hybrid. Pretty cool 
). The bridge looks like a MM/J hybrid. Pretty cool 
Quadzilla
Supporting Member
I have a Maruszczyk with multi-coil Bassculture/Hotwire "W-buckers" that are supposedly made the same as the original Wal pups. But this bass has a 3 band Noll preamp with each band having a stacked sweep function. Plus it has series/parallel/coil tap switching per pickup. Sounds 'Wal-ish", but not dead on....
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There are also models available on Reverb:
Form Factor Audio "wombat" in Amp Shop Bass Exchange / Bass | Reverb
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Is that a jazzus body? I came close to pulling the trigger on one of these but the body shape seemed a little off to me. Every year I get a little closer to talking myself into just biting the bullet and getting a wal.
Cave Puppy
"Humph Bo, he's wond!" - John Lennon
The Amp Shop and Bass Exchange (the makers of this bass) is local to me. I need to get down there, stat!
Martin Sims announced earlier this year that production for Enfield basses was ending as he was going to focus on the SIMS business. You'll know SIMS for their excellent paintwork and LED installation. They also make a range of pickups that are quite well regarded.
I liked the Enfield basses although I've never had a chance to play one. I've heard although they look like a Wal they feel more sleek and modern. They don't sound like Wal basses though as they were never fitted with a filter based preamp. There was no unique magic in the Wal electronics, but the filters give that 'quack' sound that you just can't get with cut and boost only preamps. For a long time, Wal were an outlier in that regard but several guys have since made pickups and preamps which do what the Wal gear does.
The bass shown below is an interesting curio when talking about Wal and SIMS basses. It is a Wal bass with SIMS Super Quad pickups fitted. I can't recall the preamp that was fitted but it wasn't a Wal piece. I'm not sure if Alberto has it anymore as he had it listed for sale for £8000 a couple of years ago.
Form Factor Audio Wombat 250 years Old Walnut 4-String Bass Guitar 34" Scale | Reverb
Looks like that exact bass is available.
Looks like that exact bass is available.
