Double Bass Three Walter Woods Ultras on ebay

[Ric Vice]

Hey everyone I just thought I let you all know that there are curently Three Walter Woods Ultras listed on ebay. The bidding starts at $2,300.00. It would be really interesting to know if these three players are selling theirs because they switched over to something new (i.e Markbass or AI) ?

Ric

 

[gnergaard]

...is that people are just broke (like me!) and realize that the possibilty of selling these amps for more than they paid for them is a good way to get out of debt. It's a shame that the market for these amps forces the price up for the used ones. I really do think that if you are on the go and playing frequently enough to warrant one that there is nothing better than a woods amp.

 

[charmicarmicat]

What do WW amps go for, new from the man himself?

...is that people are just broke (like me!) and realize that the possibilty of selling these amps for more than they paid for them is a good way to get out of debt. It's a shame that the market for these amps forces the price up for the used ones. I really do think that if you are on the go and playing frequently enough to warrant one that there is nothing better than a woods amp.

 

[Ric Vice]

What do WW amps go for, new from the man himself?

I don't know what his lates prices are. It looks like the individuals on ebay are setting their starting bids at a figure that is pretty close to what they paid for their amplifiers new, providing that they were purchased from Walter.

Ric

 

[KJung]

I believe a new Ultra is around $2,800 now.

In talking to a couple of my retailer friends, there is a feeling that now is the time to sell a Walter if you need the cash. With the many new and amazing sounding small switching power supply amps coming out, the general feeling is that Walter will eventually not be able to sustain his price point, and the value of the used ones will decrease.

Who knows, though. The Walter amps will probably always have a cult following. IMO, my $599 LMII outperforms my Walter Ultra in pure volume, warmth, and low end push, at least with EB

Edit: There is also a looming issue of service and support. When Walter retires or gets out of the business, service and support disappears.

 

[Wilbyman]

It will be interesting to see what happens...maybe Walter will divulge the schematics to the world when he is all done. There wouldn't be any reason for him not to unless he wants to sell the business.

Personally, I am skeptical that we're looking at a used price decrease in the near future. Like Fodera basses, they have (as Ken says) a passionate cult following all over the world. The Japanese want them, the Europeans want them...I just don't see MarkBass replacing Walter until the Richard Bona's and John Patituccis's start playing Markbass instead of WWU's.

W

 

[shwashwa]

i used to see patitucci playing with a woods, even while he was endorsing aguilar. many times actually. but the last several times i saw him he was actually using an aguilar amp.

It will be interesting to see what happens...maybe Walter will divulge the schematics to the world when he is all done. There wouldn't be any reason for him not to unless he wants to sell the business.

Personally, I am skeptical that we're looking at a used price decrease in the near future. Like Fodera basses, they have (as Ken says) a passionate cult following all over the world. The Japanese want them, the Europeans want them...I just don't see MarkBass replacing Walter until the Richard Bona's and John Patituccis's start playing Markbass instead of WWU's.

W

 

[Reuben]

I bought my super hi-power (amber light) WW direct from Walter for $1875, including shipping.

When I got on the waiting list he said it might be a year, but it ended up being 2 or 3 months.

 

[Ric Vice]

I think that Ken is right on the money. Cult following or not
the MarkBass is way less money and sounds just as good in IMHO.

Ric

 

[bassame]

I think that Ken is right on the money. Cult following or not
the MarkBass is way less money and sounds just as good in IMHO.

Ric

But gee! When Marco de Virgiliis dies, there goes tech support for markbass! What to do then?

 

[B String]

But gee! When Marco de Virgiliis dies, there goes tech support for markbass! What to do then?

What are you, new here?
You must realize (unless you know nothing about either of
these amps) the difference between these two buisnesses.
One is an international company with many employes and
multiple products. The other is one man working in one room
with parts that vertually nobody else can get because Walter
has them made to his specs and often scratches off serial
numbers on key parts, with no schematics. Even if you had a
schematic, you probably couldn't get the parts.
If Walter had a stroke tomorrow (god forbid) that would be
the end of Woods amps. Other than his wife who helps every
so often, there is nobody to fix his amps. PLUS!!!!!!
Walter leaves Indio for at least two or three months a year
for a cooler climate, so you can't even call him if you need to.
As you can see, there's a big difference between these two
men and their companies.

 

[B String]

I think that Ken is right on the money. Cult following or not
the MarkBass is way less money and sounds just as good in IMHO.

Ric

These two amps sound about as different as it gets. Some
of the best upright players in the world might not agree
with you on this point. We are very fortunate to have more
amp choices now than we've ever had.

 

[evertalbers]

...I just don't see MarkBass replacing Walter until the Richard Bona's and John Patituccis's start playing Markbass instead of WWU's.

Bona is currently endorsing Roland, isn't he?

 

[manju]

do you know walters actual phone number
my 1984 mi 225-8 needs servicing
thanx manju

 

[Ric Vice]

These two amps sound about as different as it gets. Some
of the best upright players in the world might not agree
with you on this point. We are very fortunate to have more
amp choices now than we've ever had.

BString,
I have two Walter Woods Amplifiers and Ultra and the MI-400-8. While I would agree with you that the Woods Electro Acoustic and the Markbass sound very different from each other, there are some striking similarities in the sound of the Little Mark and the older Woods MI series. The MI series was laden with useful features that aren't on the Markbass, but those features came at premium price. It's nice for younger players to have a choice when they can't afford a Woods.

Ric

 

[B String]

BString,
It's nice for younger players to have a choice when they can't afford a Woods.

Ric

What thoughtful approach. I commend you for looking at
the big picture and thinking of others.
The AI Focus is also a very good upright head that is much
less expensive than a Woods.
I truly loved my Woods 225-8 head. The only reason I sold
it was because Walter told me he can't fix them anymore,
other than the most basic fixes. There are major power
supply parts that he just can't get made anymore and no
other parts seem to work in their place. It killed me to sell
it.

 

[KJung]

But gee! When Marco de Virgiliis dies, there goes tech support for markbass! What to do then?

That's not true at all. Markbass has tech centers who service their gear all over the world. Walter does not share any schematics or parts with anyone. When he goes, that's it. Your comment is incorrect.

Edit: I did not see B STrings post that said the same thing!

 

[bassame]

What are you, new here?
You must realize (unless you know nothing about either of
these amps) the difference between these two buisnesses.
One is an international company with many employes and
multiple products. The other is one man working in one room
with parts that vertually nobody else can get because Walter
has them made to his specs and often scratches off serial
numbers on key parts, with no schematics. Even if you had a
schematic, you probably couldn't get the parts....

This is a conversation which comes up every few years (and because I'm not new, I'm tired of listening to it). Walter Woods has no manufacturing plant for parts, he gets them from the same place all the fine boutique amp makers get them. To preserve his control over his product he may do simple things to hide the identity of the parts but people who really work on amps, not underemployed bass players, can with the use of instruments, identify the parts well enough to get replacements. The last I heard, WW has not broken the laws of physics or is he divine.

 

[Ric Vice]

I truly loved my Woods 225-8 head. The only reason I sold
it was because Walter told me he can't fix them anymore,
other than the most basic fixes. There are major power
supply parts that he just can't get made anymore and no
other parts seem to work in their place. It killed me to sell
it.

B String,
That amplifier was unique as I remember because it achieved its 225 Watts by using two power amps bridged together. I don't remember Walter ever doing that agian.
He built several stereo amplifiers but not a dual mono power amp like the 225. I'm sorry to hear that it cannot be repaired. I wonder what was unique to that amplifier? I would assume that the MI-100-8's from the same period ( I had one)
would use the same power supply, evidently they didn't.

Rid

 

[B String]

B String,
That amplifier was unique as I remember because it achieved its 225 Watts by using two power amps bridged together. I don't remember Walter ever doing that agian.
He built several stereo amplifiers but not a dual mono power amp like the 225. I'm sorry to hear that it cannot be repaired. I wonder what was unique to that amplifier? I would assume that the MI-100-8's from the same period ( I had one)
would use the same power supply, evidently they didn't.

Rid

Walter told me exactly that. Its not the same power supply
as the MI 100. Walter tried to adapt parts with no luck.
I never had any issues at all with my amp, but I just didn't
want to risk it. I sold it with full discloser, but I just hated
selling it.