Wal Bass Club.

[JohnnyFavorite]

The perfect balanced body WAL bass is the MKIII. It's the evolution of WAL body shape over the years, but MKII for me is the most beautiful and more unique one. Also, MKII has a very good balance and you will not have any problem with it. It's a hard choice for me ! But if it's your 1st WAL, I 'll choose MKIII.

Thanks for the advice. I think I like the MKIII body shape best, but prefer the larger headstock of the MKI and MKII. It's a tough decision!

 

[JohnnyFavorite]

I've got another question for the Wal-nuts...

Traditionally, how are Wals finished? Is it a gloss neck and a satin body?

 

[mikeswals]

The standard finish from Paul is both satin neck and body. Gloss and colors are optional.
The old Wals were standard with gloss neck and satin body.

Thanks for the advice. I think I like the MKIII body shape best, but prefer the larger headstock of the MKI and MKII. It's a tough decision!

Pete had made one like that; MkIII with an original Custom headstock.

 

[JohnnyFavorite]

Thanks for the info.

Wow! That looks amazing! I think I need to have a chat with Paul...

 

[Dbt25677]

How do you afford these?

 

[kulit17]

How do you afford these?

Ramen noodle soup for lunch and dinner, use public transportation, using the same clothes since high school and most importantly-three different paper routes.

 

[JohnnyFavorite]

I think the 19 month wait also helps.

 

[j.kernodle]

How do you afford these?

When I bought my 2013 Porsche 911 turbo I sacrificed and left off the $6000 optional titanium interior trim package and used the savings to order my Wal.

 

[Toolmybass]

I drove my car 4,000 miles less a couple years ago to avoid the mandatory $13,000 tune-up on the Lambo!....so I bought 2 Wals to reward myself!
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[Toolmybass]

 

[Benberg]

I drove my car 4,000 miles less a couple years ago to avoid the mandatory $13,000 tune-up on the Lambo!....so I bought 2 Wals to reward myself!
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meanwhile... 20 year old virgin here trying to get a job to afford a wal

 

[Pj,Rj,Hj]

This thread is the best evidence why this Forum needs a Like Button.

So much Goodness

 

[Tjluke]

How do you afford these?

Doing this job: click!

 

[marcos_epm]

Less than 24hs to get my new MK III

 

[GrumpiusMaximus]

Right. That's decided.

If I do happen to come into money in the future, I will get a Wal. I love these basses, the sound they make and the factory is less than an hour from me. What's not to love?!

 

[j.kernodle]

meanwhile... 20 year old virgin here trying to get a job to afford a wal

you're on the right track. more women = less Wals.

 

[GrumpiusMaximus]

you're on the right track. more women = less Wals.

Right. Remind me not to pick anyone up for the next ten years. Cheers laddy.

 

[Maedros]

Right. That's decided.

If I do happen to come into money in the future, I will get a Wal. I love these basses, the sound they make and the factory is less than an hour from me. What's not to love?!

Not a factory, it's a workshop run by one man, and they are pretty f'n special basses, it astounds me every time I lay hands on it. You really should arrange a visit, don't bring any money with you though, just sayin!

 

[smiked1]

I really don't agree with you ! Wals and Fenders are so different basses and such different tones ! I can easy recognize by ear each sound ! If they had the same sound and tone, there was no reason to Geddy to change the Wals for Fenders. I'd been playing Wals for 20 years, and Fenders are a standard bass for everybody and it's easy to listen the tone differences between them ! But ok, you can get a reasonable Wal sound with a lot of kind of basses, but the perfect WAL sound, just Wal has !

I'm late replying on this, but it's interesting to read your take on this. I almost bought Percy Jones' Wal bass he played on lots of recordings, and posed with in the Wal ads. It was a fretless, two pickup, in natural finish.

I'd always played jazz basses and was looking for an older, lighter, jazz than mine. I picked up the Wal thinking how cool it was. Looked much different than the only other Wal I'd seen, McCartney's.

It was an incredible bass. Played like a perfect fretless J-Bass and sounded just like one too, but less noisy. I went back and played it many times over a 6 month time period, AB'ing it with older J basses. It's sounded almost identical, only with less noise, a touch less grind/attack. The big deal about it was how great the neck was and how comfortable the body was. It was a beautiful bass, and I regret not buying it.

The bass I ended up liking more, was super early Alembic. it had the the odd colored, orangish pickups. I auditioned them both for months. Finally the day I was ready to drop cash on the Alembic, the owner came over in shock about who just called and bought the Alembic over the phone... It was Paul McCartney.

This was a very prominent bass shop back around 1990. Believe it or not, bass players weren't interested in vintage stuff at all, especially not Wal or Alembic. It was a great experience playing all these basses regularly. I pretty much only play old Fender or Musicman now, if that tells you anything. I have a special place in my heart for that Wal bass. I hope someone has it now and is playing it reguarly.

 

[GrumpiusMaximus]

Not a factory, it's a workshop run by one man, and they are pretty f'n special basses, it astounds me every time I lay hands on it. You really should arrange a visit, don't bring any money with you though, just sayin!

I wouldn't even be able to muster the funds without a bank loan! Which is fortunate. If it was just on the verge of affordability for me, I'd probably be all over it and be foraging from bins for months!