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Wal Bass Club.

got my mkI back with the fret job. super clean work with the OEM fret wire provided by Paul. plays great amazing!

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Nice work! I'm headed the other direction defretting my basses.
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thanks gentlemen, the guy who did the work had never worked on a Wal before. he's mainly known for doing work on vintage acoustics and archtops. He commented that he has never seen a fingerboard that perfectly straight on a bass, and that the builder really knew what he was doing when he made this bass.

so anyone who says wal's are just hype and mystique can suck on that. ;)
 
Hello !

Could you help me ? This is not about Wals, but you are always importing basses and maybe some of you know about this :

I just bought an used Carl Thompson bass from the "Japanese Guitar Center equivalent" called Ikebe Gakki. It's a 78 bass made in USA. Any idea about how much I'll I pay for US fees ? And when and where should I pay ? It's funny to pay for fees in US for an US made instrument that is being shipped from overseas ! LOL ! I do not know nothing about US Importation Laws.

Sorry for this dumb question !
 
Call him or email. I'm going to go ahead here and guess the the only way to acquire Wal electronics is to buy the whole bass.

i'd have to agree. i asked Paul how much it would cost for Wal pickups and preamp for 'spare parts' in the event I wanted to send any of my electronics for servicing and I wouldn't have to be without.... and he pretty much said that he wouldn't sell it and just said that his turn around for electronics would be quick if need be.
 
Hello !

Could you help me ? This is not about Wals, but you are always importing basses and maybe some of you know about this :

I just bought an used Carl Thompson bass from the "Japanese Guitar Center equivalent" called Ikebe Gakki. It's a 78 bass made in USA. Any idea about how much I'll I pay for US fees ? And when and where should I pay ? It's funny to pay for fees in US for an US made instrument that is being shipped from overseas ! LOL ! I do not know nothing about US Importation Laws.

Sorry for this dumb question !

fees typically vary depending on Courier. Whatever the sender declares in value will determine how much customs will bill you for the import. so if the bass was declared for example $1000, you'll have to pay customs (+ courier fee) anywhere from 6% - 9%, which for this example would be $60 - $90. Also depending on courier, you'll either receive a bill or will have to pay prior to the courier making final delivery.
 
You can have the brokerage fee waived if you contact the shipping company and let them know that you'll clear it through customs yourself, I've paid as much as $30 brokerage with UPS. And I think that you won't be liable to pay duty, but will still have to pay sales tax.
 
A very beautiful birdseye MkI fretted just popped up at Bass Direct.
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Wow, this one posted as "sold" now!!! Don't even think it was up a full 48 hours.

Apparently a pristine fretless Mk1 will be listed on Bass Direct shortly, he said within the next few days.

Curious to see if it'll have the same price as the other two pristine Mk1's
 
Awesome man!! Congrats!!!

Thanks man, I'd passed up a few special Wals before and regretted it, I wasn't gonna let this one go. It was pricey, especially considering there's no clear on the body or neck, but damn that BE is hawt and it's everything I wanted in a Mk1. I think they stopped using hornbeam in 1991 and I assume this one has it, but I can't confirm just by looking at it.
 
Hello to all you Wal owners, who have been filling my life with wonderful pictures to drool on. I'm about ready to place an order for my own from Paul. Taking the 17 months (or more) to get it will make the pain of paying easier to bear. My biggest question is how do you all feel about the difference in body shape between the Mk 1 and Mk2? At first I was set on a MK 1 because one of my favorite bassists played one. Ergonomically the Mk 2 looks like a better choice for me, I track and record standing, but the Mk 1 is so classic. From what I've read so far the two models are relatively identical in tone so that's not an issue. So now I'm trying to decide between a Mk1 or Mk 2. I already have a StingRay and a couple other basses but they just doesn't have the Wal tone. Does anyone have any suggestions or pointers before I make my "plunge"?
 
Hello to all you Wal owners, who have been filling my life with wonderful pictures to drool on. I'm about ready to place an order for my own from Paul. Taking the 17 months (or more) to get it will make the pain of paying easier to bear. My biggest question is how do you all feel about the difference in body shape between the Mk 1 and Mk2? At first I was set on a MK 1 because one of my favorite bassists played one. Ergonomically the Mk 2 looks like a better choice for me, I track and record standing, but the Mk 1 is so classic. From what I've read so far the two models are relatively identical in tone so that's not an issue. So now I'm trying to decide between a Mk1 or Mk 2. I already have a StingRay and a couple other basses but they just doesn't have the Wal tone. Does anyone have any suggestions or pointers before I make my "plunge"?

I've never seen a Mk2 in person, but I know it's bigger and has 24 frets rather than the Mk1's 22. Plenty of people here with both that could answer specifics though. I think the Mk3 is the smallest of the Wals and has been said to be the best balanced of the three.
 
Hello to all you Wal owners, who have been filling my life with wonderful pictures to drool on. I'm about ready to place an order for my own from Paul. Taking the 17 months (or more) to get it will make the pain of paying easier to bear. My biggest question is how do you all feel about the difference in body shape between the Mk 1 and Mk2? At first I was set on a MK 1 because one of my favorite bassists played one. Ergonomically the Mk 2 looks like a better choice for me, I track and record standing, but the Mk 1 is so classic. From what I've read so far the two models are relatively identical in tone so that's not an issue. So now I'm trying to decide between a Mk1 or Mk 2. I already have a StingRay and a couple other basses but they just doesn't have the Wal tone. Does anyone have any suggestions or pointers before I make my "plunge"?


Hmmm , difficult !

I have MKI,MKII, i4 w and MKIII. The only relevant difference is the balance and the look. I prefer the MKI look ... more classic, more aggressive and more rock look... also the MKI fits perfect to my height and fingers. The perfect balance body is the MKIII, also a more modern look ! MKII is the intermediate in terms of balance.

I love all the 3 models lol !