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Wal Bass Club.

#321
cetera said:
I've recently landed my dream Wal...

This is a used but MINT Mk1 made in 2000 to the exact specs of Geddy's basses.... :bassist:

Gold hardware, EBONY fingerboard, black finish and with Funkmaster strings on it... just AWESOME!! :hyper:

Here it is, nestling between it's brothers... both early 80's MK1's, one fretted with Wenge top and the other fretless with Stained Maple top....:cool:

xmas2009061.jpg
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And here's some more pics of my 'Geddy'.... :bassist:

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#323
the_hook said:
Dang!!!! I want one! I've been listening to the Presto album, and really dig the Wal sound. I've seen a few video clips of him playing Show Don't Tell with the Wal, killer bass lines on that song. Plus this black Wal is one very cool looking bass.
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Thanks! Yep, it's a killer bass.... and very easy to get those 'Geddy' tones... :bassist:
 
#327
Oreomeister365 said:
I don't suppose they do both glossy and matte finishes? It's a little hard to tell from some of these photos but I think I've seen some with both. Can anyone confirm or deny this? Also, if you happen to own one of each I'd like to know so I could compare your pics.
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Yes, they do matte natural and glossy natural, solid, and tinted finishes.

Mike
 
#328
Oreomeister365 said:
I don't suppose they do both glossy and matte finishes? It's a little hard to tell from some of these photos but I think I've seen some with both.
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I've got hundreds of pictures saved of Wals, and yes there's lots of gloss ones.
An old price guide from the early 90's I have shows poly gloss on the body was about a $55 option, and the black body and neck finish was an $80 optinon. I'm sure it's alot more than that now.
 
#332
Huh. The bassist from stump. First time I heard one of your songs (buffalo) I thought it was hilarious, but hell, I could not stop listening to them, the creativity was through to roof.

Have to say my favorite is Chaos but I can't really choose.


On a note more related to the thread, I've been talking with Paul Herman and I'm about to put in the deposit and order a f'real Wal.

The only bass I've ever actually wanted...no other has come remotely close.
 
#333
Hopper - are you sure those recordings of yours contain any bass at all?!!?? ;) Man, your technique and/or musical vision is soooo beyond or outside mine, that I simply have no idea how you created those sounds on a bass! :) Mmmm, maybe that's part of the Wal secret?!!!??

On a Wal-related note, hope to be joining the club soon, hopefully within the next week! :)

EG
 
#338
Yay, just got my '88 Wal Mk2 5-string today, can I get a number?

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Serial is #3014, american walnut over mahogany. Has a few chips and marks and some finish wear, a few missing screws and a bent tuner, but it feels great, plays nicely and all the pickups/electronics work as they should, so I'm happy!

Cheers,

EG
 
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#339
Hey folks,

Is there a setup guide anywhere for Wal basses? Or even just some popular opinion on typical/factory string and pickup heights? I've fitted new strings and done a basic setup, but not really sure whether it's close to how it should be. (The previous owner had it cranked right up, whereas I prefer a medium to medium-low action.)

There's also a few things that either need fixing or replacing, so maybe a few of you, that have restored older Wals, might be able to advise here. :)

Firstly, a few of the allen-key screws in the string saddles were pretty stuffed and stripped out immediately after adjusting, so really need replacing. Have emailed Wal, to see if replacements are available, but it might be some time before I hear back.

Secondly, I found that even with the string saddles wound right down, the B, E and A strings are still pretty high, so maybe I need shorter blocks or to get a few of them shaved down a touch.

And lastly, I'm not sure if any of the pickup pole-pieces are adjustable anymore, some of them are rusty and most don't appear to have been moved for many years. Not sure whether I have exactly the right size allen-key for them, so will try a few more before I make a mess of any of them.

Any advice greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

EG
 
#340
evilgus said:
Is there a setup guide anywhere for Wal basses? Or even just some popular opinion on typical/factory string and pickup heights? I've fitted new strings and done a basic setup, but not really sure whether it's close to how it should be. (The previous owner had it cranked right up, whereas I prefer a medium to medium-low action.)
Click to expand...

string height is to taste. pickup heights can be fairly high if you want them to be -- since the magnets are bar magnets way at the bottom of a very tall pickup you don't have too much of a risk of magnetic interference with the string motion. Then again, the electronics are fairly high output, so you don't really NEED them to be higher.

Secondly, I found that even with the string saddles wound right down, the B, E and A strings are still pretty high, so maybe I need shorter blocks or to get a few of them shaved down a touch.
Click to expand...

sounds like you need your neck shimmed.

And lastly, I'm not sure if any of the pickup pole-pieces are adjustable anymore, some of them are rusty and most don't appear to have been moved for many years. Not sure whether I have exactly the right size allen-key for them, so will try a few more before I make a mess of any of them.
Click to expand...

you've got a 5-string so the pickups are epoxy potted, there shouldn't be any way to damage them by turning them other than rounding out the allen screws if you have the incorrect wrench. Any rust on there is probably just on the surface. I wouldn't force it, but I don't see any reason not to try to adjust them.
 

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