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What does a 4 string Wal weigh and what's the action like? After having used a too heavy Jazz clone, I'm loving my lightweight Roscoe with lower action. I can't even play my other basses anymore, the Roscoe just lets me play what I need to without making me work hard for it.
27 it is.
The bass costed $3100 to the door from The Bass Center in 1998. Happy i held on to it this long.
Setup will determine the action, so it can be pretty much what you want on any properly maintained Wal.
I noticed that you have a MkII on your GAS list. Based on your comments, I would suggest that a MkIII is going to be closer to what you want in the weight department, as the MkII tend to be a bit heavier. This is true for earlier Wal basses, especially fretless IMO/IME, but I don't know if this is the case for the basses Paul is building at this time. Again, speaking very generally, most Wal basses weigh between 8 and 10lbs. The weight of any model, 4-string or otherwise, will vary according to wood selection.
It would seem extremely rare to find any in the 8 lb range (old ProI maybe?). My black Geddy is 11 lbs, while my other MkI and MkII are both 9.8 lbs. All the various posts I've ever seen over the years about weight is everyone says they're heavy.
My Mk III 4-string was relatively light for a Wal, but I'm not sure if it was 8 lb. or not. Mk III's--especially 4's--are still relatively rare on the used market, but if you're ordering a new one you might be able to get them to build one that's in the 8 lb. range.
Mike
Mike
My black poly MkI weighs 9 lbs while the black MkII fretless is actually closer to 12 than 11 lbs. I recall reading that Pete had a stash of mahogany just for fretless basses, which tended to be heavier. Blondie (the beech MkIII) weighs just a hair less than 8.5 lbs.
I so want another Wal, but I had to sell both of mine due to their weight. As has been said maybe Paul can make a lighter one now so a phone call may be in order.
After posting the above post, I was surfing the net and came across Manson's web site which had a used fretted Wal 5 mahogany with burr sycamore facings. Heavy as hell but once I played it I just had to have it.
So I am now the proud owner af a Wal again
Once I post some pictures I will be seeking a number to join the club
Regards
Matthew
So I am now the proud owner af a Wal again
Once I post some pictures I will be seeking a number to join the club
Regards
Matthew
thanks guys. You know, as soon as I played it felt right. I will still use my fretless Sei as my main bass as I do mainly fretless but the new Wal is a real treat to have as my 2nd bass. I feel really spoilt
Regards
Matthew
Regards
Matthew
here you are:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Different/105887549464217?v=wall
click on the warm-up jam soundclip to get an idea of how the white Wal sounds over a Trace Elliot w/ valve preamp played with a plec.
The other clips have been recorded over an Alembic F1x using both the white and the sixstring Wal. Enjoy!
I for my part can't hear a difference between the white one with a solid Spanish cedar body and my old one with that traditional (but heavier) mahogany body. The white one weighs just 4.4kgs which is a pleasure to play.
Cheers
Oliver
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Different/105887549464217?v=wall
click on the warm-up jam soundclip to get an idea of how the white Wal sounds over a Trace Elliot w/ valve preamp played with a plec.
The other clips have been recorded over an Alembic F1x using both the white and the sixstring Wal. Enjoy!
I for my part can't hear a difference between the white one with a solid Spanish cedar body and my old one with that traditional (but heavier) mahogany body. The white one weighs just 4.4kgs which is a pleasure to play.
Cheers
Oliver
