• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Wal Bass Club.

#4,301
Since the two electrolytic caps only have a ~20yr service life, I'would do them before they fail. When they leak their acid it makes a nasty mess that can eat at tracers.

The new ones Wal installs are a 4.7uf 35v (originals were 4.7uf 25v), and you can find them just about anywhere, even radio schmack. You can see the two little beer can caps close to the transformer.
2929a117-39b2-44df-ac5a-ccb960aae681_zps0c20761f.gif
 
#4,303
FunkyPunky said:
Hi there!
I am pretty new to Wals so please forgive me if my question has been asked before, but would any of you guy happen to know the price of a new set of electronics?

I have been offered a WAL MK3 but unfortunately, it seems that someone messed around with all the electronics:
http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/busccini/media/IMG_0801_zps592cf128.jpg.html

Best,
Frank
Click to expand...


Paul at Wal will not sell a new set of electronics outright. if you end up getting the Mk III, you're gonna need to send out the electronics to Paul and he will do the necessary repairs. Quote i got for preamp repairs about two years ago were £50 - £100. I'm pretty sure someone here just had this done with the past year....maybe they'll chime in.

you'll only need to send the preamp sections (2 boards) **which Caca posted a pic of it ^^^

also just noticed that the Mk III your referring to is in basschat?? what's exactly wrong with the electronics? add in basschat states its fine :bookworm:

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/242825-wal-mk3-from-1997on-hold/page__hl__wal+bass__fromsearch__1
 
Last edited:
#4,304
kulit17 said:
also just noticed that the Mk III your referring to is in basschat?? what's exactly wrong with the electronics?
Click to expand...

Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.
Yes, it is the bass being offered at basschat atm :D
See the link I posted - to me it does not look like this is the way electronics are supposed to be compared to other pictures you find on the web. Or maybe it's just that I am mistaking and that's how electronics looked like in 1997?! I'm simply not sure...
 
#4,305
Ya i took a closer look (sorry at work and photobucket is blocked :thumbsdown: linked the photo using my phone).

Ya looks like someone did some work in there...everything looks soldered in so they abandoned the clips.....even added a battery cover....the instrument jack appears to not be original either

seller mentions that electronics work fine, but since it appears that everything is soldered on - EVEN the pickup wiring...its gonna be a PITA to troubleshoot or send out. sending the electronics would be pointless unless you send out the pickups too (to re-add the clips), either way you'll need to A/desolder the pickup wiring or B/cut the wires :rollno:.....




IMG_0801_zps592cf128.jpg
 
Last edited:
#4,307
FWIW, quote i was given is when i had thought i had some issues with my first Mk I, which ended up being a cold solder joint (which i had someone locally-Jim Mouridian-look at it and did the minor repair). it probably saved me £50. in your case its having it rewired to factory spec. so i't probably be better to email Paul directly and send him the pictures to give you a rough idea: [email protected]
it takes Paul a couple days to reply to emails, so if you're in a rush it may be worth while to give his shop a call. looks like what's involved is having the speed clips added back on the preamp boards and what's involved in reading the clips on the bridge and neck pickups. also a replacement 1/4" instrument jack if you wanted to go fully original.

here's closeups of my fretless Mk I...same setup, but the XLR and 1/4 jacks are reversed on an Mk III.

14893870826_08a46c810e_h.jpg





14916499502_243e039a30_h.jpg
 
#4,309
FunkyPunky said:
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.
Yes, it is the bass being offered at basschat atm :D
See the link I posted - to me it does not look like this is the way electronics are supposed to be compared to other pictures you find on the web. Or maybe it's just that I am mistaking and that's how electronics looked like in 1997?! I'm simply not sure...
Click to expand...

What sucks is whoever did the work replaced the original color coded wiring all with black wire, soldered in place no less, and an incorrect jack. I wonder why? I guess if it all works right thats one thing, but if you want it to be back to original you'll either have to cut the wires to get it out like Kulit says, or send the whole bass to Paul. Wouldn't suprise me if it turns into a $500-600 repair bill with him installing a set of new boards.
 
Last edited:
#4,310
my guess ****pure speculation*** is whoever owned it at the time brought it in to a 'trusted tech' for an issue (probably a loose connections or the clip not seating properly....or even a dirty contact).... tech probably assessed the clips and went a step further and recommended to owner to rip the clips out and direct wire everything to the board... probably thought the original wiring wasn't good enough and used his own :dead: oh it could be because of something completely different.....
seller says the electronics are in working condition, so it may not be anything to worry about. however if you do need to get your electronics looked at some point.....^^ya what caca said.
 
#4,311
mikeswals said:
What sucks is whoever did the work replaced the original color coded wiring all with black wire, soldered in place no less, and an incorrect jack. I wonder why? I guess if it all works right thats one thing, but if you want it to be back to original you'll either have to cut the wires to get it out like Kulit says, or send the whole bass to Paul. Wouldn't suprise me if it turns into a $500-600 repair bill with him installing a set of new boards.
Click to expand...

I don't know why someone would replace all the original parts and turn it into what it is now :( Completely sure to me is that I would want everything to be original (as far as you can call a repair like that original anymore) and working correctly.
500 - 600 bucks? That's just the repair bill without shipping, right? OMG - I guess I will have a hard time tomorrow convincing the seller that 3800€ might be asked a little too much :/
 
#4,314
mikeswals said:
So it seems the red '88 Wal in the FS section indeed has a factory installed pickguard. Here is another one: an earlier 80's Custom MkI with the same pickguard. The screws used to mount the guard are the same screws as the pickup surrounds, so seems factory to me. Interesting both are the same color combo, but separated by about 7 years apart.

Invalid Link Removed
CD70E6E3-EC7D-4F66-9C48-D8C2487EBA9A_zpsjtwpaw9u.jpg
Click to expand...
Thanks for the clarification :)
 
#4,315
mikeswals said:
Since the two electrolytic caps only have a ~20yr service life, I'would do them before they fail. When they leak their acid it makes a nasty mess that can eat at tracers.

The new ones Wal installs are a 4.7uf 35v (originals were 4.7uf 25v), and you can find them just about anywhere, even radio schmack. You can see the two little beer can caps close to the transformer.
2929a117-39b2-44df-ac5a-ccb960aae681_zps0c20761f.gif
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. I'll do it. Would that have anything to do with the noise I'm getting from the XLR?
 
#4,316
Since you're all so helpful on here, another question... the tiny screws that hold the cover over the electronics... Are those a standard thing I can find locally, amd if so, what do I look for? Some of the screw slots are getting a bit worn.
 
#4,317
lordradish said:
Thanks for the info. I'll do it. Would that have anything to do with the noise I'm getting from the XLR?
Click to expand...
Good idea to get it fixed before it has problems. Mine had the acid leak out all over the board and it was a big mess. I don't know what kind of sounds its making but my wal was making crazy squeals and almost ring mod type sounds when I plugged it in. 1/4 inch or XLR. The noises were crazy. Both caps had leaked all over the board and did a ton of damage. Fixing it ahead of time should be quick and easy. I don't know much about electronics but here was the message I received after my wal was fixed.
"The bass is done. A bit of a tricky job. Turns out that two electrolytic caps on one of the boards leaked onto the boards, eating away the traces and causing some coupling between traces as well. i replaced the caps, and replaced the bad traces with wires. in addition, I resoldered the boards as needed, taking care of any questionable looking solder joints, and cleaned the pots and switches. It is quiet, no noises, and works perfectly. Cost with tax and parts is $66.40. Let me know when you want to pick it up. Thanks, JN"

Sounds like its smart to replace those things ahead of time and avoid all that haha.
 
#4,318
lordradish said:
Since you're all so helpful on here, another question... the tiny screws that hold the cover over the electronics... Are those a standard thing I can find locally, amd if so, what do I look for? Some of the screw slots are getting a bit worn.
Click to expand...

I replaced 2 of the screws on mine. I just brought one of the screws to lowes and asked if they had them. They had something quite similar. It's a little thicker but it works fine. I'm sure you could get exact screws from Paul but that seems silly to me to order a screw haha.
 
#4,320
FunkyPunky said:
I don't know why someone would replace all the original parts and turn it into what it is now :( Completely sure to me is that I would want everything to be original (as far as you can call a repair like that original anymore) and working correctly.
500 - 600 bucks? That's just the repair bill without shipping, right? OMG - I guess I will have a hard time tomorrow convincing the seller that 3800€ might be asked a little too much :/
Click to expand...


did you end up getting it? saw at basschat it's marked sold now :eyebrow:


this one popped up there too
85 Mk I English Olive @ £2500

Link Removed

post-32532-0-20074200-1408281242.jpg
 
Last edited:

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back