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Wal Bass Club.

#4,426
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.
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I know this question was a bit old, I didn't get a chance to answer. Should I use the 4.7uf 35v with my 1990 Wal? Is there any difference? Thanks.
 
#4,427
Hey guys. I have a question for the Wal 5'rs here. How is the the B string on a Wal? I assume its amazing but I have to ask. When I play a 5 string I generally want a 35 inch scale. 34 inch scales on a low B are usually pretty terrible. Not always, but usually. Floppy and loose with no tonal definition. I just started up a new band and I feel like I could really benefit from a 5 string. We are playing original hard rock music. I suppose I would compare it to Alice in Chains/Tool/Queens of the Stone Age/Filter. I can't afford two wals but I can't just get a 5 string to suit my needs. It's gotta be a wal. So I'm thinking about posting my 4 string for trade for a 5 string. Curious how the low B is. is the weight substantially different? I have ALWAYS been a 4 string guy and I'm afraid to let that go but this band is calling for the low end and I feel I might be better off with a 5'er. Do I take this plunge and put my 84' MKI up for trade? Help fellow Wal players :/
 
#4,429
Musicman1901 said:
Hey guys. I have a question for the Wal 5'rs here. How is the the B string on a Wal? I assume its amazing but I have to ask. When I play a 5 string I generally want a 35 inch scale. 34 inch scales on a low B are usually pretty terrible. Not always, but usually. Floppy and loose with no tonal definition. I just started up a new band and I feel like I could really benefit from a 5 string. We are playing original hard rock music. I suppose I would compare it to Alice in Chains/Tool/Queens of the Stone Age/Filter. I can't afford two wals but I can't just get a 5 string to suit my needs. It's gotta be a wal. So I'm thinking about posting my 4 string for trade for a 5 string. Curious how the low B is. is the weight substantially different? I have ALWAYS been a 4 string guy and I'm afraid to let that go but this band is calling for the low end and I feel I might be better off with a 5'er. Do I take this plunge and put my 84' MKI up for trade? Help fellow Wal players :/
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you can re-string your bass BEAD...thing with this though, is that you'd prob need to file the nut a bit and if you wanted to change back you'd have to either A/fill the nut or B/replace it. just a suggestion ;) if you were curious how'd the B string would sound.....
it'd be a totally different feel though from a 5er since the string spacing is a tad different, but sound should be similar. anyone here tried this with there Wal 4's?
 
#4,431
kulit17 said:
you can re-string your bass BEAD...thing with this though, is that you'd prob need to file the nut a bit and if you wanted to change back you'd have to either A/fill the nut or B/replace it. just a suggestion ;) if you were curious how'd the B string would sound.....
it'd be a totally different feel though from a 5er since the string spacing is a tad different, but sound should be similar. anyone here tried this with there Wal 4's?
Click to expand...
The only problem with this is that I use the G string quite often and would not want to give that up. I don't think it would be too tough to find somebody that might want to swap a 4 for a 5 I just fear I might regret it later. Then again, I could probably swap the 5 back for a 4 if I didn't like it. I dont know Haha.
 
#4,432
mikeswals said:
If you can't afford both, and you aren't even sure that you need a 5, then get a Spector Euro NS5. It's the only bass I've owned that matches the high output like a Wal.
On the used market they're very affordable.
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I have actually always wanted a nice spector. I think they sound awesome. The thing is, I am really at a point where I can't spend anything. Getting ready to buy a house, just financed a new car, 2nd baby on the way, just spent 1500$ on recording gear and some effects. So as affordable and appealing as the spector is I really can't make that happen. I'm basically at a trade point if I want to get a 5. I could either try to trade my Wal for a Wal 5 or I could go lower and maybe trade one of my Fenders for a lower end 5 string and keep my Wal 4.
 
#4,434
It's not a drop D thing. The thing is we have songs in standard, drop D, E flat, drop C. I'm constantly changing tunings and it's not just switching from standard to drop D every now and then. It's a lot of tuning and its often. A 5'er would have all those at my fingertips. Also, the wal has a tough time holding drop C tightly
 
#4,435
bassballs27 said:
Hey guys, random question.......would anybody happen to have a used fretted 5 string Wal neck MK2 Model available?
I've thrown up an ad in the Wanted section too.

Looking for an ebony fretboard if possible, but will look at others.

Please send me a PM if you have one to sell.
Click to expand...

I don't think I'm going to have any luck getting neck.

Anyone got a fretted or fretless 5 string Wal MK2 or MK3 that they're looking to sell?
 
Last edited:
#4,437
spitskin said:
How many Wal "logo" colors are there ?
I have seen black logo on the wooden background.
White on black background and my have the gold on black.

Is there anything else?
View attachment 456654
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For the record this pic set my MkI delivery date back by a month and cost me £240. And I'm glad for it. I originally ordered white logo but this made my mind up that gold with gold is the way to go. New eta is Oct 1.
 
#4,438
Musicman1901 said:
Hey guys. I have a question for the Wal 5'rs here. How is the the B string on a Wal? I assume its amazing but I have to ask. When I play a 5 string I generally want a 35 inch scale. 34 inch scales on a low B are usually pretty terrible. Not always, but usually. Floppy and loose with no tonal definition. I just started up a new band and I feel like I could really benefit from a 5 string. We are playing original hard rock music. I suppose I would compare it to Alice in Chains/Tool/Queens of the Stone Age/Filter. I can't afford two wals but I can't just get a 5 string to suit my needs. It's gotta be a wal. So I'm thinking about posting my 4 string for trade for a 5 string. Curious how the low B is. is the weight substantially different? I have ALWAYS been a 4 string guy and I'm afraid to let that go but this band is calling for the low end and I feel I might be better off with a 5'er. Do I take this plunge and put my 84' MKI up for trade? Help fellow Wal players :/
Click to expand...

A couple of random thouhgs:
  • if you are not a 5 string guy, then I'd rather not trade your 4 string for a 5 string
  • Wal basses are generally rather heavy, 5 string versions even more so
  • On both of my fivers (Mk2, Mk3) the B string is tight and focused, but you may want to experiment with strings
  • My Mk3 is down tuned to ADGCF, with a 130-55 stainless steel set. I wan't sure whether that would work, but after settling in, I don't feel a lot difference to the Mk2 with standard tuning. All notes sound clear and focused.
  • Oh, and yes, the Wal 5 string basses are amazing and don't need a 35" scale. I played Laklands for quite a while, and IMHO the Wals are superior in any regard.
 

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