Thanks Doug.
One more: the first Wal MIDI bass:
Here's a Christmas shot from a couple years back
I forgot the doubleneck!
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Thanks Doug.
One more: the first Wal MIDI bass:
Here's a Christmas shot from a couple years back
I forgot the doubleneck!
To start, I do not own a Wal but I have been looking incredibly hard for one. I understand that this topic is for the people who own a Wal but I decided that almost nobody would be able to answer my question better than everyone replying here, so I felt it was worth a shot. Does anyone know anybody selling a Wal or are any of you planning to lighten the load? I have been looking at EBay weekly(ish) and there are not any that look promising. Any help/directions/url's would be amazing.
The Bass Gallery has a 3 and a 5 for sale at the moment. If I wasn't saving for a house I'd be tempted to go in and pick them both up for an investment. However, I am not sure the current "trend" with their prices will last.Man, I'm loving all these Wals!
?
I think that "the current trend" is that prices are actually going down again, after reaching an unpresidented peak about 9 months ago
.Mind you, people said that UK house prices wouldn't go any higher, 5 years ago
. I certainly don't mean to remind you what of happened there, Mark 
. Oops, I just have
!!!Go on ... just buy the Wal
.Andy, if you're ever in Newcastle pay me a visit with the Wal in tow. I will give you 10 rupees and an fruitcake for your troubles!
And yes, according to my friend Chris Hiscocks, who you all probably know as "Ped", the prices of Wals are falling again. Lucky, as I was planning to kidnap Pete Stevens and have him toil in a purpose built, underground workshop I had constructed in order to attain a Wal double neck!
And yes, according to my friend Chris Hiscocks, who you all probably know as "Ped", the prices of Wals are falling again. Lucky, as I was planning to kidnap Pete Stevens and have him toil in a purpose built, underground workshop I had constructed in order to attain a Wal double neck!
Brian Barrett
Commercial User
- Nov 25, 2001
- 2,799
- 40
- Disclosures
- Dealer LowEndBassShop.com, Builder LowEndBasses.com
I think they will stay high, at least here in the states which will keep things higher all around. The fact that Pete isn't building anymore and someone else will take over sooner or later, just means that the Wal's we have now are going to stay high or go up. Its just like the Tobias's basses and Pre-gib verse Gibson. People pay for Pre-gibsons now for what Gibson's list for and you can even sell a gibson at half its list price new and used they hit rock bottom in value. Now I hope the Wal's don't follow gibson's trend, but it sure will have a price difference for the era's.
Brian
I can see the prices going down because eventually they may become more available, although this isn't going to happen overnight. It may be a year or more before the new luthier gets up and running, and the volume will still be very low.
I can't see prices going down for new ones because the quality goes down. I only see the quality going up. The luthier taking over was responsible for a lot of the output in the years many people consider to be the best. Pete's work has certainly been very uneven in the past few years. (I had one that was made in 2005 that was a total dog!
)
I can't see prices going down for new ones because the quality goes down. I only see the quality going up. The luthier taking over was responsible for a lot of the output in the years many people consider to be the best. Pete's work has certainly been very uneven in the past few years. (I had one that was made in 2005 that was a total dog!
)
Its probably not an appropriate discussion for the Wal Club, but having played two Wal's, I personally wasn't all that impressed with the bass overall. The electronics and pickups were out of this world cool, but they did have a pretty "signature" sound that is not for everyone, but I didnt think the ergonomics, playability generally and construction was any better than a bass in the $1500+ price range (ie it was good, but not $5,000 amazing) and I thought they were on the heavier side.
I sort of get the impression that Wals are a little like Carl THompson basses. The vast majority of people who lust after them have never actually played on in the flesh, but know about them because of Stanley Clarke, Les Claypool vs Geddy Lee, Justin CHancellor. As a result their popularity with those who havent played them and their rarity has driven up prices to levels which are, for lack of a better word, undeserving, notwithstanding that they are very fine, well made bass with amazing electronics. I do wonder what would happen to Wal prices if Justin Chancellor stopped using them, for example. I suppose for those who "know", they will always be desirable as they are something unique that produce a sound that isn't easily replicated. I certainly regret not buying the 5 string at $1400USD (at the time), that would now (8 years later) be worth I guess $5,000. However, at the time, I honestly thought I could get a better playing bass for the price (it was about $2400Aus I think).
I would be interested for the club members thoughts on their popularity and pricing. If I had the spare cash, I would pick up one of the two at the Bass Gallery in London just to have a play with them (knowing it wouldn't be too hard to off load), but I think there are a couple of basses higher on the list at the moment that cost a little less!
I hope this post is taken in the spirit in which its meant and not as a dig!
Brian Barrett
Commercial User
- Nov 25, 2001
- 2,799
- 40
- Disclosures
- Dealer LowEndBassShop.com, Builder LowEndBasses.com
I agree Wal's do tend to have weight, thats no surprise to anyone that owns or has own one to hear. They are the complete opposite of CT basses which are paper thin and light as a feather. I do agree with you on the CT's being a lusted after instrument mostly by those that haven't played them and in reality lack much desire in tone and playability, but there again I think Wal's are quite the opposite. Also, the Wal electronics while unique are also something Alembic has been doing for decades and Works. I believe you can get a fatter sound out of the Wals though then the Alembic because of the pickups.
You know my opinion on value of the basses and I have had Lots of Wal's over the years as well as CT's, Alembics and many other brands. I am lucky enough to have an opinion and experience with many different brands. The fact that its my opinion though does not mean that yours is invalid. Everyone has the right to their opinion as long as its an opinion that is of experience of owning and playing for a length of time.
Thanks
Brian
You know my opinion on value of the basses and I have had Lots of Wal's over the years as well as CT's, Alembics and many other brands. I am lucky enough to have an opinion and experience with many different brands. The fact that its my opinion though does not mean that yours is invalid. Everyone has the right to their opinion as long as its an opinion that is of experience of owning and playing for a length of time.
Thanks
Brian
Its probably not an appropriate discussion for the Wal Club, but having played two Wal's, I personally wasn't all that impressed with the bass overall. The electronics and pickups were out of this world cool, but they did have a pretty "signature" sound that is not for everyone, but I didnt think the ergonomics, playability generally and construction was any better than a bass in the $1500+ price range (ie it was good, but not $5,000 amazing) and I thought they were on the heavier side.
I sort of get the impression that Wals are a little like Carl THompson basses. The vast majority of people who lust after them have never actually played on in the flesh, but know about them because of Stanley Clarke, Les Claypool vs Geddy Lee, Justin CHancellor. As a result their popularity with those who havent played them and their rarity has driven up prices to levels which are, for lack of a better word, undeserving, notwithstanding that they are very fine, well made bass with amazing electronics. I do wonder what would happen to Wal prices if Justin Chancellor stopped using them, for example. I suppose for those who "know", they will always be desirable as they are something unique that produce a sound that isn't easily replicated. I certainly regret not buying the 5 string at $1400USD (at the time), that would now (8 years later) be worth I guess $5,000. However, at the time, I honestly thought I could get a better playing bass for the price (it was about $2400Aus I think).
I would be interested for the club members thoughts on their popularity and pricing. If I had the spare cash, I would pick up one of the two at the Bass Gallery in London just to have a play with them (knowing it wouldn't be too hard to off load), but I think there are a couple of basses higher on the list at the moment that cost a little less!
I hope this post is taken in the spirit in which its meant and not as a dig!
Since you're asking, Mark, I'd have to pretty much agree with everything in your first paragraph
. There are certainly some fairly strong reasons for not owning one, amongst that lot.The thing is, Wal (fretted and more-so, fretless) basses just happen to make (when played "finger-style") what is, to my ears, the best bass sounds on Earth
! That, in itself, was reason enough for me to want to own one.Admittedly, it's not my most-played bass
, but it's a real treat to play once in a while .
Andy, if you're ever in Newcastle pay me a visit with the Wal in tow. I will give you 10 rupees and an fruitcake for your troubles!
And yes, according to my friend Chris Hiscocks, who you all probably know as "Ped", the prices of Wals are falling again. Lucky, as I was planning to kidnap Pete Stevens and have him toil in a purpose built, underground workshop I had constructed in order to attain a Wal double neck!
It's a very kind offer Chris, but I've seen what you do with "bakery products" (bagels, for instance
), so I think I'll have to pass on that one.Mind you, if you were to conjure up a few Eccles cakes
....tom5string:
Very interesting body shape on your 5er. It looks to be slimmed down quite a bit from the standard MkII. I'm sure that helps in the weight department. I like it.
Erik
