• 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 freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Wal Bass Club.

Does anybody here have a passive wal? How does the sound compare to the mk series? There is somebody somewhat local with a passive wal for sale and I was curious how they sound. Does it have the "wal" sound or is the majority of that tone coming from the preamp (which is what I suspect) curious if anybody here has one!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Peter Weil
1997 Sexy 6 String Fretless Mk3 about $5300

Wal Mk III Fretless 6 string bass

image.jpg
 
Does anybody here have a passive wal? How does the sound compare to the mk series? There is somebody somewhat local with a passive wal for sale and I was curious how they sound. Does it have the "wal" sound or is the majority of that tone coming from the preamp (which is what I suspect) curious if anybody here has one!


The passive ones still have a Wal-ly honk to them and fundamentally sound and feel like a Wal. Most would probably agree that it is the pickup rather than active circuitry that defines the Wal sound and the passive ones still have the same sort of pick up build. Of course, the tone controls aren't as versatile.

I've never met a passive Wal owner who doesn't rate them (accepting the above comments on versatility of active vs passive tone controls). If you're interested, or just curious, it could be worth seeing if you could try it. It might sound and feel perfect to you. And the passive ones also seem to hold their prices as well as the active ones.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Peter Weil