..... another Rush play-a-long...
This was a tough one...always was tough..
This was a tough one...always was tough..
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Yeah, my Poly MK2 5 is a boat anchor......it's 11.5 lbs.
Worth it's weight in gold though. Maybe that's why it has gold hardware? haha.
Mind you, using a Comfort Strapp solves that weight problem. I bought it from Bass San Diego when I was out there, but they're available more locally throughout the U.S.. I know we can't get those up here in Canada.
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Yeah, my Poly MK2 5 is a boat anchor......it's 11.5 lbs.
Worth it's weight in gold though. Maybe that's why it has gold hardware? haha.
I use 3" wide straps and they dont bother me at all.
My Mk2 5 was also an anchor at 11 lbs 5.2 oz. Latelast year I finally bought the new schaller M4S Lights and it dropped the weight down to 10 lbs 14 oz. But made a difference since that was weight hanging off the headstock, now it doesnt bother me to play from 9-1:30 in casino weekends.
Oh very cool. Heavier basses can be very awesome. So many players of other brands are looking for those 8 to 9 lbs 5'ers. 12 lbs is about my limit, which I think exceeds a lot of players. I did not dig playing the MK2 with a 2" strap for 3 hours straight at practice. Needed to use A535 that night!
Another Poly Mk1, seems like a lot of the black poly Wals have ebony boards
Another Poly Mk1, seems like a lot of the black poly Wals have ebony boards
Cool.......my MK2 5 stringer actually has an Indian Rosewood board.
The MK3 I had (which is now owned by celinder72) is that same.
Aesthetically ebony does look great....love the Jet Black appearance!
Pondering letting this magnificent instrument go......but chances are I'd only be taking trades....as in 24 fret Wal trades with a preference for fretted 5's. I may consider some other high end brands (Fodera, Alleva Coppolo, F-Bass, Carl Thompson, or Ken Lawrence) but that's about it. Not sure if I will ultimately let this go.....but I can definitely thank Toolmybass for letting me own this bass.
Still toying around with trading this one.....if there are any club members interested....do get in touch.
Ok, so we all know nothing sounds quite like a Wal (or even really close), but I've been trying for years to come up with other basses that even have a similar aggressive thick-midrangey-type tone.
So far all I've ever come up with is the Kubicki Factor. It's obviously different, but to me is at least in a similar ballpark.
One of the biggest issues I've found comparing other basses is the lack of fullness on the D and G strings. To me, that's one of the Wal's biggest strength and even the Kubicki gets a bit thin up top.
Any other ideas?
So far all I've ever come up with is the Kubicki Factor. It's obviously different, but to me is at least in a similar ballpark.
One of the biggest issues I've found comparing other basses is the lack of fullness on the D and G strings. To me, that's one of the Wal's biggest strength and even the Kubicki gets a bit thin up top.
Any other ideas?
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My current Ken Smith BSR Elite G with a mahogany core, quilted maple top, and macassar ebony board comes very close. It just misses the added filtered voicing the Wal's have. Wal's definitely have a little more high end in comparison and the electronics are super powerful.
I did have an Ernie Ball MM Sterling that came close too. But as you mentioned, a Wal is a Wal and you can't get it any other way. That's why they're so unique and sought after. Not for everyone, but that isn't a bad thing either. Leaves more for us Wal Club Members.
Never played one but I've heard a lot of folks saying that it's the closest you'll get to a Wal-ish tone and growl for about one fifth the cost. If I ever need another bass I guess they'll be top of my must check out list.
There is a bit of similarity with these to Wal, but I have to admit a G&L is more like a MM than anything, especially now since MM has the double humbucker configuration.
No L2000/2500 didnt come close for me. When I was gigging heavily with just my Mk2 5 string as my only fiver, I again bought an L2500 and the mids are so blunt it made my fingers sore trying to squeeze out the dynamics that easily jumped off a Wal, the top end didnt shimmer either.
I haven't seen an M2000/2500 locally, but I understand the preamp is supposed to be a little darker than the L?
The Musicman Big Al was closer in the shimmer dept. The low end didnt quite have that rattle-y grind, but the 3D style low mids was almost there.
Its been a long time since I gigged or owned a Spector, but those have glorious grindy sound and no lack of a full top end. I need to get one again.
But all that experimenting just told me.....just go get another Wal and be done.
I haven't seen an M2000/2500 locally, but I understand the preamp is supposed to be a little darker than the L?
The Musicman Big Al was closer in the shimmer dept. The low end didnt quite have that rattle-y grind, but the 3D style low mids was almost there.
Its been a long time since I gigged or owned a Spector, but those have glorious grindy sound and no lack of a full top end. I need to get one again.
But all that experimenting just told me.....just go get another Wal and be done.
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I actually agree with you that the Kubicki is the closest tone wise! There are some non slap demos of them on youtube that are pretty convincing. They certainly are different basses aesthetically though! I own a wal and I've briefly owned an L2000. I didn't feel as though the G&L got even close tone wise.
But the prices of Kubicki's are going through the roof now! I remember just two years ago you find em all day long at 1500-1700, now 3-4K?
I wished I had bought the local midnite blue one a short while back.
I wished I had bought the local midnite blue one a short while back.
I know! I checked reverb right after writing my reply, and realized they are going berserk price wise now as well....
