Wal Bass Club.

[Les Fret]

What is the general consensus on new Wals? Are they as good as the old ones? They are very expensive

I think they are just as good. For that price they have to. To my knowledge there are no bad or good time periods for Wals like with Fender for example. The quality is very consistent over the years. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[kulit17]

I'm in the market for a Wal based on what I hear on Tool albums and RCHP Blood Sugar Sex Magik.

speaking of whic, just watched this and sound was spot on!



as far as old vs new, I have two Paul Era ones currently and have a stable full of "older" ones. IMO they are on point if not better than the Pete/Ian days.

 

[TrevorR]

I'm in the market for a Wal based on what I hear on Tool albums and RCHP Blood Sugar Sex Magik. I want to get a mk1. Not having any luck finding a used one (PM me if you have any leads!). What is the general consensus on new Wals? Are they as good as the old ones? They are very expensive

Good luck with the hunt! Best advice... if you see one then bid now and I'd high! If you know you want your first Wal then don't dither too much over minor details and specs.

As to Paul's basses... they're every bit as good (and possibly better!!!) than old Wals. He's truly a master builder of ability that puts him head and shoulders with the world's best makers. And don't forget, he's not some random guy who took over the company. He learned his trade over many years working with Pete Stevens at Wal.

As to price. Here's my take on it. Yes, they are costly but look at Alembics, Foderas and others which cost twice the price or more. Wals are unique basses. They're completely hand built in tiny quantities compared to the output of even Fender Custom Shop (and look at the cost of some of their signature models which are still basically slab bodied, standard component assembled instruments), let alone the US Fender factory. And almost every component is specifically made for Wal rather than being off the shelf - apart from the machine heads, the fret wire and the strap buttons. No John East preamps, Badass bridges or Bartoloini pickups on a Wal - not that they're not top quality items they aren't the component pieces which make up a Wal.

 

[Les Fret]

speaking of whic, just watched this and sound was spot on!

Hard to judge that cause he is playing along with the original recording. You hear Flea's original sound through it.

 

[mikeswals]

Do MK3s (of any era) come with the older symmetrical headstocks? or just the "triangular" style?

I have only seen two. Of course the standard headstock is the triangle one, so you would have to pay the upcharge for the sqaure one.

 

[mikeswals]

I'm in the market for a Wal based on what I hear on Tool albums and RCHP Blood Sugar Sex Magik. I want to get a mk1. Not having any luck finding a used one (PM me if you have any leads!). What is the general consensus on new Wals? Are they as good as the old ones? They are very expensive

Just wait it out. Mk1's pop up kinda regularly.

 

[Toolmybass]

Hard to judge that cause he is playing along with the original recording. You hear Flea's original sound through it.

Trust me.....your hearing his bass. He has def adjusted the final mix so that his bass "overtakes" the orig recording. More-so than my mash-up that i did to Tool...man i miss that Lacewood MKI :-(

 

[BWorm]

New Bass Day. A very big thank you is owed to Professor Rob Burns. The prototype Mk3 six string.

 

[mikeswals]

Congrats Bob!

 

[BWorm]

Congrats Bob!

Thanks Caca!! I immediately thought of you when I unboxed it and saw the shape of the case. The fretless rosewood has a much different sound than my Fretless Wals with Ebony boards.

 

[TrevorR]

Thanks Caca!! I immediately thought of you when I unboxed it and saw the shape of the case. The fretless rosewood has a much different sound than my Fretless Wals with Ebony boards.

Quite some bass with quite a provenance! Glad it went to a member of the family rather than just some random guy off the internet!

 

[mase_bass]

I have only seen two. Of course the standard headstock is the triangle one, so you would have to pay the upcharge for the sqaure one.

What is the other MK3 with the older headstock besides JCs? I'm curious and would like to see it. Gracias.

 

[mikeswals]

A guy in Texas, he has a trans red Mk3 with a maple fingerboard and the square headstock. He's the original owner.

 

[johnxrobertson]

My 1988 Mk1 now restored with a new body has been shipped and will be with my on Wednesday.

Wal0 by Invalid Link Removed, on Flickr

 

[kulit17]

What is the other MK3 with the older headstock besides JCs? I'm curious and would like to see it. Gracias.

A guy in Texas, he has a trans red Mk3 with a maple fingerboard and the square headstock. He's the original owner.

thats exactly one of the one's i was thinking of..... i believe i saw another one somewhere - will need to see if i can dig it up.... weird though i'm not see the pic you posted on your reply - but in any case here it is:

 

[Thrillhouse]

thats exactly one of the one's i was thinking of..... i believe i saw another one somewhere - will need to see if i can dig it up.... weird though i'm not see the pic you posted on your reply - but in any case here it is:

How did he get a maple board? I would love a Wal with maple fretboard but I don't think I've ever seen one before now.

 

[Toolmybass]

How did he get a maple board? I would love a Wal with maple fretboard but I don't think I've ever seen one before now.

Pete or Ian would sometimes "concede" a special request, that they would normally not do.

 

[TrevorR]

Pete or Ian would sometimes "concede" a special request, that would normally not do.

Paul flat out refuses, I think!!!!

 

[kulit17]

Pete or Ian would sometimes "concede" a special request, that would normally not do.

one of my favorite concessions.......

 

[Thrillhouse]

one of my favorite concessions.......

I think I saw that bass or one very similar to it on Reverb not that long ago. It's definitely cool and unusual.