Wal Bass Club.

[oddio]

Here's a little story I can share with my Wal brothers & sisters, sacrilegious though it may seem (at first).

I've become truly enamored of Dingwall basses lately and over the last two years they've more or less become my default. However, I'm currently working on a project with a *loud* guitarist who is doing the Firebird/multi-Marshall-stack thing and I found that I needed a hair more aggression. It's been a while since I've used a Wal outside of the studio, so I decided to give the MkIII a shot. Was that ever the right choice! Say what you will, but when you need a fat, articulate and aggressive sound there are few substitutes for that thing Wal does so well.

I found a few clips featuring the bassist from the Memphis band Sammy's Good Eye circa 2001 (who used to frequent the original Wal forums). Everyone asks "what does a Wal sound like" or "please post sound clips", so here are a few featuring his MkII:

Down Again
Brand New Fool
Super

 

[whodom]

Could I get a number please? I applied a few weeks ago, but never got a number:

W3850, a lefty that formerly belonged to Steve Chesney.

 

[oddio]

Could I get a number please? I applied a few weeks ago, but never got a number:

W3850, a lefty that formerly belonged to Steve Chesney.

Absolutely and with my apologies for missing it! Because you waited, you get lucky #33.

 

[Spleenface92]

Hey, do any of you know if it would be possible to get the 24 fret neck on the MK1 body?
(This would be for very future plans, I just wanted to know if it'd be possible, or if it'd be massively expensive)

 

[mikeswals]

Okay I'm in with three Wals! Black Geddy, Red MK1 and a Red MK2 Geddy. Thanks!

I'm really liking that MKI red & black. Where'd you find that? Any better pics of it?

 

[djaxup]

Can i get #34 for my MK1 from last page? Its my current age, too

 

[Moonbass Alpha]

Some of you might remember this pic from the old Dudepit Wal forum; I have newer pics of some of these basses individually, but I haven't done a full family shot since this one... Enjoy!

 

[WalWarrior]

I'm really liking that MKI red & black. Where'd you find that? Any better pics of it?

I found the Red MK1 on ebay back in 2005. She was expensive, but she's worth it. I'll take some better pics soon.
Thanks for the comment!

 

[oddio]

Can i get #34 for my MK1 from last page? Its my current age, too

Yes indeed. Welcome, #34!

Hey, it's so great to see this thread so active again and spot a few of the ol' crew from the 'Pit.

 

[kulit17]

Been milling over the idea of ordering one direct and had a question for anyone that got one recently from Paul in the US.

My last email from him he states:

"All import taxes/duties would be your responsibility.
Shipping costs would be added to the price of your order."

Just wanted to see a round about price this would add to cost if taxes/duties need to be added.

 

[M.Wrenn]

Some of you might remember this pic from the old Dudepit Wal forum; I have newer pics of some of these basses individually, but I haven't done a full family shot since this one... Enjoy!

I propose a trade. You give me the fretless four, and in return you get the satisfaction of making someone very very happy.

 

[bassplace]

Taxes/duties are about 5%. last time I bought from overseas the shipping co billed it about a month later.

 

[jimmyjames]

Been milling over the idea of ordering one direct and had a question for anyone that got one recently from Paul in the US.

My last email from him he states:

"All import taxes/duties would be your responsibility.
Shipping costs would be added to the price of your order."

Just wanted to see a round about price this would add to cost if taxes/duties need to be added.

Or, you can buy mime and help me out

Link in sig...

 

[Moonbass Alpha]

I propose a trade. You give me the fretless four, and in return you get the satisfaction of making someone very very happy.

Although it's a worthy offer, that fretless is not up for grabs: it's extremely unique even by Wal standards (plus, it's the best-sounding fretless I've ever played!) - and I've sworn to its previous owner that *IF* I ever sell, he has the right of first refusal.

But fair play for picking the best of all my Wals for your proposal (proposition?)!

Brendan

 

[WalWarrior]

Some of you might remember this pic from the old Dudepit Wal forum; I have newer pics of some of these basses individually, but I haven't done a full family shot since this one... Enjoy!

Holy Smokes Look at all those Wals! NICE!

 

[mikeswals]

Everyone asks "what does a Wal sound like"

Right, it can be hard to describe because just about all the major players we can use as examples all sound different.
I know we always see the other comment also; "I want that sound". Okay, which sound?

 

[bassplace]

What's unique about the fretless 4?

 

[bassplace]

Although it's a worthy offer, that fretless is not up for grabs: it's extremely unique even by Wal standards (plus, it's the best-sounding fretless I've ever played!) - and I've sworn to its previous owner that *IF* I ever sell, he has the right of first refusal.

But fair play for picking the best of all my Wals for your proposal (proposition?)!

Brendan

What's unique about the fretless 4?

 

[Moonbass Alpha]

What's unique about the fretless 4?

There are several things that make it different from a typical Mk 1. First, it's a transitional model made in September '81, so it has the Mk 1 headstock shape, but with the "Custom Bass" logo at the top, and a Pro Bass serial number (P.B. 1656); it's also got a rare multi-lam body - meaning it has two extra laminates sandwiched between the core and the front & back facings.

But the most interesting thing about the bass is the wood combination: flamed cherry facings, and an (extremely dark) rosewood fingerboard. As far as I'm aware, Wal only made two of these; the other was a lined fretless that was built at the same time, and was the first Wal owned by Mick Karn. The body composition is (I believe), from front to back: flamed cherry top; rosewood veneer; maple veneer; mahogany core; maple veneer; rosewood veneer; flamed cherry back.

Here is a pic of Mick's cherry Wal.

Brendan

 

[bassplace]

Very cool! Never heard of any multiple layer bodies. Seems like 1981 was Wal's experimental year. I'll post my "Custom" in a few.