Wal Bass Club.

[GTHintz]

Got asked this elsewhere but thought it sat best here... and I’m sure others will want to chip in...



Quality wise... not much at all... I know some who would say that Paul’s basses are a smidge better! Shock horror! Paul’s very keen to preserve the Walness of Wal so any changes will be subtle tweaks. He’s probably a bit less open to wacky variations than Pete and Ian were but I’ve seen solid body basses that he’s done, for example. I understand that he doesn’t like maple fingerboards and won’t do them. But I have seen some with additional inlay etc.

Given the hand build nature of Wals there was always subtle variations and departures from the norm with Ian and Pete... viz the transition Pro/Customs with coachlining, subtle headstock shape differences etc.

Paul does take a lot of care with wood choice. Good quality shedua is getting hard to fed so Paul has made it an upcharge wood and made zebrano a standard wood. However, that means that any new shedua basses tends to be a bit spectacular since, If Paul’s going to offer it and ask extra money for it he’s going to choose the best examples. He’s also looking at weights of wood . Back in the 70s and 80s when men were real men, women were real women and small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri were real small furry creatures from Alpha Centauri weight wasn’t such a big thing. I tried a Mk 3 a year or so ago that he’d made so light I almost threw it through the roof when I lifted it off the stand. Still sounded full and fat but he’d clearly chosen the woods carefully for weight and resonance. Just to show that a great Wal doesn’t have to be a boat anchor.

Basically, in my view any cachet from an Ian/Pete Wal is purely romantic feeling and nostalgia. Paul makes great basses. Every bit as good,

And who taught him his trade? Ian and Pete!

Excellent rundown of the new stuff. I'm with you that I prefer a little heft in my instrument. I want a solid feel that when I sling in on my shoulder I know it's there. I think it's cool having variations of sounds and styles but I picture my number 1 as a solid feeling, full sounding, able to conquer the world kinda bass. The bass picks the owner as much as the owner picks the bass. If it feels good and sings for you then its all yours. That's talent and everything else aside.

 

[TrevorR]

Sorry again, but are standard woods not charged extra? I have asked for Zebrano and it's an extra £240.

listed at Wal website

Order/Contact - Walbasses

standard facings (wenge, American walnut)

if u haven't already, their gallery had some nice examples of Zebrano last I checked

Ah, changed since last time I chatted to Paul about it when he had just swapped shedua and zebrano as standard woods (a couple of years ago now). Probably reflects timber pricing and availability I suspect.

I realise now I’ve not actually looked at the website since it had its revamp...

 

[mikeswals]

listed at Wal website

standard facings (wenge, American walnut)

If the standard facings are down to only wenge and walnut, then that means padauk is now an upcharge. Zebrano went up a year ago too.

 

[mikeswals]

Update Wal club numbers:

#147 rogerbmiller
#148 Epitaph04
#149 RichardJFT
#150 Joe Climan
#151 kasroc
#152 Highfox

 

[kasroc]

Well, it’s official. Put a down payment on a custom Mk2 yesterday. Just got my spec sheet from Philip. Gonna be a fun two years!

 

[LowEndHum]

Nice, I've just put an order but I feel like I want to place another order for an Mk3. Buying a car can wait another 10 years, can't it?

 

[kulit17]

Nice, I've just put an order but I feel like I want to place another order for an Mk3. Buying a car can wait another 10 years, can't it?

of course it can! there's always public transport

ya i did the opposite...i made my deposit for an Mk3 in 2015 and placed another deposit for an Mk2 end of 2016......i'm about 14 months in of out of my 22 month quote....

 

[Highfox]

Here is my 2018 model to tease you.
(not the sharpest photo)

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Hi, general question from a non-owner of a Wal. What's the Wal neck feel like? How would you compare it to, say, a '62 Jazz bass or a Lakland neck (I own both btw)? Just curious...and intrigued. Thanks

 

[LowEndHum]

Indeed, I'm willing to visit and try out anyone's bass if they let me, lest I fly out to the shop in England and visit them. Alas, I don't think anyone will let a stranger play their Wal lol.

 

[kasroc]

Nothing like my ‘72 Jazz. The JB neck is super slim and narrow. Really different. I would compare my Wal neck to more of a Ric if anything as it’s an easier transition, but it’s in a league of its own. Fatter, wider, stronger than anything else I’ve tried with amazing action.

 

[LowEndHum]

Nothing like my ‘72 Jazz. The JB neck is super slim and narrow. Really different. I would compare my Wal neck to more of a Ric if anything as it’s an easier transition, but it’s in a league of its own. Fatter, wider, stronger than anything else I’ve tried with amazing action.

Ah, I see. I'm glad I asked for 39mm neck. Paul's actually quite concerned about how thin I want it, although I don't blame him. I ordered it with carbon reinforcement so that should help keep it straight.

In other news, to keep things juicy in here I asked for this config at the neck heel for my Mk2. I hope Paul's ok with me sharing this pic!

 

[kasroc]

All relative I suppose and what you get used to. Switching back and forth between makes can be rough or inspiring. I had gotten so used to the Wal that when I went back to my Jazz I didn’t like it at first.

Commitments!

 

[djaxup]

To me the soft V shape is the best. I love Wal necks.
Two years ago I picked up a CS Fender P-Bass in a store with just that neck profile - and a rather flat neck radius... perfection. The tone was just as chunky and fat as its neck. I had to buy it... one of my best basses I have to say.
But nothing trumps that old Mk1.

 

[TrevorR]

Yes, the biggest distinctive is the soft V shape. Personally, I think it’s the nicest neck profile I’ve played. I’m much more attracted to a thinner neck than a fatter one - much more a Jazz guy than a P guy. That said, the Wal is a very different profile to the super narrow Jazz.

Oh, and you’d be surprised about how welcoming the Wal community is. There are a few Walnuts within striking distance of Nevada who might just be open to a get together to show off their beauty. Certainly, you’d be welcome to pop over to my place and try out my Mk 1. But then again, if you made it all the way to my place you might as well travel on for 25 minutes more and visit Paul’s workshop. LOL!

 

[LowEndHum]

Yes, the biggest distinctive is the soft V shape. Personally, I think it’s the nicest neck profile I’ve played. I’m much more attracted to a thinner neck than a fatter one - much more a Jazz guy than a P guy. That said, the Wal is a very different profile to the super narrow Jazz.

Oh, and you’d be surprised about how welcoming the Wal community is. There are a few Walnuts within striking distance of Nevada who might just be open to a get together to show off their beauty. Certainly, you’d be welcome to pop over to my place and try out my Mk 1. But then again, if you made it all the way to my place you might as well travel on for 25 minutes more and visit Paul’s workshop. LOL!

How so is the Wal different, would you say? I'm a Jazz neck guy as well, I tried out big necks that would have given me an injury if I had continued on them regardless of technique. With no access to a Wal I have no idea what I've gotten myself into haha. For the price I'm paying, I assume it will be good!

I'd like to get ahold of those who are nearby to me. Of course, it's a long shot if they let me near their Wal. Like I said, I'm willing to go a long distance. May as well take a vacation while I'm at it.

 

[mikeswals]

If you order a new one you can request what neck profile you want. So its a non-issue.

 

[LowEndHum]

Yes. I've already added quite a few options to my build that I'd rather not change the shape as it would drive the price even higher. Good thing it takes 2 years to build. However, I digress. Thanks for your help.

 

[mikeswals]

Ive had two new 4 strings, the necks were not thick front-to-back at all. Both 4 strings had Paul's standard neck shape.

My two 5 strings I had Paul do different neck thickness as I wanted em thinner front-to -back than his standard profile.

Did you ask him if thats extra?

 

[LowEndHum]

Yes, to have a custom neck shaping is an upcharge. That is anything other than the soft v, but I think I'll keep that with 39mm at the nut. We'll see how that works.