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Wal Bass Club.

#8,804
Les Fret said:
I have two Wals Mk1 but I still think 4500 euro is a lot of money for it. Sold a Mk1 for 2300 euro maybe six years ago. Prices have gone way too high now if you ask me. But if people are willing to give it I can't blame the sellers.
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Well MkI are generally cheaper, though 2300€ is a very good price.

I bought my 5 string MkII about 5 years ago for $5000. I think the 4 string are even more sought after.
 
#8,807
mikeswals said:
Cheapest Wal anyone can buy today. A refin Mk1 converted to fretless. And since its ebony, no CITES!

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Bob_Ross said:
But why in god’s name would you refinish a bass with Padouk facings in opaque paint?!?!
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It's sold now. Someone must have liked it. My Ibanez SR885 has a Padouk top and back. I always thought it looks good and wouldn't dream of painting over it.
 
#8,808
I own a padouk top Wal MK1 fretless and learned the facings of this type of wood are prone to UV. People advised me not to expose it to direct sunlight. Maybe the original vibrant red hue turned into brown and the owner didn't like it?
DSC_1339.JPG
 
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#8,810
duckman said:
I own a padouk top Wal MK1 fretless and learned the facings of this type of wood is prone to UV. People advised me not to expose it to direct sunlight. Maybe the original vibrant red hue turned into brown and the owner didn't like it?View attachment 3181635
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I suppose if someone were expecting the bright orange hue of newly-milled Padouk I could see them being less enamored of the admittedly not-quite-so-striking look of aged, darkened, UV-exposed Padouk (such as your pic).

But I think your bass looks gorgeous. And I love the notion that the wood/finish evolves over time!
 
#8,812
sgl said:
Did you see my link from previous page?
I think he would only ship inside Europe, but you can probably use some re-shipper to make it happen. I can also help if you need :)
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I did and thank you!
The issues with shipping overseas to me in Canada are the $500 CAD cost to ship to me and hoping the other party understands how I handle dealing with taxes and duty.

No one should be paying high taxes on a used instrument coming from a private person. That’s just how I feel.

When it’s brand new coming from Paul, I get it. But that can make it worthwhile to make the trip to meet him in person. Great excuse to visit England. Plus, I’ve saw Paul’s recent work and it’s epic.
 
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#8,815
bassballs27 said:
I’d rather buy a new one if I’m flying over.
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this Mk3 5er is very interesting, with front and side LED's! some might think it's a bit garish, but current Wal company will not deal with Sims anymore:
Wal Mk3 5 String

I'm just running the rough numbers on this bass for you (Canadian price)
he's priced at £4350 = $7500 Can.
New, those options would make it a roughly £7130 = $12,200 Can. Even without the LED's it would still be an 11,200 bass new.
 
#8,816
mikeswals said:
this Mk3 5er is very interesting, with front and side LED's! some might think it's a bit garish, but current Wal company will not deal with Sims anymore:
Wal Mk3 5 String

I'm just running the rough numbers on this bass for you (Canadian price)
he's priced at £4350 = $7500 Can.
New, those options would make it a roughly £7130 = $12,200 Can. Even without the LED's it would still be an 11,200 bass new.
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It’s true...if you value the LEDs.
I guess I could inquire, my aversion is the fact he doesn’t want to ship. Sounds like shipping anxiety to me. It’s not that hard, but that’s coming from someone with experience.

Maybe I’ll bug that guy and see what happens. All you can do is ask. Thanks Mike!
 
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#8,817
bassballs27 said:
I did and thank you!
The issues with shipping overseas to me in Canada are the $500 CAD cost to ship to me and hoping the other party understands how I handle dealing with taxes and duty.

No one should be paying high taxes on a used instrument coming from a private person. That’s just how I feel.

When it’s brand new coming from Paul, I get it. But that can make it worthwhile to make the trip to meet him in person. Great excuse to visit England. Plus, I’ve saw Paul’s recent work and it’s epic.
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My 2 Wals from Europe were peanuts to ship to me. I used Air Canada and Lufthansa and had them shipped as air freight on a passenger plane coming into Canada.
Any import taxes/duty are based on the value of the item, weather it's coming from a business as a used instrument or a private seller. In both cases my duty/taxes were also pretty cheap as the sellers did me a favour and under valued them. Risky?...somewhat
 
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#8,818
Toolmybass said:
My 2 Wals from Europe were peanuts to ship to me. I used Air Canada and Lufthansa and had them shipped as air freight on a passenger plane coming into Canada.
Any import taxes/duty are based on the value of the item, weather it's coming from a business as a used instrument or a private seller. In both cases my duty/taxes were also pretty cheap as the sellers did me a favour and under valued them. Risky?...somewhat
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Nice work shipping through AC.
And this is the issue, declared value.
We give basses value. No government needs to know or understand that. Sure, declare something not nothing, but come on...full value? That’s nuts! Some sellers want to do that and it doesn’t benefit the buyer at all.
My Wal MK2 5 came from Hong Kong declared at $100USD!!! Taxes were $25 CAD only because Canada doubles taxes from items coming from China. They didn’t search the package to determine origin, they taxed the origin! So I would have paid far less coming from the US.

Just a follow up to Mikes post, the guy got back to me and wants to file CITES paperwork. I’m passing on that. Don’t want to get involved and for the most part don’t need to. International borders have bigger fish to fry than worry about a veneer on a fretboard that for the most part doesn’t need paperwork.
Anyway, I digress.
 
#8,819
bassballs27 said:
Just a follow up to Mikes post, the guy got back to me and wants to file CITES paperwork. I’m passing on that. Don’t want to get involved and for the most part don’t need to. International borders have bigger fish to fry than worry about a veneer on a fretboard that for the most part doesn’t need paperwork.
Anyway, I digress.
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Here is 2 ways to avoid cites. Get him to mail you the control plate separately and ship bass without one....and IF there is a spot for declaring wood(s) he puts pau ferro as FB material. Trust me they are too busy to open the box...never mind have an expert on hand to inspect it. Or...if your black MK3 has a ebony board, you mail him that to put on the bass in the one in a million chance they even think about opening the box.
 

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