Wal Bass Club.

[bassologic]

Hello from Germany
This is my 1988 W3075 with Honduras Mahagony Facings that I just want to show here

 

[mikezimmerman]

...and the "deadspot" issue was pretty minor to begin with. At the time I just happened to be rather enamored with the incredible sustain and consistent response of the Modulus 5 that was new to me at that point!

Speaking of which, I always wondered what happened to that first Wal, if anybody happens to run across a '90 (I think) Mk2 4-string with walnut facings, gold hardware, and an ebony board with 25 frets...

Was kind of expensive, but more than that, the bass was at the shop for something like 6 months...

 

[bassballs27]

Was kind of expensive, but more than that, the bass was at the shop for something like 6 months...

Wow, that’s unfortunate.

 

[LowEndHum]

Is added neck reinforcement now an option on new Wals? I eventually had Rick Turner's shop add graphite reinforcement bars to the neck of my first Wal--more because of a dead spot issue than any problem with instability--but I didn't find it to make much difference.

I believe it's always been an option, I just wanted the reinforcement regardless of the neck thickness. I like my basses strong. We've talked about it in further detail in this thread before.

 

[WaveyDavey]

... because of a dead spot issue than any problem with instability--but I didn't find it to make much difference.

FWIW my 2016 fretless Mk 1 has a wolf tone (i.e., deadspot) on the G string at the 7th fret. The Fender FatFinger cured it. It’s not particularly pretty, but it works, is removable (no modifications necessary), and inexpensive.

.

 

[mikezimmerman]

Well, this would have been back in about 1993, when graphite was the solution to everything!

FWIW my 2016 fretless Mk 1 has a wolf tone (i.e., deadspot) on the G string at the 7th fret. The Fender FatFinger cured it. It’s not particularly pretty, but it works, is removable (no modifications necessary), and inexpensive.

 

[mikeswals]

Hello from Germany
This is my 1988 W3075 with Honduras Mahagony Facings that I just want to show here

Beautiful Honduras facings. Is this the same 5 string that was for sale on facebook?

 

[mikeswals]

So back to Wal 101 details class:
The April/'88 honduras bass above has the late style pickups and spacing.
While bassballs' black '88 has the early pickups. Chris, what month is your bass?

 

[TonyRo]

Being subbed to this thread but not owning a Wal is really something no one should do. The emotional damage is irreparable.

 

[TolerancEJ]

Being subbed to this thread but not owning a Wal is really something no one should do. The emotional damage is irreparable.

I feel the same. Tremendous GAS, but a huge price tag. It will not happen anytime soon, but maybe someday.

 

[TonyRo]

Yeah - there was a Pro E2 (I think) on eBay that just sold for something like $3800. I would have strongly contemplated selling my rare Dingwall SJ3X to fund that one. I have another jazz bass I like enough to make me think about getting rid of it. I am paranoid though, and a reasonable looking Wal going for < $4k might have made me suspicious.

 

[Toolmybass]

Being subbed to this thread but not owning a Wal is really something no one should do. The emotional damage is irreparable.

Oh no, there is def emotional damage, even after owning one. Just from seeing other beauties (that aren’t yours)

 

[TonyRo]

This is a man with a well-informed and wise opinion, you're obviously right! I have a beautiful Dingwall and I want another.

 

[bassologic]

Beautiful Honduras facings. Is this the same 5 string that was for sale on facebook?

Yes - I´m the happy new owner!

 

[bassologic]

And I realized that this must be a special wood, according to the WAL-Database. Seems that mine is made of the same Honduras Mahagony-step from a stately home - same as for W 3006 and W3059 - and should be 200 years old
Now there are three basses existing from that area with this special wood facings

 

[kulit17]

And I realized that this must be a special wood, according to the WAL-Database. Seems that mine is made of the same Honduras Mahagony-step from a stately home - same as for W 3006 and W3059 - and should be 200 years old
Now there are three basses existing from that area with this special wood facings

Actually there are 5 total now it seems.....4 - 4strings and 1-5strings now....

 

[SteveCS]

I believe it's always been an option, I just wanted the reinforcement regardless of the neck thickness. I like my basses strong. We've talked about it in further detail in this thread before.

The late 70's Pro1 that I had back in the day had graphite as standard, but it was discontinued for the Mk1 'Custom'. There were 2 strips, each about 2mm thick, that sat under the fingerboard on top of the mahogany sections. They ran the full length of the fingerboard, and the ends were clearly visible at the heel and just behind the nut.

 

[bassologic]

Actually there are 5 total now it seems.....4 - 4strings and 1-5strings now....

Interesting - What are the numbers of these Basses - does anybody know?

 

[kulit17]

Interesting - What are the numbers of these Basses - does anybody know?

3059, 3062, 3006 and my old honduras was 3282

here are some of the past discussions i shot out back then.....

Thanks Oli!! yes, the middle one may be the lost sibling of the door step Wals. Registry lists two in existence (88', W3059 + W3062), both were on Bassdirect at some point.....

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both current owners are actually part of the FB: WBOOTWU group. Mine is an 89' W3282, which was originally fretless, figuring on it's older two brothers are almost identical - i haven't gotten a chance to check in with Paul to confirm but judging by the figuring and being within a year of build dates, i'd say it's pretty conclusive. i got an extra fretted ebony neck on her right now, but she is originally a fretless Wal.

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not officially. in the Wal database, it reports that 3059 - "The facings were salvaged from a stately home where they had been a doorstep for 200 years! One of only two produced." I believe 3006 was the other reported one. however being that the one i have is close in age and the figuring is dead simiiar - i'm assuming the one i have is an illegitimate love child between the two.

W3059
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W3006

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[kulit17]

i don't have anything recent for W3006 other than what's shown in the older edu wal datebass...but here's some recent ones of the other 3