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Wal Bass Club.



Alright. Who's listened? As the band who kicked off my love of Wal basses, I think Fear Inoculum has to be posted here.

My impressions are pretty positive. It's obviously a Wal bass. Nothing quite has the hifi open string twang that Wals do. Some real choice playing on this track. Eagerly awaiting 8/30 when the rest of the record is released.
 
Hey guys, as a heads up if you are on the waitlist for a new order from Paul. Something has recently changed in customs and things have gotten extremely strict. My bass was unfortunately sent back to the UK and we have to try and reship it once I receive an import permit from the USDA. There were a few items requested that are normally not requested, and the wait time for the paperwork to come through is a whopping 30-60 days. Paul was very apologetic and helpful, even though it totally wasn't his fault. His comments to me were that he's shipped many guitars exactly as he did with mine and that most folks get their basses in 2 business days. However, the bass just before me was held up for 3+ weeks, and then mine was sent back. There could be a new chest puffer in customs or something, but either way I wanted to warn everyone. PM me for more details if you are expecting an instrument in the coming months / years.
 
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Hey guys, as a heads up if you are on the waitlist for a new order from Paul. Something has recently changed in customs and things have gotten extremely strict. My bass was unfortunately sent back to the UK and we have to try and reship it once I receive an import permit from the USDA. There were a few items requested that are normally not requested, and the wait time for the paperwork to come through is a whopping 30-60 days. Paul was very apologetic and helpful, even though it totally wasn't his fault. His comments to me were that he's shipped many guitars exactly as he did with mine and that most folks get there basses in 2 business days. However, the bass just before me was held up for 3+ weeks, and then mine was sent back. There could be a new chest puffer in customs or something, but either way I wanted to warn everyone. PM me for more details if you are expecting an instrument in the coming months / years.
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Hey guys, as a heads up if you are on the waitlist for a new order from Paul. Something has recently changed in customs and things have gotten extremely strict. My bass was unfortunately sent back to the UK and we have to try and reship it once I receive an import permit from the USDA. There were a few items requested that are normally not requested, and the wait time for the paperwork to come through is a whopping 30-60 days. Paul was very apologetic and helpful, even though it totally wasn't his fault. His comments to me were that he's shipped many guitars exactly as he did with mine and that most folks get there basses in 2 business days. However, the bass just before me was held up for 3+ weeks, and then mine was sent back. There could be a new chest puffer in customs or something, but either way I wanted to warn everyone. PM me for more details if you are expecting an instrument in the coming months / years.

Damn that sux bigsnack. Sorry to hear :crying:
 
Hey guys, as a heads up if you are on the waitlist for a new order from Paul. Something has recently changed in customs and things have gotten extremely strict. My bass was unfortunately sent back to the UK and we have to try and reship it once I receive an import permit from the USDA. There were a few items requested that are normally not requested, and the wait time for the paperwork to come through is a whopping 30-60 days. Paul was very apologetic and helpful, even though it totally wasn't his fault. His comments to me were that he's shipped many guitars exactly as he did with mine and that most folks get their basses in 2 business days. However, the bass just before me was held up for 3+ weeks, and then mine was sent back. There could be a new chest puffer in customs or something, but either way I wanted to warn everyone. PM me for more details if you are expecting an instrument in the coming months / years.

That really does suck to hear. I know the maple Mk3 I had bought when it was 2 months old, it got shipped back to Wal in some sort of circle-jerk.

But with todays timber restrictions, did you order a bass with rosewood?
 
That really does suck to hear. I know the maple Mk3 I had bought when it was 2 months old, it got shipped back to Wal in some sort of circle-jerk.

But with todays timber restrictions, did you order a bass with rosewood?

I did, and Paul assured me that we would be good with the paperwork and prep that we did. The agriculture folks asked for an additional permit to import on MY side, which usually is never requested, and the turnaround time on that is 30-60 business days, lol. All of our CITES / Lacey Act paperwork was in order. Well, now I know! :)
 
Or maybe it's the Musicman? :)
Good song. It has all the Tool ingredients. Although nothing really new musically speaking.

This will always be a source of amusement to me because I had to name one bassist who smothers his signal in so many effects as to shade the bass he's using, it's Justin Chancellor. To whit, I had always found it interesting that fans were so eager to buy a Wal bass themselves. I had heard, over the years, suggestions that a G & L L2000 or Musicman Bongo would be a passable alternative and I'm inclined to agree.

Which is not to say that Wal don't have a signature tone, they do. They almost stand out like a sore thumb through that unique 'quack' noise they make. I just find that quality almost entirely missing in the rather anonymous tones on Tool records.

As for the new Tool song, I think it's okay. It really doesn't sound like 13 years worth though, and that is following on from '10,000 Days' that was a weak followup to 'Lateralus', which was in turn pretty disappointing. I don't dislike the new song, but it sounds entirely like Tool by numbers, the sort of thing they could write and play in their sleep.
 
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This will always be a source of amusement to me because I had to name one bassist who smothers his signal in so many effects as to shade the bass he's using, it's Justin Chancellor. To whit, I had always found it interesting that fans were so eager to buy a Wal bass themselves. I had heard, over the years, suggestions that a G & L L2000 or Musicman Bongo would be a passable alternative and I'm inclined to agree.

Which is not to say that Wal don't have a signature tone, they do. They almost stand out like a sore thumb through that unique 'quack' noise they make. I just find that quality almost entirely missing in the rather anonymous tones on Tool records.

As for the new Tool song, I think it's okay. It really doesn't sound like 13 years worth though, and that is following on from '10,000 Days' that was a weak followup to 'Lateralus', which was in turn pretty disappointing. I don't dislike the new song, but it sounds entirely like Tool by numbers, the sort of thing they could write and play in their sleep.
I enjoyed the new Tool song, but I'm not a huge fan. Maynard seems really busy with the winery and the Pizza truck. Maybe Tool threw it together quickly for some $$$s. As much as I love Justin's tone, my introduction to the legendary Wal was through Jason Newsted on the And Justice for All tour. I had 8th row seats and Jason came running out with his MK25 and the tone was crushing ! The Wal cut through Jame's and Kirk's guitars with ease. My first thought was I have to get one of those basses! 29 years later I finally got my first Wal.
 
I enjoyed the new Tool song, but I'm not a huge fan. Maynard seems really busy with the winery and the Pizza truck. Maybe Tool threw it together quickly for some $$$s. As much as I love Justin's tone, my introduction to the legendary Wal was through Jason Newsted on the And Justice for All tour. I had 8th row seats and Jason came running out with his MK25 and the tone was crushing ! The Wal cut through Jame's and Kirk's guitars with ease. My first thought was I have to get one of those basses! 29 years later I finally got my first Wal.
Agreed! Metallica's AJFA That's my 'desert island' album of choice. Full of romantic ballads lol. Love it.