Wal Bass Club.

[mikeswals]

I liked this one.


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[Musicman1901]

More good news, Tool released their new album today, after 13 years. I feel like Pneuma, 7empest, and Culling Voices show some great Wal bass tone.

Hell yeah man, there are some nasty bass tones throughout the album. The bass on 7empest is awesome

 

[nibs208]

I'm really digging Fear Inoculum too. Justin is the man.

 

[gmacg]

Mike's advice is great as a starting point. Here's a few more thoughts on EQ... try playing with neck solo'd and different tone control settings (non-boosted AND boosted). Pluck over the neck pick up too. And don't be scared of unusual looking tone settings - Wals work so differently to other active circuits that the old "everything as close to centre detent unless you really need to" maxim just doesn't apply. A setting I like for that kind of sound is 30% bridge/70% neck blend. Bridge tone 7-8, Neck tone 3 (yes, really! THREE!) pulled or not pulled for more or less zing in the round sound. 25% bridge/75% neck blend. Bridge tone 8, Neck tone 6-7 (pulled) is another favourite round soul sound setting for me.

Thanks Mike and Trevor. The string height is already low, so I'll try the EQ settings and strings y'all suggested. Anyone know what sort of flatwounds might work well ? Thanks again.

 

[gmacg]

Flats obviously. Then I'd say have the pickups heights set low for a rounder sound, and play with the pan knob setting.

Thanks Mike. The action is already set low, so I'll fiddle some more with the EQ.

 

[mikeswals]

The string height is already low,

No, not string height... the pickup height.

If you're wanting more Motown thump, setting the pickups lower away from the string will get a rounder wooly tone.
Setting them closer give more edge and grit.

But as for string height you may want to raise a tad it to get more string exertion, like those Motown players using Fenders (Wilton Felder played a late 60's single coil Telecaster Bass), pretty much guarantee those basses didn't have slammed down low string height. My 65 Jazz plays low for a Fender, but I can get a Wal way lower.

 

[gmacg]

No, not string height... the pickup height.

If you're wanting more Motown thump, setting the pickups lower away from the string will get a rounder wooly tone.
Setting them closer give more edge and grit.

But as for string height you may want to raise a tad it to get more string exertion, like those Motown players using Fenders (Wilton Felder played a late 60's single coil Telecaster Bass), pretty much guarantee those basses didn't have slammed down low string height. My 65 Jazz plays low for a Fender, but I can get a Wal way lower.

OK. Thanks again ! Grant

 

[600 Ohms]

Not a Wal owner. In fact, I never played a Wal that I connected with, but I popped in to say how amazing Mick Karn and Colin Moulding both are ('were' in Mick's case ), and I love their amazing tones. The Wal bass is special.

 

[nibs208]

"Wal Basses" got a shout out in the liner notes of Fear Inoculum.

 

[GHOST AT]

"Wal Basses" got a shout out in the liner notes of Fear Inoculum.

So glad Justin didn't drop Wal and go for the Warwick $$$$$!

 

[kulit17]

So glad Justin didn't drop Wal and go for the Warwick $$$$$!

Lol yup - no 'wick' or nordstrand love... but there was a shout out to EBMM which was most likely used for descending track like he does live.

 

[MMiller28]

I feel like every track on the album was predictable like, "yep, typical Tool track", and they did nothing new or different after a MASSIVE gap between albums. Justin has done much more interesting work on previous albums.

 

[GHOST AT]

Lol yup - no 'wick' or nordstrand love... but there was a shout out to EBMM which was most likely used for descending track like he does live.

Music Man and Nordstrands are great basses I have never understood the popularity of Warwicks. I have played around 20, they are very well built basses I just dont like the sound or the playability just my opinion.

 

[spade2you]

I'm not a fan of Tool, although not horribly against them. I'm more annoyed that Tool is more or less making Wal that much more expensive. I'd like to think I'd otherwise own one.

 

[nibs208]

I feel like every track on the album was predictable like, "yep, typical Tool track", and they did nothing new or different after a MASSIVE gap between albums. Justin has done much more interesting work on previous albums.

All the synth parts are new for them. There’s a straight up banger of a dance section in the middle of Pneuma. Actual guitar solos and melodic lead lines from the guitar. Justin does a bunch of great bass playing on this record. Invincible and Descending are the ones that stick out for me when it comes to the bass. There’s plenty of new ideas on this record. You just might not like it, and that’s fine. The points you bring up are dead wrong though.

 

[GHOST AT]

All the synth parts are new for them. There’s a straight up banger of a dance section in the middle of Pneuma. Actual guitar solos and melodic lead lines from the guitar. Justin does a bunch of great bass playing on this record. Invincible and Descending are the ones that stick out for me when it comes to the bass. There’s plenty of new ideas on this record. You just might not like it, and that’s fine. The points you bring up are dead wrong though.

I have always respected Tool I enjoy some of their songs but have never been a huge fan. Its time to check them out again. When the tour was announced If it comes near me I will go mainly for Killing Joke have been a huge fan! Jason Newsted, Geddy Lee and Flea turned me onto Wal. When Blood Sugar came out and I knew instantly that was a Wal, and after hearing the tone on Mellowship I told myself someday I would own one.

 

[Les Fret]

I feel like every track on the album was predictable like, "yep, typical Tool track", and they did nothing new or different after a MASSIVE gap between albums. Justin has done much more interesting work on previous albums.

I agree. I hear nothing really new. So that is dissapointing for me. I liked the short in between soundscapes the most, like 'Litanie..' and 'Chocolat Chip Trip'.
The die hard Tool fan won't be disappointed and will disagree but if you expect something new and fresh you have to look elsewhere.

 

[ampegfuzz]

The tone that drove me to tool was from undertow and paul’s Rickenbacker. I don’t think tool has driven up the price. I think it’s more supply and demand. Also the fact they are mostly proprietary parts and not a hybrid fender. That’s why no other bass sounds like a Wal.

 

[MMiller28]

All the synth parts are new for them. There’s a straight up banger of a dance section in the middle of Pneuma. Actual guitar solos and melodic lead lines from the guitar. Justin does a bunch of great bass playing on this record. Invincible and Descending are the ones that stick out for me when it comes to the bass. There’s plenty of new ideas on this record. You just might not like it, and that’s fine. The points you bring up are dead wrong though.

One word to sum up the album: Predictable. I felt like I had already heard the tracks while listening to them for the first time.

Interesting, unusual drum beat > add bass line with flanger > Maynard starts softly singing > guitar comes in softly > energy builds and peaks with all members coming together and Maynard increasing intensity. Repeat.

 

[nibs208]

One word to sum up the album: Predictable. I felt like I had already heard the tracks while listening to them for the first time.

Interesting, unusual drum beat > add bass line with flanger > Maynard starts softly singing > guitar comes in softly > energy builds and peaks with all members coming together and Maynard increasing intensity. Repeat.

If they put out something completely out of left field it “wouldn’t be Tool enough” for you. I guarantee you’d still be here complaining and poo pooing if they put out an ambient electronic country album. We’re all entitled to our own wrong opinions, present company included.