Wal Bass Club.

[graphics1988]

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.

Ha. I love my couple Wicks. I actually feel that way toward the MM basses. I really WANT to like them too....just don't seem to do anything for me. I've had a couple and then sell them.
Having said all that...my Wal has a killer tone that I've really enhanced once I got a Genzler Magellan and an Audiokinesis Hathor 1505. Made allllll the difference in the world too my ears.
I am planning the next few months to sell off a couple high end basses I have and hunt me down another Wal.

 

[GHOST AT]

Ha. I love my couple Wicks. I actually feel that way toward the MM basses. I really WANT to like them too....just don't seem to do anything for me. I've had a couple and then sell them.
Having said all that...my Wal has a killer tone that I've really enhanced once I got a Genzler Magellan and an Audiokinesis Hathor 1505. Made allllll the difference in the world too my ears.
I am planning the next few months to sell off a couple high end basses I have and hunt me down another Wal.

Different strokes indeed I love my Spector, you didn't dig yours I understand. Let the Wal hunt commence what are you looking for MK 1,2 or 3 and a four string?

 

[graphics1988]

Different strokes indeed I love my Spector, you didn't dig yours I understand. Let the Wal hunt commence what are you looking for MK 1,2 or 3 and a four string?

Loved the Spector tones but ergonomics, nadda. Ya another MK3 or maybe the right MK2. Possibly a poly body versus the satin wood tops. There's a couple I have my eye on...so hoping to entice a sale with a couple handfuls of cash.

 

[BWorm]

Just thought I would let everyone here know that I re-listed my 5 String Wal Mk2 with MIDI capabilities.
I made a significant price drop and would be open to trades for other Wals, especially 6 Strings or possibly 4 Strings, depending on what is available. Heavily debating putting in on eBay, but would really prefer it to go to someone here.

 

[ColonelZulu]

View attachment 3529454 Just thought I would let everyone here know that I re-listed my 5 String Wal Mk2 with MIDI capabilities.
I made a significant price drop and would be open to trades for other Wals, especially 6 Strings or possibly 4 Strings, depending on what is available. Heavily debating putting in on eBay, but would really prefer it to go to someone here.

Where is it listed?

 

[ampegfuzz]

It’s in the TB classified

 

[fauxtoe]

Well this thread may eventually cost me a whole bunch of money. Like, three and a half basses worth...not that I’d sell any of them. That’s just what a brand new Wal would cost in my bass currency.

 

[ampegfuzz]

Sold 2 vintage instruments for my first one. Currently dumping gear for a possible second

 

[fauxtoe]

Questions for all of you who have purchased a new Wal within the past 10 years -

1. How's the quality? I would expect above and beyond since Wal is in the boutique price range (by my standards), but you never know! Has there been any issues since delivery?
2. Did you have good communication with the company from start to finish?
3. How much is typically added for premium tops and finishes?
4. What did you end up paying for import fees and shipping?

I don't really need to ask about tone, because...Wal. Basically I'm looking around going, "Ok, what can I sell, and can I live without *insert body part*?"

 

[TolerancEJ]

Well this thread may eventually cost me a whole bunch of money. Like, three and a half basses worth...not that I’d sell any of them. That’s just what a brand new Wal would cost in my bass currency.

Pfft... currency exchange. At least you're in USA. The starting price of a new Wal Mk3 6-string in Canada would cost me almost $12,000. Wal's prices also increase each year.

 

[graphics1988]

Pfft... currency exchange. At least you're in USA. The starting price of a new Wal Mk3 6-string in Canada would cost me almost $12,000. Wal's prices also increase each year.

Same. My MK3 4 string was that....currency exchange and IIRC the duties/shipping was $1500 or something ridiculous. Regardless....if it's any consolation, I'd sell my Fodera and a Dingwall for another Wal. The tone is in a league of their own. Infact, the only bass I play equally as much is my Skjold Slayer.
So...despite the crazy additional costs of Wal ownership - I will do it again. Love them.
So...kinda off topic squirrel moment - were there any other rock/metal groups that used a Wal (besides TOOL and the short term Metallica moments)?

 

[TolerancEJ]

Same. My MK3 4 string was that....currency exchange and IIRC the duties/shipping was $1500 or something ridiculous. Regardless....if it's any consolation, I'd sell my Fodera and a Dingwall for another Wal. The tone is in a league of their own. Infact, the only bass I play equally as much is my Skjold Slayer.
So...despite the crazy additional costs of Wal ownership - I will do it again. Love them.
So...kinda off topic squirrel moment - were there any other rock/metal groups that used a Wal (besides TOOL and the short term Metallica moments)?

True. I hadn’t considered duties, taxes, etc in my estimated cost.

 

[mikeswals]

So...kinda off topic squirrel moment - were there any other rock/metal groups that used a Wal (besides TOOL and the short term Metallica moments)?

​

Failure (this was ultimately what hooked me)
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Cranberries
Mastodon
Limp Bizkit.
EL Ten Eleven

 

[graphics1988]

Failure (this was ultimately what hooked me)
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Cranberries
Mastodon
Limp Bizkit.
EL Ten Eleven

Awesome..yes!!... thanks...I was having a brainfart..of COURSE Flea had some great moments with one...wonder what made him change brands. Limp Bizkit ....I had no idea... I'm a fan for sure of a lot of their music. I often wonder if Tim Commerford ever used one on anything...IIRC he's a big Stingray and now Fender player(?).
Thanks Mike

 

[mikeswals]

Questions for all of you who have purchased a new Wal within the past 10 years -

1. How's the quality? I would expect above and beyond since Wal is in the boutique price range (by my standards), but you never know! Has there been any issues since delivery?
2. Did you have good communication with the company from start to finish?
3. How much is typically added for premium tops and finishes?
4. What did you end up paying for import fees and shipping?

Paul builds perfect Wals. I've said it before, that he is like a robot does a better job than the old era did. When I visited him last year he showed all the jigs and fixtures he had to redo, remake, straighten-out, and specs he had to zero-out.
2, for the most part. you have to understand, it's only two guys there and they're busy, they will eventually get back to you. So try asking ALL your info and specs all in one email so not to play tag that draws out 2-3 months.
3, can be anywhere from £240 to £500 depending on how well figured a plank of wood is. Poly gloss finshes go from £400 and up, and he charges per body and per neck. Get to know sites like xe.com to watch exchange rates.
4, shipping is bout $360, and in the US the duty fee is supposed to be charged at 5% on electric guitar/bass instruments, so that's about another $400 when UPS/Fedex delivers it to your door.
One word of caution; if Customs charges you 8% duty, then the bass was mismarked as an acoustic bass. Electric = 5%, and Acoustic = 8%...that's a big difference when an instrument costs roughly $7k.

 

[mikeswals]

Awesome..yes!!... thanks...I was having a brainfart..of COURSE Flea had some great moments with one...wonder what made him change brands. Limp Bizkit ....I had no idea... I'm a fan for sure of a lot of their music. I often wonder if Tim Commerford ever used one on anything...IIRC he's a big Stingray and now Fender player(?).
Thanks Mike

I love Flea, being from SoCal myself, the RHCP were there from the beginning. I know Flea mentioned he thought the Wal's look was dated, but to me its obvious he likes a company backing him with gear (and free gear). After all, he bailed from EBMM when they wouldn't give him a sig bass. He wouldn't have gotten anything other than paying list price for a Wal.

Timmy C never played one to my knowledge. Actually Tim has been back to playing StingRays again for several years now.

as for Limp, the bass player had a 4 string he said he used for recording. He eventually sold it which ended up here with a TB member and he sold it on too.
Recently Wes Borland, their guitarist, bought a Mk2 from our very own Kulit, so clearly the Wal left an impression on him.

 

[GHOST AT]

Same. My MK3 4 string was that....currency exchange and IIRC the duties/shipping was $1500 or something ridiculous. Regardless....if it's any consolation, I'd sell my Fodera and a Dingwall for another Wal. The tone is in a league of their own. Infact, the only bass I play equally as much is my Skjold Slayer.
So...despite the crazy additional costs of Wal ownership - I will do it again. Love them.
So...kinda off topic squirrel moment - were there any other rock/metal groups that used a Wal (besides TOOL and the short term Metallica moments)?

Raven from Killing Joke used a Wal, if you haven't heard the song Eighties check it out! This was the song that Nirvana may have " borrowed" to create Come As You Are.

 

[fauxtoe]

Pfft... currency exchange. At least you're in USA. The starting price of a new Wal Mk3 6-string in Canada would cost me almost $12,000. Wal's prices also increase each year.

Same. My MK3 4 string was that....currency exchange and IIRC the duties/shipping was $1500 or something ridiculous. Regardless....if it's any consolation, I'd sell my Fodera and a Dingwall for another Wal. The tone is in a league of their own. Infact, the only bass I play equally as much is my Skjold Slayer.
So...despite the crazy additional costs of Wal ownership - I will do it again. Love them.
So...kinda off topic squirrel moment - were there any other rock/metal groups that used a Wal (besides TOOL and the short term Metallica moments)?

Yeah you guys don't have it cheap up there for the exchange rate!

Awesome..yes!!... thanks...I was having a brainfart..of COURSE Flea had some great moments with one...wonder what made him change brands. Limp Bizkit ....I had no idea... I'm a fan for sure of a lot of their music. I often wonder if Tim Commerford ever used one on anything...IIRC he's a big Stingray and now Fender player(?).
Thanks Mike

Flea never played his Wal live so far as I'm aware. It was studio only on BSSM. Geddy Lee, however...both studio and live! After BSSM it was the Stingray, Spector, Modulus, Fender, back to Modulus, and now Fender again. He's bounced around just like a Flea does.

Paul builds perfect Wals. I've said it before, that he is like a robot does a better job than the old era did. When I visited him last year he showed all the jigs and fixtures he had to redo, remake, straighten-out, and specs he had to zero-out.
2, for the most part. you have to understand, it's only two guys there and they're busy, they will eventually get back to you. So try asking ALL your info and specs all in one email so not to play tag that draws out 2-3 months.
3, can be anywhere from £240 to £500 depending on how well figured a plank of wood is. Poly gloss finshes go from £400 and up, and he charges per body and per neck. Get to know sites like xe.com to watch exchange rates.
4, shipping is bout $360, and in the US the duty fee is supposed to be charged at 5% on electric guitar/bass instruments, so that's about another $400 when UPS/Fedex delivers it to your door.
One word of caution; if Customs charges you 8% duty, then the bass was mismarked as an acoustic bass. Electric = 5%, and Acoustic = 8%...that's a big difference when an instrument costs roughly $7k.

Seriously great info! I've read through some of this very long thread and there seems to be some random issues that pop up from the older, pre-Paul era. Mostly neck related from what I recall, and that's where I'd be apprehensive buying one used without a thorough inspection. There's a great deal of money to be saved on used instruments though, so I'd put a little trust in the seller at the very least.

2. That answers my question. Small shop, but they do at least answer emails. Modulus isn't much bigger anymore in that regards either. If I ever get to pull the trigger on this, then you can bet it will be a very detailed email process to get down to the nitty gritty ASAP.

4. That is a serious difference! Yikes! Has anyone every been able to appeal successfully to customs that it is not an acoustic bass?

 

[mikeswals]

Flea never played his Wal live so far as I'm aware. It was studio only on BSSM.

He actually played it live quite a bit before hitting the studio for BSSM. If you really dig around on youtube you can find those old early 1991 videos and see him with it.

 

[kulit17]

Raven from Killing Joke used a Wal, if you haven't heard the song Eighties check it out! This was the song that Nirvana may have " borrowed" to create Come As You Are.

Interesting.... Wal Pro action in this vid!



Funny I was listening to them earlier at work since I never heard of these guys before and these guys are touring with Tool. Current bassist uses a Ric.