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I saw that bass when I visited Wal HQ!
two cases just came in, both belonged to John Gustafson
I've just never seen a Wal in "orange" other than the one in the book. @TrevorR Question, do you like the pro series over later Wal's? I got real bad GAS for a Pro IIE and im really close to having funds to pull the trigger when one pops up.
have you seen this orange Mk2? its a shame that this one got stolen from its owner.....
That is beautiful. Did Joe ever recover any more of his missing Wals? Poor guy.have you seen this orange Mk2? its a shame that this one got stolen from its owner.....
have you seen this orange Mk2? its a shame that this one got stolen from its owner.....
This beaut was nicked from a storage locker (along with some other nice pieces, including other Wals), wasn't it?
They are both clearly Wals at heart but still different beasts in some ways. The Pros are solid ash bodies and the tones are more conventional treble roll off. But they do have the boost/cut filters which bring a whole different flavour to the tone, while still being clearly Wal. Too Shy by Kajagoogoo was a Pro IIE (believe it or not). The early Bow Wow Wow hits too. Colin Bass from Camel . I kinda think of the Pro sounding a bit more old school, 70s rock whereas the Custom Series are a bit more modern, more broadly versatile. The neck profiles are different (rounded C for the Pro, soft V for the Custom) but both are equally comfy. My Mk1 Custom is my No 1 bass and has been since 1993. But my Pro isn't my No 2 bass, it's my No 1.5!
Some knarly Pro sounds coming from Dick Cadbury's fingers on this video (his is a custom made one with the Pro electronics back mounted in the solid ash body without a scratch plate. Couldn't find the vid I as looking for with his conventional Pro...
I never did see that orange mk2. I saw all those videos of pros last week and have had the fever, lol. And I can't shake wanting another one. I keep trying to think of other basses I would like but I keep coming back to that. I had a list going but I'm really holding out for a Wal unless I play one of the ones from the list in person and fall for it. The list: Ken Smith/alembic/MM Sabre/EGC/Wal.
Great post Trevor!
I agree that the Wal Pro sound is more old school but I also think that the active models certainly share DNA with the MKs that came later. To my ears the active Pros sound like more subdued versions of the MKs. In a way they are more "user friendly" or more forgiving as the filters on the Mks can be quite sensitive and the myriad incremental possibilities are mind blowing.
IIRC, there was an audio sample of a Pro IIe back on the old Yahoo group boards. I might have pulled it down. If so, I will post it.
Actually wait- was that your demo?
RBM
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Mines shockingly similar. I've played a Ken Smith Black Tiger that came through the shop. The owner is a regular customer that used to work at the shop I currently work at. It was a sweet bass but I just didn't connect with it. Alembics are pretty sweet. EGC is something I've yet to get my hands on but I'm really dying to try one, or a Travis Bean.
I tried a bean in Chicago and it very closely reminded me of a Rickenbacker in tone. Neck was also larger than I thought it would be. Between a B and C shape.
Indeed it was. (he says a bit embarrassed - I was young!) I think your comments on the tone are spot on. They are definitely Wals and have that characteristic Wal-ish snap.
Let's play vote that facing!!!!
final product is going to an autumnburst/red sunburst finish. i think i pretty much have in mind which one i like
final product is going to an autumnburst/red sunburst finish. i think i pretty much have in mind which one i like
The light is messing with me a bit and id like to see them "wet" i kinda like #2
#2....nice facings. Also, the Mk3 body shape is one of the best I have played. I bond well with the Mk3 and mk1 body shapes....the Mk2 feels odd to me. Very different from the others.
