• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Wal Bass Club.

#10,901
Question for the Club:
What strings are you using these days on your Wals?
I'm not sure what's on my 88 MK2 5, they're definitely long dead....but I much prefer the added thump! :)

Has anyone used something crazy like flatwounds? Those could be interesting....especially on a fretless Wal.
Oh how I miss my '87 fretless MK2 Wal 5! Well, it wasn't really a true fretless....it was converted.
But man are they ever fun! I never tried that bass with flats. Could have been very interesting!
 
#10,902
bassballs27 said:
Question for the Club:
What strings are you using these days on your Wals?
I'm not sure what's on my 88 MK2 5, they're definitely long dead....but I much prefer the added thump! :)

Has anyone used something crazy like flatwounds? Those could be interesting....especially on a fretless Wal.
Oh how I miss my '87 fretless MK2 Wal 5! Well, it wasn't really a true fretless....it was converted.
But man are they ever fun! I never tried that bass with flats. Could have been very interesting!
Click to expand...
I've been using GHS Bass Boomers on my MkII 5 for close to 20 years, now. It's part of my sound.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassballs27
#10,903
lordradish said:
I've been using GHS Bass Boomers on my MkII 5 for close to 20 years, now. It's part of my sound.
Click to expand...

Cool. I'm curious, what other brands did you go through to end up deciding on them?
I haven't tried those strings in eons! I think I had them on a Spector about 20 years ago!
Might be worth a look as I play Wal 5's. Do you use medium gauge GHS Bass Boomers?

I remember trying DR HiBeams in the past....they were too much from what I remember.
But those were on that Olive Ash MK3 5 I had back in 2013 or so which is long gone.
I think I have D'Addario's on my other MK2 5. They seem okay....not super impressed though.
I put those on an MK1 4 string I had this past year and they weren't anything special.
 
#10,904
bassballs27 said:
Cool. I'm curious, what other brands did you go through to end up deciding on them?
I haven't tried those strings in eons! I think I had them on a Spector about 20 years ago!
Might be worth a look as I play Wal 5's. Do you use medium gauge GHS Bass Boomers?

I remember trying DR HiBeams in the past....they were too much from what I remember.
But those were on that Olive Ash MK3 5 I had back in 2013 or so which is long gone.
I think I have D'Addario's on my other MK2 5. They seem okay....not super impressed though.
I put those on an MK1 4 string I had this past year and they weren't anything special.
Click to expand...
Hah... kinda hard to remember. Def mediums, the Wal, as you know, handles a big B with no prob.

First off, I don't think any strings I tried were bad, I never buy cheap stuff. I did the Hi-Beams, Ernie Ball Slinky's, Dean Markley Blue Steels (which, now, as I recall, I thought were kinda 'meh'), probably that was about it. I've never really dug D'Addario bass strings, so I don't think I bothered, on the Wal. There's something about the Boomers that sound almost piano-like at times, in a way that I like, and just really vibes with the Wal. I'm not a big flats guy, I like em on more traditional basses, and flats generally don't vibe with the styles I play.
 
#10,905
bassballs27 said:
Question for the Club:
What strings are you using these days on your Wals?
I'm not sure what's on my 88 MK2 5, they're definitely long dead....but I much prefer the added thump! :)

Has anyone used something crazy like flatwounds? Those could be interesting....especially on a fretless Wal.
Oh how I miss my '87 fretless MK2 Wal 5! Well, it wasn't really a true fretless....it was converted.
But man are they ever fun! I never tried that bass with flats. Could have been very interesting!
Click to expand...
Chris I have been using Fodera light gauge SS for years, when I got my MK3 I continued the tradition. My hands kill strings very quickly Fodera's last longer for me, but they have gotten so damn expensive!
I used Ken Smith SS in the past they are about $10.00 cheaper on Just Strings, Iam going to try them again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mikezimmerman
#10,906
I've been primarily using DR Highbeams since 1996. My favorite tones are bright and gritty, and these have always done this in spades. The bonus is they last me for long time. As much as I gig, I get 7-9 months from them. The others that I only play a couple times a month, those stings are a year old and still bright.

Now, I spent 20+ years playing in 1/2 step detuned band after band, and the 45-105 on my 4 strings or 45-130 for my 5ers is what I used, I like that elasticity. So when I joined my working band that tunes at 440, I had to drop a guage to keep my elasticity. Problem is no one makes 40-125 sets. Luckily you can order custom gauge DR sets.
 

Attachments

  • 20200122_210805.jpg
    20200122_210805.jpg
    657.8 KB · Views: 29
  • Like
Reactions: bdgotoh, nibs208 and BWorm
#10,907
I love fresh EB Slinkys, but they are kinda special strings... they lose the pretty musical zing quickly, but keep their growly mids like forever. I love them on crisp active basses like Spector or Stingray, where you can basically control the zing via the treble pot. But on the Wal, I'd love them to just keep that awesome zing forever.

Usually I really like stainless steel strings. I don't know why but on my Mk1 they tend to over emphasize the clank and the bass sounds a bit abrasive. So I usually stick to nickels. I feel like I still haven't found the best set yet.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BrentSimons and DeltaPhoenix
#10,908
djaxup said:
I love fresh EB Slinkys, but they are kinda special strings... they lose the pretty musical zing quickly, but keep their growly mids like forever. I love them on crisp active basses like Spector or Stingray, where you can basically control the zing via the treble pot. But on the Wal, I'd love them to just keep that awesome zing forever.

Usually I really like stainless steel strings. I don't know why but on my Mk1 they tend to over emphasize the clank and the bass sounds a bit abrasive. So I usually stick to nickels. I feel like I still haven't found the best set yet.
Click to expand...

Exactly three years ago SIT sent me a beta test string set of what now became their new nickel Foundations, and I put them on my 78 StingRay. They kept their zing for over two years. They just finally went dull.
I've been meaning to put a set on a Wal.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: bassballs27, DeltaPhoenix and djaxup
#10,909
lordradish said:
Hah... kinda hard to remember. Def mediums, the Wal, as you know, handles a big B with no prob.

First off, I don't think any strings I tried were bad, I never buy cheap stuff. I did the Hi-Beams, Ernie Ball Slinky's, Dean Markley Blue Steels (which, now, as I recall, I thought were kinda 'meh'), probably that was about it. I've never really dug D'Addario bass strings, so I don't think I bothered, on the Wal. There's something about the Boomers that sound almost piano-like at times, in a way that I like, and just really vibes with the Wal. I'm not a big flats guy, I like em on more traditional basses, and flats generally don't vibe with the styles I play.
Click to expand...

Actually, I think I tried Ernie Ball once too on a 4 string MK2 I had at the time basically being inspired by JC of Tool. D'Addario seemed to be better on acoustics or Fenders. That's my take. :)
I hear Dunlop makes some really nice strings too. Even Sadowsky has nice stuff too.
I'm going to keep GHS on the radar for sure!
 
  • Like
Reactions: lordradish
#10,910
GHOST AT said:
Chris I have been using Fodera light gauge SS for years, when I got my MK3 I continued the tradition. My hands kill strings very quickly Fodera's last longer for me, but they have gotten so damn expensive!
I used Ken Smith SS in the past they are about $10.00 cheaper on Just Strings, Iam going to try them again.
Click to expand...

Ah, I was wondering if anyone had tried Fodera strings on a Wal! And of course Jason would have for sure!
Are you using the 40-100 SS Fodera's? I'm wondering about using 40 to 120 Nickels actually. But I have been thinking just like lordradish mentioned above, it could be better to go with a 45 to 125. A little bit thicker B.
I had a bad experience with the MK1 I had previously when I used the lighter gauge Super Slinky Ernie Ball strings with the plastic nut. The G string sat right at the bottom of the nut slot. It wasn't good.

Ken Smith could be cool. I like his strings too.
 
#10,911
mikeswals said:
I've been primarily using DR Highbeams since 1996. My favorite tones are bright and gritty, and these have always done this in spades. The bonus is they last me for long time. As much as I gig, I get 7-9 months from them. The others that I only play a couple times a month, those stings are a year old and still bright.

Now, I spent 20+ years playing in 1/2 step detuned band after band, and the 45-105 on my 4 strings or 45-130 for my 5ers is what I used, I like that elasticity. So when I joined my working band that tunes at 440, I had to drop a guage to keep my elasticity. Problem is no one makes 40-125 sets. Luckily you can order custom gauge DR sets.
Click to expand...

You should try 45-125 Fodera Strings Mike. You might like them.....or better yet....try even lighter with the 40 to 120's. They're pretty amazing strings! They're not cheap though just as Jason mentioned above.......but they don't disappoint. You can get them in both nickel or stainless too.
 
#10,912
djaxup said:
I love fresh EB Slinkys, but they are kinda special strings... they lose the pretty musical zing quickly, but keep their growly mids like forever. I love them on crisp active basses like Spector or Stingray, where you can basically control the zing via the treble pot. But on the Wal, I'd love them to just keep that awesome zing forever.

Usually I really like stainless steel strings. I don't know why but on my Mk1 they tend to over emphasize the clank and the bass sounds a bit abrasive. So I usually stick to nickels. I feel like I still haven't found the best set yet.
Click to expand...

Do you use the Regular Slinky Ernie Ball Strings?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back