Wal Bass Club.

[shelley9462]

I’m having a hard time deciding between starting a mk 2 or a mk 3 order.

My mk 3 feels perfect in every aspect.

For those with experience with a mk 2 or both, how does the mk 2 feel when playing sitting down and how does it hang when using a strap?

Sitting down a Mrk 2 is not comfortable for sure but I like the big body of the Mrk 2.On the other hand I never played a Mrk 3. My Mrk 2 was one of the first made by Pete in 4 strings. A year or so after I had mine he build Geddy’s cherry red Mrk 2 which he used on the Roll The Bones tour. When I compare my Mrk 2 to newer models there seems to be slight differences. The neck pocket is further down the body and the bridge pickup is slightly more towards the bridge in my opinion. I feel it is slightly punchier than other Mrk 2’s with the same facings. I am not saying it sounds better but it sounds slightly different.

 

[Les Fret]

I’m having a hard time deciding between starting a mk 2 or a mk 3 order.

My mk 3 feels perfect in every aspect.

For those with experience with a mk 2 or both, how does the mk 2 feel when playing sitting down and how does it hang when using a strap?

If you already have a mk3 I would go for a mk2. Just for the sake of difference. Or do you have a special reason why you want two of the same basses?

 

[Kappaless]

If you already have a mk3 I would go for a mk2. Just for the sake of difference. Or do you have a special reason why you want two of the same basses?

That’s why I was leaning towards the mk 2 but I wanted to hear what others had to say about their experiences first

 

[Les Fret]

That’s why I was leaning towards the mk 2 but I wanted to hear what others had to say about their experiences first

Or maybe a MK1?

 

[Kappaless]

Or maybe a MK1?

Haven’t really been a fan of the mk 1 for some reason lol

 

[Les Fret]

Haven’t really been a fan of the mk 1 for some reason lol

ok...haha...I have three mk1's. Love them. Wouldn't mind to have a mk2 or 3 though...

 

[TrevorR]

Haven’t really been a fan of the mk 1 for some reason lol

It’s a less modern look but they’re still fab basses.

(Full disclosure: I may be a smidge biased in that opinion! )

 

[mikeswals]

Sitting down a Mrk 2 is not comfortable for sure but I like the big body of the Mrk 2.On the other hand I never played a Mrk 3.

I only have 5 string Mk3's at the moment. But when I had a 4 string Mk3, I could sit on a chair with the bass on my leg, let go with both hands and the bass would stay balanced on my leg in perfect play position.

The big body Mk2 is my favorite also, but I still like them all.

 

[Kappaless]

I only have 5 string Mk3's at the moment. But when I had a 4 string Mk3, I could sit on a chair with the bass on my leg, let go with both hands and the bass would stay balanced on my leg in perfect play position.

The big body Mk2 is my favorite also, but I still like them all.

How would you say the overall balance is (top/bottom heavy)? When I wear the mk 3 to me it sits perfectly, not too weighted on either side.

Would losing a string have an affect on that?

I will say the mk 2 body attracts me more but comfortability is my top priority when it comes to these things

 

[ModuMan]

Anyone else I missed needs to be added? You know the drill...post a pic of yer lovely bass!

Looks like I never officially joined. Despite owning it for years I never got to *use* it so maybe it was just out of shame lol

When I get my Wal back I'll post pics and I can get a number then.

 

[mikeswals]

How would you say the overall balance is (top/bottom heavy)? When I wear the mk 3 to me it sits perfectly, not too weighted on either side.

Would losing a string have an affect on that?

I will say the mk 2 body attracts me more but comfortability is my top priority when it comes to these things

There is a big difference in mass between a 5 string Mk2 and the 4 string of same. I also have two of the new era Mk2 4's, one with a regular headstock and one with a Mk3 headstock. Both basses balance very well and neither neck dives, but of course the one with the Mk3 headstock feels like there's nothing there. Also, you can request Paul use the lighter Schaller M4S-Light tuners on the regular headstock, they're quite a bit lighter than the old heavy cast ones.

 

[Kappaless]

I appreciate all of ur replies, I’m gonna go ahead with the mk. 2

 

[bassballs27]

NBD for bassballs27...

Stay tuned!

 

[bronzet]

Hey there, I am curious to know if the light weight Schaller M4S tuners can be used to replace the stock tuners (i.e heavy weight tuners) on my 92 Mk2 4 string bass (with a regular Wal headstock) or if there will need to be some modifications (eg new screw holes drilled) to get them to fit?

There is a big difference in mass between a 5 string Mk2 and the 4 string of same. I also have two of the new era Mk2 4's, one with a regular headstock and one with a Mk3 headstock. Both basses balance very well and neither neck dives, but of course the one with the Mk3 headstock feels like there's nothing there. Also, you can request Paul use the lighter Schaller M4S-Light tuners on the regular headstock, they're quite a bit lighter than the old heavy cast ones.

View attachment 3732734

 

[mikeswals]

Hey there, I am curious to know if the light weight Schaller M4S tuners can be used to replace the stock tuners (i.e heavy weight tuners) on my 92 Mk2 4 string bass (with a regular Wal headstock) or if there will need to be some modifications (eg new screw holes drilled) to get them to fit?

Yes, they have the same exact base plates. Direct swap, no mods.

 

[BigBrownBass]

Is there any standard on a Wal regarding machine heads? On my 3 all of them are totally different !

 

[Les Fret]

Is there any standard on a Wal regarding machine heads? On my 3 all of them are totally different !View attachment 3734876

On all my Wals (Mk1's) I have the middle picture Schallers. I think that is standard. At least for Mk1 basses.

 

[BigBrownBass]

Now I think about it I think your right I have 2 Mk3’s with although different machine heads you could easy swop them and the Mk2 has the same head stock as a Mk1. I wonder what the Mk3 4 string has?

 

[mikeswals]

Well up until recently, yes the tuning machines were standardized.
The Pro Basses/Mk1/Mk2 all used the large Schaller tuner like on your middle bass (the M4S). Two years ago Schaller discontinued the M4S and came out with a lightweight version called the M4S Lights.
Grover still makes a tuner that looks like the old M4S but they're held on by screws, so Paul does give you the option on the Mk1/Mk2 of those two tuners.

The Mk3 for first couple of years used that small Schaller M4 machine, then changed over to the Hipshot Lights for years and years. Also two years ago Paul decided to change back over the the Schaller M4.
Personally I prefer the look of the wavy Schaller tuner...the Hipshots just look too flat and angular, when a Wal is such a curvy bass.

 

[Janforth]

Yes, they have the same exact base plates. Direct swap, no mods.

The base plates on the M4S and the M4S lights weigh the same?

*edit* Assuming that they are, can just the ears be swapped?