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Wal Bass Club.

#11,361
Les Fret said:
Damn! That's some collection! Do you only play Wals or also other basses? I am curious on the sound difference between the MK1 and MK2 or 3. Is there much difference according to you? Sometimes I miss the 24 frets on my MK1 basses.
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thanks. yes i have other basses. i do have a soft spot for Rics :rolleyes:....I used to have a soft spot for Warwicks too, but i got rid of most of them and have two left atm. got also a P in the stable as well.

as far as differences between Mk1..mk2...mk3....my above response isn't any different. @mikeswals measured pickup placement between all three and he measured that all three had different locations which would factor to differences as well.
 
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#11,363
mikeswals said:
Wait for it...…...
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upload_2020-5-1_17-8-17.png
 
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#11,369
I got my Wal back from surgery a little while ago and I am ready to share it... and to receive my membership number. :D

Now, the bass isn't perfect but it's a lot better than it was. The twisted neck was (and is) the biggest issue but a lot of work was done to re-plane with a larger radius to save as much fretboard as possible. The bridge was moved a bit and it now intonates properly.

Here it is! 1999, Shedua top.

IMG_1060.jpeg
 
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#11,371
kulit17 said:
as far as differences between Mk1..mk2...mk3....my above response isn't any different. @mikeswals measured pickup placement between all three and he measured that all three had different locations which would factor to differences as well.
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From the few times that I have tried mk2 basses my impression was that they had a more full bodied overall sound whereas the MK1 sounds more characteristic Wal. An Mk1 has a bit more the aggressive honky mid range sound that I like and is typical Wal for me. But the Mk2 is maybe better as an all round bass. Say I want to use a Wal in a top 40 band or so then a MK2 or 3 would fit a bit better than a MK1.
 
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#11,374
Hey guys I have been on a Gas road now for a few years but I feel I am ready to take a big leap into ordering a Wal 6...The only concern i have is the 19mm string spacing. I have been playing 5's and 6's for most of my time playing bass and the majority are 16.5 or 17mm Warwick and Spectors. I was wondering if any have made this conversion over and if there is anything to worry about. I have a P bass 4 that is that spacing but it is totally different neck config and isn't really comparable.

I am thinking Mk3 6 string Wenge facings, satin, black hardware and matching headstock. Basically this one but fretted. Hopefully my top choice is as figured as this one because i adore this bass.
DSC_0035-2-1-scaled-e1575649403665.jpg
 
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#11,375
madmaskbass said:
Hey guys I have been on a Gas road now for a few years but I feel I am ready to take a big leap into ordering a Wal 6...The only concern i have is the 19mm string spacing. I have been playing 5's and 6's for most of my time playing bass and the majority are 16.5 or 17mm Warwick and Spectors. I was wondering if any have made this conversion over and if there is anything to worry about. I have a P bass 4 that is that spacing but it is totally different neck config and isn't really comparable.

I am thinking Mk3 6 string Wenge facings, satin, black hardware and matching headstock. Basically this one but fretted. Hopefully my top choice is as figured as this one because i adore this bass.
View attachment 3814161
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My ibanez btb 5 string is 19mm spaced.

The spacing is slightly wider from my mk. 3 5 string but it’s not unplayable by any means. I believe all btb models are 19mm and are really common so when stores reopen I’d recommend trying one of these out, they’re available in 4-6 strings
 
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#11,376
Kappaless said:
My ibanez btb 5 string is 19mm spaced.

The spacing is slightly wider from my mk. 3 5 string but it’s not unplayable by any means. I believe all btb models are 19mm and are really common so when stores reopen I’d recommend trying one of these out, they’re available in 4-6 strings
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So your Wal is less than 19mm? Thanks for this man..I live in really remote Australia and the closest music store is 900km by dirt lol. I have had another look and string spacing seems to vary but just caught a pic of one with 16.5mm..they look bigger than that though but ony one mentioned 19mm so it seems i am off. honestly anything under 18mm and I am sweet but 19mm is getting out there and worrying me.
 
#11,378
Further to all of this I thought I would post by obsession with the world of Wal with my hopefully respectful build called Walwannabe. For a long time now I have wanted one of these amazing basses but the price and lack of availability put them seemingly out of reach..So i have been for the last year getting my head into building something close to fill the void. I took all my favourite design parts of Wal's, mk2 arm bevel and 4 string side by side headstock and tried to make the best Wal tribute I possibly could. Pickups are Rautia multicoils from Poland and are amazing and the pre is the ACG EQ01 with tone control. Wood is Queensland maple which is known for being very close to mahogany but it is special to me and the state i live in Australia. I have absolutely no idea if this bass is like a Wal because i have never held one or even seen on in the flesh but tonally i can get a very full and rich Chancellor tone (with lots of tweaking)

This is by no means a Wal replacement bass...hence my desire to order one becoming a reality in a few months but has been an excellent experience in getting a multicoil and filter system in a lovely bass and get tones closer to the money than the average bass. Anyway here it is!!
IMG_1383.jpg
 
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