Wal Bass Club.

[graphics1988]

Is that so? Would be interesting to know. Does it take longer to build a Wal than other custom basses? How long does it approximately take to build a Wal from scratch you think?

No idea timeframe per unit...but from what i understand..everything is built by hand..neck..body...(the big brands utilize CNC on some of this i am sure)...but they also build all their electronics in house instead of buying premade stuff and popping it in. So yeah...all that is added time to end result. You disagree?

 

[MC1970]

No idea timeframe per unit...but from what i understand..everything is built by hand..neck..body...(the big brands utilize CNC on some of this i am sure)...but they also build all their electronics in house instead of buying premade stuff and popping it in. So yeah...all that is added time to end result. You disagree?

They also paint the bridges; they receive them in the workshop as bare metal and need to be filed prior to painting.
“Paint wise” I should add that in may 2010, when I went to the workshop to place the order for my mkII 4, Paul was spraying gloss on two necks in a “removable panels” paint booth.
At Wal EVERYTHING gets done by hand

 

[BWorm]

You know.....if you trade him a 4 sftring, he wont keep it.
Told me this personally ,,"oh i just like to try them out"

I have honestly never dealt with someone who flip flops and changes their minds so often....and I have three children.

 

[bbocaner]

time is money and i would bet each Wal has far more labour per unit than any of the others.

I'm not sure Trevor's analogs are the best comparisons, it's a mixed bag when you're talking about the amount of labor that goes into making a Wal. The pickups, bridge, knobs, string guides, and electronic circuit are totally bespoke, and that's a big factor; but it's a bolt-on with a straight headstock and a relatively small amount of carving beyond the forearm and belly cuts. Sure, there are multiple laminations in both the neck and the body, but in many ways Wals are relatively plain when you compare them to some of the other boutique instruments in the same price range. I certainly think they took a look at supply and demand right now (which is what's driving the used market) and decided they could. I'm the biggest Wal fan you'll find, and their sound is absolutely unique, but the prices aren't in the stratosphere because they are in some way higher quality or better than other similarly priced instruments. And honestly I think if a few of the popular players who are currently playing Wals were to switch up their preferred instruments the Wal premium could possibly go away overnight.

 

[mikeswals]

And honestly I think if a few of the popular players who are currently playing Wals were to switch up their preferred instruments the Wal premium could possibly go away overnight.

Well that's one of the weirdest things... Geddy left his Wals almost three decades ago, and it didn't hurt their prices in the least bit. It drove them even higher if you have a black poly or a red/black poly 4-banger.

 

[2112]

Well that's one of the weirdest things... Geddy left his Wals almost three decades ago, and it didn't hurt their prices in the least bit. It drove them even higher if you have a black poly or a red/black poly 4-banger.

Not that I'll ever sell it. Did that once, and regretted ever since.

 

[bbocaner]

Geddy left his Wals almost three decades ago, and it didn't hurt their prices in the least bit.

You could buy a new black poly Mk. I for under $2000 in 1994. They had plenty of supply then. There were always a few new instruments in stock at places like LA Bass Centre and Bass Central. If you only account for inflation, that would be well under $4000 today.

 

[bbocaner]

Here's a wayback machine grab of bass central's web site from 1999. Brand new figured Schedua Mk. I for 2700! As-new used 5-string blue trans poly Mk. III with amazing quilted maple and gold hardware for $2500! I'd suggest they were actually underpriced then, but they were always really nice workingman's instruments rather than the exotic boutiques we've made them out to be now!

Wayback Machine

 

[Les Fret]

Here's a wayback machine grab of bass central's web site from 1999. Brand new figured Schedua Mk. I for 2700! As-new used 5-string blue poly with amazing quilted maple and gold hardware for $2500! I'd suggest they were actually underpriced then,

I don't think they were underpriced back then. It just got out of hand because people are willing to pay such prices these days. Can't blame Wal. It's again just a matter of supply and demand. The price of a bass is not one on one related with the quality or the time it takes to build an instrument.

 

[mikeswals]

You could buy a new black poly Mk. I for under $2000 in 1994. They had plenty of supply then. There were always a few new instruments in stock at places like LA Bass Centre and Bass Central. If you only account for inflation, that would be well under $4000 today.

I grew up/lived two hours away from Bass Centre in LA. In the mid 90's my buddy that was a huge Rush guy and I, we would go there and check them out. But, in the 90's I hated any natural wood Wal, I couldn't stand the way the core was visible, I loathed the visible core in the forearm contour. So poly ones were the only ones on my radar, which were easily 2800-3000. But at that time I was only playing 5'ers, and those in poly were $3500 and only came with flight cases. Being in my early 20's that may as well have been a million dollars. Used ones got snatched up really quick. Anytime I went I never saw a used one, it was always 'it already sold'.

Here is an old and rather funny thread. What's so great about Wal?
Its from Apr 2000 where the OP is about a black poly Mk2 is $3000 new here at Bass NW in Seattle, and it turns out I actually own this very bass now! I bought it from the original owner around 2016 for paltry sum of $6300 and its still in mint condition. But there's no way in heck I'd even open the case for any less than 10g's if I were to even think of letting it go.

 

[Blackhawks55]

I grew up/lived two hours away from Bass Centre in LA. In the mid 90's my buddy that was a huge Rush guy and I, we would go there and check them out. But, in the 90's I hated any natural wood Wal, I couldn't stand the way the core was visible, I loathed the visible core in the forearm contour. So poly ones were the only ones on my radar, which were easily 2800-3000. But at that time I was only playing 5'ers, and those in poly were $3500 and only came with flight cases. Being in my early 20's that may as well have been a million dollars. Used ones got snatched up really quick. Anytime I went I never saw a used one, it was always 'it already sold'.

Here is an old and rather funny thread. What's so great about Wal?
Its from Apr 2000 where the OP is about a black poly Mk2 is $3000 new here at Bass NW in Seattle, and it turns out I actually own this very bass now! I bought it from the original owner around 2016 for paltry sum of $6300 and its still in mint condition. But there's no way in heck I'd even open the case for any less than 10g's if I were to even think of letting it go.

That is crazy but so true. I really am lucky to have two Wal's in my early 20's now that I sit here and think about it. Just have to keep them and never look back.

 

[nibs208]

That is crazy but so true. I really am lucky to have two Wal's in my early 20's now that I sit here and think about it. Just have to keep them and never look back.

I guess I’m lucky too. I’m 29 now but was 20 when I placed my deposit and 22 when I took delivery the bass. I’m so glad I did, as the $6800 all in I paid for it seems like a hell of a deal now. Not sure if I’ll ever be able to afford another.

 

[zombywoof5050]

Did anyone here ever watch Rock School on TV?
I was really surprised the first time their bass player showed up playing a Wal fiver (first good shot of the Wal is at the 1:46 mark). This is the first episode of the show where the Wal made an appearance, and the bassist on the show continued using it exclusively on all of the following episodes.

 

[Les Fret]

Yes great series! It came on TV just when I started to play in bands. Very informative! Wonder what happened to those musicians? Never saw them in anything else besides that series.

How many episodes where made in total?

 

[mikeswals]

Yes, I used to watch it too, but I was playing sax in those days.

 

[bbocaner]

Yes, I used to watch rock school on the local PBS station and record the episodes on VHS! It’s where I first fell in love with Wals!

 

[rogerbmiller]

Did anyone here ever watch Rock School on TV?
I was really surprised the first time their bass player showed up playing a Wal fiver (first good shot of the Wal is at the 1:46 mark). This is the first episode of the show where the Wal made an appearance, and the bassist on the show continued using it exclusively on all of the following episodes.

this show came out when I was 10 or so and I was mesmerized by it. I am glad it has been preserved on YouTube!

 

[zombywoof5050]

Yes great series! It came on TV just when I started to play in bands. Very informative! Wonder what happened to those musicians? Never saw them in anything else besides that series.

How many episodes where made in total?

I never saw the musicians in anything else either, but the bass player, Henry 'King Thumb' Thomas, looks like he got around pretty well, and maybe still gives lessons (not sure how up to date this website is):
Bass Guitar Lessons in London with HENRY THOMAS | John Mizarolli

Here's the Wiki and website of the guitarist from the show, Deirdre Cartwright:
Deirdre Cartwright - Wikipedia
Deirdre Cartwright

I'm not sure if there where any more episodes than those that are on YouTube.

 

[IngloriousOz]

Bit quiet around here lately, I just put this up in case anyone is feelin' it

FT Wal Mk1

 

[Les Fret]

Bit quiet around here lately, I just put this up in case anyone is feelin' it

FT Wal Mk1

Love that white MK1! I will buy it for that price!