Wal Bass Club.

[bbocaner]

Fingerboard looks rather 'rosewoody', or is it the combination of strings, walnut facings and light?

Not every piece of ebony is uniformly jet black. In fact, most of them aren't. Seeing as ebony is on the 'critically endangered' list, it's responsible to not be super choosy about it being just so.

 

[kulit17]

Fingerboard looks rather 'rosewoody', or is it the combination of strings, walnut facings and light?

These angles better??

 

[mikeswals]

Not every piece of ebony is uniformly jet black. In fact, most of them aren't. Seeing as ebony is on the 'critically endangered' list, it's responsible to not be super choosy about it being just so.

Exactly! And availability seems to be getting less and less of void free jet black as the years go by. My 2010 has jet black so did the '09 I had before it. But all of my newer ones have faint streaks of some kind.

 

[TonyT]

@kulit17 - Beautilicious!

 

[bbocaner]

I'm just glad we can still get ebony at all, seeing as there isn't a perfect substitute, especially where fretless instruments are concerned. Some of the more variegated pieces are actually quite beautiful! You could also (and some luthiers do) stain them with a dark stain to make them more uniform.

 

[Gordykeefers]

I asked this question in the Tool tone thread, and figured I'd ask it here also: For those of you playing Tool, what sort of balance between bridge and neck pickups do you use?

 

[KoaFodera]

While on the topic of Tool, I know JC uses a ton of effects but are most MK ll owners able to replicate Justin's tone or is it hit and miss with the bass you get?

Troy owned this red Wal for a while and it too has awesome tone:

 

[LowEndHum]

While on the topic of Tool, I know JC uses a ton of effects but are most MK ll owners able to replicate Justin's tone or is it hit and miss with the bass you get?

I was able to get a JC-like tone with my MIDI Mk2, the zebrawood Mk2 not so much. Might be because it's got stainless steel frets, it's got more zing. A very awesome aggressive tone that bass has.

 

[LowEndHum]

Also, I ordered my bass with ebony stringers in the neck as well as the ebony fretboard for the aesthetic. Does anyone happen to think the ebony stringers will make the neck more stable than the mahogany strips? I just had this thought but I'm sure it will not make a difference.

 

[21DaHoagie12]

New to this club, but I must make post here. Today I got my email from Paul including my spec sheet for my very first Wal order. I know I'll be waiting quite a while but at least I know I'll be getting exactly what I want. Want to give a shout out to @kulit17 for answering a bunch of questions for me and giving me some good tips on ordering direct and for searching the used market, much appreciated sir! Very excited to finally be one step closer to a Wal

 

[KoaFodera]

New to this club, but I must make post here. Today I got my email from Paul including my spec sheet for my very first Wal order. I know I'll be waiting quite a while but at least I know I'll be getting exactly what I want. Want to give a shout out to @kulit17 for answering a bunch of questions for me and giving me some good tips on ordering direct and for searching the used market, much appreciated sir! Very excited to finally be one step closer to a Wal

Congrats on taking the plunge. Spec's? 36 months for new orders will go by faster than you think. I'm down to 2 months now, having made my final payment yesterday.

 

[21DaHoagie12]

Congrats on taking the plunge. Spec's? 36 months for new orders will go by faster than you think. I'm down to 2 months now, having made my final payment yesterday.

currently interested in a 5-string mk3, debating between a quilted/flamed maple facings with a paduak-esque red auburn tint over it, or perhaps burled redwood facing. I'm going for the mk3 shape to cut down a little on weight for my back issues (got hit by a car a few years ago), and I'll be discussing with Paul some various potentials for perhaps a lighter wood than mahogany for the core, but with a similar tonal response. I see the discussion about the ebony fretboards, I was debating between just sticking with rosewood or going with perhaps macassar ebony as I actually really like those vibrant streaks in the wood. So many ideas are going through my head right now, but definitely leaning towards a more natural boutique looking finish. "the sound of electric wood" should come from an instrument that flaunts and exemplifies the exquisite woods used, or at least that's how I feel.

 

[LowEndHum]

FYI my January spec sheet say 43 months, which is nearly 3 1/2 years. It's getting much longer.

 

[rogerbmiller]

FYI my January spec sheet say 43 months, which is nearly 3 1/2 years. It's getting much longer.

I hope Paul can find a way to shorten this as 43 months is insane. At their worst, Fodera’s wait was 39 months. They have that down to 5 months now.

If Wal’s wait time is 43 months it feels like some people may never get their orders. It was 33 months just a few months ago. Which makes it feel like it will be 50 mos in no time.

Granted, COVID must be making things harder but with such a long wait it would seem that there is enough demand to justify investment into people or machines to shorten the wait.

 

[KoaFodera]

currently interested in a 5-string mk3, debating between a quilted/flamed maple facings with a paduak-esque red auburn tint over it, or perhaps burled redwood facing. I'm going for the mk3 shape to cut down a little on weight for my back issues (got hit by a car a few years ago), and I'll be discussing with Paul some various potentials for perhaps a lighter wood than mahogany for the core, but with a similar tonal response. I see the discussion about the ebony fretboards, I was debating between just sticking with rosewood or going with perhaps macassar ebony as I actually really like those vibrant streaks in the wood. So many ideas are going through my head right now, but definitely leaning towards a more natural boutique looking finish. "the sound of electric wood" should come from an instrument that flaunts and exemplifies the exquisite woods used, or at least that's how I feel.

Maybe Paul will be open to chambering the Mahogany body, keeping the core tone of a Wal. Rosewood on the f/b will save weight as Ebony is very dense. American Redwood has a typical density of 28 lb/ ft3, Claro Walnut at 30 lb/ft3. Both of these woods can offer stunning tops. If weight is a concern, stay away from Shedua facings. Maple can vary btw 39 and 47 lb/ft3 so not light either.

Paul will be your best resource so work with him on your concerns. Enjoy the journey!

 

[Toolmybass]

I'm just glad we can still get ebony at all, seeing as there isn't a perfect substitute, especially where fretless instruments are concerned. Some of the more variegated pieces are actually quite beautiful! You could also (and some luthiers do) stain them with a dark stain to make them more uniform.

I have acess to hoards of Fb's at an exotic woods place in my town. If anyone is stuck.

 

[mikeswals]

I'm going for the mk3 shape to cut down a little on weight for my back issues

Defintely talk to Paul about your weight limitations. He can certainly build pretty light to how ever hefty you want.

I have two 2016 Mk3 5 strings. I told him I wanted a target weight of 10 lbs. The maple faced one is 10.0 lbs on the dot. The silver painted one with a solid mahogany body is 9.9 lbs.

 

[kulit17]

@

New to this club, but I must make post here. Today I got my email from Paul including my spec sheet for my very first Wal order. I know I'll be waiting quite a while but at least I know I'll be getting exactly what I want. Want to give a shout out to @kulit17 for answering a bunch of questions for me and giving me some good tips on ordering direct and for searching the used market, much appreciated sir! Very excited to finally be one step closer to a Wal

awesome sauce! its a long journey, but its totally worth it. if weight is something you want Paul to pay attention to, let him know your target weight so he can note it down on the spec sheet. Also if you have any preferences as far as alternate neck profile or nut width. just make any options or different specs you want him to do, that its on the spec sheet or else it would missed. Since its a long wait, your ideas or wants may change in between, so just make sure the spec sheets are updated each time.

funny i had a custom build spec'd out back in 2017 for a build working around an extra Pro pickup I aqquired that was quoted initially for 22 months, but after alot of back and forths/and other things happening in between it stretched out unfortunately. Just recently I was told it would be done in March/April which would make my build at 43-44 months.......so the current wait time is doable lol!

AND its pretty cool when you FINALLY get to see this picture though!!!

 

[mikeswals]

I was able to get a JC-like tone with my MIDI Mk2, the zebrawood Mk2 not so much.

Its all in the setup. Pickup height has everything to do with a grindier Wal sound, so if you left your new bass at factory settings its going to sound mellower.

 

[LowEndHum]

@


awesome sauce! its a long journey, but its totally worth it. if weight is something you want Paul to pay attention to, let him know your target weight so he can note it down on the spec sheet. Also if you have any preferences as far as alternate neck profile or nut width. just make any options or different specs you want him to do, that its on the spec sheet or else it would missed. Since its a long wait, your ideas or wants may change in between, so just make sure the spec sheets are updated each time.

funny i had a custom build spec'd out back in 2017 for a build working around an extra Pro pickup I aqquired that was quoted initially for 22 months, but after alot of back and forths/and other things happening in between it stretched out unfortunately. Just recently I was told it would be done in March/April which would make my build at 43-44 months.......so the current wait time is doable lol!

AND its pretty cool when you FINALLY get to see this picture though!!!


View attachment 4161549

Wow no contour cut on the body? The wood looks amazing.