Wal Bass Club.

[RedbirdGT]

Well after only 35 months (5 months past the estimate), this arrived in my inbox:

Holy shipping extortion Batman! It just shouldn't cost almost as much as a round trip plane ticket for this to go one way.

 

[Kappaless]

Well after only 35 months (5 months past the estimate), this arrived in my inbox:

View attachment 5000764

Holy shipping extortion Batman! It just shouldn't cost almost as much as a round trip plane ticket for this to go one way.

Loving this one, congratulations!

 

[Eneade]

Well after a few days, I have picked up this 1993 Mk2 from the first owner.
First Wal for me, and without playing with the filters, the sound is already awesome.

Quick shot before leaving to work :
WAL Mk2 by Eneade, sur Flickr

 

[davidak]

I am sure it has already been soved many times, but still - what strings do you use on your Wal? Gauge? Rounds or flats? And why? Thanks for your inputs!

 

[Les Fret]

I am sure it has already been soved many times, but still - what strings do you use on your Wal? Gauge? Rounds or flats? And why? Thanks for your inputs!

Never flats! A Wal can be a bit dark sounding. Flats will make that worse. Better shape the tone with the filters.

 

[Chickenwheels]

I leave these on for a year. Mk1 fretless.

 

[RedbirdGT]

Matching cover plate options are pricey, but I couldn't imagine it any other way. This is outstanding.

 

[dhagopian]

Well after only 35 months (5 months past the estimate), this arrived in my inbox:

View attachment 5000764

Holy shipping extortion Batman! It just shouldn't cost almost as much as a round trip plane ticket for this to go one way.

I'm going to have something very similar - but in 5.

 

[Kappaless]

View attachment 5001456
Matching cover plate options are pricey, but I couldn't imagine it any other way. This is outstanding.

Dude!! I’m drooling over here

 

[mikeswals]

Stunning!

But wait til you get the US Customs bill once it hits NA soil

 

[RedbirdGT]

Stunning!

But wait til you get the US Customs bill once it hits NA soil

Thank you

No big deal. A 5% duty is less than the outrageous shipping cost!

 

[rogerbmiller]

What does shipping cost if I may ask?

 

[RedbirdGT]

What does shipping cost if I may ask?

555 GBP which is just shy of $700 USD given the conversion rate + fees. That's shipping from the UK to the US.

 

[rogerbmiller]

555 GBP which is just shy of $700 USD given the conversion rate + fees. That's shipping from the UK to the US.

Wow. Guessing a good portion of that is excess insurance?

 

[RedbirdGT]

Wow. Guessing a good portion of that is excess insurance?

FedEx Insurance is $1 per $100, so somewhere in the realm of $100-$120 for insurance depending on what value was actually used. The last time I imported a bass was from the EU in late 2020. Shipping was around $400.

I looked up the fuel cost changes over the past few years:

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I imagine a roughly 1.64x increase in fuel cost over that time accounts for some of the price increase.

 

[Treeman]

I’m contemplating flying over there to pick mine up whenever it’s ready sometime next year. From those with experience- what customs costs, and any other obstacles, is one up against going that route?

 

[mikeswals]

I picked my Mk2 up as a vacation with the wifey in 2018.
British Airways would absolutely not let me bring inside the plane, and not even passed check-in! I had to leave it with the pile of golf club bags in the oversize luggage area. The only way they said I could bring it on, is if I bought my bass its own seat. But flight was fully packed, alas no extra seats available.

Once I got back to Seattle airport, Customs officer said I get $75 duty credit per person (they expect travellers to be bringing back goods), so I got $150 off my 5% duty bill. I think paid him about $175 to 200 after the deduction. Yes you pay at the Customs desk there at the airport.

Now, I've heard of people skating thru claiming as if they brought a bass on their entire trip... I don't do that, I dont have that kind of luck.

 

[mikeswals]

Well after a few days, I have picked up this 1993 Mk2 from the first owner.
First Wal for me, and without playing with the filters, the sound is already awesome.

You get Club # 198

 

[Eneade]

I did not expect a Club number, thanks !

Here are the headstock and back of the bass :

Wal Mk2 headstock by Eneade, sur Flickr

Wal Mk2 back by Eneade, sur Flickr

 

[BWorm]

Rare 1990 Wal MKII Mervyn Jefferies 4-String Bass Orange Poly 3HH # W3423 | eBay