Wal Bass Club.

[Dyerseve14]

I’ve got just one Wal but have been lucky enough to try some lovely basses. The Wal is my number one though, which is why it takes centre-stage in this (self-satisfied, sorry!) shot. Paul very kindly gave it the thorough once over at the start of 2023 (and sportingly posed for a photo). I couldn’t be happier with any instrument.

I’ll be taking some more photos of it soon and I’ll be aiming to capture the amazing, almost metallic glint (that I’m reliably informed is chatoyance). It’s an absolute beast though. Thanks to @Dyerseve14 for making it possible too!

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Apologies to all those on this thread that have been getting likes on years old posts as I worked my way through it in 2023.

Happy New Years to all, and may we see more Wals!

Awesome collection mate! Happy to help mate - there is another member here who is shortly joining that clique...
I really love the look of that Smith and will definitely have to try one one day.
In the mean time, here is so more fretless Wal porn from my '86 - just because...

and because we all love those old Wal cases so much...

 

[JeffCullen]

Whoever is going to pay that is just silly or has a money tree in his garden in my opinion. As much as I love Wals, they are just not worth that. Or any other bass for that matter.

What can I say?

You only turn 40 and decide to get yourself your life-long ultimate dream bass once. IF the order book was open, I'd be waiting 4-5 years. There's a non-zero chance Paul never opens the order book again. If that happens, this is going to look like a bargain. It's the most expensive thing I've ever bought that isn't real estate. I work my nuts off and life is short.

If you can find a nicer example in this spec for less, buy it!

 

[Les Fret]

What can I say?

You only turn 40 and decide to get yourself your life-long ultimate dream bass once. IF the order book was open, I'd be waiting 4-5 years. There's a non-zero chance Paul never opens the order book again. If that happens, this is going to look like a bargain. It's the most expensive thing I've ever bought that isn't real estate. I work my nuts off and life is short.

If you can find a nicer example in this spec for less, buy it!

There is something to say for that and everyone should do what they please and yes life is short. But there is a limit to what I am willing to pay for any electric bass. I just don’t think they are really worth that much cash. It’s just out of proportion and getting way out of hand. You pay more for the mojo and the Wal name these days than anything else. Just like with old Fenders and some other overly expensive boutique basses.

But hey, I already have three Wals so that’s easy to talk.

So you bought the black Wal mk1 for 20.000?

 

[JeffCullen]

There is something to say for that and everyone should do what they please and yes life is short. But there is a limit to what I am willing to pay for any electric bass. I just don’t think they are really worth that much cash. It’s just out of proportion and getting way out of hand. You pay more for the mojo and the Wal name these days than anything else. Just like with old Fenders and some other expensive boutique basses.

I guess I found the limit of what *I* am willing to pay for an electric bass!

With my luck, this'll be the top of the Wal market and the shares I sold to pay for it will start skyrocketing! Oh well -- this is a lot more fun than numbers on a screen.

Logically, I get it -- the real cost of materials and workmanship doesn't hold a candle to to present values... but have you ever worked on and driven classic E-Type Jags? Good lord... and how about Paul Newman Daytonas? Madness!

But hey, I already have three Wals so that’s easy to talk.

Indeed! ;P I can't afford a detached house in Vancouver, either... yet I know folks who own several. Should have been born 10 years earlier

So you bought the black Wal mk1 for 20.000?

Not quite $20k. You can look at the final price on the ad.

 

[Les Fret]

Not quite $20k. You can look at the final price on the ad.

16.500, that the highest price I have seen someone pay for a Wal! The seller is lucky. But maybe not so lucky because he lost that Wal

I just hope it’s worth it for you. That’s all that matters. And that you play the hack out of it.

 

[JeffCullen]

16.500, that the highest prices I have seen someone pay for a Wal! The seller is lucky. But maybe not so lucky because he lost that Wal

You should see how many Canadian pesos I'll be out once it's actually home in my hands...

I just hope it’s worth it for you. That’s all that matters.

Thank you! I've wanted one for 25 years. They were always just a bit out of reach, then the pandemic hit and values took off just as I was getting to a place in life where I could justify the spend. I had pretty much resigned myself to never getting one... but this came up -- my dream spec in excellent condition -- and I realized I'm going to enjoy having the best 40th birthday present I could possibly imagine a LOT more than I'll miss the money. Besides, I could get hit by a bus tomorrow...

And that you play the hack out of it.

ABSOLUTELY!

 

[ModuMan]

I think there's something to be said for checking *that* off the list. It's a ton of money but even a "cheap" one is a ton of money. You'll make more money. It will be a long time before you see another one like that come along.

I'm a few years ahead of you (not that many!) and I'm at the point where I need to start trimming down the collection and... well, let's call it curating. I want to keep the really good stuff and divest myself of the ones that don't have a special place. Also, they can help pay for the good stuff yet to come.

 

[JeffCullen]

I think there's something to be said for checking *that* off the list. It's a ton of money but even a "cheap" one is a ton of money. You'll make more money. It will be a long time before you see another one like that come along.

Thank you! I feel the same way. Knew I'd be kicking myself if I let this one slip away...

I'm a few years ahead of you (not that many!) and I'm at the point where I need to start trimming down the collection and... well, let's call it curating. I want to keep the really good stuff and divest myself of the ones that don't have a special place. Also, they can help pay for the good stuff yet to come.

I hear you! I keep telling myself every time a new one comes along, I'll send something else on down the road... it's not going well. On the bright side, I'm still in the single digits! Godspeed to you sir!

 

[Les Fret]

I'm a few years ahead of you (not that many!) and I'm at the point where I need to start trimming down the collection and... well, let's call it curating. I want to keep the really good stuff and divest myself of the ones that don't have a special place. Also, they can help pay for the good stuff yet to come.

My house is getting too full with instruments too (also guitars and sitars). I had to move some instruments upstairs already. So that’s holding me back to buy any more new basses or guitars. Plus the fact that I have everything already. All the ones I have now are special to me and I use all of them for a different purpose and I can not sell any because of that. Getting a full house is the best remedy for GAS!

 

[bassballs27]

Morning everyone!

How about we start off the day with some Wal pictures…

My new 2020 Wal MK2 Fretless 5 string!!!

Walnut facings, Satin Finish, and edge markings! Love it! Brings me back to my first ever Wal experience which was a 1987 Wal MK2 fretless conversion.

Special thanks to Dyerseve14 as we worked together to bring this over to North America.

Most interesting feature is that the front facing has “eyes” or “knots” similar to my former Wal MK2 5er I called “Gmork”.

 

[djaxup]

what a beauty! I love those eyes in the figuring.

 

[Les Fret]

Nice wood grain! Love those side lines. I prefer these over side dots. Much more easy and accurate for your intonation. Almost as easy as fret lines.

 

[bassballs27]

Nice wood grain! Love those side lines. I prefer these over side dots. Much more easy and accurate for your intonation. Almost as easy as fret lines.

Yeah, it’s a great compromise to fret lines.
It’s better if you’re not looking at the fingerboard and facing your audience!
I guess the edge markers or fret lines are more for practice or if that’s how you’re used to playing.

I had a 3/4 upright for a little while and loved it, just didn’t have the room to keep it and had to sell it. It’s interesting how you get used to the hand formation for playing when you don’t have frets. And the intonation gets more forgiving since 3/4 is what 42” scale? Makes the conversation on 34” Vs 35” more interesting.

Even with frets, training yourself not to look at the neck and finding the notes is quite rewarding but takes practice and commitment.

 

[syntap]

Even with frets, training yourself not to look at the neck and finding the notes is quite rewarding but takes practice and commitment.

My first fretless was unlined with dots, I trained myself to not look at the board by practicing in the dark.

My only lined fretless has the side dots where they'd be on a fretted bass. When looking down my brain can't handle it and I rarely play it. I tried "correcting" the dot location with stickers but it didn't really help things, the only reason I keep it is because it's my only fretless 5 string, but it will probably go to make room for my upcoming Wal delivery.

 

[Les Fret]

Yeah, it’s a great compromise to fret lines.
It’s better if you’re not looking at the fingerboard and facing your audience!
I guess the edge markers or fret lines are more for practice or if that’s how you’re used to playing.

I had a 3/4 upright for a little while and loved it, just didn’t have the room to keep it and had to sell it. It’s interesting how you get used to the hand formation for playing when you don’t have frets. And the intonation gets more forgiving since 3/4 is what 42” scale? Makes the conversation on 34” Vs 35” more interesting.

Even with frets, training yourself not to look at the neck and finding the notes is quite rewarding but takes practice and commitment.

Alk great and famous fretless players look at their neck…

 

[WG Plum]

Not this again....

 

[Les Fret]

Not this again....

Indeed. Better discuss that somewhere else. It has been beaten to death anyway on this forum.

 

[syntap]

Will it be okay to post a pic of my fretless Wal when I get it, or will that introduce too much risk of drawing out a non-Wal-specific thought here?

At least I didn't order a lefty bass plus fretless.

 

[Chickenwheels]

Not this again....

Well, it is interesting, especially to players daunted by fretless.
My girls are both learning piano. Their natural instinct is to look at their hands when they play. If I cover their hands so they can’t they actually play better! Why confuse your brain by focusing on something that distracts? Sure, a quick glance for position is always needed, but training your ears not your eyes is ultimately better. Do I sound like a preaching Double Bassist lol?!

 

[WG Plum]

Yes.