Wow, stunning bass. How long was the que for building to begin vs. the build time, if you don't mind sharing with us?
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I joined the waitlist in 2020, I forget which month. Got a build slot in October 2024. The original completion estimate was Q4 of 2025, I spent about 3 weeks deciding on which top and finish I wanted, and Paul didn't want to ship it during the holidays. That's why it took 15 months.
These recent builds, seems to between 4 to 5 years, probably depending on how loaded with options it is.
I ordered a Mk1 Oct 2020, arrived Apr 2025.
My buddy is local, ordered a Mk1 after I did, he got it Aug 2024, so about 4.5yrs.
I ordered a Mk1 Oct 2020, arrived Apr 2025.
My buddy is local, ordered a Mk1 after I did, he got it Aug 2024, so about 4.5yrs.
I didn’t realize that the wait time was most of the long overall time. I also didn’t realize it’s now about a 5 year time to completion.
I've finally got around to getting the electronics to Andrew's (Oddio's) Beechwood MKIII serviced. RIP my friend. I cherish that bass every time I open the case. 13 years has sped by.What's with all the "clubs" on TB lately. I guess I better start the Wal club here now so I can claim #1 for myself.
No objections? Thanks! Just what I need - more work!
If you wanna sign up you prolly better post yer piccies!
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I think I remember that Beechwood bass, and Andrew, from the old Dudepit Wal Basses Naturally message board. Lovely bass and fellow.
WalBassesNaturally was a Yahoo site, and separate from the DudePit which did have it's own Wal section (just wanted to clarify, and I'm sure you knew that). I was a member of both those sites too (I think maybe even before joining TB).
Yeah, I remember the Yahoo site too, but for some reason I thought the Dudepit Wal forum also used that name - but it's been defunct for so long that I could definitely be mistaken!
There were some fantastic folks in that forum, some of whom are still here and others that I haven't seen post in many years. I hope they're all doing well.
Many are on the facebook Wal Bass Owners of the World page
Has anyone in this club ever shipped their from America to WAL for repair ?
Any details would be appreciated.
Any details would be appreciated.
I'm not on Facebook, so I haven't been able to keep up with the folks who are only active there, but it's good to hear they're still around... Maybe if we're lucky some of them might pop in here eventually.
I have, but it's been a very long time, and many things have changed in the interim (including but not limited to Brexit, tariffs, and the shop being too busy to answer emails consistently). Back then I shipped instruments through a production company with a shipping department and a customs broker, but it was still an expensive and admin-heavy process, and it's likely only gotten worse lately.
Hopefully there's someone who's done it more recently that can chime in with more useful intel for you!
Brendan
I've sent a Mk3 body back to Wal a few years back and thought I did all necessary things - asking around and talking to customs here about how to send (which forms to fills) and not get his with any additional duty or whatever. However when it hit UK, for them to release it to Wal, they had to pay VAT, which Wal added to my final invoice. It ended up costing more than what I paid to ship the body. There is a way for Wal to avoid that, but for them its a process with filling an application, which they told me they want to avoid. Bottom line - seems booking a flight to the UK seemed to be the more cost effective / hassle free route.....
- Apr 20, 2009
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I just got an email, my build slot has come up. I added my name to the wait list in 2022 and Paul says mid- to late-2027. Hoorah!
The Club # list hasn't been updated since last May, but not much new or new-to-you instruments posted since then, so adding:
#224 Smooth Operator
#225 FenderP
#224 Smooth Operator
#225 FenderP
Hey folks, been a while since I posted. Hope everyone is doing well! Looks like there’s an absence of Wal pics on the last few pages, let’s change that 
Here’s my 2024 mk3. It’s been an amazing year+ of ownership. You guys who are awaiting the arrival of your orders are in for something special. The status these basses have achieved is certainly warranted!
Here’s my 2024 mk3. It’s been an amazing year+ of ownership. You guys who are awaiting the arrival of your orders are in for something special. The status these basses have achieved is certainly warranted! 
On the subject of repairs: if anyone in the Wal community has any preamp components left over from a repair or replacement, please reach out. One of my Wals has a filter pot with some minor static that I can't get rid of, and I'm worried that it will eventually become a bigger issue. Paul at Wal hasn't returned my emails or calls requesting to buy a replacement (understandable considering how busy the shop is), so if someone has a working pot - or a defective board that still has one working filter pot on it - I'd be glad to take it off their hands!
Cheers,
Brendan
Cheers,
Brendan
Anyone seen this one yet?
Wal Pro E1 1978 Ex John Entwistle
We are delighted to be able to present a very special bass guitar! John Entwistle's 1978 Wal Pro E1 in pristine condition. A unique item with a distinct leather scratchplate has its original hard case and even the original strings that John played included This bass was initially sold as part of...
thebassgallery.com
