Wal Bass Club.

[Bass42]

Don't you forget "WAL LERS" , Bass42 is a WAL addicted guy ! And he's always trying to buy some ! If you want to sell some of your basses to pay a new home, marriage and a new car and bla bla .... do not hesitate and send a PM ! LOL ! You guys really have the best WALS i'd ever seen ! LOL

 

[Bass42]

Some pics of my Geddy Lee bass :

 

[j.kernodle]

lovely geddy there! what differences do you notice on tone between the MKI and the MKII basses?

 

[j.kernodle]

I remember when I first started playing bass I had an issue of bass player where they said one of Geddy's Wal basses got stolen. anybody remember that story, and if it ever got recovered?

 

[mikeswals]

I remember when I first started playing bass I had an issue of bass player where they said one of Geddy's Wal basses got stolen. anybody remember that story, and if it ever got recovered?

It was the little scale "Geddy" models that got stolen from Pete. He had them on display at NAMM next to some real basses he brought along.

 

[mikeswals]

what differences do you notice on tone between the MKI and the MKII basses?

None for me. *4 string wise* Electronically they're the same.

When it comes to the 5 strings, the pickups are spaced a little further apart, so there is a little more meat to the bottom, but rolling the pan knob back one notch and it sounds very much like a 4.

 

[Bass42]

lovely geddy there! what differences do you notice on tone between the MKI and the MKII basses?

In tone no so much difference, but MKII body balance is much better than MKI !

 

[zazz]

In tone no so much difference, but MKII body balance is much better than MKI !

The mkii...doesn't sit right on my knee...the cutaway is so severe that there isn't enough wood after that to make it comfortable...I don't remember the mk I having this issue since it offers a nice full curve ...both basses are fighting a slight neck dive....maybe I don't have a wal type knee?

 

[mikeswals]

The mkii...doesn't sit right on my knee...the cutaway is so severe that there isn't enough wood after that to make it comfortable...I don't remember the mk I having this issue since it offers a nice full curve ...both basses are fighting a slight neck dive....

I feel the same way. Sitting, the MkI is very comfortable, the II is not and has more neck dive with that short horn.
Standing, they're both the same for me.

 

[AndroWal]

I love my 5-string Mark IIs and am about to install Hipshot Ultralites on them to counter the neck-heaviness. This will require the small holes for the set-screws. Paul reports that if I ever switch back to the MS4s the holes will be covered and not seen.

Am I crazy to do this?

 

[Bass42]

I love my 5-string Mark IIs and am about to install Hipshot Ultralites on them to counter the neck-heaviness. This will require the small holes for the set-screws. Paul reports that if I ever switch back to the MS4s the holes will be covered and not seen.

Am I crazy to do this?

Yes ! Do not do this !

 

[Bass42]

The mkii...doesn't sit right on my knee...the cutaway is so severe that there isn't enough wood after that to make it comfortable...I don't remember the mk I having this issue since it offers a nice full curve ...both basses are fighting a slight neck dive....maybe I don't have a wal type knee?

I'm talking about stand playing !

 

[AndroWal]

Yes ! Do not do this !

Why?!

It actually would be an improvement!

Thanks for your opinion in any case!

 

[mikeswals]

I guess the question to ask yourself; is the weight issue in the body end or the headstock end?
The two 5'vers I had (or one I have in the case now), neither was headstock heavy at all, no neck dive standing. My current one is heavy in the body, so the headstock wants to point up!

Asthetically, I love the 'big ear' tuners, and I don't like the look of the Hipshots on the MkIII's.

 

[oli@bass]

NBD was on tuesday. An early pre-production Feb '86 5 string, with some early pre-model details.

Beautiful! The maple/ebony combo looks phantastic... what are the "early pre-model details"?

 

[oli@bass]

Some pics of my Geddy Lee bass :

Lovely! Is that a quilted maple top? Mine has sycamore facings.
I wonder how many "Geddy Lee" type MkII were built.

 

[AndroWal]

I guess the question to ask yourself; is the weight issue in the body end or the headstock end?
The two 5'vers I had (or one I have in the case now), neither was headstock heavy at all, no neck dive standing. My current one is heavy in the body, so the headstock wants to point up!

Asthetically, I love the 'big ear' tuners, and I don't like the look of the Hipshots on the MkIII's.

Thanks for your thoughts! Although I'm fairly decided on the switch, I thought learning fellow Wal owners' opinions would be good medicine.

Both of mine are headstock heavy. I've had them for 20 years and purchased a couple of Mark IIIs, fretted and fretless pair, due to the weight. Switching to Ultralites takes 3/4 lbs. off the headstock! Although my Mark IIs are heavy, it wouldn't be such a problem if the neck heaviness wasn't so prevalent.

There really isn't any downside unless one considers it a modification that diminishes value. This doesn't worry me. I really don't plan on selling and if I did, a buyer just has to consider the benefit gained in playability over the idea that it is a modification. Ultimately, for me, it's the playibility...these are instruments of creativity, not to be closet queens due to the discomfort of use. If I did sell and took a loss due to the switch, well in the meantime I would have enjoyed playing them that much more and would have paid for it!

 

[zazz]

Asthetically, I love the 'big ear' tuners, and I don't like the look of the Hipshots on the MkIII's.

I always thought the paddle headstock with the big ears was iconic... even if the stage was a bit dark the tell tail sign of a wal headstock silhouette was unmistakable.... Surprised they gave up on that image so easily with the new models.

 

[Bass42]

Lovely! Is that a quilted maple top? Mine has schedua facings.
I wonder how many "Geddy Lee" type MkII were built.

Birdseye maple , mahogany core, ebony fingerboard, satin black neck, gloss trans red body!

 

[oli@bass]

Birdseye maple , mahogany core, ebony fingerboard, satin black neck, gloss trans red body!

The satin black neck sounds interesting. Mine is glossy:

Sycamore facings, magahony core, ebony fretboard, black gloss neck.

(oh yeah, I like to show that off )