Won the Wal pickup on ebay!!!

[SGD Lutherie]

can i get the wal sound with just some type of filter based pre like the ACG EQ-02 or do the pickups play a small part in the over all sound

The pickups play a big part. They have a distinct tonality. They are thick, yet bright sounding. The filters just shape the tone of the pickups.

As a side note on the project; I'm in the process of moving. I'm working to get current orders filled before I have to pack up the shop, and I will start getting the first multi-coil pickups made shortly after unpacking.

 

[MikeLee]

can i get the wal sound with just some type of filter based pre like the ACG EQ-02 or do the pickups play a small part in the over all sound

I'm certainly not qualified to answer the above question, but I can't believe that SGD and MPU would be putting all this effort into cloning the Wal pickup if the pickup itself didn't play a major part in the sound that so many are striving to acheive. It's my understanding mostly from reading this thread that the Wal pickups are a very unique design and construction, unlike any other pickup out there, and that "combined" with the also unique design of the Wal pre-amp is how you end up with a sound unlike any other.

 

[Munjibunga]

The real Wal pickup has a spacing of 18.64mm. My plan was to push that out to 19mm, as that seems to fit more basses.

I have plans for 4 and 5 string pickups at first. I have to make a custom car for a 6 string, unless I put it in a 5 string MM case, which is probably doable.

Hmmm ... usually the string spacing is measured at the bridge saddles. Might that third of a millimeter be to compensate for the fact that the pickup is some distance from the bridge, where the strings are closer together? Thirty-six hundredths of a millimeter is a very tiny distance.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

Hmmm ... usually the string spacing is measured at the bridge saddles. Might that third of a millimeter be to compensate for the fact that the pickup is some distance from the bridge, where the strings are closer together? thirty-six hundredths of a millimeter is a very tiny distance.

Probably. I don't know what the spacing at the bridge is on Wal basses. However, they are closer together than what you find on a Jazz or Musicman pickup, so the string spacing must be tighter.

And this is why I use blades on my pickups!

 

[Bassragerstitch]

cool thx i'm starting a project i just ordered the neck, and im gonna go for the wal style pickups and electronics.
would the acg eq 02 or the new eq 03 be a good fit for your pickups SGD Lutherie ? i know your working on a filter preamp how does yours compare to the acg unit ?

 

[Jared Lash]

can i get the wal sound with just some type of filter based pre like the ACG EQ-02 or do the pickups play a small part in the over all sound

The pickups play a LARGE part in the Wal sound.

I absolutely love the ACG/East filter preamp but alone it will NOT get you the Wal tone.

And while I think the Wal pickups run passive would get you closer to the Wal sound than a filter preamp with another type of pickup, I also think the filter preamp plays a sizable part as well.

 

[Toolmybass]

As a side note on the project; I'm in the process of moving. I'm working to get current orders filled before I have to pack up the shop, and I will start getting the first multi-coil pickups made shortly after unpacking.

Hi David

About 4 weeks ago when asked about being "ready" to sell these pickups you stated

"So this should be happening in the next 5-6 weeks."

So was wondering if your move has post-poned this estimate, or can you take orders for delivery based on the initial 5-6 weeks

Tnx
Dean

 

[SGD Lutherie]

Hi David

About 4 weeks ago when asked about being "ready" to sell these pickups you stated

"So this should be happening in the next 5-6 weeks."

So was wondering if your move has post-poned this estimate, or can you take orders for delivery based on the initial 5-6 weeks

Tnx
Dean

Yes, my move has postponed things a bit. The move was unexpected, so when I made that statement I wasn't planning on moving.

But I will be set up for operation again by the end of the first week of May, and will be starting to build some of these pickups. When I have the manufacturing bugs worked out (assuming there are some) then I will start taking orders.

 

[Toolmybass]

Yes, my move has postponed things a bit. The move was unexpected, so when I made that statement I wasn't planning on moving.

But I will be set up for operation again by the end of the first week of May, and will be starting to build some of these pickups. When I have the manufacturing bugs worked out (assuming there are some) then I will start taking orders.

SWEEEEET!

 

[Bassragerstitch]

ok since im picking everybodys brain i know the wal basses have a 4 knob lay out, what was the control lay out ?

 

[mikeswals]

Probably. I don't know what the spacing at the bridge is on Wal basses. However, they are closer together than what you find on a Jazz or Musicman pickup, so the string spacing must be tighter.

You are correct. They are tighter spaced than those more familiar basses. To me, the Wal 4 is spaced more like a Ric.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

ok since im picking everybodys brain i know the wal basses have a 4 knob lay out, what was the control lay out ?

From:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Control Functions

Volume Knob: rotary adjustment of output volume, pull to actuate pick-attack. A narrow band of high frequencies is added to the overall tone-setting to provide dynamic, percussive attack.

Both overall output level and pick-attack level are trimmable from inside the bass.

Pick-up Mixing Knob:- This silently mixes the levels of the pre-EQ’d pick-ups to any desire ratio whilst keeping the combined output level constant.

Tone-Knobs:- These operate electronic, low pass filters whose roll-off frequencies vary with the position of the control. Fully clockwise at 10, the spectrum is full and flat. As the controls are backed off, the spectrums of the appropriate pick-ups are foreshortened. (Roll-off 12dB/Octave).

The dominant tone character varies, therefore, throughout the entire range of control. Pulling-up the knob produces a quasi-parametric boost of about 10dB to the harmonics which lie at or near the roll-off frequency set by the rotary position.

This provides the characteristic ‘active’ sounds so popular today, without the clinical quality common to many circuits. By using the pan mixer like a master tone control, in conjunction with the pick-up controls, an endless range of subtle tones and dynamic effects can be created, with or without the pick attack. On left-hand models all rotary functions are reversed to right-hand.

 

[Bassragerstitch]

lol wow how could i have not seen that ... well any way im pretty stoked about this project im starting the neck should be here today next is a jazz style body unless i get bold and make a copy of my aria sb bass body.

 

[MikeLee]

Yes, my move has postponed things a bit. The move was unexpected, so when I made that statement I wasn't planning on moving.

But I will be set up for operation again by the end of the first week of May, and will be starting to build some of these pickups. When I have the manufacturing bugs worked out (assuming there are some) then I will start taking orders.

EXCELLENT!!!

Will you be updating your web site with the specs and hopefully some sound samples by the time your ready to start taking orders?

 

[SGD Lutherie]

EXCELLENT!!!

Will you be updating your web site with the specs and hopefully some sound samples by the time your ready to start taking orders?

Yes.

 

[Stealth]

Pulling-up the knob produces a quasi-parametric boost of about 10dB to the harmonics which lie at or near the roll-off frequency set by the rotary position.

So, wait, in a Wal circuit, pulling up the knob changes it so the resonant peak becomes prominent, as opposed to the "cloned Alembic" SVF which has a dedicated pot for it? Or, rather, with the Wal, is the "pick attack" trimpot bypassed until the knob is pulled?

 

[SGD Lutherie]

So, wait, in a Wal circuit, pulling up the knob changes it so the resonant peak becomes prominent, as opposed to the "cloned Alembic" SVF which has a dedicated pot for it? Or, rather, with the Wal, is the "pick attack" trimpot bypassed until the knob is pulled?

Pulling up on a filter knob increases the resonance of the filter, so yes, it's like an Alembic without the Q knob.

The Pick Attack is engaged by pulling up on the volume knob.

 

[Oreomeister365]

I dont suppose you know the specific frequency that the filters on the wal cut off at? Or the Frequency that pick attack is boosting?

From my experience with a filter preamp, the cutoff point is a pretty significant factor in determining the overall tone, so if you were to make a clone...

 

[LowB-ing]

The frequency is variable. Thats what the filter knobs are for. Or are you asking about the min and max frequencies?

I think I vaguely remember reading some Wal documentation way back that said the pick attack was around 2kHz, but take that with the huge grain of salt appropriate for very vague memories.

 

[mikezimmerman]

The frequency is variable. Thats what the filter knobs are for. Or are you asking about the min and max frequencies?

I think I vaguely remember reading some Wal documentation way back that said the pick attack was around 2kHz, but take that with the huge grain of salt appropriate for very vague memories.

To my ears, the pick attack sounds a LOT higher than 2kHz -- more like 10kHz, I'd think. But while I remember seeing frequency specs somewhere as well, darned if I can recall where it was or exactly what they were.