mikeswals

Steve, you arent imagining it from the old days. I have a '86 5 string which indeed has a clubby neck, and I also got two new Mk3 5 strings delivered in 2016 with specified neck profiles. Looking at those specs you posted are the current 5 specs, then it looks like Paul has slimmed the neck a hair since he a few years ago. In early 2015 when I ordered mine he said the thickness at the 2nd fret was 23mm. I went with a thickness of 21 and less of a V shape. So if he changed the standard to 21.9, isnt bad! I've been contemplating sending my '86 neck in for a refret and knock down the V to bring it to 21mm as well, but the frets are still in good shape. As for 4 string necks; I've had two new ones, and I really feel Paul's 4 string profile is slimmer than my old Wals. My last Mk1 ('86) was really chunky.

I'll pile on to say 'wow', very nice bass you got. I like the color. Yup looks to be made after '89. The only control that doesnt have a pull up feature is the mixer pot. If one of your tone pots isnt pulling, then its stuck, which certainly can happen. I freed one of mine up by removing the knob up top and dribbling a tiny bit of Deoxit on a toothpick and carefully channeling a couple of drips down the shaft, reinstall the knob and work it in. As for the eq controls, my normal playing style is leaving the knobs down 99% of the time, just filter off high end a couple of notches. I only pull up when I want something pretty extreme...my Mesa amps are very bright as-is, so very rarely do I go looking for more trebly.

Stu, in the main forum menu there is the gear porn section. In there, there are dedicated pages, one of which is a Wal only page. You may just want to move your unveiling there since thats where 'we' are easiest found.

Well as a U.S. Wal'er I have no idea what a "boot sale" is you all are talking about! I havent heard of anyone over here missing a Wal. But like the others have said, just dont post the serial, but do let us see this bass you found!

Very nice bass you got there. I for one love the gloss poly finishes on Wals. It's tough as nails compared to the standard thin satin. But oops, looks like one of the brass nut inserts stuck to the control plate on you!

[quote name='medpb' timestamp='1507935774' post='3388960'] Slugs..... I've never even noticed that. What's the story around grubs & slugs? [/quote] Dean's very late maple Mk2 also has the slugs. I wonder of Pete was running out of supplies by the end?

[quote name='medpb' timestamp='1504782053' post='3367247'] Your right you dont actually! It was one of Petes few last basses too, very sad. He put the Mk3 neck joint on for me as well. Killer bass ! [/quote] So being near the end, does your maple Mk2 have adjustable pickup poles, or does it have domed slugs?

get a section of rug and lay it over your cable

I honestly only like the 2eq StingRays, have owned a ton of them. Once I find where I like the eq settings of the StingRay, I unscrew the knobs and carefully reposition the knobs (including the volume knob) so all the grub screws are facing straight up. Since there is no detents, the grub screw facing up indicates where 'home' is for me at a glance, or in case a knob gets bumped.

Wal's new website is up now! http://walbasses.co.uk/ And both of Rob's sixers are pictured there.

They are not multi coils, and the pickup placement on the Warwick is totally different than where they would be on a Wal. As Wolverine mentioned, JC had loaned his greenburst Mk3 as the test mule for these, and quite frankly they didn't sound like Wal pickups...I had people mad at me for saying that (including Mr Nordy himself).

[quote name='Spoombung' timestamp='1499000366' post='3328449'] I'd certainly like to visit but I think that Mk3 demo bass you refer to was sold last year. [/quote] There was more like three unsold Mk3 four strings he had done since that one last year. The one amazing one was purpleheart faced. When word gets out, they get nabbed.

[quote name='Spoombung' timestamp='1498823439' post='3327326'] I'm still waiting to try a Mk3. One day! I've heard good things about them. The Mk1 shape never sat comfortably on the lap: it was chronically unbalanced with neck dive and the temptation was to drag it towards you and attempt to pivot it on the lower horn to prevent it happening - but that didn't work so you'd have to lift up the neck while playingor lean on the upper bout to raise the angle. The best sounding bass in the world with one of the worst ergonomic body designs. Never understood that. [/quote] Have you visited the shop? Paul seems to have a few lately to test. Seemed like I heard he had a Mk3 4 string one can check out. The Mk3 balances best, especially on my lap. I can let go of mine with both hands and it will stay balanced on my lap on its own!

Yes, Paul makes them lighter! Yes I can see that 5kg = 11.02 lbs, yup that's rather heavy. My three Paul era Mk3's: the maple 4 string; 8.6 lbs = 3.92kg the silver 5 string; 9.9 lbs = 4.49kg the purple5 string; 10.0 lbs = 4.55kg

[quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1498135968' post='3322721'] If I was ever lucky enough to have the choice, it'd be a 4 string mk1 for me. Just so I could sound like this, listen to how good this sounds (especially the chorus): [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaEN4katH0k&list=PLGIYNBxcSZ3uo0Dv4GUoVf-4yKXu7xmKT[/media] EDIT just to say if someone could let me know how to sound like this without buying a Wal I'd be ever so grateful [/quote] Greg Edwards of Failure was the main reason for me to go down this path. In a heavy rock setting just hearing how clear every note is even when strumming chords, no mud, and that natural gritty grind. I wanted the same bass that could speak that clearly. (Failure is also why I chose silver on my Mk3)

I have several. I recently sold off my last Mk1 (that black one). I love all Wals, but the MK2 and Mk3 are both way more comfortable. The Mk1 believe it or not requires a longer stretch in the first position. [IMG]http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/Negative7bass/16403323_10212307153580771_129602906646382605_o_zpsguqdfgpd.jpg[/IMG]

Fantastic. Love the black neck on maple.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1490600553' post='3266178'] I was asking Paul about the trans gloss finishes and he said they were almost exclusively for you guys on that side of the pond... The standard of finishing is exquisite, I think I may be tempted by a trans finish on a future build. [/quote] If I must be brutally honest on why I order gloss, is because I hate the way the thin standard finish wears off and is easy to break through. I'll buy used Wals that to me just have unsightly and sometimes weird wear patches. The gloss finished ones barely need a polishing. But "serial offenders", ha! Now that's funny!

Nice, love the way the Pro's look in sunburst!

Yup they sound very different, I've had a few of both. The SR5HH was smoother, can have more of a scoopy tone. The L2500 has way higher output and is all attack and sustain.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1490511593' post='3265530'] Lovely You got any being built at the moment? [/quote] Yes, a 4 string Mk2 in trans red gloss. probably done around Aug of '18.