[quote name='walbassist' timestamp='1325272432' post='1481661']
I knew Pete for 22 years and spent many happy hours at the workshop(s) and snooker club. A genuine, lovely, talented man. I will miss him very much, but both he and Wal leave a wonderful legacy in the instruments they gave to us.
[/quote]
+1
Well said Gareth!
Like many here, i met Pete lots of times at the workshop(s) in High Wycombe starting way back in 1983 when I got my first Wal (that was a lovely bass that was..).
Stories abound about how many times he repaired, restored, upgraded and worked on so many Wals long after he and Ian Waller had first made them. And usually all that work was done for only a token payment in return. It really was lifetime customer care!
Pete and Ian respected their customers and made real friends of a lot of them and I think that's got as much to do with the amazing legacy that surrounds the instruments, as much as their uniqueness of design and tone and fantastic build quality, which of course was Pete's department..
RIP Pete.
Thank you - you did us all proud!
(P.S. if anyone hears news of the funeral and a collection, I'd be very keen to know and send something)