silverfoxnik

Very nice & compact set up!! The Peavey bass looks really good - how does it sound? I've always liked that P/J pick up configuration...

[quote name='MB1' post='254395' date='Aug 4 2008, 01:51 PM']MB1. Get this bought Matt! [/quote] +1 Thanks for the pics, Matt..

[quote name='walbassist' post='253834' date='Aug 3 2008, 06:29 PM']Also, one important thing to remember is a lot of the electronics that went into these Wals are now no longer available, so should the bass break down it could be a big issue for the owner. Cheers Gareth[/quote] +1 And as WalMan said, [i]"If you can negotiate a price you are both happy with in the suggested ballpark I would say go for it if you can."[/i] It certainly won't go down in value and it could well increase over time.. More than that though is the fact that it's a great bass!

[quote name='bassplace' post='254059' date='Aug 4 2008, 02:02 AM']I've never had a custom, (although mine does have "Custom" on the headstock), but I had a ProI passive fretless for a while. It had an amazing amount of tight low end for just having a single bridge pick up. I couldn't get used to it not having the neck pickup to rest my thumb on. That and I was so good without frets! I'm getting the urge to try fretless again though.[/quote] That is gorgeous!! When I looked at it in your avatar, I thought it was a custom.... Fabulous looking bass!

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='254085' date='Aug 4 2008, 08:33 AM']Where was that then? Got a link? In principle, fair point but my experience differs from his. I don't think he has a very well structured argument.[/quote] This is a fascinating thread! CK; I think I'm in agreement with you and the doctor_of_the_bass on this one. All of the successful and respected luthiers out there have used the different methods - solid body, ,multi-laminates, neck-through, bolt-on etc, etc - when constructing their basses over the years to try to make the best instruments they possibly can. If they all 'buy-in' to the idea of 'tonewoods, then who are we to disagree? When I had my first Wal Custon built in 1983, Pete 'the fish' Stevens who founded the company with Ian Waller, told me how they would spend considerable time matching up different bodies with different necks until they got a match where the bass would literally 'sing'. Given that the Wal necks were all made the same but the bodies had a mahogany core with different tonewood facings, then as far as Wal Basses were concerned, there was definitely a value in the mixing and matching of different woods.. Having said that, I'm not a fan of multi-laminate basses but I definitely think the principles of using 'tonewoods' is 'sound' (no pun intended ). Ultimately, isn't the debate all a bit academic; especially when we get so ultra-analytical over an issue like this because we all hear things so differently anyway?? So even if was possible to absolutely prove the merits of one method of bass construction over another, chances are we'd all disagee on which sounds the best!!

[quote name='BassManKev' post='253808' date='Aug 3 2008, 05:26 PM']surely, this being a wal bass, its £2k+?[/quote] Maybe if it was one of the 'leather scratchplate' models, of which only 24 or 25 were made.. Otherwise, I don't think so. In fact, GAK recently sold a Custom Wal for around £1100/£1200 to someone here on Basschat, so that gives you some idea of where the market is at. Admittedly, they took it in under the pretext that it was a Pro model, but then that's their loss because they should have done their homework and priced it accordingly as a Custom Wal.. Though on a personal note, it's great to see the customer win out for once!

[quote name='Delberthot' post='253582' date='Aug 3 2008, 01:19 AM']Very good sounding, easy to operate amps. None of your 30 band active eq nonsense. The inherent sound is so good that I have most settings around the flat position.[/quote] +1 I used mine pretty much that way too.. Just a bit of bass e.q. a tweak on the contour control and some of the 'boost'! I'm getting all nostalgic now...

[quote name='overwater#1' post='253766' date='Aug 3 2008, 04:23 PM']But first.. a brief description... The bass has a few chips hear and there, mainly, two one the upper horn when the bass was knocked on a gig once by a lighting techie (bastard!!!!!!) with a spot light or something. Theres obviously a few other indentations around the lower of the instrument, the usual stuff, as the bass was gigged regularly back when it was new I hear. My friend has owned it since new, has all the original documentation, original case and accesories.. everything! The bass is completely original, absolubtly no after market parts, absolubtly spot on original. Although, one of the screws on the rear of one machinehead, the central one, has been replaced with a none standard screw.. I do also find the recessed jack socket a pain, as I had to go out and buy a new lead to fit in it, as my leads all have neutrik ends. Hence the cheap black cable in the picture.. I believe the bass to be in stunning condition, with some mojo added, by the odd ding and the chip from that bastard techie guy.. I will get pictures up soon, as I wish to share some of its beauty with you guys, its so sweeet! the serial number is P.B.12** If some of you Wal connoisseurs and nuts, and anyone else could comment, id like to get a realistic value of the bass, as I might even think of buying it... haha!! Seriously.. a figure would be good though, but for now I have it in my posession, and have been using it a fair bit.. although, it needs two more strings ideally. Many many thanks all!! Pics soon.. dont get impatient! All the very best, Matt [/quote] Hi Matt, Lucky you!! Looking at the Wal database (http://www4.cs.fau.de/~koesters/Privat/Wal/walspec.html) it appears to be a '78 model. Ten years ago. a passive one of these in sunburst was for sale in the Bass Cellar in Denmark Street for £1200. Obviously, shop prices are inflated but given this is the active version and it has the original parts (case, case candy etc..) and it's generally in very good condition.. So I think that privately it could fetch between £1200 & £1500. Mine wasn't that much but the sunburst ones are much more 'desirable' I think... Two years ago there was one like this on the old Bassworld for £1000 which went to the States IIRC. However, getting such a price would be dependent on any potential buyer specifically wanting a Pro model as opposed to a Custom and realising that they are pretty hard to come by! Maybe an an Ebay auction could push that figure but times being what they are, I'm not so sure? If I had the money to spend and I could acquire one like it for a grand, then I'd consider myself lucky! Perhaps some of the other Wal Pro owners like WalMan, Rich and Mgauction will chip in with some words of wisdom in order to help you decide to buy it. You know you want to!

I think that apart from a few unusual brands, vintage or rare basses, most basses prices are dropping at the moment. Though quite why Warwick & MM seem to suffering more than most, I'm not sure? It could be because there's a lot of them around and there is more choice...

[quote](bassplace @ Aug 2 2008, 08:02 PM) Trevor's site is a great compilation. All sorts of good stuff on the unusual Wals. I think I've seen pics of at least a couple of your Wals. My ProIIe can be both tough as nails and a little fragile at times. The electronics tend to come a bit loose after use so I have to go in a tighten things up, mainly the input jack. I don't gig much so I'm not afraid to use it though. I'm also amazed at the tone and feel every time I pick mine up. It the same as the first time I picked it up. It's also nice to have a variety of basses and to be able to come back to it. dunc[/quote] +1 I'm not in the position now of having a custom as well as a ProII, but for a while I did and I always enjoyed playing the Pro model more than the Custom which used to baffle me?? In the end, I decided that having the scratchplate made the difference to me as it makes the gap between the strings and the body of the bass smaller, which I find more comfortable when playing.. My dream was always to get a Custom 5 Mk II and have it built with a scratchplate and the old circuitry.. When I bought my Pro II from Gwilym, I also bought the second scratchplate with the circuit that he had as well, but by then Pete was not working anymore and I doubt I could have afforded it anyway! But it was nice to dream about from time to time.. [quote name='mgauction' post='253592' date='Aug 3 2008, 06:23 AM']Yeah, dunc - Trevor's site is the best! I have had the same situations with my Pro11. These are the best basses! Nik - Your comments are right on, my friend, as always! [/quote] Likewise!

Just watched the YouTube clip and I realise now that I'd actually seen it before.. For me, the 3 very different playing styles don't gel particularly well on that piece, so I will check out their respective solo work I think and go from there in order to try to get my head around what they do... But, watching it again did confirm for me what I've always thought about Stanley Clarke, which is that I think he really should have been a guitar player. Of the 3 musicians, the one I most closely identified with as a bass player was Marcus Miller because in the main, he was playing what I recognise as bass lines/grooves etc.. However, I realise that's maybe more a reflection on my own limitations as a musician!

Looks really good to me; and simple and easy to use by the look of too, it which is a good thing! I've never heard one, but I'm hoping someone will be bringing a Genz Benz to the SE Bash in September...

[quote name='MB1' post='253265' date='Aug 2 2008, 12:29 PM']MB1. Uma Thurman looks Good in Leather,the same cannot be said for Wal Basses!......Think both would look more interesting without the leather to be honest! [/quote]

[quote name='stingrayfan' post='253128' date='Aug 2 2008, 07:49 AM']Beauty clearly is in the eye of the beholder with that one - cos it's not for me![/quote] I don't think it's for anybody at that price! Way over the top in my view, even though it is one of the very rare, early Wals.. Would you agree Mike?

Very nice indeed!

[quote name='Merton' post='252518' date='Aug 1 2008, 09:50 AM']Yeah, weirdo! It's ok, I'll polish the Groove and bring that too, just for you [/quote] Sometimes it helps in life if you admit your failings...

Went along with WalMan to see Bassninajs gig at The Crown in Littlehampton last night and had a great time! Really good band, some good songs and some very fine musical & funky bass playing! Look forward to the next one...

[quote name='Merton' post='251889' date='Jul 31 2008, 10:34 AM']Of course, only too happy to show it off! (EDIT - apologies for the crappy phone pics!) Looks even cooler with the DR Black Beauty strings on it... Not got a decent pic of that at the mo tho.[/quote] Nice bass Mert, But being the weirdo that i am, I prefer the 5 string one on the left But then I always fancied the brunnette in ABBA more than the blonde..

Good question?? Depends on the bass and the value of it to me.. A cheap old P bass copy I'd not be too fussed about but I'll worry loads more about a bass that has some real value.. Like my Wal for example. It's got dings and a few knocks but it works perfectly and the neck is great.. But I wouldn't want it to get any further damage to it.. Whenever I've had a pristine bass, I found I hated gigging them, so sold them on. The Lakland DJ5 that I bought from P-T-P last year was like that; almost perfect and as a result, I ended up selling it on... I had a mint condition Squier JV series P-Bass that I got from a guy who'd bought it in 1983 and put it under his bed for 21 years. It was 10/10 condition and so 'perfect' that I was afraid to use it in case I damaged it. So I sold it on to a collector and as far as I know, it's hanging up on his wall somewhere gathering dust... That's not what an instrument is for IMO; I prefer to use them and enjoy them for the purpose that they were intended..

[quote name='The Funk' post='251977' date='Jul 31 2008, 12:22 PM']It's too heavy if my back hurts after playing it standing up for 3 hours, or if my leg hurts after playing it sitting down for 4 hours.[/quote] Got any pics to share??

[quote name='99ster' post='251073' date='Jul 30 2008, 10:12 AM']For all you Simonon fans... Stumbled across these on t'internet - [url="http://flickr.com/photos/luptonn/tags/paulsimonon/"]some good pics of the great man in action[/url].[/quote] Cheers! He's cool as f**k!

My Wal Pro 2e and Roscoe Beck V are pretty heavy basses but I like them, so I'm prepared to put up with a bit of extra weight.. That MM Sabre is very, very heavy though!! Great basses mind you....