franzbassist

[quote name='crazypink' post='286409' date='Sep 18 2008, 08:11 AM']I got a message back from Paul yesterday and thankfully he is honouring Pete's waiting list and I'm on it. Now's the time to be patient and wait for my Wal creation![/quote] Good news indeed. I wonder just how many back orders there are?

So, a week on and what do I think of the bass? Fit and finish is superb. Really just amazing quality and workmanship. It's strange, but the bass seems so much stronger than most ABGs I've played. The finish on it is amazing too, glassy smooth and just wonderful to hold. I have no complaints at all about the workmanship that went into this instrument. Played on its own, unplugged, it has a really nice tone that I am sure will just get better with age. The b string is very robust and even with the other strings. Finger style sounds great and played with a pick the bass has bite and presence. Last night I played it against a Lowden Dreadnought and the two sat really well together, the bass only starting to fade when the guitarist strummed [i]really[/i] hard. And then I plugged it in... WOW. I wasn't prepared for the sound that came out of my rig. Huge bass with really fat creamy tones, not boomy (although the feedback got a bit tasty when we really cranked it up - will by a soundhole plug just in case) just lots of real "punch in the chest" bass. Being so light the bass was a delight to play, and after rehearsing out acoustic set my electric felt really heavy when we moved on to the blues. So, I am absoltely chuffed to bits with this bass. It's unique, beautiful and sounds wonderful both unplugged and, er, unplugged. Simon and the team at Brook have made a masterpiece...

I can no longer attend I'm afraid, so my Epi rig won't be there....

Seriously tempted to chop in my current rig and get the 15" 8 ohm combo and extension cab. Anyone have any thoughts on this particular setup, or seen any in stock or used anywhere? Cheers Gareth

In the late summer sun...

Hi guys Bad news I'm afraid, but for reasons I won't bore you with I will no longer be attending. Cheers Gareth

[quote name='6stringbassist' post='282569' date='Sep 12 2008, 12:41 PM']Your Wal is beautiful, unusual that you've got a gloss finish though isn't it.[/quote] Thanks. Yes it is quite unusual, although certainly not unique. Pete was concerned that the naturally brittle nature of the spalted maple would make it liable to crack if left with the usual poly finish, so we glossed it.

[quote name='6stringbassist' post='282538' date='Sep 12 2008, 12:13 PM']I think I prefer the 1st one too.[/quote] I'm a sucker for spalted wood as well

Nice. I assume you've played a Kingbass. I know a few people who love them, but also a few who found the ergonomics all wrong.

Can anyone recommend a good source for heavy duty casters for a speaker cab?

[quote name='Darkstrike' post='280111' date='Sep 9 2008, 01:15 AM']Sounds fantastic! And 24 frets on an ABG! [/quote] Actually, only 21!

[quote name='Darkstrike' post='279593' date='Sep 8 2008, 12:05 PM']Stunning bass! How wide is it at the nut?[/quote] The neck and string spacing mirrors my Ken Smith bass, which is really comfortable. So the measurements are: String Spacing: 9mm at the nut, 18mm at the bridge Fingerboard Width: 1 3/4" at the nut, 3" at the 24th Fret And thanks for the compliments guys, I have to admit the bass has surpassed my expectations. It's beautifully put together and sounds amazing.

The Otter has landed, safe and sound, and perfectly in tune! And wow, what a stunning bass. I am so happy with it. It's just the most beautiful thing. They carved the neck perfectly, the string spacing is right on, and the b string is very strong. The tone across the bass is wonderful and chords really ring out. The combination of woods is really classy, and I love the headstock. Sublime. I'll try and get some pictures later.

[quote name='BassBod' post='279311' date='Sep 7 2008, 08:28 PM']Ooooerrr...sorry to hear that. Hope it arrives safe and sound![/quote] Thanks. Must admit I am a bit worried about such a delicate instrument being stuck with the courier so long.

[quote name='BassBod' post='278627' date='Sep 6 2008, 03:05 PM']And the verdict is ????[/quote] That I am p****d off with Business Post, who "forgot" to pick it up from Brook on Thursday night!

Early Nick Heyward, especially "Take that Situation", "Whistle Down the Wind" by Nick Heyward......... trust me on this. Also, Julia Fordham's earlier albums have great fretless playing on them. I think Pino is responsible for a lot of the above sessions. Gareth