Clarky Posted February 22, 2012 Posted February 22, 2012 I have a fretless Mk 1 and wonder about getting a matched fretted neck (allowing the choice). Does anyone happen to know if Wal has a stock of necks lying around (so you don't have to wait 1 year plus for them, like a full bass) and how much Paul Herman would charge (roughly)? Ta Quote
blind pilot Posted February 22, 2012 Posted February 22, 2012 Im far from an expert, but I do seem to recall, someone on here being quoted around the £1000 mark for a new neck! Your best bet would be to give me the wal and just forget the whole notion...... Quote
Clarky Posted February 22, 2012 Author Posted February 22, 2012 I do recall someone quoting an exorbitant price for a fretless neck but was just checking. I think I will have to give it a miss unless its dramatically cheaper! Quote
Spoombung Posted February 22, 2012 Posted February 22, 2012 [quote name='blind pilot' timestamp='1329933029' post='1550008'] Im far from an expert, but I do seem to recall, someone on here being quoted around the £1000 mark for a new neck! [/quote] Yeah, that's what I read somewhere too. The[i] good old days[/i] have well and truly gone. Quote
BassBod Posted February 22, 2012 Posted February 22, 2012 (edited) Probably worth a wanted add and a word with some dealers (Gallery). There are probably a few spare necks about - Wal used threaded inserts for the bolts, which made it more practical to swap over (holes didn't strip like wood screws do). I know I passed my Pro IIE on with both a fretted and fretless neck, and the new owner probably has one left..... Edit - for the following; Thinking about it, PM me if you're interested and I may be able to "find" one? Worst case scenario is it will need a new fingerboard....but could be potentially quick and cheap-ish? Edited February 22, 2012 by BassBod Quote
pierreganseman Posted February 22, 2012 Posted February 22, 2012 Apparently a friend of mine was quote £1500 for a new neck.... Quote
Clarky Posted February 22, 2012 Author Posted February 22, 2012 I have been contacted about a spare fretted Wal Mk 1 neck (it looks great although the hardware is chrome, whereas on my bass its gold). Its Euro 520 posted to UK (ie, around £430) which isn't so eye-watering. I don't think I will go for it but if anyone else is interested I can put them in touch Quote
franzbassist Posted February 26, 2012 Posted February 26, 2012 Pete always said that the neck was the single most expensive element in the making of a Wal. Quote
AndroWal Posted March 16, 2012 Posted March 16, 2012 In communicating with Paul about a new neck, he wrote me that they cost approximately 1100. Quote
Clarky Posted March 25, 2012 Author Posted March 25, 2012 I also heard back from Paul this week and was told the build time for a fretted neck would be 19 months Yes you read that right - 19 MONTHS! Quote
pierreganseman Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 You are very lucky to hear from Wal/Paul. I sent quite a few emails about refinishing/servicing my Wal frettless, and got close to no answer. I find weird when based on their fame companies will just ignore potential work (I guess when you build full time such legendary basses you really do not need money of a refin). No answer at all, not even "call me at the shop to discuss, it's easier than email....." or something like that... I find that to be a real shame... as i have heard other stories, of for example a wal owner being Ignored for spare parts.... Quote
bassplace Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 I think they are very behind. I just got a response from "Sarah". it had been about 60 days since I emailed about sending my ProIIe in for service. May be ramping up some office staff to keep up. dunc Quote
steve-soar Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 [quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1332693623' post='1591723'] I also heard back from Paul this week and was told the build time for a fretted neck would be 19 months Yes you read that right - 19 MONTHS! [/quote]Errr? Quote
pierreganseman Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 In my opinion for such high priced instrument, to have close to no customer service is a big shame... don't get me wrong... i have two anyways... they are awesome, but given the communication, if one day they have something wrong with them... I probably won't go to Wal to get them fixed.... wich is a shame.. Quote
sprocket123 Posted March 26, 2012 Posted March 26, 2012 I guess the guy s exceeded by the demand , I guess he didn t know it would be like that , he might need some help for paperwork & such , I don t know , just a thought here Quote
Laurence Posted March 26, 2012 Posted March 26, 2012 [quote name='pierreganseman' timestamp='1332719961' post='1592192'] In my opinion for such high priced instrument, to have close to no customer service is a big shame... don't get me wrong... i have two anyways... they are awesome, but given the communication, if one day they have something wrong with them... I probably won't go to Wal to get them fixed.... wich is a shame.. [/quote] I wouldn't say he has close to no customer service at all, he's just completely swamped in building basses so has barely anytime on his hands for anything else! I was there in November to pick up my new MK1 and Paul runs the whole operation on his own except for a couple of part-time workers....you've certainly got to give him credit for taking on Wal on his own. The prices have just gone up again as well to £3650.....that's £450 in 2 years. Plus the waiting time used to be 12 months, now it's 19 months Quote
pierreganseman Posted March 26, 2012 Posted March 26, 2012 Not trying to set a fire or anything and yes I guess he can have credit for running the buis' himself.... Makes it quite obvious that unless I have one day a very drastic electronic problem with my basses, I'll go to another shop for any other issue.... Quote
sprocket123 Posted March 26, 2012 Posted March 26, 2012 You re on that Laurence , 19 months waiting time one new Wal bass . It would be hard on my nerves if I would order one of these Wal basses , but worth it when you receive it . Quote
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