1979 Wal ProI Fretless Bass

[mgauction]

Sonic blue. PB #1485. Originally a ProIIe body. Original green 'NAT' on body neck socket confirmed with Pete Stevens (Wal) that this was an original Wal body in natural. Top horn was modified to resemble an Alembic or the very first Wal, circa 1974. I had the horn expertly rebuilt to the exact original size. I also had the included ProI electronics as a spare so the extra area in the body was filled to fit the electronics. New old-stock fretless neck was purchased directly by me from Pete Stevens and is dated December 1987. All original Wal parts except Schaller tuners, which are new. Body was refinished in Sonic Blue by national expert, Pat Wilkins of Wilkins Guitars [url="http://www.wilkinsguitars.com/contact.html"]http://www.wilkinsguitars.com/contact.html[/url] in Burbank, CA. Plays well and is in excellent working condition. Comes with original brown Wal hardshell case. Pictures on request. Will ship anywhere USA and to Europe. $2500 plus shipping.

Edited April 9, 2008 by mgauction

[Mike]

Scottsdale, eh? Very nice! My wife is from Mesa, but now resides in the UK with me. Her aunt lives in Scottsdale, it seems very nice!

[silverfoxnik]

[quote name='mgauction' post='172799' date='Apr 9 2008, 04:27 AM']Sonic blue. PB #1485. Originally a ProIIe body. Original green 'NAT' on body neck socket confirmed with Pete Stevens (Wal) that this was an original Wal body in natural. Top horn was modified to resemble an Alembic or the very first Wal, circa 1974. I had the horn expertly rebuilt to the exact original size. I also had the included ProI electronics as a spare so the extra area in the body was filled to fit the electronics. New old-stock fretless neck was purchased directly by me from Pete Stevens and is dated December 1987. All original Wal parts except Schaller tuners, which are new. Body was refinished in Sonic Blue by national expert, Pat Wilkins of Wilkins Guitars [url="http://www.wilkinsguitars.com/contact.html"]http://www.wilkinsguitars.com/contact.html[/url] in Burbank, CA. Plays well and is in excellent working condition. Comes with original brown Wal hardshell case. Pictures on request. Will ship anywhere USA and to Europe. $2500 plus shipping.[/quote]
Hi Mike,

I'm very surprised to see this up for sale, so am guessing that means there's a Wal 5 (or something else exotic) on it's way to you, maybe??

As Wals go, this is a very unique bass and it quite a special history to it! The case alone is worth about $300-$400 on it's own as they're rarer than a good line-up on 'Later' these days! Wal owners scour the net looking for these things, it's incredible!

I've had a few dealings with Mike and for those who don't know him here on Basschat, rest assured that he is absolutely the best person to deal with when buying & selling basses.. Totally honest and upfront about everything and is a real gent! Knows his stuff too..

In fact, if it wasn't for Mike's help, I wouldn't be the lucky owner of my Roscoe Beck 5..

Anyway, good luck with the sale Mike and I hope all's well with you.

Nik

[mgauction]

Thanks for the nice words, Nik! Of course, I wish you the best and hope all is well with you. Don't think I'll probably make it to the UK again this year as the dollar has tanked:( ....but who knows! Through in a Wal Fest and I might jump on it!! Actually, Nik, I'm trying to make room for the Mach 2 that Pete is going to make for me -- when & if.

Mike - It's always great to make a connection with someone related to this area. As nice as Mesa is, I bet your wife really loves it there. I would be there too if I could. The US is a strange place to be right now. The political atmosphere is nothing but negative and getting worse. I completely understand how the rest of the world thinks.

Edited April 9, 2008 by mgauction

[silverfoxnik]

[quote name='mgauction' post='173550' date='Apr 9 2008, 11:52 PM']Thanks for the nice words, Nik! Of course, I wish you the best and hope all is well with you. Don't think I'll probably make it to the UK again this year as the dollar has tanked:( ....but who knows! Through in a Wal Fest and I might jump on it!! Actually, Nik, I'm trying to make room for the Mach 2 that Pete is going to make for me -- when & if.

Mike - It's always great to make a connection with someone related to this area. As nice as Mesa is, I bet your wife really loves it there. I would be there too if I could. The US is a strange place to be right now. The political atmosphere is nothing but negative and getting worse. I completely understand how the rest of the world thinks.[/quote]
Hi Mike

Good to hear from you.. I thought Pete had 'retired' and that Paul Herman was taking on the Wal marque - or is that just Walbassesnaturally forum gossip? Whatever, I hope the Mach 2 materialises for you..

I hear what you say about the dollar! The UK economy is on a big slowdown too, so not much going on here really so you may be better off where you are. At least you have the sunshine . Proof of that slowdown is that there's been lots of very nice basses for sale here that haven't shifted quickly or at all, whereas last year, they probably would have done. Everyone's being much more careful.

The idea of another Wal Fest was mooted by me amongst others back in December so if it hasn't happened, then everyone must be pretty busy; I know I am! But I'll get in touch with Trevor & Chris F and see what they think about it... If that's the trigger needed to tempt you over here again, then it must be done!

All the best for now,

Nik

[mgauction]

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='173646' date='Apr 10 2008, 12:35 AM']Hi Mike

Good to hear from you.. I thought Pete had 'retired' and that Paul Herman was taking on the Wal marque - or is that just Walbassesnaturally forum gossip? Whatever, I hope the Mach 2 materialises for you..

I hear what you say about the dollar! The UK economy is on a big slowdown too, so not much going on here really so you may be better off where you are. At least you have the sunshine . Proof of that slowdown is that there's been lots of very nice basses for sale here that haven't shifted quickly or at all, whereas last year, they probably would have done. Everyone's being much more careful.

The idea of another Wal Fest was mooted by me amongst others back in December so if it hasn't happened, then everyone must be pretty busy; I know I am! But I'll get in touch with Trevor & Chris F and see what they think about it... If that's the trigger needed to tempt you over here again, then it must be done!

All the best for now,

Nik[/quote]

Nik - Yes, Pete, I believe, is semi-retiring and Paul is going to take over the duties. Whatever they make will be of the same nature that Pete has always constructed, as he is over-seeing the projects. If you get in touch with Trevor or Chris, tell them I can be swayed very easily I'd love to attend a Wal Fest in the UK! BTW, I am having a mini-Wal Fest here on Saturday night! George Sulages now lives nearby and we are going to meet. Well, two better than none, right? I'll have some photos taken, for sure, and post then.....somewhere!

See you then, Nik!

Edited April 11, 2008 by mgauction

[silverfoxnik]

[quote name='mgauction' post='174300' date='Apr 11 2008, 02:43 AM']Nik - Yes, Pete, I believe, is semi-retiring and Paul is going to take over the duties. Whatever they make will be of the same nature that Pete has always constructed, as he is over-seeing the projects. If you get in touch with Trevor or Chris, tell them I can be swayed very easily I'd love to attend a Wal Fest in the UK! BTW, I am having a mini-Wal Fest here on Saturday night! George Sulages now lives nearby and we are going to meet. Well, two better than none, right? I'll have some photos taken, for sure, and post then.....somewhere!

See you then, Nik![/quote]
Good news about Pete handing over the reins to Paul.. Paul's based in Kingston on Thames I believe which is nearer to me than High Wycombe, so that's a bonus as well!

Enjoy the mini Wal Fest at the weekend Mike and I'll be in touch soon...