Clarky Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 (edited) I got this lovely bass at the start of January and its been played and enjoyed by Happy Jack (who will beat me up for selling this!) As some of you may know I recently acquired an old 19th century double bass which has depleted my coffers (and selling my Alleva 5'er didn't cover the outlay on this and an uber-expensive car MOT). I have my Takamine B10 to cover fretless duties (and this is the bass I play in my current band) so my Wal is up FS. [attachment=105641:02fullfretless.jpg] Its a 1981 Wal Mk 1, with a transition serial number starting PB (it was one of the last few basses before the nomenclature changed to W). It has identical electronics to a 'normal' Mk 1 but has the additional option of the volume pot switching “off” (useful for those quiet moments in gigs). It is a very manageable weight at 4.5kg (9.8lbs). The body is walnut faced mahogany, the board is unlined ebony and the hardware is gold. Given its age its in remarkable condition with only a few little dings and scrapes here and there, none of which are visible other than very close up. Comes with the original brown case. I am after £2600 plus post (which is what I paid in January). Pickup preferred as its such a special instrument but will post if needs be. For meet-up/collection I am in London (live near Hammersmith, work near Liverpool Street). Its on eBay (with more pics) but I will pull the listing if a BCer wants this (and there are no bids on eBay) [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130683611738?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1586.l2649#ht_1855wt_97"]http://www.ebay.co.u...49#ht_1855wt_97[/url] Edited May 7, 2012 by Clarky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lozbass Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 Wow! Beautiful and extremely desirable - not many opportunities to obtain a bass like this from this period - a stunner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoJoKe Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 What are you doing????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted April 21, 2012 Author Share Posted April 21, 2012 [quote name='MoJoKe' timestamp='1335008478' post='1624631'] What are you doing????? [/quote] Balancing the books! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leftybassman392 Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 Oooh! Oooh! Oooh!............. I understand why you're doing it, but... For what it is that's a very good price. Good luck with the sale (not that you'll need it). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted April 21, 2012 Author Share Posted April 21, 2012 Thanks chaps! PS, if anyone wants more pictures drop me a PM as I have a number of high-resolution pics I can email Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 [quote name='leftybassman392' timestamp='1335020786' post='1624834'] Oooh! Oooh! Oooh!... [/quote] ...Can you feel the force? Good luck with this Clarky, it looks amazing. I bet it sounds great, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted April 21, 2012 Author Share Posted April 21, 2012 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1335022683' post='1624888'] I bet it sounds great, too. [/quote] Yeah, when not played with my dodgy intonation! Nearest I can describe my fretless playing is the intro from 'Roobarb and Custard' (for those who remember the 70s) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zedq1VhaS90 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 [quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1335022834' post='1624894'] ...Nearest I can describe my fretless playing is the intro from 'Roobarb and Custard' (for those who remember the 70s) [/quote] I do indeed, Richard Briers narrating if I remember rightly. And now I'm going to get the hell out of your for sale thread! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pierreganseman Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 wal are outstanding basses.... and very honnest! price!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 Oh good grief, Clarky! As mentioned, I had the pleasure of A/B-ing this 4-string fretless against the more-or-less identical 4-string fretless I bought from Clarky last year. This bass is every bit as good as mine, and is a delight to play. Just like mine, it has the ability to make you forget that you're playing a "fretless" and remember that you're playing a bass. I'm sorry if that sounds pretentious (a bit [i]Pseuds Corner[/i]) but everyone who has tried my fretless will know exactly what I'm driving at. If you want to try fretless, but you're nervous that you somehow won't be good enough, then this bass would be an excellent buy. Oh, and you won't lose money on it ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 This gives me terminal GAS! I must avert my eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted April 21, 2012 Author Share Posted April 21, 2012 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1335025423' post='1624944'] Oh good grief, Clarky! As mentioned, I had the pleasure of A/B-ing this 4-string fretless against the more-or-less identical 4-string fretless I bought from Clarky last year. This bass is every bit as good as mine, and is a delight to play. Just like mine, it has the ability to make you forget that you're playing a "fretless" and remember that you're playing a bass. I'm sorry if that sounds pretentious (a bit [i]Pseuds Corner[/i]) but everyone who has tried my fretless will know exactly what I'm driving at. If you want to try fretless, but you're nervous that you somehow won't be good enough, then this bass would be an excellent buy. Oh, and you won't lose money on it ... [/quote] Thanks Jack. I thought you'd be round my gaff with a set of electrodes when you read this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted April 21, 2012 Author Share Posted April 21, 2012 [attachment=105652:03frontfretless.jpg][attachment=105653:06back1.jpg][attachment=105654:08headstockfretless.jpg] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB2000 Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 [quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1335022834' post='1624894'] Yeah, when not played with my dodgy intonation! Nearest I can describe my fretless playing is the intro from 'Roobarb and Custard' (for those who remember the 70s) [/quote] Don't all fretless players sound like that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted April 22, 2012 Author Share Posted April 22, 2012 Sunday morning bump. 30 watchers on eBay but no bids yet (as a reminder I will only pull the EBay listing if there are no bids) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted April 22, 2012 Author Share Posted April 22, 2012 Up to 34 watchers now on eBay. Would rather this lovely bass stayed "in the family" than go to a nameless eBayer so is anyone potentially interested? The one thing that might sway me trade-wise is a p/x against an Alembic but there would need to be a decent slug of cash my way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emanew Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 Gorgeous magic Wal instrument ! And how sounds the 19th century lady ? I love fretless unlined Wal basses. I wish it was mine. Could you add pictures (electronic pocket, case ) ? Thanks. I plan to send you a PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted April 23, 2012 Author Share Posted April 23, 2012 Here it is in its case. I will add a picture of electronics cavity later (when I've taken it!) [attachment=105819:Wal in case.JPG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted April 23, 2012 Author Share Posted April 23, 2012 Pic of control cavity plus a moody shot of bass in case [attachment=105828:P1050095.JPG][attachment=105829:P1050096.JPG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barend Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 Very nice one! I am almost tempted to swap it for my fretted Wal MK1 '89 shedua. Since I play fretless mostly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emanew Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 (edited) Thanks for answering so quickly ! Your picts are cool. I missed Wombatboter's Wal last year. Geert kindly answered me whereas he already sold its instrument. Your bass is really sexy... Edited April 23, 2012 by Emanew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Horton Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 I had the joy of playing Happy Jack's fretless Wal on Saturday. I am not a fretless playes but something about these bass guitars make them easy to play even if fretless is not normally your thing. I am very tempted buy this. If this Wal is as good as Happy Jack's bass then it is an awesome instrument. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted April 23, 2012 Author Share Posted April 23, 2012 Hey Chris, I think this answers your comment! [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1335025423' post='1624944'] I had the pleasure of A/B-ing this 4-string fretless against the more-or-less identical 4-string fretless I bought from Clarky last year. This bass is every bit as good as mine, and is a delight to play. Just like mine, it has the ability to make you forget that you're playing a "fretless" and remember that you're playing a bass. [/quote] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted April 23, 2012 Author Share Posted April 23, 2012 (edited) Just had a message through eBay as follows (PS, my weight was out by 0.05kg and I have over 200 positive feedbacks!): Hi, one of your weights is obviously out as there are 2.2 pounds per kilo. What's the serial number please? I can't see the point of deliberately omitting it unless you have stolen goods or similar. Anyone honest can be completely up front about essential details such as this. [b]Do you think a gang of wal addicted ninjas will track you down and break in? I'm not bidding a penny without the full details mate. Who would spring circa £3K when the seller makes himself look dodgy???[/b] Edited April 24, 2012 by Clarky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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