overwater#1 Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 (edited) Hey guys.. Like my other thread, you've seen that I've recently discovered Wals, and have found out that they are such fantastic instruments, with an equally fantastic and interesting history. I have seen that there is a huge following for these basses, so I'd like this thread to be devoted to the appreciation of Wals, their colourful history, stories... and pictures! Il stick my pictures up soon if this thread takes off, and by looking at my other Wal thread, I think it might take off quite rapidly! I have already put up too many pictures, so I wont slow BassChat down right now.. Anyways... over to you! Cheers! Matt Edited August 5, 2008 by overwater#1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 [quote name='overwater#1' post='255206' date='Aug 5 2008, 11:04 AM']Hey guys.. Like my other thread, you've seen that I've recently discovered Wal's, and have found out that they are such fantastic instruments, with an equally fantastic and interesting history. I have seen that there is a huge following for these basses, so I'd like this thread to be devoted to the appreciation of Wal's, their colourful history, stories... and pictures! Il stick my pictures up soon if this thread takes off, and by looking at my other Wal thread, I think it might take off quite rapidly! I have already put up too many pictures, so I wont slow BassChat down right now.. Anyways... over to you! Cheers! Matt[/quote] Wouldn't this thread be more appropriate in the Bass Porn area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 [quote name='Rich' post='255222' date='Aug 5 2008, 11:20 AM']Yes.[/quote] +1 And while we're there, can we punctuate it as Wals (plural) rather than Wal's (possessive) please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overwater#1 Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 (edited) I knew I'd of done something wrong... Has someone just moved this? Theres me trying to delete the thread and make a new one in porn.. :blush: [quote name='walbassist' post='255232' date='Aug 5 2008, 11:28 AM']+1 And while we're there, can we punctuate it as Wals (plural) rather than Wal's (possessive) please? [/quote] Yeah.. im no good at English either. Sorry guys.. Im an idiot, I know.. This hasn't got off to a good start.. Anyways.... Edited August 5, 2008 by overwater#1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 (edited) [quote name='overwater#1' post='255233' date='Aug 5 2008, 11:30 AM']Yeah.. im no good at English either.[/quote] Hey Matt, no worries. I wasn't having a dig. I think a Wal thread is a great idea. Edited August 5, 2008 by walbassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overwater#1 Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 No problem, I have a habit of wrong punctuation.. Anyway.. I'd love to see some close ups of your MkIII!!!! Its jaw-droppingly stunning.. ! Also, does anyone notice any similarities between Overwater basses and Wal basses? I've seen as few pictures recently that really show a couple of subtle similarities between Overwaters and the later Wal instruments, MkIII especially. Maybe its just me though..?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 [quote name='overwater#1' post='255245' date='Aug 5 2008, 11:39 AM']Anyway.. I'd love to see some close ups of your MkIII!!!! Its jaw-droppingly stunning.. ! [/quote] You asked for it.... My Mk III was one of the last two basses Pete made. It was very special for a number of reasons, not least because I supplied the facings he used (picked up on a ski-ing holiday in Vermont). This is the only spalted maple Wal in the world. I also asked for a walnut core ( usually mahogany), and Pete gave the bass a double pinstripe veneer (usually only one). As this was going to be my ultimate Wal, I also had Pete make fretted and fretless necks (ebony boards, no dots, unlined fretless) for the bass, so I could swap them over as and when I fancied a change. I also asked him to put his fish signature on the back of the necks. Pete also bound the pickups with contrasting laminates. Again, a very unusual feature. Often the back of a Wal looks just as good as the front! And here it is, finished.... Enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 iv admired your avatar for a long while, most attractive wal bass i think there is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 (edited) [quote name='BassManKev' post='255275' date='Aug 5 2008, 12:08 PM']iv admired your avatar for a long while, most attractive wal bass i think there is[/quote] Many thanks. Here are some of the other Wals I've owned: W3306, built for me in 1989 and my first Wal W12397 "Blondie", with beech facings (note, again, the custom placement of the neck pickup done especially for me) W30496 "Fifi", walnut fretless. The one bass in my life I wish I'd never sold. Edited August 6, 2008 by walbassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overwater#1 Posted August 5, 2008 Author Share Posted August 5, 2008 (edited) Wow.. what a great way to start this thread.. I am in awe with that bass, that is just amazing! Definately has to be the ultimate Wal bass! So much attention to detail, all those little aspects and features he's included really make it something very special!! It's great to see such detailed pictures of the build process, and to realise what a personal thing that bass must be to you. So.. would you ever sell it? Stupid question! My word... yes, that is one truly stunning bass. How far from Blackpool is Hampshire? I'd love to see that bass first hand one day! Thanks for the pictures! Edited August 5, 2008 by overwater#1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 I feel faint. A Wal is my ultimate bass, a dream, and I'm sure I'll never have one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cetera Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Here's mine.... A 1983 Wal Mk1 Custom fretted 4 with Wenge facings.... and a 1982 MK1 Custom fretless 4 with Stained Maple facings: the fretless.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfoxnik Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Great idea Matt! Just to say that Walbassist's & Cetera's are lovely basses and I've may have played one of them before at the Walfest in January 2006 IIRC... Anyway, with apologies for the poor picture quality throughout, here's a few Wals I've owned over the years.. First up, a Wal Pro1E s/n: PB1264 that I bought from Mgauction (Mike G) over in Phoenix, only to sell it back to him a year later! Great way to meet and get to know one of the nicest persons on the planet (and who also happens to have an amazing collection of Wals too..) [attachment=11613:recorded...11th0112.JPG] Here's the only photo I've got of JG1123 a passive Wal Pro2E that I owned back in the '90s. One of the legendary 'leather scratchplate' models that formed the first batch of Wals ever made. When I bought this it came with flightcase, DI box, the works and was amazing. But hard times in 1998 forced me to have to sell it. I was lucky enough to be able to sell it to a mate of mine, Leigh Gorman of BowWowWow who first got me interested in Wals back in 1980. Leigh still has this bass and tours the States regularly with it these days with a reformed line up of the band, as you can see here: [attachment=11614:JG1123.jpg] Here's the only Wal 5 string I've ever had, W3000. It was one of the first 5 strings Wal made with the old Mach I body shape; very heavy and for some reason I never got on with it so I sold it on.. [attachment=11615:5_String.jpg] This was my second Wal Custom, W28899, bought in 1987 to replace the first one I had from 1983 that was stolen. I had a small clear plastic scratchplate fitted near the neck to simulate the effect of having the scratchplate on the Pro models, which for some odd I reason, I find more comfortable to play: [attachment=11619:Custom_W2889.jpg] Again, for some inexplicable reason, I didn't get on with it so I traded it in for this Pro 2E (PB1169) at the old Bass Centre in Wapping. The photo is terrible quality, but of all my Wals over the years, this was my favourite.. I made a couple of albums with it and still to this day wish it hadn't been stolen when we had our studio broken into in 1993! [attachment=11621:Pro_2e__PB1169.jpg] Here's a picture of my present day Wal, PB1354 bought from Gwilym in 2005. Barring nuclear war, great depression or some other unforeseeable tragedy, this bass ain't going nowhere!! [attachment=11622:Wal_Pro_2e_edit.jpg] Lastly, I thought it might be nice to put a couple of other Wal related pictures in here: Taken at the 2006 WalFest, Adam's amazing Wal double-neck, MIDI bass!! [attachment=11623:Adam___t...MIDI_Wal.jpg] Also at the WalFest, the 'wall of Wals': [attachment=11629:Stars_of_the_show.jpg] And here's Ian 'Wal' Waller & Pete 'the fish' Stevens in their workshop back in the early '80s. Coincidentally, Wal died 20 years ago last month so this thread is a good way to help celebrate his fantastic contribution to the development of classic custom-built British bass guitars! [attachment=11633:Wal_1980s.jpg] [attachment=11634:Wal___Pete_1980s.jpg] Cheers Wal!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Nice to see Ian remembered here - never got to meet him, but I have met Pete a few times and he was always very helpful, even with basses that had been round the houses more than a few times. Anyone know anything about the future of Wal? I read somewhere (here?) that Paul Herman may take it on? A 21st century Wal...now there's something to look forward to??!! BB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mxm Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Respect to the Wals ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 (edited) This is my 1996 American Walnut MK3 Custom. It's not as spectacular as some of the others but it plays and sounds just great. Edited April 1, 2011 by chris_b Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99ster Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 (edited) Here's my old girl W2935 - bought her new in 1987... my first really good bass (£650 I think it was - which was a fortune to me at the time). A classic Mach I 4 string - with American Walnut facings. Has been a great friend for over 20 years now. And will be buried with me! [attachment=11637:87_wal_C...ll_front.jpg] Was re-fretted & the neck refinished by Pete a couple of years ago - not long before it all came to an end. And he very kindly signed & dated the butt of the neck for me. I don't have the picture of my Mach I fretless that I so VERY foolishly PX'ed in crap deal that I knew was a blunder within 5 minutes of leaving the shop. Oh the total misery of selling a Wal... Edited August 6, 2008 by 99ster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghosts Over Japan Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 (edited) Hey Matt! I'm glad you opened this tread, haha I've recently been through my Wal phase that your now going through! They really are truly stunning instruments, I think I'll aim to get one of these in the future! My love for Wal came when I went to see Tool live and saw how truly beautiful the instrument was! Cai Edited August 5, 2008 by cai! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfoxnik Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 [quote name='BassBod' post='255657' date='Aug 5 2008, 06:32 PM']Nice to see Ian remembered here - never got to meet him, but I have met Pete a few times and he was always very helpful, even with basses that had been round the houses more than a few times. Anyone know anything about the future of Wal? I read somewhere (here?) that Paul Herman may take it on? A 21st century Wal...now there's something to look forward to??!! BB[/quote] Pete's retired now, not very well apparently but word is that he is handing over the reins to Paul, who is an excellent choice to take the Wal bass forward.. as you say, into the 21st Century! More news to come soon I believe, probably through Chris Franklin at Harrow Audio who is often in touch with Pete. As you can imagine, there's certainly a lot of anticipation out there amongst Wal owners about this development.. BTW, chris_b & 99ster, your basses look pretty good to me from where I'm sitting!! We definitely need another WalFest sometime... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Here's PB1533, resting on my terrible lawn... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Dave Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 This thread's too scary to someone who recognises quality and has a clear credit card - I'm not coming here again!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfoxnik Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 [quote name='Rich' post='255958' date='Aug 6 2008, 07:21 AM']Here's PB1533, resting on my terrible lawn... [/quote] Lovely.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mokl Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Here's my old beast, an '88 Mach II fiver. Did a trade on this for my lovely Mach I with Walplayer (Pete) - a legend of a bloke (hope all is well Pete!). At some point in the nineties it was refinished in black poly, God knows why, although I suppose it does look pretty good in black. Underneath all that black are schedua facings, and I hope to get it restored back to a natural finish by Sims Custom (or someone like that) as soon as finances allow. One thing I'm slightly nervous about is what I might find once the black is stripped off, although there are no discernible signs of damage underneath the finish when held to the light. Perhaps someone on here might be able to shed some light on the history of this for me? It's on the Wal database: W3074 This doesn't sound as punchy as my old Mach I (which I miss *sob*), but has an incredible low-mid growl. Very dark and lovely sounding bass this one. Sorry the pics aren't that great, but you get the idea: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=21583&hl=wal+custom+fretless"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...custom+fretless[/url] Follow the link to my earlier thread. I have played some duo gigs with Paul Herman, some years back. He is a fine guitar player as well as a top notch luthier. He did the last set-up on the Wal you see above (I need to see him again - my knobs are dropping off) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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