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Show your Wals... Appreciation Thread


overwater#1

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[quote name='Clarky' post='1183865' date='Mar 31 2011, 08:39 PM']Couple of bad flash camera shots of my newly acquired June 2004 Mach II (or according to one Wal blog, a Mach II/III hybrid) fretless with American walnut facings and mahogany core. Ebony board has useful side fret marker lines on it, like an Ibanez fretless I once owned. Weighs 9.4 pounds, balances very well on a strap, almost Jazz-like neck dimensions, and in immaculate condition. Sounds very like a DB on the bass/neck pickup with the tone rolled off (it has LaBella flats on it) which is what I need in my band, plus has a ton of other tonal options. Will be spending a couple of hours with this tonight as the Mrs on a girlie's night out and kids broke up from school today :)

[attachment=76379:P1040152.JPG][attachment=76380:P1040149.JPG][/quote]

Welcome to the club Clarky, nice looker

looks like you've taken it to bed already, and while Mrs C is out!

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[quote name='Clarky' post='1183865' date='Mar 31 2011, 08:39 PM']Couple of bad flash camera shots of my newly acquired June 2004 Mach II (or according to one Wal blog, a Mach II/III hybrid) fretless with American walnut facings and mahogany core. Ebony board has useful side fret marker lines on it, like an Ibanez fretless I once owned. Weighs 9.4 pounds, balances very well on a strap, almost Jazz-like neck dimensions, and in immaculate condition. Sounds very like a DB on the bass/neck pickup with the tone rolled off (it has LaBella flats on it) which is what I need in my band, plus has a ton of other tonal options. Will be spending a couple of hours with this tonight as the Mrs on a girlie's night out and kids broke up from school today :)

[attachment=76379:P1040152.JPG][attachment=76380:P1040149.JPG][/quote]

I saw that one in the gallery, that looked lovely in the flesh, congrats man!

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  • 4 weeks later...

[quote name='littleal' post='1183516' date='Mar 31 2011, 05:34 PM']Just got this back from the gallery (sei bass) & Martin has done a stunning job fretting this for me :)[/quote]

Great decision to have it converted to a fretted, Al!

How does it alter the sound? I guess it now kills every speaker around?

What about its weight now - still comfortable to play? I'm asking since I've been pondering on having mine fretted, too, but being afraid of the weight the Wal will gain by that. It's still my heaviest bass ...

Anyway - enjoy your beauty!

Oliver

Edited by spiritchaser
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[quote name='spiritchaser' post='1208992' date='Apr 23 2011, 10:29 AM']Great decision to have it converted to a fretted, Al!

How does it alter the sound? I guess it now kills every speaker around?

What about its weight now - still comfortable to play? I'm asking since I've been pondering on having mine fretted, too, but being afraid of the weight the Wal will gain by that. It's still my heaviest bass ...

Anyway - enjoy your beauty!

Oliver[/quote]

Oliver, good to see that you still enjoy it.

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[quote name='spiritchaser' post='1208992' date='Apr 23 2011, 10:29 AM']Great decision to have it converted to a fretted, Al!

How does it alter the sound? I guess it now kills every speaker around?

What about its weight now - still comfortable to play? I'm asking since I've been pondering on having mine fretted, too, but being afraid of the weight the Wal will gain by that. It's still my heaviest bass ...

Anyway - enjoy your beauty!

Oliver[/quote]
Hi Oliver
It was definatly the right decision for me, Martin has done a superb job, he used narrow gauge dutch mandolin fret wire, same as he uses on the sei basses he builds, he also moved the side position markers & you can't even tell where the original ones were,
I use this bass all the time now & the sound is full & thick with a sweet percussive edge,
When compared to my dads 4 string the overall tone colour is the same but slightly fatter with more headroom,
I would say go for it Oliver & I would recommend Martin at the gallery every time,
That's a lovely sixer you have there oliver,
Keep us posted on you're thoughts :)

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[quote name='littleal' post='1209029' date='Apr 23 2011, 12:09 PM']Hi Oliver
It was definatly the right decision for me, Martin has done a superb job, he used narrow gauge dutch mandolin fret wire, same as he uses on the sei basses he builds, he also moved the side position markers & you can't even tell where the original ones were,
I use this bass all the time now & the sound is full & thick with a sweet percussive edge,
When compared to my dads 4 string the overall tone colour is the same but slightly fatter with more headroom,
I would say go for it Oliver & I would recommend Martin at the gallery every time,
That's a lovely sixer you have there oliver,
Keep us posted on you're thoughts :)[/quote]

yeah - will do! That's a great idea to use narrow gauge fret wire to keep the weight down.
Also greetz to Jens - hope you're still digging the old Midi Wal :)

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  • 3 weeks later...

Nice thread. These really are incredible instruments. :) Maybe I can contribute a little more to the Wal porn here....

'90 Mk I


'86 Mk I


'90 Mk II midi


'00 Mk I


And the couch I now have to sleep on. But at least I have good company! :)


I would love to get ahold of an old Wal flyer (for the Custom models) if anyone has one available.

Edited by mikeswals
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Finally cleared out enough gear to justify buying a Wal Mk1 - courtesy of Simon (0353203) - top fella by the way..

Here it is..


[size=3][b]Nolonger living with me - traded with Nick Smith (Doctor of the Bass) - he played it at my home and showed how it should be played!! Hope you enjoy it Nick..[/b][/size]

Edited by TheGreek
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[quote name='TheGreek' post='1234243' date='May 17 2011, 01:13 PM']Finally cleared out enough gear to justify buying a Wal Mk1 - courtesy of Simon (0353203) - top fella by the way..

Here it is..[/quote]
Nice one mate - I had a quick play on that when I picked up my '63 P from Si - lovely bass you have there :)

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Oops I did it again - sold my fretless Mach II/III to very happy BC'er lafrite (the neck was TBH a bit too skinny for my Precision-playing hands) and replaced it with a chunkier-necked Mach I (american walnut/mahogany core/ebony board; made in Dec 1983, complete with case, tools and card written by Pete Stevens). I definitely have too many basses now but what you gonna do? :)

[attachment=80180:P1040259.JPG]

Edited by Clarky
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[quote name='TheGreek' post='1234243' date='May 17 2011, 01:13 PM']Finally cleared out enough gear to justify buying a Wal Mk1 - courtesy of Simon (0353203) - top fella by the way..

Here it is..[/quote]

Congratulations Mick and welcome to the Wal club.

Looks like you have a lovely instrument there. Now you just need a fretless one and your life will be complete.

Phil

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  • 2 weeks later...

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