Roger2611 Posted October 22, 2016 Posted October 22, 2016 I know there is a lot of love on these hallowed pages for WAL basses, I have never had the chance to play one, so what makes them so special? I have owned a couple of Status basses and could never take to the sound of them, they seemed too thick sounding, all treble and bass with no middle, for some reason I imagine WAL's have the same kind of sound? Quote
TrevorR Posted October 22, 2016 Posted October 22, 2016 (edited) The Wal sound couldn't be further from that... Famed for their growl and their middle but humongously versatile too. You might want to have a browse at my blog which should give you quite a bit to chew over... [url="http://walbasshistory.blogspot.co.uk/"]http://walbasshistory.blogspot.co.uk/[/url] Then check out some Wal tones in action. Here's my Youtube playlist... [url="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGIYNBxcSZ3uo0Dv4GUoVf-4yKXu7xmKT"]https://www.youtube....UoVf-4yKXu7xmKT[/url] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1d4r9awjKE&list=PLGIYNBxcSZ3uo0Dv4GUoVf-4yKXu7xmKT[/media] Edited October 22, 2016 by TrevorR Quote
stingrayPete1977 Posted October 22, 2016 Posted October 22, 2016 A lot of Red Hot Chili Peppers' blood sugar sex magik was recorded on a Wal and a Stingray 5 and I like all of that album and the bass sounds good to me, I've never made a tonal link to Status with them really. Quote
ambient Posted October 22, 2016 Posted October 22, 2016 I've never played one. They look beautiful though. I saw one in the flesh for the first time last year, a 6 string too ! Quote
40hz Posted October 22, 2016 Posted October 22, 2016 Power Windows by Rush. Pure Wal. Sounds unbelievable! Quote
TheGreek Posted October 22, 2016 Posted October 22, 2016 I've owned two and though they have a very distinctive tone I couldn't get on with either. Being made of exotic woods they are quite heavy and the neck profile isn't to everybody's taste so check one out before committing to what will almost inevitably be an expensive investment. Having said that, one of my heroes, Mick Karn, used one to unbelievable effect - check out his tones for examples of the Wal's versatility. Quote
Kev Posted October 22, 2016 Posted October 22, 2016 [quote name='Roger2611' timestamp='1477163910' post='3160331'] I know there is a lot of love on these hallowed pages for WAL basses, I have never had the chance to play one, so what makes them so special? I have owned a couple of Status basses and could never take to the sound of them, they seemed too thick sounding, all treble and bass with no middle, for some reason I imagine WAL's have the same kind of sound? [/quote] Pickups and preamps are what make Wals so unique. Mulicoil pickups for each string, filter based preamp. Makes for a very unique sounding bass. And, incidentally, I cannot think of any bass that sounds less like a Status! Quote
funkgod Posted October 22, 2016 Posted October 22, 2016 (edited) If you want a bass to punch through the mix tight and punchy a wal is as good as it gets. here is the late [u]great [/u]"Alan Spenner" showing how to punch through a mix, you gotta love his playing....enjoy [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2V-VzQ8kV0"]https://www.youtube....h?v=o2V-VzQ8kV0[/url] [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pv-Iokvimc"]https://www.youtube....h?v=1pv-Iokvimc[/url] Edited October 22, 2016 by funkgod Quote
TrevorR Posted October 22, 2016 Posted October 22, 2016 (edited) Those deserve a proper embed... [quote name='funkgod' timestamp='1477172310' post='3160389'] If you want a bass to punch through the mix tight and punchy a wal is as good as it gets. here is the late [u]great [/u]"Alan Spenner" showing how to punch through a mix, you gotta love his playing....enjoy [url="http://www.youtube....h/?v=o2V-VzQ8kV0"]http://www.youtube....h/?v=o2V-VzQ8kV0[/url] [url="http://www.youtube....h/?v=1pv-Iokvimc"]http://www.youtube....h/?v=1pv-Iokvimc[/url] [/quote] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2V-VzQ8kV0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pv-Iokvimc Edited October 22, 2016 by TrevorR Quote
funkgod Posted October 22, 2016 Posted October 22, 2016 (edited) [quote name='TrevorR' timestamp='1477172626' post='3160394'] Those deserve a proper embed... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2V-VzQ8kV0[/media] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pv-Iokvimc[/media] [/quote] they do, i dont know why my links come up as lines?. every time i hear him i just want to play along, just for that tone. Edited October 23, 2016 by funkgod Quote
TrevorR Posted October 22, 2016 Posted October 22, 2016 Alan Spenner... what a bass genius! Mind you, Gary Tibbs wasn't to shabby on his Wal nor was Johnny Gus on a Wal bass built by Wal before he built Wal basses... Thoroughly Waltastic band, Roxy! Quote
funkgod Posted October 22, 2016 Posted October 22, 2016 [quote name='TrevorR' timestamp='1477173176' post='3160398'] Alan Spenner... what a bass genius! Mind you, Gary Tibbs wasn't to shabby on his Wal nor was Johnny Gus on a Wal bass built by Wal before he built Wal basses... Thoroughly Waltastic band, Roxy! [/quote] He was, i think if there was ever a single note that you could say thats a wal "al name that in one" that 1 note in avalon just pops right out at you Quote
spectoremg Posted October 23, 2016 Posted October 23, 2016 [quote name='TrevorR' timestamp='1477165196' post='3160340'] [url="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGIYNBxcSZ3uo0Dv4GUoVf-4yKXu7xmKT"]https://www.youtube....UoVf-4yKXu7xmKT[/url] [/quote]You really like Wals don't you. Quote
Leonard Smalls Posted October 23, 2016 Posted October 23, 2016 Can't get more Wal-ey than this! [MEDIA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKNSkprZVvo[/MEDIA] Quote
Bilbo Posted October 23, 2016 Posted October 23, 2016 If you go to my soundcloud page, all of the electric basses on there are my Wal. I find it versatile enough to cover almost anything. The only thing I can't cover on it is slapping as I don't like the slap/Fretless mix. Otherwise, Rock, Pop, Jazz, Latin and Country; the Wal has it all covered. Quote
markstuk Posted October 23, 2016 Posted October 23, 2016 A friend of mine had one in the eighties.. Was the best bass I had ever played by a mile.. 30 years on I recently played another - although a lovely thing, not for me.. Neck mostly.. Quote
Roland Rock Posted October 23, 2016 Posted October 23, 2016 I'm not an afficionado at all, but my one brief experience of a Wal was very positive; rock solid build, easy playability and fantastic filter based preamp. Quote
Rich Posted October 23, 2016 Posted October 23, 2016 As a Wal owner, I am hopelessly biased 😄 but I also had a Status for many years and, yes, chalk and cheese. Quote
Monkey Steve Posted October 23, 2016 Posted October 23, 2016 Two separate incidents sum it up for me. First, when I got my current Wal and took it to its first practice the drummer saya to me "wow - now I understand why they cost so much". Next, playing a gig, at the bar afterwards a punter says to me "was that a Wal? I've never actually seen anybody playing one before, but it sounds exactly like it does on all the records" For all that they look gorgeous and are great to play, it's all about the electrics and the sound Quote
thodrik Posted October 23, 2016 Posted October 23, 2016 I tried a Mark I. Really nice bass but I didn't buy it. I don't think that I would buy one now and I think that there are a lot of basses out there which are of similar quality. If you want a Wal though then you will need to get a Wal, as I don't think that there are any direct comparisons. Quote
Dad3353 Posted October 23, 2016 Posted October 23, 2016 (edited) We are told (with some vehemence...) in another topic, that, with judicious EQ from a Good PA System, one may get a more-than-adequate bass drum sound from a humble biscuit tin (this may be slight exaggeration...), but even a modest drum can become great through FOH just by fx. Would this not make redundant the need for a Wal to get 'that' sound, as, presumably, it could be 'dialled in' with modern technology..? I'm not convinced, myself, but some would argue the case, I think. Edited October 23, 2016 by Dad3353 Quote
funkgod Posted October 23, 2016 Posted October 23, 2016 [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1477218475' post='3160578'] We are told (with some vehemence...) in another topic, that, with judicious EQ from a Good PA System, one may get a more-than-adequate bass drum sound from a humble biscuit tin (this may be slight exaggeration...), but even a modest drum can become great through FOH just by fx. Would this not make redundant the need for a Wal to get 'that' sound, as, presumably, it could be 'dialled in' with modern technology..? I'm not convinced, myself, but some would argue the case, I think. [/quote] hi dad, you not being convinced is right, in this case the old saying is 100% true.. sh!t in, sh!t out. The source has to be good. There are some sounds a wal can get that no other bass on the planet can get. here is one if your into dub reggae or ragga, pick up pot to neck pick up only neck tone to "0" pot pulled out vol pot 10 also pulled out for pick attack. that sound is the lowest bass sound i have ever heard but still has a high click to it, but still tight sounding, you wont find that on any other bass. wal players will know what i mean big fat and lush, Quote
TrevorR Posted October 23, 2016 Posted October 23, 2016 [quote name='spectoremg' timestamp='1477205916' post='3160459'] You really like Wals don't you. [/quote] #favebassever Bah! That YouTube playlist doesn't show how much I like Wals... ...THIS shows how much I like Wals! http://youtu.be/Cot2EN0JrS0 Quote
TrevorR Posted October 23, 2016 Posted October 23, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1477218475' post='3160578'] We are told (with some vehemence...) in another topic, that, with judicious EQ from a Good PA System, one may get a more-than-adequate bass drum sound from a humble biscuit tin (this may be slight exaggeration...)... [/quote] Yeah, but you didn't ACTUALLY believe that did you? ;-) [quote name='funkgod' timestamp='1477223609' post='3160628'] There are some sounds a wal can get that no other bass on the planet can get. here is one if your into dub reggae or ragga, pick up pot to neck pick up only neck tone to "0" pot pulled out vol pot 10 also pulled out for pick attack. that sound is the lowest bass sound i have ever heard but still has a high click to it, but still tight sounding, you wont find that on any other bass. wal players will know what i mean big fat and lush, [/quote] Used pretty much that sound (though I had the tones on 2 and 8) every time we ever played Roxanne, Walking On The Moon, No Woman No Cry, One Love or It Must Be Love! A lot of people talk about "The Wal Sound" which it true but they often kinda follow that with "But what if I don't want to sound like Geddy Lee in the late 80s?" which misses the point completely. The Wal is a hugely versatile bass with an astonishing range of amazing tones which it can produce. It can bark but it can purr and roar too. Compare Percy Jones with Geddy with Bruce Thomas with Lol Cottle with Colin Moulding, with Macca, with Colin Edwin, with Colin Bass, with John Illsley... many colours of chalk with many flavours of cheese. Edited October 23, 2016 by TrevorR Quote
spectoremg Posted October 23, 2016 Posted October 23, 2016 [quote name='TrevorR' timestamp='1477236429' post='3160751'] Yeah, but you didn't ACTUALLY believe that did you? ;-) Used pretty much that sound (though I had the tones on 2 and 8) every time we ever played Roxanne, Walking On The Moon, No Woman No Cry, One Love or It Must Be Love! A lot of people talk about "The Wal Sound" which it true but they often kinda follow that with "But what if I don't want to sound like Geddy Lee in the late 80s?" which misses the point completely. The Wal is a hugely versatile bass with an astonishing range of amazing tones which it can produce. It can bark but it can purr and roar too. Compare Percy Jones with Geddy with Bruce Thomas with Lol Cottle with Colin Moulding, with Macca, with Colin Edwin, with Colin Bass, with John Illsley... many colours of chalk with many flavours of cheese. [/quote]Which is the case for many other basses at a quarter of the cost. I'm starting to smell Wal-elitism (Walism). Quote
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