mikeswals

Yes, Paul makes them lighter! Yes I can see that 5kg = 11.02 lbs, yup that's rather heavy. My three Paul era Mk3's: the maple 4 string; 8.6 lbs = 3.92kg the silver 5 string; 9.9 lbs = 4.49kg the purple5 string; 10.0 lbs = 4.55kg

[quote name='LewisK1975' timestamp='1498135968' post='3322721'] If I was ever lucky enough to have the choice, it'd be a 4 string mk1 for me. Just so I could sound like this, listen to how good this sounds (especially the chorus): [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaEN4katH0k&list=PLGIYNBxcSZ3uo0Dv4GUoVf-4yKXu7xmKT[/media] EDIT just to say if someone could let me know how to sound like this without buying a Wal I'd be ever so grateful [/quote] Greg Edwards of Failure was the main reason for me to go down this path. In a heavy rock setting just hearing how clear every note is even when strumming chords, no mud, and that natural gritty grind. I wanted the same bass that could speak that clearly. (Failure is also why I chose silver on my Mk3)

I have several. I recently sold off my last Mk1 (that black one). I love all Wals, but the MK2 and Mk3 are both way more comfortable. The Mk1 believe it or not requires a longer stretch in the first position. [IMG]http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/Negative7bass/16403323_10212307153580771_129602906646382605_o_zpsguqdfgpd.jpg[/IMG]

Fantastic. Love the black neck on maple.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1490600553' post='3266178'] I was asking Paul about the trans gloss finishes and he said they were almost exclusively for you guys on that side of the pond... The standard of finishing is exquisite, I think I may be tempted by a trans finish on a future build. [/quote] If I must be brutally honest on why I order gloss, is because I hate the way the thin standard finish wears off and is easy to break through. I'll buy used Wals that to me just have unsightly and sometimes weird wear patches. The gloss finished ones barely need a polishing. But "serial offenders", ha! Now that's funny!

Nice, love the way the Pro's look in sunburst!

Yup they sound very different, I've had a few of both. The SR5HH was smoother, can have more of a scoopy tone. The L2500 has way higher output and is all attack and sustain.

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1490511593' post='3265530'] Lovely You got any being built at the moment? [/quote] Yes, a 4 string Mk2 in trans red gloss. probably done around Aug of '18.

Rob, that trans green Mk3 I know is on order for guy in the San Francisco area here in the States.

Added a black and gold Mk2 to the fold. Also sold off my last Mk1.

The pickguard was the same series vinyl/tort from 66-72. The earlier ones will fit but will cost 50-60% more. The Jazz pickguard screw patterns are the hardest to match. Look for your old one, but if the guard has already been off and sitting in a box it will have shrunk and the holes will likely no longer or barely line up anymore.

Amazingly it arrived in only 2 days!

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1479222097' post='3174847'] What a looker, is it with you yet? [/quote] Not here yet. It left Wal on monday. But now I get to play the waiting game on how long it takes to get thru US customs. My last one in June took 8 days to get thru.

Here's what my old 5SSS looked like. I wasn't fond of the regular white finish, but I just didn't like the tort colored guard on it...it would have looked overall much better with a white pearl guard, but I couldn't find one at the time. To me this bodystyle just begs for a metallic green, or blue, or red, or gold. [IMG]http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/Negative7bass/Mobile%20Uploads/CAM02753_zpssl1ludbz.jpg[/IMG]

New filth! Paul just emailed my newest one is complete. But won't ship for two weeks, so now makes the wait brutal!!! [IMG]http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/Negative7bass/thumbnail_Ramos205m320silver_zps8oelfxqc.jpg[/IMG]

Wal bridges only come in one spacing on their respective string versions, there is no choice. The nut widths are standard, however anyone that requires something different will usually speak up at order time rather than taking the standard. Same for the neck thickness. If a standard is a 1-5/8" like on a P Bass or StingRay, then its the same.

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1478043470' post='3166389'] I guessed the neck profile might be customisable, but if the nut width is standard at 42mm, it would make sense for them to say so. I would really like to try one before ordering. Sadly I couldn't make it to the SEBB as I was gigging. Sounds like I missed out big time. [/quote] As far as I know right now, Paul might still have one unsold Mk3 4-string and one Mk3 5-string to try out at the workshop.

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1477992459' post='3165718'] Ohh! I bet that was tempting to have a look around. [/quote] I wish we could have. They didn't and still don't offer any factory tours. Back then I had to deliver/pick up bike parts at another facility twice a month right next door to the MM factory.

[quote name='NickA' timestamp='1475786622' post='3148832'] Hey MikesWals .... as the owner of both kinds.. do you find any difference between your "New" and "Old" Wals? I was with mine (a 1980s 4 string mk 1 fretless) in bass direct this week, where they had a Mk1 and a Mk2 for sale at around £4500 (!!) they told me the new ones are about £5000 and have a two year waiting list and "anyway wouldn't be the same as an old one", hence the increasing value of the original Mk1s. Any truth in that? [/quote] As Trevor said up above, no truth in that. When I posted that picture above, I had three old era and three new era Wals. I very recently sold that newer shedua Mk2 on the left, and placed and order for a replacement Mk2 in trans red gloss. Yes, I have sat with both eras and geeked out measuring and comparing every square inch to each other. All I can say is Paul builds them better, Paul builds perfect Wals, and as mentioned overall lighter weights. No matter what, I like both eras...but at the going rates I can sure justify the grand more a new one costs.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1475889106' post='3149602']I don't like coloured one though, why hide that beautiful wood ?[/quote] Mmm, because I have another 5 string that is all natural, so why not have one of each?

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1477906667' post='3165093']Their guitar sales are apparently doing VERY well.[/quote] I don't play guitar, but I'm really glad their guitar models finally took off and going strong. I grew up very near the factory, and back in the late 80's and 90's you never saw anyone in the wild playing a Musicman guitar, only saw a couple of pictures in magazines.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1476183575' post='3151994'] There needs to be more coloured finish Wals, one owned by someone desperate for cash to fund a drug problem or something would be ideal for me! [/quote] I'm working on filling the world with Wals of color! Another due this month. However I don't have any drug problems... [IMG]http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/Negative7bass/Ramos%20violet%205m3%202_zpsb6l6ay4j.jpg[/IMG]