mikeswals

I just recently picked up a new birdseye maple MkIII 4 string a few weeks ago. Built Jan/2015, found it already traded-in at a vintage guitar shop...their loss I say! It's spectacular! The only bummer is, I placed an order a couple months ago with Wal for a similar MkIII 4, so I may change the new build to a 5 string. So an upated family pic with the (Mk) 1 2 3 punch!

I'm using DR Marcus Miller stainless on my 5. They are the grittiest-zingiest B string I can find. I tried taper B's, but they didnt sound as bright, nor did the fat part of the string cover the rear row if pickup pole.

I had to service some difficult to turn/pull pots on mine when they arrived too. I used Deoxit, sprayed some in the tiny square openings on the backs on the pots, and I removed the knobs and used a toothpick to help dribble some Deoxit down the pot shaft. Work it in well then they spin easily.

Is that the 2002 MkII that was just on craigslist.de? Looks fantasic! The old ones had heavily glossed necks, but I think around 2001-ish they changed to a thinner satin finish on the neck, kinda like what's on the body.

Yes the MkIII DI cannon is mounted 'backwards' from any MkI and MkII that I've seen.

[quote name='ubit' timestamp='1421514216' post='2662165'] I wouldn't trust any courier. [/quote] You do know that these products get to the stores by courier also, right? The Status in question looks like the bubble wrap created a high point inside the case, and the result is the lacquer crack. But yeah easy fix.

That 6 pictured above isn't Rob's. his has chrome hardware, the one pictured has gold and a bass clef inlay.

Rob still has his sixer. Probably couldn't bring himself to sell it back then. He showed off that he just had it defretted.

Woah, that blue one looks fantastic Bob! What pickups are in the black Sonus?

I know where there is a 6'er at now.... (in the US)

Rob, a year will pass before you know it. I may get in line for a new order since I already just sold that recently acquired fretless, and cannot find a used MkIII 4-banger.

Wal #6 in the fold. [IMG]http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/Negative7bass/Bass%20two/W3692-6_zps832b669d.jpg[/IMG]

Fantastically beautiful MkII Kev! Congrats!

The new Strategy arrived about a month ago. I ordered the rack mount version so I can haul it around in a spare old Mesa headcase. I also picked up another PH212 cab since I didnt want to haul the PH810 around to just bars anymore. The 12's tonally remind me very much of the old EV diesel cabs. [IMG]http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/Negative7bass/Mobile%20Uploads/CAM00545_zps22d23ff1.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/Negative7bass/Mobile%20Uploads/CAM00550_zpscf3c4d3b.jpg[/IMG]

No, that case is not original. The preEB Musicmans used the same case supplier as Fender, so the black tolex with orange interior cases are very similar.

With the rosewood board I'd go with a tort guard as a better contrast, just like that Jazz above . If it was a maple board then the white would look best.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1349441287' post='1826371'] Have you considerd the option of buying back your old MK1 and buying a new fretless neck for it from Wal ? Paul could make you one , lined or unlined according to your preference, and send it to you and if neccesary you could have someone local like Mike Lull fit it for you. Back in the day plenty of people bought fretted Wal basses with an additional fretless neck to swap between the two whenever it suited them. [/quote] Dingus, alot has happened since this series of posts about a fretless. I did buy back the fretted violet MkI I mentioned, but I then sold it and bought a MkII 5 string since I thought I was going to be needing one. Of course I miss that MkI now too! However like your suggestion above, I did manage to pick up a spare fretless neck. So for now, the white bass in my avatar is back to being a fretless, which I'm having alot of fun with again. But I think eventually when I have more money than I know what to do with (yeah right!) I'll have Paul build me a body for it. Oh btw, Rob Burns is pretty active on the Wal/facebook page.

The Wal is wearing a later Custom series neck, and later bridge; circa 81/82 ones judging by the hardware. Any idea why?

I'm in the camp that will never believe in a million years its a '59. Fender had released the pics of the couple prototype Jazzes they did in late 59, they had goofy wide pickups like the Jazzmaster guitar, and so many details that didn't look like a production Jazz Bass at all. Remember, the production Jazz debuet in May 60, and Herbies bass looks very much in every way like a production bass and not like either of the prototypes. On a somewhat related claim, my uncle gave me a Precision Bass that he claims all day long he bought new in 1979. When I took it apart it says 1982. He'll argue "no way!" but every component on it is dated 1982.

[quote] however you can't underestimate, or replicate, the sounds from the Wal. Unfortunately they are weighty and the neck profile wasn't to my liking. You can get the best of both worlds by getting, as Luke says, an ACG. I'm sure that Alan would be happy to build a more conservative bass. Also hard to argue against a GB - the Spitfire has a bolt on neck.[/quote] If you are talking about having a bass built here, Wal now make their basses lighter than ever. And Paul will not even start on the neck until you specify to him how you want the neck profile to be

[quote]That's me (I've looked better!), and the 1 pu bass was mine. It actually sounded really good, although I can't for the life of me remember why it had the usual four knob setup! [/quote] Walbasist, thanks for chiming in! For years I tried finding info about that single pickup fretless but no one could remember who's it was, I think it would be the ideal fretless. Is there anything you could tell me about it? Is it gone now?

I have one of the new ones (as well as a bunch of the old ones), and I have to say that Paul is building them better today than the old company was at any given peak. He builds them lighter too! Study his new era bass and he's like a laser guided robot, everything is perfect and precisely symmetric as it needs to be, bookmatch of all the woods involved are precise. I do love my old ones, but you see the little handcrafted uneven idiosyncrasies everywhere...he fixed all that.

The first time I got to see an actual Wal in person was at the (other) Bass Centre they built in Hollywood in the States way back in the earlier 90's. I was about 21 at the time. Brand new black poly Geddy style MkI, $3200 dollar price tag! No way I could afford such a beast at that age. I had to wait until my late 30's before I could afford buy the same black bass at $4500 dollars preowned!

Yes, as menitoned, EBMM have now been offering the SLO neck option on the StingRay 4. it's a narrow 1.5" nut width like a Jazz Bass.