Very true. I have my own Zoot 'Wal-alike', made by MIke Walsh, which is so much more comfortable to play than the real thing. One of the original pickups developed a problem and this has inspired Mike to start making his own multi-coils, which he's going to offer on his own range of Wal-alike basses. Knowing the research he's done, I suspect they are going to be as close to the originals as it is possible to get (having had many conversations with him I'm now much more aware than previously of the complex and multiple specification and topographical considerations involved). The latest version of the Lusithand pre is also voiced slightly differently too, I believe. So - as Russ says - there's plenty of options out there for those hankering after the Wal sound without having the patience and pockets deep enough to go 'full Wal'. My own next 'Wal-alike' will be using MIke's new pickups too, but will be passive, so it will be interesting to hear how close it gets without the filter preamp. Still it's own variation of a Wal, of course, but from a much earlier era and iteration.