Mokl

My 5 string Wal Mach II from May `88. It was refinished in the 90`s in black poly by a previous owner, although the control cavity informed me that it originally had schedua facings. I finally decided to take the plunge and sent it to Paul Herman for a strip down and refinish. I was a little nervous, not having any idea what it would look like underneath, but I was confident that Paul would make something decent of it even if he found horrible repairs or marks. About 12 weeks later I got the bass back, and I was amazed with how it turned out! Needless to say I'm very happy with the result. I also asked Paul to slightly shave the neck down and finish it in satin as opposed to gloss. I'm glad I did, it feels great.

Just got my Wal back from Paul after he'd had it for a refin. It has come out absolutely stunning! Simply incredible job he did on it. I'll bung some pics in the porn section when I get the chance. I have to say, he was great to deal with.

FWIW my `89 Stingray has a large gap (couple business cards) on the bass side of the neck pocket. It's still one of the most resonant and acoustically "lively" basses I've played, and had no trouble with it at all since I bought it from the original owner in about 1993! I wouldn't have thought this would be the cause of fret buzz on your bass,

Funny enough I've found the necks on the 2 Wals I've owned very chunky, with the Mach I being a very pronounced "V". I understand they do vary a fair bit though... I had a Thumb BO which although chunky depth-wise, felt quite fast to me! My current bass has just been refinished by Paul H. and I asked him to shave the back of the neck for me, so I'm hoping it'll be less "clubby" than it was before. Anyway, sorry for the ramble, lovely bass and admirable playing there!

I've got a fretless that John made for me several years ago now. It's a wonderful instrument and beautifully constructed.

A modulus Flea (now Funk Unlimited), would give you what you want, I think. I had one at the same time as a Stingray so was able to compare them. The modulus could really cut in the high end (mine was SD pup / Aguilar pre).

Looking at the pics it looks as though there is quite a bit of wear on the edges of the fingerboard. Just wondering if the photo's might flatter the condition a bit? It also seems a little odd that they're willing to do a straight swap to me if they are really standing behind the price. As lovely as your CS Jazz must be I find it a bit surprising - especially from a shop. The other thing I'd be slightly wary of is that the strings look quite badly off-centre to me - something you see quite a lot in Jazzes from this era and I think is often due to misplaced bridges (although sometimes a wobbly neck joint). Many will be quick to point at the supposedly dodgy QC from this era.... It may not be critical playability wise, but it would bug the hell out of me! I suppose you just need to try it, but personally I wouldn't worry if this one isn't perfect, if you hold out long enough there are surely enough of these about that you will come across "the one" sooner rather than later. Good luck! P.S. If you wanted to try my `77 as a comparison you'd be welcome - looks like you live pretty near to me.

Just to add to the above, I bought my 77 as a player, not as an investment. That's one thing I like about 70`s Fenders, they're not unattainable price wise - in fact mine cost less than a new 70`s reissue! I like that I can take it out and gig it regularly and not worry too much about it. For me, the tone of a good 70`s Jazz is hard to beat, mine has clarity and punch for days... I also had a stunning `76 P that I wish I hadn't sold.

I love my `77, it is a superb bass. I paid a little more for mine than that one is going for, although that was a year ago and mine hasn't had the controls modded like yours (although neck pickup isn't original on mine). As Beedster said, best to try it out really as they do vary a lot from this era.

If they are Barts in there that might be part of the problem. That's one of the reasons I sold my Sei... I just couldn't take to the tone at all, it was quite lifeless and lacking in useful top-end. I would do as suggested and take it to The Gallery.

If it has 24 frets it is possibly a Mexican Jazz 24 QMT which were released a few years back. Should be a nice bass, but £900 sounds quite high to me as they were a lot less than that new. Of course it may be something else and I could be wrong!

JJ's sounded a lot better than stock valves in my Walkabout, if that's any use to you. Also tried EH,Groove Tubes and Ruby Tubes but the JJ's were my favourite.

I have experience of Farida acoustics as we have sold them through our shop. I understand Dawson's are the importers and set them all up before sending them out. I'm not surprised you were impressed given how good the acoustics were - every one we had played and sounded great.

[quote name='BarnacleBob' post='765571' date='Mar 5 2010, 08:21 PM']Dont get me started on Wals.....just sold a Pro1 cos couldnt get hold of Paul whatshisname to get the pots replaced. First time I've been Wal-less in 30 yrs BB[/quote] That's bad luck! I got hold of him no problem by phoning (didn't respond to my email though). I sent my bass to him a couple of weeks back for a refin, dunno when I'll get it back though! Sorry to go OT. The Overwater in the OP looks lovely, and seems a great price. I'd go for it if I had the spare dough.

Fair play, I hadn't seen it. "Bangers and mash" springs to mind!

Another thing to bear in mind is personal priorities. Some people like to spend large money on nice cars with all the extras. Me, I'm happy driving my 10 year old Polo that gets me from A to B. If the spare cash becomes available I would sooner put it towards a bass, for example, than towards a car.

I should add that I have a pretty lowly occupation with an extremely modest income!

This is an argument which will always exist, and will never be decided one way or the other as it is based so much on personal opinion. I own a Fodera, which would be a very expensive bass new, and cost me a fair few bob second hand. To me it was worth it - it gives me everything I want it to and is a joy to own and play - although it definitely isn't "perfect". I personally think that us electric bass players have it pretty good given the amazing selection of top quality instruments available at very modest prices. Perhaps it is not the best comparison, but what would a classical guitar player pay for a top-of-the-line guitar built to their specification from one of the top luthiers in that field? Orchestral players too - have you seen the price of a bassoon lately?! lol!

I've had my Monarch for about four years now, and I wouldn't part with it. It's taken me a long time to properly get into the instrument, I have never known a bass take so long to get "played in", but it is there now. It wasn't new when I got it, but only about a year old, I think. I love the sound, playability and look of it, I actually don't consider it too ostentatious looking, although others may disagree. It doesn't look as bling as the Sei I once owned, but these days I consider that a good thing. Frankly the bass delivers in all departments, sound, playability, balance and weight are all spot on. I have owned quite a few top notch basses (although not a Smith and am not keen on Alembics), and this, for me, is the best that I have played, Having said that I have had a few niggling issues with it, not least an annoying development of lacquer cracks over last winter (although we had some problems with damp and cold in the place we were living in at the time which probably didn't help). I know it is quite a valuable instrument but I take it to all my gigs - needs to justify what I have invested in it! Oh, and the case is crap. I believe my bass came to the UK through a basschat forum member, although I bought it from another. All I can say, whoever you are, is thanks!