barend

Great collection! I guess you still own all 6? (judging from the same amp in all pictures) two questions: 1) what do think of the pro I compared to the other basses? 2) how would you descibe the differences in sound between your two fretless basse MK1 and MK2? the fretless MK1 looks really nice!

ok, no offence taken whatsoever. I was just trying to avoid confusion. Also I am curious for what purpose you guys use the up position of the filter knobs. Because to me it doesn't sound good or useful with the knobs in up position. Maybe someone has some sample settings?

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1349445688' post='1826453'] It all depends on your definition of passive. It may be that , nominally at least, the preamp is still engaged in some capacity when all the controls are clicked down, but the e.q controls in effect operate to replicate the sound of passive tone controls with the bass in this mode. It may not be what is referred to as "true passive" but it is essentially passive in apparent operation to all intents and purposes . [/quote] Yes you are right that the down position sounds more passive then the up position. But the bass/electronics is still active. The filter controls are more complicated then the controls on a passive bass. And also the bass won't sound without a battery. I feel that with the knobs in the up position a Wal doesn't sound like a 'normal' active bass. I have experimented a lot with the filter knobs but I never use the knobs in up position because those frequencies don't sound very natural or useful to me. So always down position for the filter knobs on an Mk1 for me.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1349440131' post='1826335'] I had three MK1 Wals and they were all switchable from active/passive. With all the control knobs clicked in the downward position the bass is in passive mode, and the e.q knobs operate as passive tone controls. [/quote] No that is not true. With the knobs in the down position the bass is not passive. The knobs in the up position are there just to enhance the frequencies you dial in. In the the down position the electronics are still active. There are no MK1's that are passive. Only the one that is for sale on basschat but that one is an exeption or custom design or something. All are other Mk1's are active.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1349367703' post='1825393'] but I can tell you that in effect it will be an expensive ( and inferior) way of duplicating what you have already got. The fact that you can run the Custom active/passive , [/quote] There are no active/passive controls on Mk1's. Also they have made fretless Wal basses with rosewood boards, not only ebony as you say. Also I don't consider a one pickup Pro inferior to a Mk1. If you only use the bridge pickup of the Mk1 the sound is almost the same. A Mk1 has a bit more bite and a Pro a bit more low end but the tonal character is very close. Just check the last video I have posted. If you like simplicty you might even prefer the tone controls of the Pro. If you need a second pickup than a Mk1 is obviously a better choice. But if you only use the bridge pickup they are very close.

Thanks. Maybe this will help you even more. 1,5 year ago I made a Wal Mk1 and Pro comparison video. I wasn't too happy with the playing so I didn't put it online. Was watching it today after reading this topic and thought 'what the hell just put it on youtube'. I play the same piece twice with the same amp and settings so you can hear how they both sound and compare them. The wenge has 040 Rotosound stainless strings and the Pro 045 D'addario Nickel strings. These strings sound different. Also the Mk1 has a rosewood and the Pro an ebony fingerboard. anyway, here it is: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK7cSVxgBeA[/media]

Hi, I have had 4 Wals. Two fretted Mk1's and two fretless Pro's with one bridge pickup. Still own one Mk1 and one fretless Pro. The sound is almost the same as the bridge pickup of an Mk1, but with a little more bottom. With the little switch you can have more bottom but it will also get more muddy. Not sure though what that switch actualy does electronically. I never use the little switch and prefer the normal sound. The bass has the typical Wal sound. And I like the simplicity. Just one volume and one treble knob. You never have to dial in the right tone (like on an Mk1) it's already there. Here is a clip of me playing it. There are more clips if you go to my youtube channel. Hope this helps: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kw0ltIsRvI[/media]

Very nice Laurence! great bass. I Like the fretless neck.

[quote name='spiritchaser' timestamp='1317632399' post='1392400'] Barend, the right Wal indeed features "stained" sycamore facings and it's only a couple of days old. I got it last Wednesday from Paul. [/quote] It is one of the most beautiful Wal facing I have seen. The rosewood almost looks like ebony.

Really like the right one. Beautiful finish. is that some sort of sycamore? is it a recent one?