franzbassist

[quote name='BassManKev' post='255275' date='Aug 5 2008, 12:08 PM']iv admired your avatar for a long while, most attractive wal bass i think there is[/quote] Many thanks. Here are some of the other Wals I've owned: W3306, built for me in 1989 and my first Wal W12397 "Blondie", with beech facings (note, again, the custom placement of the neck pickup done especially for me) W30496 "Fifi", walnut fretless. The one bass in my life I wish I'd never sold.

[quote name='overwater#1' post='255245' date='Aug 5 2008, 11:39 AM']Anyway.. I'd love to see some close ups of your MkIII!!!! Its jaw-droppingly stunning.. ! [/quote] You asked for it.... My Mk III was one of the last two basses Pete made. It was very special for a number of reasons, not least because I supplied the facings he used (picked up on a ski-ing holiday in Vermont). This is the only spalted maple Wal in the world. I also asked for a walnut core ( usually mahogany), and Pete gave the bass a double pinstripe veneer (usually only one). As this was going to be my ultimate Wal, I also had Pete make fretted and fretless necks (ebony boards, no dots, unlined fretless) for the bass, so I could swap them over as and when I fancied a change. I also asked him to put his fish signature on the back of the necks. Pete also bound the pickups with contrasting laminates. Again, a very unusual feature. Often the back of a Wal looks just as good as the front! And here it is, finished.... Enjoy!

[quote name='overwater#1' post='255233' date='Aug 5 2008, 11:30 AM']Yeah.. im no good at English either.[/quote] Hey Matt, no worries. I wasn't having a dig. I think a Wal thread is a great idea.

[quote name='Rich' post='255222' date='Aug 5 2008, 11:20 AM']Yes.[/quote] +1 And while we're there, can we punctuate it as Wals (plural) rather than Wal's (possessive) please?

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='253823' date='Aug 3 2008, 06:04 PM']Maybe if it was one of the 'leather scratchplate' models, of which only 24 or 25 were made.. Otherwise, I don't think so. In fact, GAK recently sold a Custom Wal for around £1100/£1200 to someone here on Basschat, so that gives you some idea of where the market is at.[/quote] Wow that's nice. I want... I agree with Nik on price. A few months ago I would have said the sky's the limit because folk were paying silly money for Wals (I was offered £5k for mine!), but with the economic downturn prices should become more reasonable. Also, one important thing to remember is a lot of the electronics that went into these Wals are now no longer available, so should the bass break down it could be a big issue for the owner. Cheers Gareth

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='250216' date='Jul 29 2008, 09:51 AM']I was using it for the first time in ages yesterday and it sounded just amazing..[/quote] I second that. Nik's Wal has a really nasty tone, but "nasty" in a good way!!!!!!

I think you dodged a bullet there CK.

His "Friends" album is one of my favourites when I'm in the mood for jazz. Great player.

Funnily enough I have a real paucity of decent shots from "out front".... Blues band, playing to what appears to be an audience of two, before we supported Geno Washington that evening. Cranleigh, September 2005. Function band, playing at ITV's 50th birthday party

[quote name='bnt' post='240097' date='Jul 15 2008, 02:52 PM']Have you thought about the strings - gauge, Lo B vs Hi C, etc? It may take a bit of looking to find the right 5-string acoustic set for you (I imagine).[/quote] Brook use Elixir as standard and I'm more than happy with that. The bass will sport a low B as it'll be used plugged in most of the time so unplugged volume will not be an issue.

[quote name='walbassist' post='219850' date='Jun 16 2008, 02:05 PM']Just heard the ETA on the bass is 20 July![/quote] At least it was due then. I've just heard from Brook that there will be a delay. New pictures though.... Nice shape to the bridge Fantastic myrtle back and sides

[quote name='NJE' post='230603' date='Jul 1 2008, 03:11 PM']great info, how did you find the string spacing and neck dimensions? I love the singlecuts but the jazz will be a stretch for me secondhand, and thats even if I can sell the Musicman.[/quote] Necks were fine, quite round as I recall and not the flattened oval common on many 5s these days. The basses are certainly made with a lot of room between strings, although the bridge spacing was adjustable (but I don't think the NJS has the same bridge, so you get what you get). They are so light and feel so good I never really had a sense of the dimensions being uncomfortable.

I had two of the original series single cuts. They are great basses, beautifully made, very light, had a very open and organic sound. Rob does great work.

Good job Nik! It's in my diary, and I shall bring the gear that appears in my signature below. Cheers Gareth

[quote name='Jase' post='223288' date='Jun 20 2008, 10:07 PM']Oooo, you got any links?[/quote] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cbd4X_rbCI"]Jonas Wal doubleneck on Youtube[/url]

Here are my three. [b]Ken Smith BMT from 1994[/b] My main bass and a total tone machine. This bass and an Epifani rig (although not this one any more, which way WAY more than I need now!) is just sonic nirvana for me. [b]Wal Mk III from 2006[/b] The only one with spalted maple facings ever made and one of the last two Pete built. Currently wearing the fretless neck (I had fretted and fretless made) [b]Brook Otter Acoustic Bass[/b] The first 5 string they've made. Due to be finished middle of July...

Just heard the ETA on the bass is 20 July!