Happy Jack Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 [IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Basses%20CURRENT/Wal%20Custom%20Mk%20II%205string%201990%20CURRENT/CIMG1280.jpg[/IMG] I sold my main gigging 5-string last year in order to fund buying this bass. Lovely as it is, I still miss my old bass too much and I'm now talking to its current owner about buying it back. So, with enormous regret, I now need to generate a chunk of cash by selling the Wal, either for cash or for a trade+cash-my-way deal. [IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Basses%20CURRENT/Wal%20Custom%20Mk%20II%205string%201990%20CURRENT/CIMG1277.jpg[/IMG] This bass cost me £3400, but I'm not blind to the fact that prices continue to fall. I'm prepared to accept £3400 in used fivers if you insist, but you may prefer to try offering a bit less. If the deal involves a trade, it's pretty unlikely that I'll keep the trade goods - though you may surprise me - which means that I can be reasonably flexible, BUT I'm not interested in cheap or low-end stuff, no matter how nicely it plays. [IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Basses%20CURRENT/Wal%20Custom%20Mk%20II%205string%201990%20CURRENT/CIMG1274.jpg[/IMG] My only restrictions on trade offers are (1) that I really do prefer 19mm string spacing at the bridge, and I don't want to go below 18mm under any circumstances, and (2) that weight matters to me. This Wal has 17.5mm string spacing and weighs 5Kg (though it balances very nicely on a strap) ... both of these are factors in my decision to sell. Speaking of weight, there's no shortage of Basschatters who believe that neither choice of tonewood nor the weight of a bass have any real impact on tone. I beg to differ. When you play this Wal, I swear that you can feel that 5Kg behind every note. This bass has [i][b]presence[/b][/i]. [IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Basses%20CURRENT/Wal%20Custom%20Mk%20II%205string%201990%20CURRENT/CIMG1269.jpg[/IMG] It's 22 years old, so there's no point in claiming that it's "mint". I'm happy to say that it's 9.5/10 though. If you look closely enough in the flesh, you can see tiny scratches and the occasional dint, but these don't photograph at all. The only noticeable marks which DO photograph can both be seen here: [IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Basses%20CURRENT/Wal%20Custom%20Mk%20II%205string%201990%20CURRENT/CIMG1283.jpg[/IMG] The only other point to make is that this bass was originally fretted. A previous owner had it de-fretted by Martin at The Gallery, at which point a new ebony fingerboard was fitted. When I bought it, I had Martin restore it to original spec by fretting that ebony board. To the best of my knowledge, the only other departure from all-original condition is the addition of straplocks. If you're not familiar with how the Wal on-board filter-based pre-amp works, have a look at http://www.walbasses.co.uk/Electronics The bass comes with its original Wal hard case, not in great condition but perfectly useable. More photographs are at http://s1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Basses%20CURRENT/Wal%20Custom%20Mk%20II%205string%201990%20CURRENT/ I'm in Chiswick (London W4) and obviously that would be the best place to try the bass if you want to. If you need to know anything else, go ahead and ask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayman Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Oh[i] blimey[/i]........don't know what else to say..........dribble............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarky Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 I've played this bass and it is genuinely a quite wonderful bit of gear with superior tonal capabailities and just so playable. Even silddx (who genuinely describes Wals as ugly dogs or similar) was moved to think he'd like one after laying hands on this at a recent get-together. Whoever buys this will be a happy bunny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazBeen Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 The only active bass i would consider......... Nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supabock Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Yeah, thanks mate.... was just gonna put mine up for grabs.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PTB Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 I've also played this one & can confirm it is a wonderful instrument with a rich tone. Someone will be a very happy bassist with this in their arsenal. Good luck with the sale Jack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pierreganseman Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 I tried this bass many times while it was frettless, when I went to the shop to buy, it, had been gone for less than 24 hours.... lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumour6 Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 I've always liked heavier basses and I also think the weight helps them 'sing'. Had a F'less one of these and they are [i]very[/i] nice to play; out of interest what is it you miss and want to go back to? Must be tasty to move this on for... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbassist Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Serious bass. If you buy this can't imagine you would need anything else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Bassman Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 Apart from a matching fretless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbassist Posted August 3, 2012 Share Posted August 3, 2012 [quote name='Mr Bassman' timestamp='1344027581' post='1759027'] Apart from a matching fretless [/quote] You are a bad man Keith! Fuelling all this GAS :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverfoxnik Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 I've also had the pleasure of playing this bass, back in January when I lasted visited 'Happy Jack Towers'.. Jack's comment about it having real 'presence' is absolutely spot-on. This bass has a depth and richness of tone that is lovely; adjectives more likely to be used to describe the qualities of cellos or DBs perhaps.. And I have to say, that's in quite stark contrast to the Wal 5 I had back in the early '90s, which was of a similar vintage and which I never liked. I ended up moving that one on quite quickly. Oh, and just in case it hasn't been said already, buying and trading basses and bass gear with Jack is always a complete pleasure.. To any prospective buyers I'd say make sure you have a few hours spare so you can relax and enjoy not only the new bass you're after, but also some really fascinating 'bass chat' in Jack's company! Good luck with the sale Jack.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted August 4, 2012 Author Share Posted August 4, 2012 Thanks for all the nice comments, guys. In classic [i][b]For Sale Topic[/b][/i] stylee, I can hardly refrain from pointing out that failure to sell a bass as nice as this would hardly be the worst thing that's ever happened to me ... Rumour6, the bass I'm missing so much is [IMG]http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m496/h4ppyjack/Basses%20SOLD/Alleva%20Coppolo%20KBP5%202009%20SOLD/DSCF3839.jpg[/IMG] If you want to see the full set of photos, follow the links in my sig. That's an Alleva-Coppolo KBP5 in Antigua, fitted with a John East P-Retro. I bought it from Flanker a few years back, foolishly sold it to Clarky after a while, bought it back from him when I realised my mistake, even more foolishly sold it to Clarky again (there's something about the way he says "[color=#800000][i]Feed him to the pigs, 'arold[/i][/color]" that's very persuasive), and have now followed through to its current owner. I don't think I'll be selling it again ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil-osopher10 Posted August 4, 2012 Share Posted August 4, 2012 This is one beautiful bass! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndroWal Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 Interestingly, all four of my Wal 5s have 16.5mm spacing at the bridge. I wonder if yours was a special order/bridge-build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted August 5, 2012 Author Share Posted August 5, 2012 I don't think so. When I was looking for this bass I tried three others - they all had the same spacing as mine. I'd never be able to play a bass with 16.5mm spacing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pierreganseman Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 so you sold the same bass 3 times?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted August 5, 2012 Author Share Posted August 5, 2012 There's one born every minute ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 I agree with the weight = tone arguement..but it kills my shoulder all the same. I had a 4 string mk 1 with identical facings back in the day. It sounded incredible - but weighed more than my car This bass looks superb, good luck with the sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndroWal Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 (edited) [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1344164251' post='1760513'] I don't think so. When I was looking for this bass I tried three others - they all had the same spacing as mine. I'd never be able to play a bass with 16.5mm spacing! [/quote] I have two Mark II 5s from 1990 and 1992 respectively, a Mark III from 1996 and another III from 2003. All 16.5mm! String-center to string-center.... Edited August 5, 2012 by AndroWal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndroWal Posted August 5, 2012 Share Posted August 5, 2012 And a +1 on Presence. All of my Wals have the Wal sound, but the Mark IIs with their heft, are wonderful in their voices. Presence, sing, power....so much tone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted August 10, 2012 Author Share Posted August 10, 2012 One more bump, and if it doesn't sell ... well, I guess I'll just have to keep it. What a tragedy. Hey, I did my best to sell it, OK? It's not my fault if the market dictates that I must keep one of the nicest basses I've ever owned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toinoo Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 May I propose this for a trade? Spector NS2J Made in US, I'm from Paris, France Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted August 10, 2012 Author Share Posted August 10, 2012 Straight trade? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toinoo Posted August 10, 2012 Share Posted August 10, 2012 I can give hmmmmmmmmmmm let's say.... a very beauuuuuuuuutiful kitty? (how much euros more?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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