BB2000 Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 I have an early 80's Mark 1 which is one of these basses that you just can't put down when you pick it up (it has the perfect neck for me). It's had a lot of playing hours from me and the previous owners and so it shows playing wear (for example there's a depression in the body where a previous owner rested his thumb). Most of the Wal's I see for sale look as if they've never left their case. I'm probably going to have to sell this to raise cash, although I'm not sure what the market is like at the moment - a few years ago they were going for silly money in the states, but I haven't seen much activity lately. What I'm wondering is if I should get it refinished and tarted up before i sell, or leave it as it is. What do you lot think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 If you are going to sell it and it is in otherwise original condition, I'd leave it as it is. If you decide to keep it and can't live with wear then talk to [url=http://www.walbasses.co.uk]Paul Herman at Wal[/url] to see what your options are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1354035451' post='1881238'] If you are going to sell it and it is in otherwise original condition, I'd leave it as it is. If you decide to keep it and can't live with wear then talk to [url="http://www.walbasses.co.uk"]Paul Herman at Wal[/url] to see what your options are. [/quote] ^ This . End of story . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franzbassist Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 If you like it how it is, leave it alone. If you do decide to sell then it's up to the new owner to decide what to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 My view is that any mods will devalue this bass, even those that "improve" it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spoombung Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Don't touch it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubbishatbass Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 Post up a few pics, warts n' all ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mentalextra Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 (edited) [size=5][sub]I would be interested in buying a Wal of this age and I would expect to find it in original condition. Wear on instruments is like the 'patina' of antiques, totally acceptable [/sub][/size] Edited November 27, 2012 by mentalextra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 spend hundreds on something that won't increase the price by as much as you'll have spent? doesn't make sense to me. Mind you I love well played looking basses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philw Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Absolutely agree with all that. Leave well alone. Just get Paul Herman to do a setup and service the electronics but after that of course you won't want to sell it. P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pierreganseman Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 I am gonna guess leave it "as is" as anyway Paul herman will probably not answer back to your inquiry. I had the exact same thing, a wal needing a refin'... took him 7 month to get back to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB2000 Posted November 29, 2012 Author Share Posted November 29, 2012 Ok, that's an unanimous verdict - let her be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB2000 Posted November 29, 2012 Author Share Posted November 29, 2012 [quote name='pierreganseman' timestamp='1354102960' post='1882012'] I am gonna guess leave it "as is" as anyway Paul herman will probably not answer back to your inquiry. I had the exact same thing, a wal needing a refin'... took him 7 month to get back to me. [/quote] Sounds about right, asked about a refret about 2 years back - took about 6 months to get a price. Pete always had a reputation for being difficult to get hold of (particularly close to his retirement) but I always got an answer to any query on the spot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 [quote name='BB2000' timestamp='1354210918' post='1883705'] Ok, that's an unanimous verdict - let her be. [/quote] except we all wanted photos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Leave it. A refinish would probably lower the value if anything. Wal values are always going to be up there unless the thing's been butchered, I don't think you have anything to worry about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 This probably won't help much, but my old Aria SB-1000 is currently being restored/refinished. This is mainly due to it being abused for a decade or so by me and my drummer. It was absolutely covered in dents from being wacked with drum sticks, bashed on cymbals and generally thrown around. A further decade spent in a dampish loft were not kind either. In mitigation though it has sentimental value, is a 'keeper' because of that, and was barely playable as it was. Having been stripped back to bare wood it will be finished with an 'ultra-blond' clear coat rather than the original honey, and will have gold hardware to 'match' the brass bridge. You never know, I might actually gig it again. I will eventually post photos in the build diary section (when I get my hands on them/it!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnR Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 I contacted them about a refinish recently and got a reply the same day. Extremely helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 You'd never get your money back on a refinish. Just leave it as it is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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