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overwater#1

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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!

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[quote name='funkgod' timestamp='1349873180' post='1831567']
Triple WAL porn.. enjoy.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKNSkprZVvo&feature=fvwp&NR=1[/media]
[/quote]

I always find it funny that this video pops up in Youtube searches for Jonas Hellborg these days. The original Hellborg group recording has normally been nigh on unattainable online, never mind footage of the band. Anders Nord was a pretty good player too, surprised he never really went further on the world stage.

The 'e' record by the Hellborg Group is also very good. I have loads of rare Hellborg records sitting in a box in my spare room, not unpacked since I moved house. I should really get them out and enjoy them again!

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[quote name='barend' timestamp='1356828976' post='1914192']
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!
[/quote]
No, sadly, I don't own all 6, just the Pro I and flame maple Mk I fretted. The other 4 are now owned by my brother, and he brought them round for a reunion and to torture me with what I had owned but had to sell..

Now to try and answer your questions:

1) The Pro I may seem an illogical buy given that I have the Mk I, but it is the first ever bass I bought, so its more about sentiment than logic! It is cherry facing on ash body, with rosewood fingerboard. Bought from A1 Music in Manchester. It has a vey limited tonal range, because it is a passive bass with only one pickup. I can get the tone I like, but I'm relying upon the tone controls on my Aguilar Tone Hammer 500 amp to dig out the tone I want rather than the bass. It is very percussive, the attack and sustain is incredible. But I can get the same tone and a lot more from my Mk I, if I could afford it, I would have one of the fretless Wals as well.

2) Not a lot, to be honest as both have the same material specs, which is Ebony fingerboard, with Walnut facing on Mahogany core - as someone has already commented, the ebony fingerboard, combination with a soft facing wood on mahogany core is the way Wal specc'd fretless basses.

Now off to buy a lottery ticket and see if I can buy back the other 4..

Mark

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Hi Mark,

I have the same Pro 1 in fretless (see my other posts here for videos). Really like yours too with the red sunburst. I like the simplicity of the tone control of these one pick up Wals.
I always feel there is a tonal difference between an MK1 and MK2. Especially between a 5 string Mk2 and a 4 string Mk1. An Mk2 sounds a bit more allround and less characteristic then a MK1 to me. Maybe because of the extra wood of the body I don't know.
The walnut on your fretless MK1 looks a bit different than normal walnuts, really nice! Is that some special kind of walnut?

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[quote name='barend' timestamp='1356862433' post='1914313']
The walnut on your fretless MK1 looks a bit different than normal walnuts, really nice! Is that some special kind of walnut?
[/quote]
Good question. Finishes as follows:

Mk I fretless is Figured Claro Walnut.
Mk I fretted is Flamed Maple
Mk II fretless is American Walnut.
Mk II fretted 4 string is Figured/Birdseye Maple
Mk II fretted 5 string is Flamed Maple

The fretless basses look quite different colour Walnut, don't they?

Mark
:)

Edited by Mark Dixon
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[quote name='barend' timestamp='1356862433' post='1914313']
I always feel there is a tonal difference between an MK1 and MK2. Especially between a 5 string Mk2 and a 4 string Mk1. An Mk2 sounds a bit more allround and less characteristic then a MK1 to me. Maybe because of the extra wood of the body I don't know.[/quote]

I don't perceive that difference in models when it comes to 4 strings. I have five of them, all 4strings: three MkI's and two MkII's. The only variance I hear is there from the wood that was used, I wouldn't say because of the model. Its the same variance any two of other brand bass would have, for example; three Jazz Basses would have variances. My '09 MkII is very similar in timbre and tone to my '00 MkI. While both of my '90 MkII and '90 MkI have similar tones. My '86 is deepest sounding of all of them, and heavier too.
Now the case of the 5 string, I once had one.... and yes I do agree they are rounder sounding, but I'd think because the neck pickup is closer to the neck than the 4's.

Edited by mikeswals
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[quote name='mikeswals' timestamp='1356984494' post='1916153']Now the case of the 5 string, I once had one.... and yes I do agree they are rounder sounding, but I'd think because the neck pickup is closer to the neck than the 4's.[/quote]

Yes that must be it. The added mass and the different pickup placing will make the 5 string MK2's sound different than the MK1's. I have mostly played 5 string MK2's instead of 4 string ones and always felt they sounded less characteristic but on the other hand more allround and with more bottom and less mids than an MK1.
I guess in a blind test I would easier pick out an MK1 as being a Wal bass than a 5 string MK2.

Edited by barend
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[quote name='mikeswals' timestamp='1356984494' post='1916153']
I don't perceive that difference in models when it comes to 4 strings. I have five of them, all 4strings: three MkI's and two MkII's. The only variance I hear is there from the wood that was used..
[/quote]
Yup, this is my perception too. Fretboard wood, facing wood makes a bigger difference than MkI vs Mk II.. Though the fretboard on a MkII is longer than a MkI, so I guess that must have some input?

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[quote name='Mark Dixon' timestamp='1357491046' post='1923412']
Woo hoo, I've done a deal with my brother, I've traded/bought back the other 4 Wals, just sat here staring at 6 Wal basses, I'm now a pig in the u know what.. :D
[/quote]

Glad that you are reunited. What a collection :gas:

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Question about the late style Pro I's like what Mark and Berend have. Since those have little front-loaded control cavities, did Wal put an info label inside these basses telling what wood and build date about the bass?
I've only seen a few for sale online, and never seen one in person.

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[quote name='mikeswals' timestamp='1358626046' post='1942546']
took some updated pics today:
'90 MkII midi, '09 MkII
'00 MkI, '86 MkI, '90 MkI

[IMG]http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/Negative7bass/smg1.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/Negative7bass/smg2.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/Negative7bass/smg3.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/Negative7bass/smg4.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f224/Negative7bass/smg5.jpg[/IMG]
[/quote]



Would I be right in saying that you like Wal bass guitars Mike ? :)

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