joe_geezer Posted June 16, 2022 Author Share Posted June 16, 2022 (edited) 5 hours ago, CPCustomdubwise said: I am confused.... see previous post, above. I want a Wal, I have the cash for one but it is too painful to wait 6+ years and £8000.... I had a weak moment back there where in theory I could get one but in reality it's just absolutely outrageous under these current conditions, im mad but not that mad Edited June 17, 2022 by joe_geezer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_geezer Posted June 16, 2022 Author Share Posted June 16, 2022 (edited) Bassists that have played an original Wal: John Giblin (Simple Minds / Brand X) Laurence Cottle (Session, amazing Jazz bassist) Chris Squire Geddy Lee Macca Percy Jones John Entwistle Flea Justin Chancellor .etc Bassists playing new Wals: Martin Kemp Any other notable bassists playing new Wals (no doctors or lawyers, even if they are notable)? Edited June 17, 2022 by joe_geezer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tegs07 Posted June 17, 2022 Share Posted June 17, 2022 8 hours ago, joe_geezer said: Price increases since 2010 for a Wal bass: 2010: Prices from £3200. (https://web.archive.org/web/20100206152353/http://www.walbasses.co.uk/Ordering and Pricing) 2012: Prices from £3500. (https://web.archive.org/web/20100206152353/http://www.walbasses.co.uk/Ordering and Pricing) 2013: Prices from £3650. (https://web.archive.org/web/20130602181010/http://www.walbasses.co.uk/Ordering and Pricing) 2014 : Prices from £3850. (https://web.archive.org/web/20140605222820/http://www.walbasses.co.uk/Ordering and Pricing) 2015: Wal 4-string Mk1 - £4050 (https://web.archive.org/web/20150216000620/http://www.walbasses.co.uk/Ordering and Pricing) 2016: Wal 4-string Mk1 - £4450 (https://web.archive.org/web/20160128234324/http://www.walbasses.co.uk/Ordering and Pricing) 2017: Wal 4-string Mk1 - £5300 (https://web.archive.org/web/20170427020827/http://www.walbasses.co.uk:80/Ordering and Pricing) price remains the same until: 2019: Mk1 4-string – from £6050 (https://web.archive.org/web/20200810215913/https://walbasses.co.uk/order-and-contact/) 2020: Price is not disclosed from this point onwards 2022 - If the we take the years from 2017-19 and the price increase of £750 then we can estimate that at least this is added again, possibly even more in 2022 making £6800 - but realistically we are probably looking at £7000+ And compare them to Status basses Status bass: 2010: £1975 S2-Classic 4-string through-neck (https://web.archive.org/web/20090824011929/http://www.status-graphite.com/status/pricelist/Status_Bass_09_INC-VAT.pdf) 2022: £3198.00 S2-Classic 4-string through-neck (http://www.status-graphite.com/status/pricelist/Status_Bass_Pricelist.pdf) I could go and bring up ebay sales from 2010-2022 of used Wal basses and they would probably match the prices of new Wals as shown above... The good news is at the current inflationary trajectory a pint of beer will also cost about a grand Wals are really expensive but if you really want one there isn’t really any option. As they are desirable with limited production runs second hand Wals are also disproportionately expensive so they will retain their value. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted June 17, 2022 Share Posted June 17, 2022 8 hours ago, joe_geezer said: I could go and bring up ebay sales from 2010-2022 of used Wal basses and they would probably match the prices of new Wals as shown above... Which would suggest that their new prices are justified and about right. It's capitalism, price is set by desirability/market/supply. If it's too high it won't sell, if it's too low they won't make as much as they should be. The other thing about capitalism is if you don't want to buy something, no one forces you too. If Jaydee were more popular and in demand they would cost more and have a longer wait time. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tegs07 Posted June 17, 2022 Share Posted June 17, 2022 (edited) 7 minutes ago, LukeFRC said: Which would suggest that their new prices are justified and about right. It's capitalism, price is set by desirability/market/supply. If it's too high it won't sell, if it's too low they won't make as much as they should be. The other thing about capitalism is if you don't want to buy something, no one forces you too. If Jaydee were more popular and in demand they would cost more and have a longer wait time. This. They are also made in the UK and in a very desirable, leafy commuter town in the UK. Labour cost and premises will be ludicrous. I just returned from an expensive repair bill on my vehicle. Total cost of parts £20. But 5 hours labour and tax made the repair huge. It’s why we dispose of so much stuff in advanced capitalist countries. It’s just cheaper to import from the far east. I’m just glad companies like Wal still exist in this era of cheap imports. Edited June 17, 2022 by tegs07 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_geezer Posted June 17, 2022 Author Share Posted June 17, 2022 (edited) 6 hours ago, LukeFRC said: Which would suggest that their new prices are justified and about right. It's capitalism, price is set by desirability/market/supply. If it's too high it won't sell, if it's too low they won't make as much as they should be. The other thing about capitalism is if you don't want to buy something, no one forces you too. If Jaydee were more popular and in demand they would cost more and have a longer wait time. Wrong again, Jaydee are popular, try and find one for sale on the 2nd hand market, yes theres one in the whole world now on reverb for £4500 which is double what they cost brand new.... John could easily charge double but he chooses not to, let that sink in - he choose not to... i wonder why that is? And I'm not an antiques salesman, doctor or lawyer, i have no interest in buying an instrument as an investment, i want to play it! Thats why i'm asking , should Wal scale up their operation or sell the brand to someone thats can produce reasonable priced instruments & that can produce Wals that are as good as the originals (not this elusive perfection that no one can put their finger on) but at a reasonable price so that all us real bassist (people that can actually play bass not just gas about them) can enjoy Wals. Edited June 17, 2022 by joe_geezer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_geezer Posted June 17, 2022 Author Share Posted June 17, 2022 (edited) 6 hours ago, tegs07 said: This. They are also made in the UK and in a very desirable, leafy commuter town in the UK. Labour cost and premises will be ludicrous. I just returned from an expensive repair bill on my vehicle. Total cost of parts £20. But 5 hours labour and tax made the repair huge. It’s why we dispose of so much stuff in advanced capitalist countries. It’s just cheaper to import from the far east. I’m just glad companies like Wal still exist in this era of cheap imports. So your glad you'll never be able to afford a Wal... lovely stuff And if you go back and checkout the Status prices on my previous post you can see that Status manage to create affordable instruments as do all other UK bass companies with Wal being the exception because their basses may be priced based on the current perceived market value not on the actual value. Edited June 17, 2022 by joe_geezer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_geezer Posted June 17, 2022 Author Share Posted June 17, 2022 (edited) On 16/06/2022 at 08:06, 40hz said: Does anyone know how the Wal wait times of around 5 years, stack up against other builders? I know a lot here seem to have no issue with it. But, I must be seemingly the only person that thinks waiting that long, is slightly absurd. If your build times are that long, all it says to me, is hire another staff member or two. Yep, it's absurd but the used market might now dictate the price of a new Wal. As long as Wal do not create too many basses, that price will increase by at least £375 a year based on the 2010-2020 prices but lately I am seeing used Wals at £8000+ so it's exponentially increasing... basically just forget ever owning a Wal. Edited June 17, 2022 by joe_geezer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 17, 2022 Share Posted June 17, 2022 This is all becoming quite ridiculous. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tegs07 Posted June 17, 2022 Share Posted June 17, 2022 23 minutes ago, joe_geezer said: So your glad you'll never be able to afford a Wal... lovely stuff And if you go back and checkout the Status prices on my previous post you can see that Status manage to create affordable instruments as do all other UK bass companies with Wal being the exception because their basses are priced based on the current perceived market value not on the actual value. I can’t afford an Aston Martin either but still glad they are made. I get your point but Wal have a business model that works for them and they position themselves in the bespoke, boutique top end market. Im pretty sure the electrics, pickups etc are all handmade. That is rare and labour intensive. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_geezer Posted June 17, 2022 Author Share Posted June 17, 2022 (edited) 4 minutes ago, tegs07 said: I can’t afford an Aston Martin either but still glad they are made. I get your point but Wal have a business model that works for them and they position themselves in the bespoke, boutique top end market. Im pretty sure the electrics, pickups etc are all handmade. That is rare and labour intensive. Thanks, that's all i was asking for lol Yea i just think it's a shame that we no longer have an option to purchase one, well most of us don't. But i agree it's 100% their decision to run the company however they want and from a financial position they are making the absolute best choices for their own new Wals and for owners of used Wals. Edited June 17, 2022 by joe_geezer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGBrown Posted June 17, 2022 Share Posted June 17, 2022 🤯 Can we end this thread now! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_geezer Posted June 17, 2022 Author Share Posted June 17, 2022 15 minutes ago, MGBrown said: 🤯 Can we end this thread now! I did mention this to the mod awhile ago.. I pretty much got the answer to the original question, people are generally positive about Wal and are happy with the situation, I a 2-3 others are the exception. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 17, 2022 Share Posted June 17, 2022 (edited) 'The mod' is happy to oblige. Jimmy: "Have you seen the price of Vespas these days?" Edited June 19, 2022 by Rich 2 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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