Wal MK1 copy/tribute bass (Claassen MK1)

[mrbacco]

awesome journey, thanks for sharing!

[funkmagoo]

On 27/03/2025 at 07:44, RonC said:

 

I dismanteled my fretted MK1, measured everything and took pictures of it. a felllow forumite Patricio (username PLB) drawed the digital plan for me.

I have PDF's of it so i'm happy to share it with you if you like. (just send me a PM) 

Thanks!

I love this re-creation of the wal mk1! I’m also in the beginning steps of planning and designing my own wal re-creation but my template doesn’t seem to have the best measurements (I scaled a photo up to the 34inch scale length) could I also have the design? Cheers - Liam 

[RonC]

I just added a transformer to the preamp so the balanced output is working now too.

soundsamples will follow soon now!

 

 

[KevSpurs]

That’s awesome @RonC something else I will need to look at. 
good luck @funkmagoo with your build. I’m starting on the same journey with lots of help from @RonC 👍

[bakerster135]

Only just seen this thread, but incredible work and documentation and congratulations on putting together what looks like a fantastic bass 👏 Dare I say, I much prefer the look of this to yours and any other Wal Mk1 basses I've seen 😬 Like others, dying to hear those sound clips 😉

[rwillett]

Only just found this thread. 

 

Wow! Absolutely superb. I doff my chapeau to you. 

 

Rob

[W1_Pro]

Lovely job that. Fantastic work. Enjoy the bass!

[John Tetley]

How do you contact Ron Claassen on building a bass, does anybody on this thread ?, Thank you in advance.

[Hellzero]

2 hours ago, John Tetley said:

How do you contact Ron Claassen on building a bass, does anybody on this thread ?, Thank you in advance.

Simply send @RonC a private message.

[RonC]

My dear friend and extraordinary bassplayer Barend Tromp offered to make a demo video of my bass!

I'm very happy with the result, Barend played some killer grooves and is able to really push an instrument to the limits!

So finally you guys can hear my "black beauty"!

 

  [youtube]

 

 

Also check out Barend his solo work with contributions of Michael Manring, Pat Mastelotto and Trey Gunn!

Barend Tromp spotify

Edited August 13, 2025 by RonC

[ZumaZmusic]

Sounds stellar! 😎

[RonC]

18 hours ago, John Tetley said:

How do you contact Ron Claassen on building a bass, does anybody on this thread ?, Thank you in advance.

 

Just PM me or contact me by email: [email protected]

 

I'm setting up my workplace at home this year and will finish luthiers school by June 2026. Until then I unfortunately don't have time to take orders... 

So by the end of 2026 I've planned to start building, One day a week besides my daytime job.

    

Edited August 13, 2025 by RonC

[Hellzero]

I love the tone Barend is getting on the bridge or neck pickup reminiscent of Thoṅk. Congratulations to the both of you.

[RonC]

It truly doesn’t matter what instrument you put in Barends hands, it always sound great with him! 😉

[ZumaZmusic]

7 hours ago, RonC said:

It truly doesn’t matter what instrument you put in Barends hands, it always sound great with him! 😉

 

Very true. I recognized him immediately. He's not just technically gifted, he's highly musical.

[gmrhcp]

Hi friend! @RonC

Knobs... where did you found it?!

Hahahahahaha I need 4 Wal type knobs for my clone bass too...😂 

[RonC]

I’ve made drawings and had these made by a toolmaker out of aluminum. Then I found someone who anodized these in black for me..

Edited September 21, 2025 by RonC

[WalMan]

Very nice. Perhaps you can subcontract with Paul to help out with his waiting list!!  

[RonC]

Haha, that's a good one!

[remizik]

I'm so amazed by your build!

That ebony facing is absolutely insane and beautiful.

I have two replica myself (made by a luthier) and I started making instruments a year ago. A wal replica will happen at some point.

I'll be glad if it turns out 1/10 as good as yours 😁

Congrats again

[RonC]

Thanks a lot! I’m still very happy with it. 
The BEAD tuning works great on it, real fun to play.
Right now I’m building a headless/fretless/neckthrough 5 string, hope it turns out just as good..

Do you have pics of your replicas somewhere?

Edited 2 hours ago by RonC

[remizik]

Glad to hear!

I'm also build my 3rd headless right now, these are my two previous ones done.

 

 

 

And the wal replicas (not going full wal with 8 coils pickups and electronics etc...)

 

Edited 2 hours ago by remizik

[RonC]

Wow! They look really great!

live the LEDs on the fretless. That must be quite a difficult job I guess.

[remizik]

Thanks! 

It's not a fretless though 😁

Build thread (in french sorry) : https://lutherie-amateur.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?p=701798 

[RonC]

14 minutes ago, remizik said:

Thanks! 

It's not a fretless though 😁

Build thread (in french sorry) : https://lutherie-amateur.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?p=701798 

haha, I meant headless! 😀

I’m gonna check the thread!👍