NNBFRBD (Not New, But Freshly Refurbished Bass Day): my baby's back - Wal content

[Rich]

This is my 1980 Wal Pro 2E, it had been sat in its case for the last god knows how many years in need of a good going over. The pots were knackered, the jack socket was shot to bits, it was basically unusable but I had other working basses and so it wasn't a priority. Eventually I came to my senses and gave it to Paul at Electric Wood to do his magic. I was expecting it to take ages, which I was fine with, but he turned it around in only a couple of months and then apologised for taking so long  . He ended up doing a whole list of other stuff that I hadn't realised needed doing, but to his credit he stuck to his original quote. And oh my god, it sounds incredible -- I'd forgotten just how good. It'll be coming with me to the various Bashes this year, so you can see for yourself. And it'll be getting its first gig for at least 20 years at the end of this month, at a dementia research benefit with the ska band. 

 

 

[Grahambythesea]

Looks like new, so I guess the refurbishment worked.

[Rich]

It's got some 'mojo' if you get up close to it; a few cracks in the lacquer and a couple of very minor dings, but overall in pretty good shape for a 45-year-old. In better nick than I was at that age anyway  

[franzbassist]

Lovely stuff. I'm so glad Paul inherited the business from Pete so the legacy could carry on it the hands of someone who gets it.

[Lozz196]

Looks great, and I’ll bet it sounds even better

[BassTool]

Looks lovely, congrats on the refurb Rich, now get out and get it played! 🤩👍🏼

[Sté]

Really cool bass ! 😎

[TrevorR]

That’s fabulous news, Rich. You’re going to love playing it!! I still love my Pro 2E a quarter of a century after getting my hands on it. Going to sound great at the ska gig. Paul is such a star, he did a similar job on mine back around 2010ish, including changing the pops for ones with integrated shafts and it really gave it a new lease of life. Enjoy!!

[tubbybloke68]

Good on you sir! Enjoy! Got my pro 2e back from Paul about a month ago, it had been de fretted but i wanted put back to original. He’s da man alrighty! and a thoroughly nice one at that! X😊

[Misdee]

Getting these basses refurbished looks like money very well-spent to me. These are unique-sounding vintage basses that are irreplaceable. Wal can't make them anymore because of the proprietary parts needed and nothing on the market sounds like them. The nearest you'll get is another Wal.

[silverfoxnik]

On 17/02/2026 at 16:19, Rich said:

This is my 1980 Wal Pro 2E, it had been sat in its case for the last god knows how many years in need of a good going over. The pots were knackered, the jack socket was shot to bits, it was basically unusable but I had other working basses and so it wasn't a priority. Eventually I came to my senses and gave it to Paul at Electric Wood to do his magic. I was expecting it to take ages, which I was fine with, but he turned it around in only a couple of months and then apologised for taking so long  . He ended up doing a whole list of other stuff that I hadn't realised needed doing, but to his credit he stuck to his original quote. And oh my god, it sounds incredible -- I'd forgotten just how good. It'll be coming with me to the various Bashes this year, so you can see for yourself. And it'll be getting its first gig for at least 20 years at the end of this month, at a dementia research benefit with the ska band. 

 

 

Beautiful bass! 👌 

 

Far to good to be sitting around unused, @Rich

 

Glad to hear Paul's done such a good job on it too... 

 

Under Wal himself, and Pete the Fish, 'Wal' customer service was always outstanding over the years, and Paul has maintained that tradition for sure. 

[three]

I was fortunate to play plenty of these back in the day as Barrett's in Manchester had the distribution deal (I think).  The shop was full of Wals.  They had so many that one weekend, they were offering a Sunn bass amp with every Wal.  I was penniless. 

 

The re-furb looks stunning - what a fabulous instrument.  I genuinely prefer these to the customs (I've owned of few) in pretty much every way.  Brilliant job and brilliant that Paul was able to undertake the work - and so quickly 

[Maude]

Do the necks/string runs not taper on Wals or does it just look like it in these pictures? They look parallel.