| Author | Message | ||
| blackelan
Junior Username: blackelan Post Number: 12 Registered: 7-2007 |
I love Wal basses and I always thought what would make the 4 string Wal MKII 24 fret bass better? The answer is obvious if it was neck thru. I always thought the idea of a multilaminate neck on a bolt on body was silly but thats just me. So what I want to know if it would be possible and it would be my dream bass. Alembic neck thru body with Wal mkII style body and Wal MkII style headstock. With Wal style neck laminates you know the two thin ones with Alembic Oval fret markers and of course a Alembic logo. The body would be mahogony with Birdseye maple facings or tops on the front and back. I have found a source for original Wal electronics to be used and of course Alembic Tuners and maybe a Wal bridge if I can locate one of those? Is this a possibility to get built in the future?  | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 2043 Registered: 6-2002 |
Not sure that they will build an Alembic and not put in Alembic electronics, but I could be wrong. Other than that, if I remember correctly, Wal's have low-pass filters with a Q switch. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 784 Registered: 5-2006 |
Sorry for the language (Adriaan excluded from the sorry) But check this thread out: Click here | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 785 Registered: 5-2006 |
btw: Wal electronics are based on Alembic electronics (works a bit different) I would stay with Alembic electronics, even if Alembic would be willing to use the Wall stuff... | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3472 Registered: 7-2004 |
I'd stick with Alembic electronics. You don't drop a Chevy engine in a Ferrari. Bill, tgo (Message edited by lbpesq on January 05, 2009) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7314 Registered: 5-2002 |
As mentioned above, Alembic only uses Alembic electronics. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 1577 Registered: 10-2003 |
Of course, Alembic could cast pickups in the shape/size of the Wal pickups for aesthetic conformity... John | ||
| blackelan
Junior Username: blackelan Post Number: 18 Registered: 7-2007 |
The reason I would insist upon the Wal electronics is I am after that particular Wal sound. My guess would be that the neck thru construction would add to the overall sustain of the bass without completely changing the "tone" There is nothing at all wrong with Alembic electronics its just with this particular bass I am looking for a particular tone. (Message edited by BlackElan on January 15, 2009) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7357 Registered: 5-2002 |
Generally, a set neck or bolt-on bass will have more midrange punch than a neck through. A neck through will have a more uniformly consistent tone throughout the frequency range. | ||
| blackelan
Junior Username: blackelan Post Number: 22 Registered: 7-2007 |
A very intresting comparison I found. Go to Youtube and type in Metallica 1989 bass solo. You will find Jason playing a Wal MkII 5 string as well as his Elan in the videos that come up in the search. Compare the tone between the two. It was suprising to me... | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 788 Registered: 5-2006 |
Or click these links: Wal 5 string Alembic Persuader JJ 4 string Alembic Elan JPJ 5 string  (Message edited by fc_spoiler on January 16, 2009) | ||
| altgrendel
Junior Username: altgrendel Post Number: 22 Registered: 5-2008 |
I've been thinking about this one. It sounds like the only thing you're really looking for is a neck-thru Wal. Personally, I think that for the amount of money you'd spend to get a Wal-embic made, you'd be better off getting Wal to make the thing. I don't know much about the company, but don't most of them have custom shops that will pretty much make what you want? And who knows, if it takes off, they may name the model after you. | ||
| altgrendel
Junior Username: altgrendel Post Number: 23 Registered: 5-2008 |
Ok, before anyone jumps on me, I found out that they're out of production. My bad. | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 2070 Registered: 6-2002 |
Well, that's the problem with Wal: a very limited production capacity, and a long waiting list. If they are still up and around ... | ||
| 12stringwilson
Junior Username: 12stringwilson Post Number: 13 Registered: 12-2008 |
Someone please correct me if i am wrong, but Jason N. is not playing a Wal in the link above. The headstock is Fender shaped. Wals have a very distinct headstock. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 794 Registered: 5-2006 |
Ooops... that's indeed the Elan  Here's the Wal mk II 5 string: Fade to Black | ||
| blackelan
Junior Username: blackelan Post Number: 37 Registered: 7-2007 |
Found it! The bass solo with Wal. There are a few more... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVBtG8Ztvks | ||
| 12stringwilson
Junior Username: 12stringwilson Post Number: 24 Registered: 12-2008 |
www.walbasses.co.uk They are back in buisness now!! Great news for those who currently own a Wal and need service. | ||
| tmoney61092
Advanced Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 229 Registered: 9-2008 |
YES!!! i've always wanted to grab a Wal, looks like it'd be a lot easier to get on now :-D ~Taylor Watterson | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 1244 Registered: 12-2004 |
I was at that Seattle show. | ||
| hifiguy
Intermediate Member Username: hifiguy Post Number: 193 Registered: 10-2006 |
This is exceedingly cool news. Wals are the only basses that have inspired me to the same degree of equipment lust that Alembics have | ||
| 12stringwilson
Junior Username: 12stringwilson Post Number: 25 Registered: 12-2008 |
i was lucky to acquire a 1980 Wal Pro EII bass last month. FINALLY!!! Words cannot begin to describe the tones this beast has. It's mid range alone could cut thru a steel building. | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 976 Registered: 8-2005 |
Have to agree with the above!!! The Wal is a fantastic bass..period!! If I didn't have a Series 1, then it would be a Wal for me. STARTING price.......from.£3200!! Gulp. | ||
| georgie_boy
Senior Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 977 Registered: 8-2005 |
They also do "custom" basses....so you could ask them for a quote on a neck through! Don't care what anyone says..the Wal will give a Series bass a run for its money anyday of the week. Sorry Mica! Didn't mean to offend..but only a Wal player will know what I mean! Back in the early days..I asked my bank manager for a bank loan of £900 to buy a matched pair...fretted and fretless. He turned me down!! Bet he's kicking himself now! G | ||
| 12stringwilson
Junior Username: 12stringwilson Post Number: 26 Registered: 12-2008 |
I know another Wal player who has 4 string fretted. He also ordered (back in the '90's) a fretless neck. He simply swaps them out. He likes the bolt on for that reason alone. i have never seen a neck thru Wal, but I would imagine it would not be cheap. | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 574 Registered: 10-2006 |
Man, you'd better have your stage patter down for that instrument swap! Peter | ||
| eligilam
Advanced Member Username: eligilam Post Number: 220 Registered: 2-2006 |
I just got a fretless Wal Mk II, and it's nothing short of amazing. Now that is my main fretless, and my Alembic SCSD is the main fretted. I find the sound tweaking for both basses somewhat similar (each pickup has an adjustable sweep filter with added boost that can be turned on or off, etc). It's been fun playing them back to back! | ||
| 12stringwilson
Junior Username: 12stringwilson Post Number: 42 Registered: 12-2008 |
conrgrats on the new child!! You are correct...in my mind both Alembics and Wals are similar in their ability to adjust tones and sounds. I am jealous you have one of each! What a great combo. I am sure the neck and board on the fretless Mk II are freaking rock solid. | ||
| blackelan
Intermediate Member Username: blackelan Post Number: 119 Registered: 7-2007 |
Just wanted to update this thread I ended up with a brand new 2010 made Wal Mach II or Mk II with a birdseye maple top. I am very pleased with it, I hope to order a Series II bass after Alembic is completed with my Elan so I can compare how they sound. Pics of my 2010 Wal: http://s301.photobucket.com/albums/nn80/EXPcustom/wal%20machII/ | ||
| eligilam
Advanced Member Username: eligilam Post Number: 246 Registered: 2-2006 |
Awesome. Did you order it directly from Wal? If so, how long did it take to get it in your hands after you ordered it? Older Wal's on ebay are going for ridiculous amounts, so it's becoming more practical to just order a new one from Wal now that they're in production again. | ||
| blackelan
Intermediate Member Username: blackelan Post Number: 120 Registered: 7-2007 |
I went direct to Pual Herman who runs Wal now and they have no authorized dealers as of yet. I was on the wait list for close to two years and when it was time I sent my deposit and the bass was ready in 4 months time. I am ordering another one and there is no wait list but the build time now is one year. | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 1923 Registered: 6-2002 |
I just listened to the link to Jason Newstead playing bass with distortion. After watching it, and may I add, each to their own, but distortion on bass still does nothing for me. It seems a odd to me to have a bass that is primarily known for its clean hi-fi sound and then distort it to such an extent that that it's audio origin is invisible. Yes I admit to adding some overdrive to my guitar sound and that includes my alembic guitars but only enough to give the sound a bit of edge in a bluesy way and not in a way that completely saturates and discolours the sound. But on bass.... hmmm, for me the jury has passed it's verdict. However an appeal can be lodged by way of other sample video's that prove differently. :-) I'm happy to be re-educated in this respect. Jazzyvee | ||
| blackelan
Intermediate Member Username: blackelan Post Number: 121 Registered: 7-2007 |
Jazzyvee, I am not a fan of Jason's distorted tone myself, in fact if you ever listen to older Metallica live shows when he used Wals it was quite a horrible tone. I recommend listening to Justin Chancellor's of Tools distorted tone because he runs a clean channel at the same time and the effect is amazing, Jambi is a song to give a listen to. Also checkout a band called Scubacult for a great distorted Wal tone. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loJ_3hXHNBY | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 598 Registered: 5-2002 |
I would suggest listening to Jack Casady for bass distortion. Perhaps Water Song from Burgers with Hot Tuna (pretty over the top, but a nice sound) and then various selections from After Bathing at Baxter's, especially Wild Tyme. He used an amp called a Versatone that was designed for an ultra clean tone (it had two tube amps driving one speaker or some such thing) and he immediately cranked it and loved the tone. Apparently he had some input into the SWR Interstellar Overdrive, which was based on tube power amp distortion. Edwin | ||
| dadabass2001
Senior Member Username: dadabass2001 Post Number: 1404 Registered: 6-2002 |
Oh my! How about "Crown of Creation' and "Greasy Heart" (both on Crown of Creation)? Also check out "Sunrise" and "A Child is Coming" from the "Blows Against The Empire" Paul Kantner/Grace Slick LP. "Sunrise" is just Grace on vocals and at least three (if not four) overdubs of Jack on bass. Jack's overdrive was obviously level dependent, I love (and for a while chased) that tone! Living in Iowa, I never saw his gear and didn't know of Versatone or tube overdrive wisdom, I was trying for it with a little 5 watt solid state amp driving the input to my Ampeg SBT (also solid state). Jack sometimes balanced just on the edge of overdrive, so that he could use distortion as an expression technique based on touch. Mike | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 1925 Registered: 6-2002 |
Actually I have remembered a track with overdrive on bass that I really like. But i think it's a piccolo bass. It's the track. Quiet Afternoon on Stanley Clarke's I wanna Play for you live album. But that is playing a melody and not a "bass line" as such. Jazzyvee | ||
| tmoney61092
Advanced Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 355 Registered: 9-2008 |
My Generation and The Real Me by The Who, perfect distorted bass tone ~Taylor | ||
| eligilam
Advanced Member Username: eligilam Post Number: 247 Registered: 2-2006 |
Hey blackelan, thanks for the scubacult link...I've become a fan since seeing that clip (and the others on youtube). Great tone that guy's got. Oh, and on the subject of songs with bass distortion, there are lots of great ones I can think of, but my all-time favorite is "The Real Thing" from FaithNoMore's 1989 album of the same name. Bill Gould got that tone through an old Peavey amp (a Mark something? ). |
