WAL Custom Bass 1982

WAL CUSTOM BASS 1982 with ORIGINAL CASE

I have owned this bass since 1984. If you ever experienced that, ‘This ____ was made for me!’ feeling, that’s how it felt the moment I held it. My understanding has always been it’s a customised Wal Pro bass. But perhaps a Wal expert out there will know otherwise

The neck plate dates it at 1981/82. I have no reason to question this except I have read that Wal produced some single p-up passive Customs around 1983, aimed at a more budget version of the classic 2 p-up Custom. This would also appear to fit that slot.

The original Wal pickup has that distinctive Mick Karn quack. The sound I bought it for. As you can imagine the addition of the second pickup offers an earthier, deeper quality not unlike that of a Jazz bass. The mods enable all the variation between full Wal woodiness and smooth fat thump. It was a fretted bass from birth - not a fretless with added frets later.

This is how I bought it - with an added pickup and modified control panel. 

The 2 rotary pots are individual volume controls. In between is a pickup selector (front/back/mix)

The 2 small chrome switches are coil taps for each pickup. they can work for each pickup individually or combine when pickups are mixed.

These add a subtle range of tone control - not sweeping, big differences but handy in recording situations and especially when switching between pick and finger style:

Front switch - 2 positions - works like a mid cut/boost
Back switch - 3 positions - works as a bass/treble boost/cut - volume remains consistent

In all these years of owning it, I have never been tempted to open it up and look inside. So if you are looking for masking tape labels, Ian Waller’s handwritten details etc, I’m afraid I can’t help.

This said, it does have a poignant story that goes back to 2010. The head got cracked at a gig. I had no idea if it could be mended. I contacted Wal for the one and only time since I owned the bass.

Long story short, I was lucky enough to meet Pete 'The Fish' Stevens. I took it to him at Electric Wood in High Wycombe. A finer craftsman and all-round gentleman I have seldom met.

“What’s been goin' on ere?” he said. I briefly outlined the above and asked him if it could be repaired. He sniffed as if the very question was an insult. “Gimme a coupla weeks,” he nodded.

The repair as you can see is entirely invisible. Check out the small centre pin. He went right over every part of it. Pete added the string guides and told me that apart from the electrical mods, everything else was original. 

The neck looks and feels perfect. The frets are in great shape and the body has lacquer cracks and some buckle rubbing commensurate with respectful use.

Given Pete’s death the following year, I will always feel privileged to have met the man. For certain people, the Guild of Master Craftsmen needs some extra designation.
Anyway…Since I am playing no bass these days I think someone else should have the chance of owning it. If there’s anything else you want to ask, I’ll try to answer. But this text and the photos pretty much tell the whole story.


SHIPPING IS NOT FREE
But I'll be happy to ship worldwide at cost. Contact me with your address for an accurate quote.
Estimates for Europe are €75-95 / USA Starting from €120
Prices are fluctuating like crazy right now so these are just ball park