Bass Gear Review

Reviewer	Joe
Experience	12years @20 basses
Review date	March 13 2003
Manufacturer	Wal
Model	walnut 5 string mach II (made @ sept 2001)
Price	$2700 used
Item owned for	1-6 months

Bass type	5 string fretted
Neck join	Bolt-On
Neck construction	6 ply maple/mahogony
Fingerboard	rose wood 24 medium frets (34" scale)
Body	mahogony core with walnut facings
Finish	satin body with glossy satin neck
Pickups	Custom Wal flat response humbuckers (2)
Hardware	Chrome Schaller tuners and custom Wal bridge
Electronics	Active: vol, blend, 1 tone filter to pickup

I have been after one of these for quite some time and found a used one in like new condition. It is similar to McCartney's. The bass is flawless with regards to construction. Heavey (12Lb's). Great attention to detail. Very low action. perfectly dressed frets. The bass is a bit tempermental to learn how to use the tone filters but once you find 'your' sounds (and there are many), your set. my favorite settings are just neck with tone at zero (p bass sound) or full bridge with tone set to zero (very clunky 'wal' sound). I have been told that you will either like or hate the sound. Very mid rich and not very good at the scooped mid thing like a fodera. The neck is set off the body a bit more than most other basses i've played which can be strange at first but no problem to get used to. Very well balanced even with a peg head filled with 5 large schallers. The B string is the best I have heard on this scale of bass. Very clear and focused more than likely due to the weight. On the mach II, the lower horn is very short and pointy and kind of grinds into your leg when sitting too long. Over all, a great bass that is simple in form but very complex electronically. I wished the string spacing was wider but I have big hands. A very unique looking bass with a very unique sound.

Construction	98%
Appearance	100%
(very unique shape you can spot miles away)
Playability	95%
(Like butta)
Sound	98%
(it's no 1970's Jazz with flats)
Value	98%
(exotic woods and tone filters on an imported bass for way less than an alembi
c series I)
Overall	95%
(Nothing is pefect)