Some Help With My Wal Bass

[kasperjensen]

Howdy!
So I bought this Wal bass from a friend of mine, but I can't seem to determine what year it's from, or what model.
Is there anyone who could shed some light on this, please?
Here are a few snaps...

 

[kasperjensen]

Serial number: W3095

Any information would be most appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Zer0th]

Looking at the nearest serial numbers in the following database, it seems to be ~1988.

http://www4.informatik.uni-erlangen.de/ ... lspec.html

 

[kasperjensen]

So that would be just after Ian Waller died?

 

[Zer0th]

Yep

 

[kasperjensen]

And I am guessing that is not good for re-sale value...
Oh well... still a flippin bad ass bass!

 

[Juggernaut]

so jealous.... I'd kill for one of those.

 

[kasperjensen]

Would you happen to know if its a birdseye top?

I am starting to feel really guilty about having it. I don't play bass per se. I record with it, but that's about it. I will start playing a bit more though.
I feel like someone that owns a Ferrari 458, but doesn't have a license. Can pull around the driveway, and that's about it.
I would hate that person.

 

[EXPcustom]

Take the control plate off and everything is written there, it may still be a Waller era bass for 1988.

 

[kasperjensen]

Thanks dude. Will find the drill, and get to work

 

[EXPcustom]

Thanks dude. Will find the drill, and get to work

Tells us what it says.

You will see one or two signatures there, for sure Pete "The Fish" Stevens and maybe Ian Wallers. It will tell you the woods that were used too.

 

[kasperjensen]

This is what I could find...

 

[kasperjensen]

So does that mean its an Ian Waller era?

 

[Juggernaut]

Would you happen to know if its a birdseye top?

I am starting to feel really guilty about having it. I don't play bass per se. I record with it, but that's about it. I will start playing a bit more though.
I feel like someone that owns a Ferrari 458, but doesn't have a license. Can pull around the driveway, and that's about it.
I would hate that person.

feel free to let me take it off your hands

 

[EXPcustom]

I am pretty sure that's how Ian Waller signs his basses with "Wal" but I posted a link to this thread at the Wal Basses Yahoo E-mail group and those guys are the experts and will know for sure. I will let you know what they say. Interesting that the neck says 86 but that is the first year the Mach IIs were made.

 

[EXPcustom]

I wanted to add that I personally have not seen Waller era basses fetch a premium on the used market but you have to remember Ian designed the electronics, It was Pete Stevens who was the head luthier and did most of the woodwork. Its always cooler to have a Waller era bass.

FYI It is a Mach II 5 string which were made before the Mach II 4 strings.

 

[kasperjensen]

Thanks dude.
So it is a MarkII 5 st. like you said in the thread you posted a few days ago.

It would appear that I own a really cool bass. I feel slightly ashamed.
But I suppose it's a real addition to my studio.

Thanks for the help.