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Wal Mk II Fretless Bass

Wal Mk II Fretless Bass

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4.0 (2)

1 Review

Find out who is using Wal Mk II Fretless

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8 saved

Page last updated Aug 10, 2025

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Description

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The Wal Mk II Fretless Bass is a standout choice for musicians seeking a versatile and expressive instrument. Known for its rich tonal palette, this bass guitar has carved a niche among professional bassists who demand both precision and character. The Mk II is celebrated for its handcrafted construction, ensuring that each instrument is unique and offers exceptional playability. The fretless design allows for smooth gliding between notes, perfect for jazz, fusion, and other genres where fluidity is key.

Crafted in the UK, the Wal Mk II boasts a high-quality laminated body and a distinctive multi-laminate neck that enhances stability and sound resonance. Its electronics are equally impressive, featuring active pickups that deliver a wide range of tones from warm and mellow to bright and punchy. The intuitive onboard controls give players precise control over their sound, making it easy to dial in the perfect tone for any musical setting.

Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring musician, the Wal Mk II Fretless Bass offers a sophisticated platform for musical exploration. The instrument's attention to detail and superior craftsmanship make it not only a tool for performance but a work of art in its own right.

Key Features:

Handcrafted construction with a laminated body and multi-laminate neck
Fretless design for smooth note transitions
Active pickups for versatile tonal options
Intuitive onboard controls for precise sound shaping
Crafted in the UK, known for exceptional quality and craftsmanship

Videos

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pjbassvideos

PJ from Jota Quest slaping hard a WAL MKII bass, Digitech Bass Drive, Elixir Strings

pjbassvideos

Wal Mk 2 Bassline

Jason Henrie

Wal Fretless Bass.

Rufus Philpot

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Wal Mk II Fretless Bass.

User experience

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Owners highlight the bass's significant weight, recommending a thick/wide strap for comfort during long sessions.
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Owners report that after acquiring a Wal, visiting music stores becomes less exciting, indicating the instrument's exceptional appeal and satisfaction.
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Features and functionality

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The Wal Mk II includes a built-in XLR output, offering versatility and often appreciated by players for its unique functionality.
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Each pickup has its own active filter, providing unique tonal control capabilities that aren't common in other basses.
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The control cavity is notably large, allowing for potential electronic modifications or custom configurations, though some suggest a more space-efficient SMD board design.
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Comparisons

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The neck is described as thicker than a Jazz bass, yet still manageable, providing a different playing experience.
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Alan at ACG offers a dual-filter preamp similar to Wal’s, at a fraction of the price, providing a viable alternative for those seeking the Wal sound.
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Some believe a Wal-styled Jazz bass could be recreated using specific tone woods and body design, though achieving the unique Wal tone remains debatable.
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Setup and maintenance

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Low action is achievable, enhancing playability, particularly with thin gauge strings.
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Use cases and applications

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Despite using Thomastik flatwounds, achieving an old-school tone is challenging, indicating the bass's modern tonal character.
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It's noted that despite the high price, owners use their Wal basses extensively in live settings, treating them as tools rather than just display pieces.
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Build quality

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The craftsmanship and sound quality of recent builds (2009-present) are frequently highlighted for their exceptional quality.
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The Wal Mk II fretless bass often features an HG Thor epoxy finish over ebony, known for its durability and shine but comes with a long waiting period for custom work.
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Value and pricing

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Current demand has created a significant backlog, with a waiting period of up to four years for new builds.
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Other

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The Wal Mk II fretless can be a conversation starter and is often admired for its aesthetic appeal and craftsmanship, attracting significant attention and admiration from fellow musicians.
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4.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

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boom762

12239

about 11 years ago

How to tell apart the Wall models.

There is very little difference in tonal qualities for the Wal basses. They all feature the same circuitry that gives them their signature growl. The differences actually lay in the appearances between the MK 1, 2, and 3 bodies.

The MK 1 features short, stubby horns and a flat back end. They closely resemble a Fender Precision bass that has been squished bridge to neck.

The MK 2 features a much longer top horn but is generally the same shape as a 1.

The MK 3 features the longer horn of the MK 2 but also adds in a slanted back end behind the bridge, running from the strap peg inward and upward towards the players chest.

Artist usage

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Jason Newsted

Bassist

Metallica

Verified via YouTube

Jason Newsted is seen playing a Wal MK2 bass in the video for the Metallica song One.

Jeff Ament

Bassist

Pearl Jam

Verified via Cfox

During a live performance, Pearl Jam's bassist Jeff Ament is seen playing his Wal Mk II Fretless Bass. This is one of the two Wal fretless bass guitars he owns, as noted in the source from CFOX.

Midge Ure

Guitarist, Singer

Ultravox

Verified via TalkBass.com

Mentioned in this TalkBass.com forum.

I have a fretless Wal bass that was made in 2000 for Midge Ure, a singer, becasue he wanted to get as close to Mick Karn's sound as possible, Midge and Mick had collaborated in the past...turned out Midge wasnt much of a player

it also happened to be one of the very few Wals witha Mrk II body and Mrk III neck joint, probably the best overall design they ever did.

not really vintage but a good story none the less

The bass is also featured in the Wal Database, which lists a serial number of W20700 (dating it July 20, 2000) and offers three pictures.

lined-fretless Ebony (4 strings, 24 frets) Walnut Facings

The bass can be seen here, here and here.

Kristian Dunn

Guitarist, Bassist

El Ten Eleven

Verified via Photo

A photo of Kristian playing the Wal Bass live. The lack of frets help identify the model. When their gear was stolen in March of 2013, the serial was given as W4018 - this puts it squarely in the production period of Mk. 2 Wal Fretless basses.