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Wal Mk I Bass

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Page last updated Apr 29, 2026

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Description

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The Wal Mk I Bass is a testament to exceptional craftsmanship, offering bassists a versatile and dynamic range of tones. Renowned for its handcrafted British engineering, this electric bass is favored by professional musicians for its robust sound and reliability. Equipped with a unique multi-coil pickup system, the Mk I delivers articulate, punchy lows and clear, singing highs, making it suitable for a wide variety of musical genres. Its distinctive build and attention to detail ensure durability and comfort during long performances or studio sessions.

The Mk I features a solid tonewood body that not only enhances resonance but also provides a comfortable playing experience. The neck is crafted for smooth playability, and its ergonomic design reduces fatigue, allowing bassists to perform seamlessly across all frets. The onboard active electronics offer an impressive tonal palette, giving you full control over your sound with an intuitive layout. Whether you're laying down a groove in the studio or performing live, the Wal Mk I Bass is a reliable companion that elevates your artistry.

Key Features:

Handcrafted in the UK
Multi-coil pickup system for a versatile sonic range
Active electronics with customizable tone control
Solid tonewood body for enhanced resonance
Ergonomic neck design for comfortable playability
Suitable for various musical styles and settings

Videos

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Scott's Bass Lessons

This is what a $20k bass sounds like!

Scott's Bass Lessons

Wal Bass MK I demo

Howard Ulyate

Do you need $10k+ to play these bass lines?

Scott's Bass Lessons

IS THIS THE KING OF BASS GUITARS? - 1984 WAL MK1 - Andy's Vintage Guitars

ANDY'S VINTAGE GUITARS

1985 Wal Mk1 Bass

Joe Tritschler

Bass Cover - The Cure - A Forest (live) - with Wal MK1 bass

Luke Basskey

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 I Bass.

Features and functionality

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Wal basses are noted for their unique electronics, particularly the active filters for each pickup, which significantly shape their distinct sound.
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Wal basses' unique multicoil pickups and their precise placement play a critical role in achieving their distinctive sound.
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Comparisons

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ACG basses are suggested as a more affordable alternative, offering a custom build with a dual-filter preamp similar to Wal's for less than half the cost.
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Some owners suggest that a fretless Stingray can emulate the Wal's tone at a significantly lower cost.
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A luthier in the same county as the Wal workshop builds sound-alike copies starting at £6,500, using mahogany bodies and standard maple facings.
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Build quality

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Owners highlight the craftsmanship of recent Wal builds (2009-present), emphasizing exceptional sound and feel.
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Users praise the balance of custom Wal-style basses, even when using heavier tuners, indicating meticulous craftsmanship.
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Value and pricing

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The price of a custom Wal bass is significantly influenced by market factors like timber availability, with recent costs around £8,000 and long wait times due to high demand.
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Second-hand Wal basses typically sell for $11,000-$13,000, with new ones starting at $8,000, reflecting their investment potential and scarcity.
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A recent price for a Mk I Wal 4-string with standard features was £7,850, showing consistency with second-hand market prices.
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Payments typically start with a £500 deposit, with additional payments required at various stages, reflecting a structured purchasing process.
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User experience

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Owners often note that Wal basses are heavy, which can impact comfort during long sessions.
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Some users are on a 'waiting list to get on the actual waiting list,' indicating a multi-step process due to high demand and limited production capacity.
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Mods and upgrades

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Custom builds using Turner pickups and Lusithand preamps are recommended for achieving a Wal-like sound without the long wait.
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 3 Ratings

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Artist usage

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Geddy Lee

Singer, Bassist

Rush

Verified via 2112

Geddy Lee recorded Power Windows, Hold Your Fire and Presto with the Wal MK 1. There are tons of pictures of Geddy with his black Wal Mk 1 from this era

Jason Newsted

Bassist

Metallica

Verified via Photo

Jason used one of these around the time of the AJFA tours.

Ken Andrews

Singer, Guitarist

Failure

Verified via YouTube

In this live video (and plenty of others) Ken and Greg can be seen using this Wal bass that's been spray-painted silver. This bass was reportedly used on studio recordings as well, including at least Fantastic Planet and Magnified. Reportedly it was also loaned to Justin Chancellor for use on Ænima (TOOL's second record), which motivated him to buy a Wal of his own.

Steven Severin

Bassist, Composer

Siouxsie & the Banshees

Verified via YouTube

Seen here on The Tube playing his Wal Mk1 bass.

Colin Edwin

Bassist

Porcupine Tree

Verified via Photo

Colin mentions owning two fretted wal mk1 basses (and one fretless) in multiple interviews and on his blog and website

I am lucky enough to own three Wals, my most recent acquisition being another 80's era fretted which was previously owned by Jack Monck and given a thorough working out on The Incident tour and album with Porcupine Tree.

https://web.archive.org/web/20080517032231/http://www.bassplayer.com/article/colin-edwin-riding/sep-07/31497

http://www.fretlessbass.com/edwin-colin/

http://www.colinedwin.co.uk/

http://colinedwin.blogspot.com/search/label/Wal

John Illsley

Bassist

Dire Straits

Verified via YouTube

Illsley can be seen in this performance from 1983 playing a black Wal bass Mk I. This bass was one of his primary basses during the early 1980s, though he seemed to drop its use in favour of Fender basses towards the end of the decade.

Nik Kershaw

Singer, Guitarist

Verified via Photo

In this photo taken from International Musician & Recording World March 1984 issue, Nik Kershaw can be seen playing a Wal Mk. 1 bass, though it's not mentioned in the article included. Nik Kershaw did most of the bass parts on Human Racing, but on The Riddle he played on two tracks while the rest was sequenced or other bass players were brought in.

In Guitarist magazine December 1984, Kershaw admitted to cheating loads with his bass playing by using vari-speed. For example, the bass part in "Gone To Pieces" was recorded at half-speed.