The New "Pros".

Just to throw more confusion on what constitutes a "Wal Pro bass", when the Custom Series basses were first introduced Wal also experimented with a lower range model.  For a short period Electric Wood produced a new, single pick-up, low cost bass also referred to as Pro basses.  For whatever reason these basses were relatively short-lived.  However, in the early 1990s the line was briefly reintroduced - again only for a short time.  These basses were manufactured in response to a major UK music retailer who wanted to be able to offer a Wal bass at a lower price.

These later period "Pro basses" were equipped with passive tone circuits which were mounted on a small plastic scratchplate and included a tone shaping switch similar to those on the original passive Pro I basses - basically a series/parallel switch.    The headstocks on these later "Pro basses" were also a slightly different shape from the "Custom series" basses.

And then there were mark three...

In 1995 the Wal  underwent a further design development with the introduction of a 6-string bass and a new body shape (the "Mark III" body shape).  The increased body mass necessitated by the wider neck required  slimming down of the chunky Mk II body shape.  The following year the Mark III body shape was extended as an option across the entire Wal range - 4, 5 and 6 strings, all including the newer asymmetric headstock shape.  This was partly inspired by a suggestion made by Roger Newell in a review of the Mk III body shape Wal 5 string in Bassist Magazine.  Wals are now offered in 6 different formats... the Mk I, 21-fret 4-string; Mk II, 24-fret 4-string; Mk II, 24-fret 5-string; Mk III, 24-fret 4-string; Mk III, 24-fret 5-string; and Mk III, 24-fret 6-string.

Millennium bugs - continuing to build basses at Electric Wood in High Wycombe and beyond...

From the turn of the century Pete Stevens continued to build a small number of Wal basses each year as a small, often one-man, operation. This was despite the inconvenience of several workshop moves and worsening health.  He continued to offer these fine instruments in the three body styles, faced with a wide range of beautiful exotic woods and in 4, 5 and 6 string incarnations to the discerning bassists of Britain and the world.  

However, in 2007, facing yet another relocation he decided to hang up his chisel for the final time and Wal production ceased.  Fortunately this will, hopefully, not signal the end for the fine basses which Electric Wood have produced since the mid-1970s.  Throughout the 2000s there were some abortive discussions with some of the medium-to-larger players in business to produce Wals under license However, on each occasion these broke down before any arrangements could be entered into and contracts signed.

All, however does not seem to be lost.  Rumours abound that an independent luthier, and friend of Pete's may begin making short run, high quality Wal basses to the specifications developed by Pete and Ian.  All remains hush-hush at the moment but Wal devotees across the globe stand waiting to see where the next phase of this remarkable basses history progresses.  Long may the name, Wal, continue among the highest echelons of the bass world.  Long may the vision and legacy of Ian Waller - to build the best bass guitars in the world - remain alive.

Trevor Raggatt, June 2008

Above: Pete Stevens pictured in his workshop at Electric Wood, High Wycombe, UK in early 2002.