1970s brochure for Pro Series basses
This brochure was produced by Electric Wood in the late 1970s to promote the newly launched Pro Bass series. These basses included a number of pretty revolutionary features - particularly for a UK built production bass.
Among them were:
- balanced XLR output as an option (this became standard on the later Custom Bass series)
- sophisticated active tone shaping circuitry
- carbon fibre inserts within the neck
- heavy-duty die cast bridge
- laminated necks...
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A New Beginning...
...from ELECTRIC WOOD
THE Wal Pro Bass
A professional
quality bass guitar, designed by specialists for specialists and the
satisfaction of everyone. Not only does it incorporate the advantages of new
innovations in technology, materials and modern production techniques but is
capable of satisfying all the varied, yet exacting requirements of today's
professional bass players.
Concept
You may be excused
for being sceptical of the above claim! After all, doesn't every new instrument
claim such things?
Sure. That's exactly
why Electric Wood adopted the slightly unusual approach to designing and
decided that the musician himself should be the one to tell us what he or she
wanted in the perfect instrument - who else matters?
Evolution
Through the
specialist services of design engineer and custom guitar builder, Wal. several
of today's most eminent and accomplished bass players became involved in the
design and the ideas began to flow. (See back of brochure).
Our problem was then
simply to interpret these ideas in the best possible way, build prototypes and
submit them to our specialist judges for appraisal and comment. Some of the
ideas are so simple! Naturally. The best things usually are! Taking the concept one step further, we
invited other specialists in materials, audio sound and engineering to proffer
their opinions and ideas on the best way to realise the player's visions. Even
road crews chipped in, until each and every feature of the final design would
do everything that was required of it, in whatever situation it was to be
played.
We think we've done
it, but what is more, the experts are satisfied too! When some of the finest
players, engineers, recording studios and producers in the world are using your
instruments. you must have got it right!
So we'll just sit
back and allow the Wal PRO BASS speak for itself.
- The PRO BASS is available in two basic forms: The PRO BASS I, with a single Wal Bass Pickup. The PRO BASS II, with two selectable Wal Bass Pickups. Each model can be obtained:
- In one of four standard colour finishes. Custom colours can also be obtained to special order;
- Either with fretted or fretless fingerboard;
- Either as a standard high impedance output model with passive controls;
- Or, as an `E' model with specially designed, low noise electronic circuitry with low impedance output and providing the utmost in subjective and versatile sound output.
- Electronics can be fitted into standard passive models, if and when desired as a factory conversion facility.
- Any PRO BASS can be optionally fitted with a 600 ohm Balanced Line Output in addition to the standard jack output, for direct injection to studio and PA mixers. This facility is available either factory fitted, or as a simple plug-in kit for converting yourself.
- For the protection and prolonged high performance of your PRO BASS, a superb range of quality accessories is available. This includes light weight cases, flight cases, low noise leads and strings.
Each pickup has its
own graduated volume and tone controls and in addition, a special pickup
response selector switch positioned on the scratch plate immediately below the
pickup.
The tone controls alter
the treble response of the pickups and when fully off (o) they enable those
thick `woolly' bass sounds which many players desire, yet with no lack of
clarity or punch.
The two pickup PRO
BASSES in addition sport a master volume control and a three-position pickup
selector switch. These enable complete intermixing of the two pickups whilst
retaining overall control over the instrument's output level.
Together with the
pickup response switches, this mixing facility on the PRO BASS II and PRO BASS
IIE provides no less than eight subtly different output tone settings at the
flick of a switch.
PRO BASS I and PRO
BASS II standard models contain straightforward high impedance, passive
circuitry. No batteries are required.
The pickup response
switches connect the coils of the pickups in two significantly different ways
to provide two distinct output tones. In Position 1 the output sound is solid
and heavy whilst in Position 2 the high frequency end is extended and the
bottom end rolled off. This gives a more `middly' and cutting response.
The standard jack
output is high impedance and will drive any standard guitar or bass amplifier.
PRO BASS IE and PRO BASS HE are active electronic versions of the above
instruments enabling even greater quality and variation of sound output.
Our resident
electronics expert, Ivan Bozicevic, with years of specialised experience in the
music audio field, has subjectively designed special ultra low noise, low
power, FET pre-amplifiers which shape the output frequency spectrum and provide
a low impedance output.
The pickup response
switches in this case switch in or out filter networks. These, determined from
intensive research with bass players and engineers, boost or cut specific
frequencies to provide tonal shapes which alter the punch, timbre and attack of
the instrument. For the Pro Bass IE and the bass pickup of the Pro Bass IIE the
response switch gives lift in the lower
middle frequencies. For the bridge
or treble pickup of the Pro Bass IIE, upper middle boost and bass cut are
provided.
In addition, both E
models have an extra switch filter which boosts a narrow band of high
frequencies, to add percussive attack to the output sound. This enables the
player to achieve those `thwacky, clicky' sounds so popular with modern solo
players and will cut through despite the environment or accompaniment.
The low impedance
output enables the instrument to be used with any amplifier regardless of input
impedance and cables of unlimited length can be connected without even the
minutest loss of top and without mechanical noise.
The pre-amplifiers
are powered from a standard PP3 size battery and only draw an incredible 0.3
milliamps. Using an alkaline type battery (Mallory Duracel or similar) 300
hours of use can be expected which, under normal professional use even, could
mean a new battery every Christmas!
The battery is
switched off normally and is switched on by insertion of the jack plug lead.
OPTIONS
DIRECT INJECT (D.I.) BALANCED OUTPUT OPTION
The 600 ohm balance
line, Direct Inject or DI output is what is used by all professional recording
and stage mixing equipment to ensure correct matching and frequency response.
These days with professional bass players almost invariably using DI via
external transformers both in the studio and on stage, it makes sense to
include this facility on the instrument. This eliminates the necessity to use
dubious external converters and always ensures consistent performance.
Electric Wood have
therefore made the facility available either with the purchased instrument or
as a conversion kit to be added at a later date.
The output is an
attractive heavy duty casting which directly replaces the standard jack output
socket in the edge of the instrument. It contains:
- Standard jack output (unbalanced)
- 600 ohm DI output via a standard 3-pin Switchcraft QG (XLR) connector
- Earth Lift Switch to avoid hum loops when using both outputs simultaneously
- Loop Switch which allows effects to be looped onto the DI output via a special accessory lead.
The kit comprises the
above socket, which is simply connected to the instrument's printed circuit
board by a plug-in connector and an encapsulated transformer which plugs
directly into the PCB.
FINISHES
All PRO BASSES are
available in a choice of four standard colour finishes:
Sunburst: Cherry Red,
Natural Ash, Black
Additionally, to
order only, the following finishes can be supplied:
Translucent: Emerald
Green, Tangerine, Strawberry Red, Blue
Solid: White, Red,
Ice Blue
FRETLESS FINGERBOARDS
All PRO BASSES can be
obtained with optional fretless necks. The fingerboards are all made from
selected, dense rosewood with smooth maple veneer inlays in place of the metal
frets.
Plain fretboards can
also be supplied to order only.
ACCESSORIES
LOW NOISE BELDEN LEADS
Belden rubber cable
is acknowledged as the finest flexible cable for musical instrument use. It has
very low capacitance, low mechanical noise and is very, very rugged.
Electric Wood leads
are all Belden cable fitted with high quality Rendar turned brass jack plugs,
Switchcraft QG audio connectors or as combination leads for dual jack and DI
operation.
LIGHTWEIGHT CASE
A very attractive and
practical, lightweight carrying case in fibreglass with moulded lip location,
lockable catches and stay hinges. The case is presented in a brown simulated
leather finish with interior foam filling lined with luxurious gold plush.
A separate well is
provided for keeping straps and leads.
FLIGHT CASE
Constructed from
fibreglass laminated marine ply with all edges and corners reinforced and
protected by aluminium extrusions, steel pressings and a piano hinge fitted
with stays. Dished lockable catches and a strong leather handle complete the
superb fittings. The case has a hard-wearing, simulated leather finish in brown
and the interior is foam filled and gold, plush lined as per our lightweight
case.
The only professional
way to fly.
From every point of
view
Wal Pro Bass
The entire internal
cavities of the instrument are 100% screened thus eliminating any external
interference. Pickups, scratch plate and controls, printed circuits, output
socket and the optional DI balanced output are all modular and can be fitted
and removed separately via the use of reliable shake-proof connectors.
The tone controls and
circuitry are subjectively designed in conjunction with the alternative pickup
settings to provide the most solid, versatile sound output.
Smooth, low noise
controls with fluted, calibrated knobs. All the controls and selector switches
are ergonomically situated for efficient, uninhibiting in-play adjustment.
Laminated neck of
Canadian Rock Maple and Afromosia, reinforced with carbon fibre strips: These
strips, two in the back of the neck and one under the fretboard, contain no
less than 100,000 carbon fibres. A contoured, stainless steel truss rod is also
provided for extra strength and long term adjustments ; Close tolerance neck
joint, using heavy duty bolts through the body into brass inserts in the base
of the neck. This provides vastly improved sustain qualities over other methods
whilst retaining the desirable two-piece construction:
Stainless steel truss
rod adjustment using standard 1/8" Allen Key. Truss rod nut runs in delrin bearing inside
neck for trouble-free, smooth adjustment.
Unique keyhole
moulding in scratch plate for easy access to nut:
Internal circuitry
utilizes only the highest grade components:
Selected English Ash
body, contoured and cut away for balanced comfort and uninhibited playing right
to the last fret. Both body and neck are finished in super hard glossy,
polyester lacquer.
Accurately moulded
top nut in self-lubricating glass filled nylon:
Original, cast bridge
tailpiece design providing very simple slot-in string anchorage. No messy
threading through holes! The unique design of the cast bronze saddle pieces
running on a stainless steel base plate provide completely independent
adjustment of string length and height whilst maintaining maximum area of
contact with body at a11 settings - a further boost to the superb sustain and
frequency response of this instrument. Allen Key adjusted, stainless steel
adjustment screws ensure rust-proof and trouble-free operation.
Scalloped head design
which ensures against the possibility of head breakage.
Super-smooth, heavy
duty Schaller machines. Very low gear ratio and adjustable.
Cast string guides
ensuring straight and equal angle string pull across nut.
Dense, hard, Indian
Rosewood fretboard, shallow cambered for fast, easy playing. 34" Scale
length, E to E with 21 hardened nickel steel frets and mother of pearl dot
inlays, or fretless with Maple fret position markers.
Hard wearing, moulded
polycarbonate scratch plate, fixed with 14 screws to ensure against warpage and
lifting. The scratch plate also incorporates the complete electronic printed
circuit board assembly and the battery compartment for E models.
All metal parts,
other than where stainless steel is stipulated, are heavily chrome plated for
hard wear and long lasting appearance.
Extremely powerful
and balanced, humbucking pickups with individually adjustable pole pieces.
(1/16" Allen Key). Fully adjustable spring mounting. Due to the unique
internal construction of these pickups an almost totally flat, even string
response is obtainable over the entire scale length of the instrument. This
factor alone has made the Pro Bass an instant `must' with recording studios and
sound engineers. Each pickup is capable of being switched into two alternative,
equally humbucking modes by means of a small switch situated immediately below
it. This provides two sounds with subtly different harmonic structure for more
versatility. (See specifications for details).
Meet our design
team...
1. WAL
2. Pete Stevens (EW)
3. John G. Perry
4. John Entwistle
5. Percy Jones
6. Alan Spenner
7. Pete Zorn .
8. John Gustafson
9. lvan Bozicevic
(EW)
10. Steve York
11. Jack Brand
12. Trident Studios:
-
Producers:
Rupert Hine
Robin Lumley
Engineers:
Nick Bradford
Pete Kelsey
Steve Taylor
Steve Short
Together we'll make
fine music.
Distributed by
Barratts of Manchester Ltd.,
652 Chester Road, Old Trafford,
Manchester M16 ORX
Sole distributors Wal Guitars
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