This article documents and preserves known details, visual evidence, and archival photography relating to a Wal Mk 1 bass guitar owned and used by Steven Severin, founding member and bassist of Siouxsie and the Banshees.¹

The instrument was used by Severin during the 1983–1984 period and is visible in multiple contemporary sources, including the official music video for “Dazzle” (released in 1984)², as well as two televised UK performances: Top of the Pops (broadcast December 29, 1983) and The Tube (broadcast October 2, 1984). ³ ⁴ A still image of Severin with the bass was also published in the band’s 1984 tour program, derived from production photography associated with the same era.⁵

The bass documented here is a Wal Mk 1, serial number W2145, manufactured in July 1983 (as indicated by the interior label). It features an English ash body, black polyester finish, and rosewood fingerboard, with custom fleur-de-lis fretboard inlays. These inlays are a non-standard Wal feature and function as a distinctive visual identifier. The same configuration is independently recorded in the WalDataBASS registry.⁶

The duration of Severin’s use of this instrument beyond 1984 is unknown, and the complete chain of ownership following his possession has not been fully documented. At some point after its original period of use, the bass developed finish cracking on the body, consistent with age-related polyester checking.

Historical context: This bass dates to and was used during the period when Robert Smith of The Cure was touring and appearing on television with Siouxsie and the Banshees (1983–1984) with Siouxsie Sioux, Steven Severin and Budgie, including the era of major international tours and broadcast performances. This places the instrument squarely within one of the band’s most culturally significant and widely documented lineups, an era that remains central to the band’s legacy and enduring influence.  For collectors of post-punk and alternative music memorabilia, this period represents a rare intersection of two of the most influential artists of the era.

I acquired the instrument in 2022 from BassBros (Leamington Spa, UK). According to information provided by the dealer at the time of sale, the bass subsequently passed through a UK music shop and had been acquired from a private collector with a broader collection of historically significant instruments. No additional documentation regarding interim ownership was supplied.⁷

After importation to the United States, the bass was entrusted to Wilkins Guitars (Van Nuys, California) for professional restoration. The original body finish was stripped and refinished in gloss black. During this process, a small structural crack at the input jack was identified and repaired; the repair is not visually apparent following refinishing. The work was performed by Pat Wilkins, who noted that, among the Wal basses he has serviced over the years, this example ranked exceptionally highly in both build quality and tonal response.⁸

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Specifications

• Serial Number: W2145
• Year: 1983
• Color: Black
• Body Finish: Gloss
• Body Wood: Ash
• Neck Finish: Gloss
• Neck Wood: Maple
• Fingerboard: Ebony (incorrectly noted as “Rosewood” on scratch plate label)
• Frets: 21
• Scale Length: 34″
• Weight: 9 lb 13 oz (4.5 kg)
• Electronics: Wal
• Pickups: Wal

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The Wal Mk 1 is a custom 4-string bass featuring a 34″ scale length, 21-fret neck, extended upper horn reaching the 14th fret, and contoured body design intended for balance and comfort.⁸

A detailed history of Wal bass guitars is documented on the manufacturer’s official website, outlining the company’s origins in the mid-1970s, the development of its proprietary electronics, and the emergence of the Mk 1 as Wal’s first fully realized production custom instrument.⁹

Wal bass guitars originated in the mid-1970s when session bassist John G. Perry commissioned a custom instrument from Ian Waller, whose experimental approach to construction and electronics quickly set the design apart. Formal production began with the founding of Electric Wood Ltd. in 1978, and by 1980 Waller was directly involved in the design and construction of the first Wal Custom prototypes, now known as the Mark 1, which introduced proprietary active electronics and fully integrated pickups developed for professional use. Waller remained actively involved in the evolution of Wal basses throughout the early and mid-1980s, a period during which the instruments gained adoption among leading players across post-punk, new wave, and progressive music. Waller’s direct involvement in building Wal instruments effectively spans a finite period from approximately 1980 until his sudden death in July 1988, after which production continued under his longtime partner Pete Stevens. As a result, early Wal Mk 1 basses built during Waller’s lifetime represent a closed and unrepeatable chapter in the company’s history, contributing materially to their rarity and historical significance.

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Siouxsie and the Banshees Live TV Performance on Top of the Pops in 1983

Selected screencaps from the broadcast from the Top of the Pops performance highlight the distinctive Wal Mk 1 body shape, pickup placement, and electronics cavity visible during this performance.

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Siouxsie and the Banshees Live TV Performance on The Tube in 1984

Selected screencaps from the broadcast from The Tube performance also highlight the distinctive Wal Mk 1 body shape, pickup placement, and electronics cavity visible during this performance.

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Siouxsie and the Banshees “Dazzle” Music Video from 1984

Selected screencaps from the music video showcase the distinctive Wal Mk 1 body shape, pickup placement, and fretboard inlays visible during performance.

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Wal Mk 1 Bass Guitar Photography

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Collector Summary

This 1983 Wal Mk 1 bass represents a convergence of early Wal construction, documented artist use, and verifiable appearance across broadcast television and official music video media during a formative period for both the instrument and the artist. With original Wal electronics, distinctive period-correct construction details, and visual confirmation through multiple independent sources, the instrument stands as a fully traceable example of a true Wal-built Mk 1 from the Ian Waller era. As such, it occupies a position not only as a rare collectible instrument, but as a historically anchored artifact tied directly to the recorded and televised legacy of Siouxsie and the Banshees.

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Serious collector inquiries regarding this instrument may be directed privately: [email protected].

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Notes & References

1. Steven Severin, bassist and co-founder of Siouxsie and the Banshees.
2. “Dazzle” official music video released in 1984 (featuring the Wal Mk 1 bass with distinctive custom inlays).
3. Top of the Pops, BBC Television broadcast, December 29, 1983 (performance featuring Wal Mk 1 bass).
4. The Tube, Channel 4 television broadcast, October 2, 1984 (multiple-song performance; featuring the Wal Mk 1 bass).
5. Siouxsie and the Banshees 1984 tour program; printed production imagery derived from the “Dazzle” video shoot.
6. WalDataBASS registry entry for serial W2145 (1983 Wal Mk 1 with custom fretboard inlay).
7. BassBros (Leamington Spa, UK), Reverb listing and dealer correspondence, 2022.
8. Wilkins Guitar Finishes & RoadTested Guitars, Van Nuys, California; restoration notes and dealer commentary.
9. Wal Mk 1 model description, Wal Basses official site.
10. Wal Basses — “About Us / History,” official company website.

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