Eden WT550 Still a contender?

Crabby · #1 11-22-2010, 11:37 PM

I have owned Eden cabs for many years and had a Navigator pre amp for a few years but have never actually owned an Eden head. I am thinking about finding a used WT550 and am wondering how this amp would compare to my Mesa Walkabout in terms of tone, volume and power. Does this older design still hold up with all the recent more modern offerings. The Walkabout is pretty much a benchmark amplifier tonewise but I have a bit of a thing for matched rigs. I really like my Eden cabs (210XLT and 210XST) and would like to pair them up with an Eden head but want to stay away fro a full size rack head.

Let me hear from current WT550 owners and former owners who have moved on to other gear.

Marton · #2 11-23-2010, 12:03 AM

I never owned one, but I tried one in at the music shop, and it seems to be pretty loud, I'm about 100% sur it's at least as loud as your walkabout.

Personally, I like Eden heads a lot. If my 15 years old WT300 wasn't making some strange noises, I would probably still gig with it.

Son of Bovril · #3 11-23-2010, 12:25 AM

The WT550 is still a great head. It is honestly rated volume wise and puts out that classic eden tone. It's not a lightweight by today's standards, but it is still as small and light as the walkabout.

R Baer · #4 11-23-2010, 03:35 AM

This was my main head for many years. I ran through a SWR Interstellar Overdrive and then into the WT550. One of the best rigs i ever used. The WT550 is still a great amp, even by todays standards.

Son of Bovril · #5 11-23-2010, 03:47 AM

one of the new classic amps IMO

vin*tone · #6 11-23-2010, 04:51 AM

The Eden will have quite a bit more pepper. Cleaner sounding and a few other bells n whistles - headphone, DI level and compressor. I used to own one... and it's my second favorite amp in the world... after my Walkabout

lomo · #7 11-23-2010, 04:52 AM

Love the 550 in all respects. Very quiet, full-featured, good clean tone.

PDGood · #8 11-23-2010, 05:05 AM

I haven't heard the Walkabout but to me the Eden IS a modern tone.

bamabass · #9 11-23-2010, 05:24 AM

The 550 is my favorite eden head. Stable down to 2 ohms @ 750 watts. Smaller size, and bulletproof. I have owned a couple of them. It should have the ability to get louder than your walkabout. I ran mine with many eden cabinets, and IMHO, the 210xst/210xlt was the best combo. Good luck

tombowlus · #10 11-23-2010, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R Baer

The WT550 is still a great amp, even by todays standards.

+1 I do somewhat prefer the tone of my WalkAbout, but the WT550 is also very nice and definitely moves more air.

Rojo Grande · #11 11-23-2010, 07:07 AM

I'm not familiar with the Boogie, but the eq on the Eden gives you a lot of room to shape. My 12 year old 400 is still running like a champ. My fav all around for sure.....

T. Alan Smith · #12 11-23-2010, 07:36 AM

I'd love a WT550 myself. Has Eden resolved their CS/QC issues since moving production to China?

ransombass · #13 11-23-2010, 07:42 AM

I love mine. It's 2005 and a total work horse. Clean tone and plenty of power. I use it for all of my gigs from Rockabilly to Fusion. It handles it all whether double bass or electric and hardly even breaks a sweat.

burk48237 · #14 11-23-2010, 08:24 AM

I owned one for years and wouldn't hesitate to gig with one. It, along with the WT405 were probably Edens most gigable heads considering the QC issues with the 800 and 1200. That said, I am still hesitant of Eden because of QC and service issues and would suggest you also consider a used Thunderfunk 550 or TC RH450, both can dial in pretty close to the Eden and seem to have a bit more headroom. And both companies have better service reputations if you have any issues. IMO

matt11 · #15 11-23-2010, 08:32 AM

I've also got a 2005--great little head through my 210 xlt/xst speakers. Very versatile, rich clean tone, a bit of grind if you dial up the mids. Go for it.

Jonyak · #16 11-23-2010, 08:59 AM

I have one. its a good sounding veratile head.

as others have said I would avoid it though.

the resale value on them now is rediculously low.

I paid 1300 for my american made 550 in 2007 and now I can't even give it away for $500. noone wants it, and the guitar store offered me $200 for it.

I had alot of problems with the 2 cabs I bought from eden as well. both went back under warranty.

I am upset at the company for taking there production to china. The heads now sell for around $850 new, which destroyed the resale of the older heads.

Crabby · #17 11-23-2010, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonyak

I have one. its a good sounding veratile head.

as others have said I would avoid it though.

the resale value on them now is rediculously low.

I paid 1300 for my american made 550 in 2007 and now I can't even give it away for $500. noone wants it, and the guitar store offered me $200 for it.

I had alot of problems with the 2 cabs I bought from eden as well. both went back under warranty.

I am upset at the company for taking there production to china. The heads now sell for around $850 new, which destroyed the resale of the older heads.

Wow! That is amazing that they are worth so little now. I am looking at paying $400 used for one. I have not seen it yet so don't know what condition its in. Seems like they are still well thought of amps, at least the US made versions. I really liked my Navigator but it was overkill, too big with a power amp and I never used most of its features, many of which were just silly. I tend to like things very simple on an amp and don't like to tweak too much to find my tone. I may have to go for this deal and report back. Its a little concerning though about the resale value.

vince a · #18 11-23-2010, 09:59 AM

I gig with mine every week, sometimes twice a week. I run it through a 4 ohm Eden D212XLT and a 4 ohm Eden D210XST (has the lowest frequency) on the bottom. Combined with a good outboard compressor (I use an EBS), good cables and a great bass . . . I can get very, very loud, very, very low, and can also get a great mid-growl when needed. I've had the 550 about 2 1/2 years now . . . wouldn't trade it for anything out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Crabby · #19 11-23-2010, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vince a

I gig with mine every week, sometimes twice a week. I run it through a 4 ohm Eden D212XLT and a 4 ohm Eden D210XST (has the lowest frequency) on the bottom. Combined with a good outboard compressor (I use an EBS), good cables and a great bass . . . I can get very, very loud, very, very low, and can also get a great mid-growl when needed. I've had the 550 about 2 1/2 years now . . . wouldn't trade it for anything out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How would you rate the power at 4 ohms. Both my cabs are 8 ohms so I would not likely ever be running the amp at 2 ohms. Sounds like a sweet rig you have there.

Matt Dean · #20 11-23-2010, 10:44 AM

I also used a WT 550 for many years... with your exact rig (210XLT and 210XST cabs).

You'll get classic Eden tone for days.