Mesa Boogie Walkabout 12"

TheBasicBassist · #1 06-17-2010, 11:15 AM

Hey guys. I know there's a mega thread on these fantastic amplifiers but I just had a few specific questions that I need answered; I promise to close the thread after they're answered if it makes it any better.

Firstly, I bought my Walkabout 12" brand new from Rudy's Music in NYC last August and it's worked perfectly since then. However, a few days ago I started getting this "fuzzy noise" that would happen whilst I was playing after the amp had been for about an hour or so (the first hour there aren't ever any issues.) I've tried it with all four of my basses (Warwick Corvette, Fender Jaguar, MM Stingray and SX) and 4 cables that were less than a year old AND a brand new cable. I don't hear any fizzing or popping as if a tube had broke, I only hear the fan and a slight "wind-blowing noise" on top of that. My EQ settings on any of the knobs are NEVER EVER past 12 o'clock. My bass tech thinks that it might just need to be re-tubed, thoughts?

Also, I'm in the process of filling out Mesa's warranty card (it doesn't say that there's a time limit to send this in, can anyone confirm?) because I had gotten really sick after I first bought the amp and I can't seem to find the serial number, can any TB brothers help me out?

Thanks all,
John

MN_Bass · #2 06-17-2010, 11:17 AM

I had something similar happen to my new WAS 12, the power section was pulling DC, I don't anything about that but its been in the shop for 4 weeks already

Mine is a blackface style one.

lomo · #3 06-17-2010, 11:20 AM

For the serial no-grb a screwdriver and remove the head from the cab to find it. Mesa's warranty is 5 years-they'll take care of you.

TheBasicBassist · #4 06-17-2010, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lomo

For the serial no-grb a screwdriver and remove the head from the cab to find it. Mesa's warranty is 5 years-they'll take care of you.

Thanks a million, man.

TheBasicBassist · #5 06-17-2010, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MN_Bass

I had something similar happen to my new WAS 12, the power section was pulling DC, I don't anything about that but its been in the shop for 4 weeks already

Mine is a blackface style one.

Mine's a blackface style too. Damn, man. I've got a gig in a week and my amp decided to go as well as the bridge on my 5er. Hopefully, it'll be a speedy recovery. Hope yours gets back to you soon too.

TheBasicBassist · #6 06-17-2010, 07:23 PM

Bumpity.

zombywoof5050 · #7 06-18-2010, 09:51 AM

On the Walkabouts, wasn't there a problem with the contacts in the effects loop that they resolved by adding a bypass switch or something like that? Maybe this has something to do with your problem?

Dan55 · #8 06-18-2010, 10:54 AM

Yep, make sure you bypass the effects loop before you do anything else.

Worldeeeter · #9 06-18-2010, 11:15 AM

...and now for something completely different:

I deliberated for two weeks between the Walkabout 12 and the M6 Carbine 212 combo.
Ultimately, I decided on the 112-lb. Carbine combo, mostly because I was able to make the Walkabout sound a little off in the music store with moderate gain and volume. It seemed a little "fragile", as compared to the titanium tank that is the Carbine.
I have yet to be able to produce anything other than thundering bass with the M6 combo; yes, it's big, and it's heavy, but it has a handle and wheels, and will give any half-stack a run for its money in a live gig.

TheBasicBassist · #10 07-08-2010, 09:51 PM

Bump for any new info. The amp's in the repair shop so I'll keep y'all posted when the cure is found. If anyone has anything lemme know, though. Thanks again.

TheBasicBassist · #11 07-28-2010, 10:46 AM

Bump for new info. Still at the repair shop. =\

TheBasicBassist · #12 08-10-2010, 04:06 PM

Repair is completed. From what this repairman said it appears that I was sold a refurbished Mesa from a music store in NYC. My repairman said that most of the screws inside were either missing or completely stripped and it appeared as though someone had gone inside the amp to look for a problem similar to what I was confronted with. I just wanted to add a conclusion to this adventure so everyone would know what had happened.

I doubt there's anything I can do, as far as going to Rudy's or to Mesa about this. But what do you guys think? Thanks.

finalrequiem · #13 08-10-2010, 04:12 PM

I PERSONALLY would be absolutely twisted if I found that out. I'd put a call in to someone. I highly doubt that the people at Mesa are cool w/ a retailer doing that (or at least doing it that poorly). Maybe they'd like to know about it? I have the Scout 12 but I haven't dealt w/ Mesa so I can't chime in much besides that. Good luck.

emblymouse · #14 08-10-2010, 04:27 PM

I would think it is a Rudy's issue. Allow them to make good first before calling Mesa. Service is where it's at, if Rudy's wants to keep customers from shopping elsewhere they would be well served by taking that unit back and getting you a real new stock head. Or a refund.

**mikeddd** · #15 08-10-2010, 04:28 PM

Wow. I agree with finalrequiem! If Rudy's sold that as "new" to you, they are engaging in shady business practices. Knowing the average NYC music store, they'll probably go tell you to pound sand. However, I'll bet Mesa would be very interested in this tidbit of info. I'd drop dime on them in a second. But FIRST, call (or better yet, go in person) Rudy's and lay it all out for them. If it was me, I'd demand they take it back at the full price you paid for it as credit towards a brand new in the box amp of your choice. If they tell you to pound sand, let them know you're contacting Mesa and providing your receipt from Rudy's and the fix action/opinion from the repairman.
So, what WAS the fix action anyway?

TheBasicBassist · #16 08-10-2010, 07:12 PM

The fix action was that every single wire inside of the head needed to be resoldered (excuse the spelling.) I'm not entirely sure how I'd prove to them that the amp was a refurb aside from everything my tech told me. He was flabbergasted, at the very least, at how shoddy everything looked. The reason that I don't think that the store will do anything is because I bought the amp on November 12th of last year. However, I've never ever driven it or taken it to a repairman so nobody has ever seen it's insides since it's been in my hands. Advice? I'm extremely upset about this.

Thanks.

Gizmot · #17 08-10-2010, 07:24 PM

First - filling out the warranty card is meaningless - your purchase receipt is all that's required by law, so just hang on to it. Secondly, Mesa is a pretty good company and I'd be surprised if they don't take care of you - especially because the warranty is clearly their responsibility

TheBasicBassist · #18 08-10-2010, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gizmot

First - filling out the warranty card is meaningless - your purchase receipt is all that's required by law, so just hang on to it. Secondly, Mesa is a pretty good company and I'd be surprised if they don't take care of you - especially because the warranty is clearly their responsibility

Thanks for the heads up about the warranty card, man. Would you recommend that I do send it out or don't send it out? I'm not really sure of what to do - thanks.

62bass · #19 08-10-2010, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by finalrequiem

I PERSONALLY would be absolutely twisted if I found that out. I'd put a call in to someone. I highly doubt that the people at Mesa are cool w/ a retailer doing that (or at least doing it that poorly). Maybe they'd like to know about it? I have the Scout 12 but I haven't dealt w/ Mesa so I can't chime in much besides that. Good luck.

I'm pretty sure that happened in my case although I didn't have any problems with mine. It was definitely not a new out of the box Walkabout although sold as one by L&M. However, I got it below the fixed price on it so I didn't complain.

I wonder what would have happened if it had needed servicing.

TheBasicBassist · #20 08-10-2010, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62bass

I'm pretty sure that happened in my case although I didn't have any problems with mine. It was definitely not a new out of the box Walkabout although sold as one by L&M. However, I got it below the fixed price on it so I didn't complain.

I wonder what would have happened if it had needed servicing.

Out of curiosity, how much was knocked off? I'm giving Mesa and the music store both a phone call; I'm just looking for numbers to work with is all. Thanks, mate.