Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread 8

[Livewire]

Thanks Chef and Slick Tu for the heads up! Can anyone ballpark the cost to update the head? Thanks

[Chef]

www.mesaboogie.com/US/Dealers/rep_select_2.php

find your local service center; and call them

[RickenBoogie]

+1 to the patch cable in the loop idea. I have the bypass switch, but keep a 6" patch cord in anyway. Never had an issue. And, to pfschim, I sold my Scout combo cab a loong time ago. Just doesn't do it for me. But have paired the WA with a GB Uber 2x12 with fantastic results. The Uber weighs less than 60 lbs, has wheels on the back, and handles everywhere. Easy=peasy schlepp, and plenty good and loud. The WA sounds full and fat, with punch and clarity. For an extra kick, an 8 ohm DB112 goes on top and that's more volume then I ever really need. I use the Uber 212 by itself 99.99% of the time.

[Wes Whitmore]

I have an mtd artist with aftermarket pickup that requires me to pad the input if I crank the bass to full volume, even with all the eq knobs flat. I won't remember not to crank it wide open by the 3rd set of the night, so I leave it on the active setting. It sounds like a chainsaw if I flip it to passive.
BTW, I just purchased my second walkabout! Now off to liquidating gear that I will never use again!

[Mr. BassmanPT]

read a lot about some of you that want the walkabout tone in a more watt version.

here is your solution: get a titan.

after using a titan for the past 3 years, i have just bought a walkabout so i could have a lighter option amp.

i am still learning to eq the walkabout but i think it has a bit more mids when set flat compared to the titan. so you just have to boost a bit of mids in the titan and you are set.

anyway, the walkabout in no way can replace the titan and all its features (at least for me) but it really is a nice amp and i am going to use it a lot for sure.

[speyer]

Originally Posted by tombowlus

It's called the CN212 (and there is a CN112, as well). Different drivers and different design than the AE cabs, but same sized enclosures.

KJung has (had?) one in his possesion. Sounds like a cool cab for the WA for sure. Color me interested!

The Berg CN thread is here

[speyer]

Originally Posted by Chef

TH500: I haven't played with one. But if it can do "the walkabout clean but louder" thing...hmmmm.....

Hey Chef, dont know if you have seen the WA/TH500 shootout thread? FYI, I posted an audio comparison clip with the WA flat... just for you!

AMP SHOOTOUT: Mesa Walkabout VS. Aguilar TH500 VS. Orange TB500

[Alexander]

Played my WA through a Berg HD212 today. Best bass tone I've ever heard.

[tombowlus]

Originally Posted by Mr. BassmanPT

read a lot about some of you that want the walkabout tone in a more watt version.

here is your solution: get a titan.

+1 That's about as close as I've heard to a (way!) more powerful WalkAbout. The Titan V-12 is a very under appreciated head, IMHO.

[bowthing]

Does anyone have experience running two WalkAbout heads (like Ben Kenney)? I'm wondering if he runs the effects loop out to the second head or splits the instrument signal and sets the eq on both heads.

[Wes Whitmore]

I would assume Efx out, but I haven't read or heard otherwise.

[Alexander]

Quick question - I'm thinking of dumping my Berg NV412 for the Berg HD212. I recently got to try the HD and love the tone. Just concerned about not having enough cab to run the WA at acceptable volume. I run the WA with the NV cab at 12:00 gain and 9:00 master now and it is plenty loud at those settings for what I do. Both cabs show the same sensitivity rating , but I don't know if that means they are the same volume (I assume not). Do you guys think I'd be okay?

[pfschim]

Originally Posted by Alexander

Quick question - I'm thinking of dumping my Berg NV412 for the Berg HD212. I recently got to try the HD and love the tone. Just concerned about not having enough cab to run the WA at acceptable volume. I run the WA with the NV cab at 12:00 gain and 9:00 master now and it is plenty loud at those settings for what I do. Both cabs show the same sensitivity rating , but I don't know if that means they are the same volume (I assume not). Do you guys think I'd be okay?

I have not used either the NV412 or the HD212, but right off the bat you will be short 2 12" drivers and so it is likely that your total possible SPL with the HD212 will be less than the NV412 can deliver using the WA's 300w. Now, this difference may not be meaningful for your playing situation, but only you will know that answer to that.

Someone will be along here shortly (I'm sure) to tell you how many dB's you will lose moving from the 4x12 to the 2x12 using 300w.

good luck.

[sunbeast]

Originally Posted by pfschim

I have not used either the NV412 or the HD212, but right off the bat you will short 2 12" drivers and so it is likely that your total possible SPL with the HD212 will be less than the NV412 can deliver using the WA's 300w. Now, this difference may not be meaningful for your playing situation, but only you will know that answer to that.

Someone will be along here shortly (I'm sure) to tell you how many dB's you will lose moving from the 4x12 to the 2x12 using 300w.

good luck.

+1. I don't think you can expect to replace the whallop of one of the large Bergs with anything significantly smaller as far as speaker area (coming from a very satisfied Walkabout into NV610 user). Sensitivity specs given for most speakers are relatively meaningless in the larger picture- I think that doubling the speaker area is essentially equivalent to doubling the power (but don't quote me on that!). Either way is "only" 3dB gain, but my experience tells me that that can mean quite a bit depending on your volume/tone needs. In my experience, when you are dealing with a relatively light-watt (did I just coin a new term?) head like the Walkabout, a little loss in headroom could be just enough to push it over the edge (in a bad way).

Also, knob positions are not a very good gauge of availabe headroom, especially with Mesa amps in my experience- every solid state Mesa I've owned or been allowed to test at high volumes has pretty much reached its volume threshold at around noon on the Master when fed a decent input. The variables of input gain from basses with different output levels as well as the gain of whatever tubes you have in your amp will also drasitically affect where you will set the Gain knob to get the ideal output as well. In other words, particular settings are too subjective to judge in relation to available headroom.

Basically I would just say to Alexander- "it depends". If you feel that your NV412 is capable of way more volume than you would ever need and you find yourself sometimes overpowering your bandmates by accident then you might be alright with a smaller cab, but if you are basing that on knob position or feel then you may regret your decision down the road...I've never personally played a Berg 212 of any variety, but I know that I actually prefer the portability factor of my NV610 over any of the smaller cabs I've used alongside it because of its tiltability- I rarely have to actually pick it up on its own, which I can't say for most smaller cabs. Not to mention the authority that it gives the bass with every amp I've played through it (which of course is not the right thing for every context, but so far I haven't found myself in one where it didn't fit!).

[GregC]

Originally Posted by Alexander

Quick question - I'm thinking of dumping my Berg NV412 for the Berg HD212. I recently got to try the HD and love the tone. Just concerned about not having enough cab to run the WA at acceptable volume. I run the WA with the NV cab at 12:00 gain and 9:00 master now and it is plenty loud at those settings for what I do. Both cabs show the same sensitivity rating , but I don't know if that means they are the same volume (I assume not). Do you guys think I'd be okay?

Are you sure this ain't just GAS? I use the WA/NV610 combo and love it. My concern about the HD212 is that you're giving up half the speakers and only saving about 25% in weight. That's a very heavy 212! If I were you, I would at least wait till the 46-lb. CN212 comes out and compare.

[Alexander]

Good points - I think I might keep the NV but pick up the HD as well. Would hate to regret letting that big beast go! I like both cabs for different reasons - the NV is big, growly and a bit mid forward with tight lows. The HD is fatter, smooth and seems more even with a sweet, musical tweeter. The WA sounds fantastic through both...

[rodl2005]

I've not tried the HD212, but I've sure run outta room my Walkabout thru the AE212. The NV412 definately adds a heap of space in the headroom dept(if that's a correct way of putting it)
I don't think I've hit the stops with the WA/NV412 - sure have with 212
Lotta diffrrence

[Chef]

Well, 412 vs 212...that's nearly 100% more speakers

[rodl2005]

Math was never my strong point. I used to sit & draw drum sets tap out beats on em, or bass fretboards & finger bass lines out.
I'd invented tab & I never knew it.

[Chef]

You invented Tab Cola?

Sweet.