Mesa Walkabout problem please help!

James Simonson · #1 04-03-2011, 08:53 AM

I have a Mesa Walkabout Head. I really like it. Of all the amps I've owned, it's by far my favorite.

Last week while opening for Bob Seger in front 9000+ people the amp went out for about 10 seconds. The jewel light went out too. About 10 seconds later, it comes back on. It was driving my Ampeg 610 that is 4 ohms.

I thought I had a thermal shut down but the amp was cool and the fan still works.

Maybe a bad IC/power cable so I swapped that out... and went to the next gig.

Last night, at the smaller gig, after bragging about my awesome head that everyone asks me about, it does the the same thing during the first tune. Shuts off for 10 seconds, jewel light goes out, then comes back on. Doesn't do it again for the rest of the set. So that rules out the thermal theory. This is with a single 10 box. 4 ohm

Gonna call Mesa but today is Sunday. Has anyone else had this problem?

vin*tone · #2 04-03-2011, 03:34 PM

The power light is usually right at the top of the schematic with the power input + transformer. Sounds like some kind of a connection issue.

BassmanPaul · #3 04-03-2011, 03:39 PM

Tech time. Sorry.

RickenBoogie · #4 04-03-2011, 04:54 PM

Yup, what you've got there is not normal, and an amp tech is the answer.

MuthaFunk · #5 04-03-2011, 05:00 PM

It doesn't sound like its too bad of a problem. I can't remember if the WA has a fuse or mini breaker on the back but you could check that the fuse cap is seated properly. Other than that open it up (unplugged) and look for loose wire connections coming from where the cord plugs in to the switch to the transformer. If nothing seems damaged or loose you'll need to take it to someone who's good with a multimeter.

Jim C · #6 04-03-2011, 07:59 PM

Mine has a flakey fuse cap that hangs out in the breeze; now that it is in a ATA flight case I feel better; maybe Bob shot it with a Silver Bullet?

rodl2005 · #7 04-04-2011, 12:06 AM

Well - cool if the M3 suits you. I like the WA scout 12" coz WITH the scout cab it sounds SO 'vintage', without the cab I can run it to 2 ohms & get 500w outta it! And it still sounds great!
Congrats on the M3 tho

stingray96191 · #8 04-14-2011, 07:32 PM

I never had this problem with either of my walkabouts.. I'd give mesa a call on tuesday. I'm pretty sure they're only open tuesday through friday.

Just wanted to add Clamp It Down is one of my favorite albums of all time.

Erin

chaosmic · #9 04-14-2011, 09:57 PM

What kind of power source were you connected to? I've found that my Mesa's (M6 & WA) are very sensitive to under-current and have shut down in the exact same manner as you described during a gig. Each time, I'm fairly certain that the power source was unreliable and inconsistent, to say the least. Nowadays, I bypass any house-provided surge, power strips, extension cords, etc. and go straight to a wall outlet with my own surge protector. I haven't had the problem since...

Jim C · #10 04-15-2011, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaosmic

What kind of power source were you connected to? I've found that my Mesa's (M6 & WA) are very sensitive to under-current and have shut down in the exact same manner as you described during a gig. Each time, I'm fairly certain that the power source was unreliable and inconsistent, to say the least. Nowadays, I bypass any house-provided surge, power strips, extension cords, etc. and go straight to a wall outlet with my own surge protector. I haven't had the problem since...

IMO, a decent surge supressor or power strip would not affect line voltage in any significant amount so I don't see the connection; also doubtful that you would encounter an under current condition without having a voltage drop as the bigger issue.

Hey James, did you ever find out what was really happening with your WA?

James Simonson · #11 04-17-2011, 12:03 AM

Thanks all for your help and also, thanks Stingray for digging the record.

Chaosmic's theory is making the most sense to me.

Tonight, my M3 was giving out! I couldn't believe it. Turns out the whole band is running off one extension from the other side of the room. I was swapping speaker cables, wearing a suit and s###. Not to mention that it's hard to keep my presence with the music AND myself calm when this starts to happen. This is with really high level professional players. Drummer is from the Gap Band so the volume was cranking.

After we finished I noticed the power strip and power cables were really hot. It makes sense to me.

I also can't be mad at Mesa for making a bass amp that needs healthy power.

I'll go buy a good gauge 25' extension and see if the "direct to the wall" approach helps.

I'll report back

I don't want to bash Mesa. I just want to figure this out.

TheBasicBassist · #12 04-17-2011, 12:25 AM

I've had something similar happen to my old Walkabout and, on top of it, had a horrible experience with their customer service so I sold it, after it being repaired. It was nice while it lasted. I hope they treat you better and service your amp quickly.

James Simonson · #13 04-26-2011, 01:24 AM

Forget this, got an Ampeg 7 Pro. It's knocking me out.

Jim C · #14 04-26-2011, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Simonson

Tonight, my M3 was giving out! I couldn't believe it. Turns out the whole band is running off one extension from the other side of the room. I was swapping speaker cables, wearing a suit and s###. Not to mention that it's hard to keep my presence with the music AND myself calm when this starts to happen. This is with really high level professional players. Drummer is from the Gap Band so the volume was cranking.

I don't want to bash Mesa. I just want to figure this out.

Pro players or not; you are not playing a pro gig if everyone is plugged into 1 extension cord that gets hot to the touch. Not Mesa's fault if the venue can't supply adequate line voltage.
Wonder if your new Ampeg will work in the same low voltage scenario?

**Chef** · #15 04-26-2011, 06:26 AM

So, you're using sub-sufficient power, and blame the amp?
Step one is to put a volt-meter on it.
Step two is get real power.

I've never had any of my three Walkabouts do this.

Maybe the Ampeg likes shoddy power better.

James Simonson · #16 04-27-2011, 01:16 AM

Well, the Ampeg worked great at the same venue the following week.

It's a new venue and they're deciding whether or not to go with entertainment or not. I did bring a 12 gauge extension and ran it straight to the closest wall outlet. No conditioner but I don't think that's going to help with under powered voltage. No one else's gear or the p.a. had problems. I looked bad and was embarrassed.

The problem is solved now and I'm comfortable with this.

Carbine was returned and the Walkabout is the backup.

For what it's worth, the D.I. on the Ampeg is real nice and the compressor is transparent and very useful.

James Simonson · #17 04-27-2011, 01:39 AM

Also, hitting the stage with Larry Carlton this weekend.

I can't risk it. I had to move on.

Everyone else's gear was getting it done. Why shouldn't mine?

Jim C · #18 04-27-2011, 06:28 AM

Congrats on having gear that works for you although you have to admit that the Ampeg could have easily had the same problem if connected in a similar fashion.
Not sure about Detroit but we have voltage swings in Washington DC so that what might be 120 VAC one day could be 108 VAC the next; the old Dolby A racks in the remote truck I worked in years ago would shut down at about 109 VAC.; we used a multi-tap isolation transformer on the truck to adjust from location to location

Lastly, the standard power conditioners that are under $75 dollars will not fix a low volatge condition; they are only designed to filter hash off the power line and help prevent voltage spikes. Some will shut the power to the outlets off if the voltage falls below a certain level. There is a device that will draw more current from an outlet to increase the voltage to prevent a low voltage issue (often times called an auto transformer) but these devices are heavy and typically a few hundred dollars.

Amps that shut off at low voltage sometimes have a low voltage protection circuit which I suspect the WA might have. The Ampeg SVT-VR is very sensitive to low volatge and board member John K has a fix as many are unusable at anything much below 115 VAC.