Walkabout questions.

Jay Ralston · #1 06-13-2010, 07:42 PM

Hey all,

I have decided to get a Mesa Powerhouse 4X10 cab with the M9 Carbine head. However, I am also in need of a compact amp and was looking at the Mesa Walkabout. I know it comes with the head in the cab and it detaches but there is a single 12" cab and a single 15" cab that you can get. I am basically wanting to get this amp to play at my house so I can play at lower volumes without disturbing my neighbors and can play with songs either on my computer and/or stereo. I would also possibly be using the Walkabout at church. Our set up at church is horrendous. We are a smaller church with horrible acoustics. The only amp I currently have right now is a Crate Thunderbass cab with 2 - 15" speakers in it and a Crate 440 watt head. Even at it's lowest settings, the bass just builds as it progresses through the congregation and by the time it gets to the back of the room, it is overpowering everything. I figure this smaller amp would help balance and control the sound a little more.

For those that have the Walkabout, which one would you all recommend, the 12" or 15" one? I will be using a 5 string on occasion if that matters at all too.

Kael · #2 06-13-2010, 07:47 PM

Just get the 12". It puts out more volume than most 210 cabs already. The 15" moves more air, but it didn't impress me as much as the 12" did. Plus the 15" is rather heavy. The 12" version isn't a fly weight, but it is manageable. The 15" = form factor/weight distribution, not so much.

I've also talked to a couple guys who've mentioned that the 15" version can get boomy/low end intensive rather quickly. Might not be ideal for that church you mentioned.

**Chef** · #3 06-13-2010, 07:49 PM

I preferred the 12 for two reasons:
It has puh-lenty of low end. No need for the bigger driver to get great phat tasty tone.
The 15" combo "was bigger than an easy to carry combo ought to be."
The 12" is and easy grab.

You can get the walkabout head separately, in it's own nice rack case.
It's paired well with everything I've thrown at it.

lomo · #4 06-13-2010, 08:02 PM

I loves me my Walkabout, but (since you mention your computer) it's connectivity features (like an aux in for a 'puter or iPod) are nil. Just be aware. It also lacks a phones out and tuner out. Maybe one day they'll add this stuff. It bugs me that many other heads (by Eden, GB etc) add these conveniences but my favorite sounding head lacks them....even speakon connectors are lacking

Oh well-nuthin'sd perfect...

carlos840 · #5 06-13-2010, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

I preferred the 12 for two reasons:
It has puh-lenty of low end. No need for the bigger driver to get great phat tasty tone.
The 15" combo "was bigger than an easy to carry combo ought to be."
The 12" is and easy grab.

You can get the walkabout head separately, in it's own nice rack case.
It's paired well with everything I've thrown at it.

+1 to all this

One thing though, the walkabout has a pretty noisy fan!
Its not annoying when playing with a band, but if you want an amp to use mainly at home it could drive you mad!
I dont really care, but i read a lot about people complaining about the noise....

**Chef** · #6 06-13-2010, 08:21 PM

carlos: do you own one, and have heard the fan personally, or, you've just read this?

Buzz Grim · #7 06-13-2010, 11:11 PM

Many, if not all, Walkabouts do have a noisy stock fan. Some Walkabout owners don't seem to mind this while others, like me, are really irked by it.
If you are playing in an environment with a moderate level of background noise it's probably not an issue. If you are playing in an environment with occasional periods of quiet or dead silence it could be a problem.
I bought my Walkabout Scout combo in nearly unused condition from a guy who bought it to use in church and was asked by his band director to replace it because of the fan noise.
The Walkabout sounds great but for some applications the fan noise could be an issue.

Jay Ralston · #8 06-14-2010, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lomo

I loves me my Walkabout, but (since you mention your computer) it's connectivity features (like an aux in for a 'puter or iPod) are nil. Just be aware. It also lacks a phones out and tuner out. Maybe one day they'll add this stuff. It bugs me that many other heads (by Eden, GB etc) add these conveniences but my favorite sounding head lacks them....even speakon connectors are lacking

Oh well-nuthin'sd perfect...

What I was meaning by playing it with my computer was if I wanted to learn a song that I have downloaded, or play to a song on youtube or some bands site, I could place the amp next to the computer and match it's volume level with that of my computer's speakers volume level.

Sounds like the 12" cab is the one to go with though. The fan noise shouldn't be an issue at church so I am not to worried about that.

carlos840 · #9 06-14-2010, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

carlos: do you own one, and have heard the fan personally, or, you've just read this?

I have this sitting next to me!
Its pretty noisy but i am used to it and it never bothered me that much...
I can understand that it is loud enough to bother some though!!!

**Chef** · #10 06-14-2010, 07:33 AM

just checkin'.
some guys have replaced the fan with computer whisper quiet stuff.

be very sure to use "same cfm" if you do, especially if running 2 ohms is in your plan.

Buzz Grim · #11 06-14-2010, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlos840

I have this sitting next to me!
Its pretty noisy but i am used to it and it never bothered me that much...
I can understand that it is loud enough to bother some though!!!

That is one of the most beautiful rigs I've ever seen!

ryansalmond · #12 06-14-2010, 12:14 PM

Also, do note that a walkabout 12 will be capable of bothering your neighbours.

Jay Ralston · #13 06-14-2010, 06:22 PM

My neighbors are all actually pretty cool but I still want to be respectful to them. I just need something a little more portable.

wimpy · #14 07-27-2010, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay Ralston

My neighbors are all actually pretty cool but I still want to be respectful to them. I just need something a little more portable.

I have WA 12" and I'm very happy with that, well for some players can be fan noise problem, but if you play such a quiet music you don't need Walkabout...maybe just try 1x10" Promethean by Ibanez (I see you have lot of Ibanez instruments). Promethean is nice little combo with removable head, I played one and it's pretty cool stuff for good money ( I like it better than MB or GB). When you need more volume you can use extention cab or you can remove head and use it with big sized boxes...anyway I like WA better but Promethean can be good stuff or just backup for some situations...

wateroftyne · #15 07-27-2010, 04:01 PM

As a long-time Scout user, I've just posted my thoughts on the Promethean here:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/ibanez-promethean-564381-post9471805/