Mesa walkabout tone in a pedal (DHA VT1?)?

Dave · #1 01-24-2010, 05:02 PM

So in the near future Im moving to a modular setup. Im using a Mesa Walkabout which I love the sound of. My predicament is Im split about 50/50 on using my amp and running direct, so I want as much of my sound available to me no matter the situation.

My initial thought was to go with the DHA VT1-EQ-Bass as a front end to a power amp (most likely Carvin DCM1000) for my amp rig and have the DHA for running direct.

Im sure Ill have the suggestion to just bring the Mesa and run the DI to the board, but I feel like Im woefully underpowering my cab (Epifani UL410 S1) with only 300 watts. While volume-wise its been fine, Ive run amps with pwer/pre setups before and really like headroom from having a big beefy power amp.

All this to say, you think the DHA is a solid choice for getting similar tone to the Mesa? Any other options I should look at?

rosstanium · #2 01-24-2010, 05:06 PM

good choice...you seem to be thinking straight (to me anyway)

Taylor Livingston · #3 01-24-2010, 05:47 PM

I realize the WA is a little bigger and heavier than a pedal, but honestly not that much. So have you thought of running the WA's effects send into the power amp's input? This gets you the preamp's sound and all the EQ, and you can send that to your power amp. If you get rack ears for the WA, you could rack them up together and have a great-sounding and powerful setup. The bonus is you don't need to buy a pedal.

I love the Walkabout's sound and so far haven't heard it in a pedal, though I haven't tried the DHA. If you get it and it really does have the Walkabout's sound in a pedal, I'll be happy to know that, because I miss my Walkabout.

vin*tone · #4 01-24-2010, 06:07 PM

Is the WA radically different to the M-Pulse?
If so - how much of the power section of the WA is contributing to the tone?
If not - Hows about getting an M-Pulse.

Taylor Livingston · #5 01-24-2010, 06:13 PM

Yes, the Walkabout preamp sounds totally different from the MPulse. The Mpulse is all about tubey cleanness, whereas the Walkabout is always at least a little woolly.

Dave · #6 01-24-2010, 06:41 PM

Id thought about doing the Walkabout -> power amp thing. Im wanting to have a small pedalboard for this, a tuner and maybe something like a fuzz or similar. I like compact and light. Ive done the rack deal and sizewise its just overkill for the times (in reality probably closer to 75% of the time) that Im running direct.