SWR

[Bofee]

A note on the WM12, I've used an older one for a few years. I found that when I added an extension speaker (WM10), and pushed it hard, it would go into thermal shutdown after about 30 minutes.

[tornadobass]

I've thought that the WM10 & WM12 are best thought of as standalone rigs. Once you've added an extension cab, might as well just go with a head...more power and less to carry.

[tornadobass]

I also had a WK 10, which was great in terms of weight to sound ratio and portability, but once again it had that irritating sound and also it whistled--the little rubber plugs were always getting lost and at high volumes the thing would whistle as air was forced out through the jack holes.

I bought one of the new WM10 amps clearanced at MF and they've fixed the whistling jacks problem...only the speaker jack has any air coming out of it and it's quiet.

I did try an original that was quite noisy that way. Maybe it has been voiced with a higher rolloff now.

[HotRatz]

Hey tornado, how is the WM10 working out for you?


Warning: Mental Turbulence Ahead


I'm trying to decide between the compactness of the WM10 and the extra headroom of the WM12. Seems like they're close enough in price these days where those are pretty much the decision factors. I seem to be seeing ~$200 for the 10 and ~$225-$250 for the 12, each shipped, on the evilbay.

My current rig for all use is an Ashdown ABM500 II with a Berg HT210/115 stack. For what it's worth, I have a Baggs DI that I use for an upright bass preamp into the head's line input.

Gonna be playing both upright & 5-string electric, at low to medium levels. By medium I mean no drummer, that is, a washboard at most. One band is cello/mandolin/ukulele/bass, there's some dinner jazz stuff (combos with moderate drummers), some jug band (hence the washboard), a piano/bass duo, and the largest band is an 8-piece funk cover band with a rock-bred drummer.

Now, I know the WM10 wouldn't be able to keep up with the funk band's rehearsal volume. But the 12....probably so, I'm thinking. The 1x15 half-stack coasts through in second gear. I would expect the 10, however, to pull off the rest, with the exception, maybe, of the biggest of the jazz combos (2horns/piano/guitar/drums).


So, I already have a modular, configurable big rig. Therefore expecting the WM to cover every gig is not a factor. The next smallest setup to travel would be the fairly compact half-stack, so maximo headroom in the combo is not really the issue, except as affects tone. (-->WM10)

I think the 12" in the WM12 might be nicer for upright. (-->WM12)

The WM10 is 100w @ 4ohms, the WM12 is 160w at the same. The 60w advantage would increase the WM12's value, as it would be a more viable backup head on the gig. (-->WM12)

On the other hand, for such a purpose perhaps the smaller box of the WM10 (less stuff in the Volvo) would be more convenient for such a purpose, if indeed it could serve the purpose (understanding that 100w of Workingman's is no substitute for ~400w of ABM, but this would be a make-it-through the gig situation). (-->WM10)

But then again, is the WM12 that much bigger, really? Likely not. (-->WM12)

Or, is it just enough larger to make owning it sorta redundant against having the compact 1x15 half-stack? That last is a major feeling I'm wrestling with. (--->WM10)


You can see my quandry. Fish or cut bait.

I understand enough physics to know what not to reasonably expect from a small cab, and I know either of these boxes would fit my primary intended use (ultimately, as an affordable one-hand rehearsal amp with good tone) excellently. ..I just don't have them available to A/B size and sound.


So..any counter-ramblings of your thoughts about what you might do would be most well-received. Thanks, cheers!



- Rereading before posting...I think that practically, I'm leaning toward the 12. The 10 is just so damn sneaky-looking though!

[tornadobass]

In a nutshell, the WM10 didn't satisfy me and I returned it.

There was always a rattle somewhere inside the cab, even at not too loud of volumes. And there was always enough hiss that it bothered me.

The WM12 is a much better rig and will take you to more kinds of gigs and practices for just a bit more bulk.

I did a 3 piece blues gig last night (with guitar and harp, no drums). My American Standard URB had an RSII pickup and a Fishman ProEQ into the WM12. Sounded good and had enough volume for the crowded, noisy room. The WM10 wouldn't have cut it, and the WM12 was actually hitting the limiter quite a bit by the end of the night. Happily, the amp was sitting to my right and I had zero feedback problems even at this volume level.

I've also used the WM12 with electric bass for several rehearsals and it has done okay against guitar, harp and drums. If you can find a WM12, go for it!

[Standalone]

I posted earlier about the WM 12, and I'm beginning to think that my lukewarm feelings about it are mostly a result of the old BP-100 pickup. Size/Weight is definitely convenient.

[Steve Boisen]

Originally Posted by HotRatz

I seem to be seeing ~$200 for the 10 and ~$225-$250 for the 12, each shipped, on the evilbay.

I paid $549 for my WM12 three years ago . I've thought about selling it, but the price on these things has dropped so low recently that I think I'll just hold on to it.

I've been basically happy with it for both EBG & URB, but I need a little more power on some gigs. I was going to sell my WM12 and buy a seperate head and cab, but now I'm thinking I'll just add an extension cabinet for the louder gigs, maybe an Avatar 112 8 ohm which is just a bit larger than the WM12.

Anyway, if your still trying to decide between the WM10 and the WM12 I'd go for the 12. It's useful in more situations than the 10. BTW I haven't seen the new WorkingPro combos in person yet, but all of the WorkingPro line are made in Mexico wheras the Workingman's combos are made in the USA (or at least mine is).

- Steve