Boogie WD-800 vs Walkabout

[Old Fart]

Zombie thread, but I just HAVE to talk about my new WD-800. And specifically about how it compares to my Walkabout. I was expecting basically a higher-powered Walkabout with some very useful added features but that is not what the WD-800 is. The WD-800 is a 'different animal.' Sure, I see the Walkabout heritage, in tone and other similarities, but the differences outstrip the similarities. In my humble view.

It sounds different. The detail is more pronounced. As if it is faster or more accurate. Like "lifting a veil." It also has more 'grunt,' even at low volumes. Just more presence overall. And a more open top end. I was not expecting the WD-800 to out-perform the Walkabout in this way. It out-Walkabouts the Walkabout.

And that's just the overall tone and presence of this amp. While I am at it, let's talk about the features.

It has WAY more power. WAY WAY more.

I have never used a HPF before. How did I ever manage without this? I'd almost rather have a variable HPF than tone controls, if I had to choose. Well....almost.

Though I have not yet gigged with this amp, I will be using ALL of these features:
Mute
Pre/Post EQ DI
Line/Mic
2 Ohms
Tuner Out
Headphones
Aux Input

Adjustable Damping - This one is interesting and I suppose I will learn more when this amp gets used in battlefield conditions. Being a tube amp guy, I expected to prefer low damping but so far I prefer high damping. This is unexpected. It seems to me the amp sounds most like my SVT when damping is turned up, not down. But then my particular SVT (1980) seems remarkably "fast" for a tube amp.

In all, I was expecting to be happy with a super-Walkabout that has great new features, but the WD-800 is much more than that.

 

[agedhorse]

The "improved" performance and features came from Talkbass players, specifically those who likes the basic tone of the Walkabout but found it difficult to use for a variety of reasons, and these were addressed the the WD.

The SVT is a fairly high damping factor tube amp, I would think it's closer to the the medium position on the WD. The Walkabout is pretty low by comparison.

 

[J Wilson]

It's the greatest thing that The Designer listened as he wrote the recipe, then hangs out here to help clue us in.

Thanks, Andy !

Aside from the tone and performance, a WD800 and two Subway 15's are far less likely to send you to the chiropractor as a Walkabout 15 and Scout 15 cabinet could !

 

[Fazz1977]

I'm super intrigued by this amp. Sadly there are none in my country for me to try. I'll be in the states in May 2023 so might see if there's any about while I'm there.

 

[Rnr..........4]

I'm super intrigued by this amp. Sadly there are none in my country for me to try. I'll be in the states in May 2023 so might see if there's any about while I'm there.

My friends in Australia said it's hard finding Orange gear there too.

 

[Old Fart]

I'm super intrigued by this amp.

You should be.

While I have yet to gig with this amp, I was able to air it out a bit at a fairly loud audition/rehearsal. The tone was to die for. A little growly. Knobs were basically at 12:00, except for a couple of songs where I relaxed the mids a little, boosted the bass a little and backed off the HPF a little....looking for that fat, pillowy tone....which is exactly what I got.

I have yet to use some of the features, such as the DI. The DI on this amp is legendary. But I have benefitted from the Aux Input and Headphone Out, which allows me to practice while the wife has virtual meetings in the next room. If I got rid of all my heads except one, the one would be this WD-800. I have a "Magnavox"-era SVT. It would have to go, if I could only keep one head.

 

[Fazz1977]

My friends in Australia said it's hard finding Orange gear there too.

It's hard finding ANY decent gear. Period.