Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread 8

[rodl2005]

+1
Try a tube swap/replacement (V1) is a good "first port of call"

 

[esoxhntr]

Okay - sounds like the problem I encountered recently with one of my older Genz Benz heads. Cycling the FX I/O jacks and a couple of shots of Deoxit and all is well.

 

[lpdeluxe]

Thanks to both. I'll give it a try.

 

[62 Vintage J]

I just picked up a WA myself. Same issue with the DI feed being 'tapped' post Master control. Apparently we aren't the only owners with this problem. I contacted MESA about this issue. I spoke with tech support, and was able to sweet talk them into emailing me a PDF with the 'mod', to make the DI feed pre Master gain.

One cap needs to be removed, and another (10mfd@50VDC ) installed. Should be an easy job. Will use Silver solder and teflon sleeving. Mesa says that the only side effect will be a 10% loss of level. If my 'electronic theory' is correct, a half power (50%) reduction would only be a 3dB loss. A 25% reduction would be -1.5dB. 12.5% is a further half of that, and is -.75dB. The 10% signal loss of the 'mod' is close enuf to 12.5%, to live with a 1 dB loss, +/-. .... But I may be a little rusty.

Bottom line, the WA mod should not be an issue. Not sure about any signal degradation; I asked the factory tech and he had no answer. I will follow-up on my progress.

MM

Lomo/Chef/Rod - thanks again for tall the info. I have to say, though I hate the thought of of not having a "DI output free" volume adjustment, the Walkabout sounds killer enough to warrant an attempt.

Rest easy Rod, I won't be using both inputs simultaneously. I just like to have a two input low/high configuration for gigs where I use two basses (there are a number of those). If the DI thing becomes an issue, I'll just bring one to the gig.

 

[rodl2005]

"Level" or power?

 

[62 Vintage J]

I checked the WA manual, and it says this about the 'mod':

".....However, this will result in degradation of the sweet tube
character and while you will gain independence of the controls...you will trade a substantial
measure of tone."

Performing the 'mod' says this:

"This mod will lower direct out level by about 10%."

With no schematic or even single-line functional, I'm not sure how the 'sweet tube character' will be degraded. I would have thought that both immediately pre (logical 'tap' point) and post Master Gain controls would have both been solid state. But not knowing how far 'upstream' the DI Mod takes place, there's no way to know???

 

[esoxhntr]

Okay it's done - I have a very clean silver/burgundy unit at home. Only had time for a quick test drive this afternoon - the first and only thing I tried was running it into a Berg ip112.

HOLY CRAP!!!!!

 

[Chef]

Notice:
Walkabout>2xBaer ML112's it a really good thing.

 

[lomo]

Speaking of "really good things"......I am so happy with the sound of Walkabout>>> 4 Ohm Greenboy/Arnopol Bassic 15 that I ordered an 8 Ohm Bassic 12 to put on top

This puts the "old" in "old school"!

 

[Chef]

I bet that works out well!

 

[lomo]

For me it does. I doubt a doubler or someone who slaps much would dig it though. It's a 1-trick thoroughbred pony Very sweet up to 1500Hz but not much goin' on in tweetland or the very high mids.
Optimal for blues, Motown, etc IMO.

 

[svtb15]

I know the WA is not a all tube amp.. But can you sort of get that tube amp break up .. somewhat?

 

[esoxhntr]

Apologies if this has been covered - any danger to the amp if you run the WA as a preamp only?

 

[svtb15]

You should be able to run it as a PREAMP Only... without any issue at all...

 

[Chef]

Yup! It does that pretty nicely.

I know the WA is not a all tube amp.. But can you sort of get that tube amp break up .. somewhat?

 

[rodl2005]

Sure does. Most awesome overdrive sound outta any "non all tube"amp I've heard, by a long shot.

 

[Jazz4]

Quote "Sure does. Most awesome overdrive sound outta any "non all tube"amp I've heard, by a long shot."

+1............ Simply the best.

 

[lomo]

Apologies if this has been covered - any danger to the amp if you run the WA as a preamp only?

No problem whatsoever.

 

[Chef]

no "problem," but you'll be missing a great chunk of the walkabout's tone, which comes from the driver tube pushing the power section. IMO

 

[lomo]

no "problem," but you'll be missing a great chunk of the walkabout's tone, which comes from the driver tube pushing the power section. IMO

Yeah-on one hand the WA shines best when the power section is pushed. On the other hand, when I used it as a preamp, it was the most satisfying one I had heard. Full disclosure-I haven't burned through/tried many rackmount preamps (unlike headsd'n'cabs). Another downside is that as a preamp, it's awfully heavy, large and expensive BUT you get a spare power section as well.