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Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread 8

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#601
4ohm vs. 2ohm: tone diff?
After a lot of horsetrading, next week I'll have two WAScout 15s to use as a stack. They have 4ohm speakers. I've been intending to order 8ohm replacement speakers from Mesa, but this is all getting mighty pricey.

Setting aside the "is it safe" topic of running two ohms, can anybody tell me if there's a difference in sound? Does the amp sound overworked in any way? More headroom, less headroom?
 
#602
I'm sure that some will chime in and say the WA sounds squished with less headroom at 2 ohms than 4 but technically speaking you'll have more headroom and output capabillity out of the WA at a 2 ohm load as opposed to a 4 or 8.

I find mine is plenty loud at 2 ohms and it's 500W RMS output sounds like a true 500W amp. It has more headroom than the equivilent rated micro amps in my experience. Markbass F500, Eden WTX500. YMMV
 
#603
I think it will depend on how hot you're running the head. If you have to dime it into 2 Ohms IMHO it's a bad option. If your master will be tame into 2 Ohms I doubt there'll be an audible differentce.
 
#604
Respectfully disagree.
My MBF500 will still best the Walkabout's 2 ohm power, in terms of clean headroom.
IMO, ymmv, etc.



MuthaFunk said:
I'm sure that some will chime in and say the WA sounds squished with less headroom at 2 ohms than 4 but technically speaking you'll have more headroom and output capabillity out of the WA at a 2 ohm load as opposed to a 4 or 8.

I find mine is plenty loud at 2 ohms and it's 500W RMS output sounds like a true 500W amp. It has more headroom than the equivilent rated micro amps in my experience. Markbass F500, Eden WTX500. YMMV
Click to expand...
 
#605
Chef said:
Respectfully disagree.
My MBF500 will still best the Walkabout's 2 ohm power, in terms of clean headroom.
IMO, ymmv, etc.
Click to expand...

Yeah know, I have to agree with you Chef. I've personally found the GK stuff to be overachieving given their ratings as well. Not so much with some of the others 500W micros I've tried.

I think Bass Gear did some measurements of some of the GK micros and they proved to be even higher output then their ratings but I can't really remember what models they have reviewed. I think the MB800 tests were very positive.

I've only personally played the MB500 and purposfully choose not to include it in my intial comment for that reason. Your comment about the clean headroom is also true in that the WA has an inherently dirty harmonically rich sound that I believe has more to do with the pre-amp than the power amp.
 
#606
MuthaFunk said:
I think Bass Gear did some measurements of some of the GK micros and they proved to be even higher output then their ratings but I can't really remember what models they have reviewed. I think the MB800 tests were very positive.
Click to expand...

Yup. Our Link Removedshowed that the MB800 puts out more than 800w continuous (4 ohms), and peaks at over 1,000w useable burst power! :eek: :bassist: :cool:
 
#607
Side note: the husky backpack at Home Depot is a great gig bag for the walkabout. It used to be $99. Now it's $69. It has just about perfect compartments, huge zippers, is stout enough to stand up on its own, super thick nylon and padding, and has metal rings with thick handles. Tons of protection and it will hold up to gigging. That is all :)
 
#608
Hey Walkabout lovers! I think I've been denying myself one of these for way too long. Currently I'm gigging my beastly M9 with an occasional switch to an MB800 or my trusty 800RB.

I'd be pairing the WA with either a Kappalite equipped Dually 215 or Bassic 115. From what I've read it seems like the two would pair well for an old school vintage thump.

Does the WA provide that good mid growl/grind that I've come to expect from my Spector's/Mesa M9? I really want something growly and harmonically rich in tone. I just keep reading how great these heads are in the mids. Any thoughts are appreciated.
 
#609
husky123 said:
Hey Walkabout lovers! I think I've been denying myself one of these for way too long. Currently I'm gigging my beastly M9 with an occasional switch to an MB800 or my trusty 800RB.

I'd be pairing the WA with either a Kappalite equipped Dually 215 or Bassic 115. From what I've read it seems like the two would pair well for an old school vintage thump.

Does the WA provide that good mid growl that I've come to expect from my Spector's/Mesa M9? I really want something growly and harmonically rich in tone. I just keep reading how great these heads are in the mids. Any thoughts are appreciated.
Click to expand...

Yes indeed! In fact, you can really dial the mids in just to your liking with these. As far as growl with a Spector, absolutely!
 
#610
More growl from the Walkabout (than the M9) if you want it. The tweakablity of the preamp tubes' OD via the gain knob is a big part of what sets this head apart IMO. The gain stage is much more sensitive and versatile than that of the Carbines. My M9 can get tube warmth but unless I drive it with an 18V preamp or gain pedal it never gets "dirty". Through those big cabs of yours a WA will shine.

Hey-NOLA-I visited your hometown for the 1st time this past weekend. I dug it heavily. IME not many places in N. Am. have as much personality as my hometown of Montreal, but you guys have it goin' on down there, biiiig time!
 
#611
Completely different heads.
The M9 is really clean, bright, modern, and a horsepower monster.
The Walkabout is waaaay less power, and a much richer, warmer tone. Should go with those cabs much better.

husky123 said:
Hey Walkabout lovers! I think I've been denying myself one of these for way too long. Currently I'm gigging my beastly M9 with an occasional switch to an MB800 or my trusty 800RB.

I'd be pairing the WA with either a Kappalite equipped Dually 215 or Bassic 115. From what I've read it seems like the two would pair well for an old school vintage thump.

Does the WA provide that good mid growl/grind that I've come to expect from my Spector's/Mesa M9? I really want something growly and harmonically rich in tone. I just keep reading how great these heads are in the mids. Any thoughts are appreciated.
Click to expand...
 
#613
Not really, from a sonic standpoint.
I've had all three, and noted no real difference if they had the same pre-tubes.

the newest version has more venting, and different mos-fets, IIRC.
 
#614
I finally talked to a tech about the problem I'm having with the M/B volume fading in and out. Unbeknownst to me, when I sent it back to Petaluma a couple of years ago, not only did they replace one of the two active/passive inputs with a toggle, they added an effects loop bypass switch on the rear panel. The tech suggested flipping the switch if the problem recurred. So apparently I already had a solution. I'll check it out and report back when I can.
 
#617
lomo said:
More growl from the Walkabout (than the M9) if you want it. The tweakablity of the preamp tubes' OD via the gain knob is a big part of what sets this head apart IMO. The gain stage is much more sensitive and versatile than that of the Carbines. My M9 can get tube warmth but unless I drive it with an 18V preamp or gain pedal it never gets "dirty". Through those big cabs of yours a WA will shine.

Hey-NOLA-I visited your hometown for the 1st time this past weekend. I dug it heavily. IME not many places in N. Am. have as much personality as my hometown of Montreal, but you guys have it goin' on down there, biiiig time!
Click to expand...

Glad you had a good time!!!!
 
#618
lpdeluxe said:
It's worth a shot. The tech suggested trading out the 12AX7 if that doesn't work. Since I'm mainly playing small Christmas parties this month, I can use the Genz-Benz.
Click to expand...

I've run into this at gigs before too, I just make sure the loop switch is flipped the correct way before shows.

This happened to me with brand new tubes, haven't had an issue since I noticed the switch.
 
#619
Huh....I've not heard of that.
In the older non-fx switch models, the jacks could oxidize and cause signal failure issues.
The bypass jack was implemented to rectify that.

I'd not heard of this happening this way, or, being fixed this way...
 
#620
Chef said:
Huh....I've not heard of that.
In the older non-fx switch models, the jacks could oxidize and cause signal failure issues.
The bypass jack was implemented to rectify that.

I'd not heard of this happening this way, or, being fixed this way...
Click to expand...

Mine is an old one with the Active/Passive switch added to the front and then for the EFX Loop they added a switch back there as well.
 
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