user "speyer"
see thread:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f129/custom-aluminum-walkabout-head-case-872702/
see thread:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f129/custom-aluminum-walkabout-head-case-872702/
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Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread 8
- Thread starter Chef
- Start date
- Status
You are the man and you rock like a robot designed and programmed to rock.
I did a search, but couldn't find it. My Search Fu is weak...
I did a search, but couldn't find it. My Search Fu is weak...
That would explain it. I only looked in amps and for sale.
In any event, I'm rejoining the Walkabout crew. Looking forward to it!
In any event, I'm rejoining the Walkabout crew. Looking forward to it!
The new fan is in! And it's as silent as I could imagine a fan could be. I too had to check to make sure it was on after I installed it.
Because of the way the Silenx fan is built, it's difficult to unsolder the existing wires and attach the ones that were attached to the original fan. You would probably have to take the actual fan blade off to do that. So, I went a different route.
To start, here's what the connectors that came on my fan look like:
I decided to cut the bigger of the two plastic clips off, strip the wires and splice the original fan wires to those. The Silenx wires are both black, so I had to guess which was which. I got it wrong the first time, but I found that the fan simply didn't turn on when I had the wrong leads connected and the amp powered up. So, I switched them around and ended up with this:
Sorry for the blurriness. The red and black wires in the foreground are the ones that were attached to the original fan and the black wires they're attached to are from the Silenx.
Once I soldered the wires, it was just a matter of testing it out and remounting the fan. I used the same spacers and bolts that the original fan was mounted with and they seem to work great.
The new fan is audible, but barely. I was getting frustrated with the old fan because I use my Walkabout to practice a lot at lower volumes and it bothered me when I was taking a break from playing. Also, I recently recorded tracks for my band's new album and we had to separate the head from the cabinet because the fan was so loud that it was bleeding into the bass mic.
I have two 8 ohm cabs, so I probably won't be testing this new fan out at 2 ohms anytime soon. By the way, I'm sort of a beginner when it comes to electronics work (I've changed pickups and pots before, but that's the extent of my knowledge) and I really didn't have any trouble completing this project.
Because of the way the Silenx fan is built, it's difficult to unsolder the existing wires and attach the ones that were attached to the original fan. You would probably have to take the actual fan blade off to do that. So, I went a different route.
To start, here's what the connectors that came on my fan look like:
I decided to cut the bigger of the two plastic clips off, strip the wires and splice the original fan wires to those. The Silenx wires are both black, so I had to guess which was which. I got it wrong the first time, but I found that the fan simply didn't turn on when I had the wrong leads connected and the amp powered up. So, I switched them around and ended up with this:
Sorry for the blurriness. The red and black wires in the foreground are the ones that were attached to the original fan and the black wires they're attached to are from the Silenx.
Once I soldered the wires, it was just a matter of testing it out and remounting the fan. I used the same spacers and bolts that the original fan was mounted with and they seem to work great.
The new fan is audible, but barely. I was getting frustrated with the old fan because I use my Walkabout to practice a lot at lower volumes and it bothered me when I was taking a break from playing. Also, I recently recorded tracks for my band's new album and we had to separate the head from the cabinet because the fan was so loud that it was bleeding into the bass mic.
I have two 8 ohm cabs, so I probably won't be testing this new fan out at 2 ohms anytime soon. By the way, I'm sort of a beginner when it comes to electronics work (I've changed pickups and pots before, but that's the extent of my knowledge) and I really didn't have any trouble completing this project.
One has a single, inadequate handle, sounds great and is a drag to move. The other is ridonculously heavy, but at least has casters and recessed side handles........I haven't heard the PH15 in person though.
I've been buying/swapping/collecting Mesa cabs recently, and now have a bunch of options to try and see what works for me. I think my gigging rig is going to come down to a Mesa M-Pulse 600 through two Powerhouse 15s or two Scout 15s.
Just trying them out without the band, I like the sound of the Scouts a lot more. The PH115 is flat by comparison. I guess I liked the horn in the Scout without realizing it.
I'm not sure what mix better with the band. At loud volumes I'm wondering if the Scout cabs stay as clean as the Powerhouse. I see that Mesa sells a different (more $$) replacement speaker for the PH cabs, so maybe that name "Powerhouse" means something (?).
The Walkabout is going to be my lower-volume amp (and my favorite), but the cleaner sound of the M-P 600 is right for this band. Now it's down to which cabs... ?
Then find a way to sell the unused cabs -- this trial-and-error is a pricey way to figure things out.
Just trying them out without the band, I like the sound of the Scouts a lot more. The PH115 is flat by comparison. I guess I liked the horn in the Scout without realizing it.
I'm not sure what mix better with the band. At loud volumes I'm wondering if the Scout cabs stay as clean as the Powerhouse. I see that Mesa sells a different (more $$) replacement speaker for the PH cabs, so maybe that name "Powerhouse" means something (?).
The Walkabout is going to be my lower-volume amp (and my favorite), but the cleaner sound of the M-P 600 is right for this band. Now it's down to which cabs... ?
Then find a way to sell the unused cabs -- this trial-and-error is a pricey way to figure things out.
- Feb 3, 2005
- 7,331
- 10,198
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Bergantino Audio Systems and GHS Strings
I've wondered this, but am scared to be a guinea pig. The fact that MESA's custom shop wouldn't do it on custom orders made me wonder if there is a reason.
I'm going to call Mesa tomorrow, and I'll bring this up. If I go with the Scout cabs, I'm interested in doing this.
When I was using a matching pair of Ampeg B100Rs (about the same bulk and weight), I ordered extra Ampeg surface-mount strap handles and put them on the sides. Strap handles aren't a good solution for the sides of amps (they just pull into a distorted shape), but they really worked. Lifting/loading those cabs became a whole lot easier.
When I was using a matching pair of Ampeg B100Rs (about the same bulk and weight), I ordered extra Ampeg surface-mount strap handles and put them on the sides. Strap handles aren't a good solution for the sides of amps (they just pull into a distorted shape), but they really worked. Lifting/loading those cabs became a whole lot easier.
Those Scout cabs have very specific internal volumes, which are calculated for both the driver and the radiator.
Adding side handles futzes with that.
Adding side handles futzes with that.
I tried to order a CS Mesa combo with paired side handles and was refused. They will do custom finish work but not change any design features. I (kindly and respectfully) explained how lame the single top handle was on a 50 lb, moderately bulky 15" bass cab, and was politely dismissed.
Well, I suppose you could order two more Mesa strap handles, and put them on the sides yourself. This wouldn't mess with internal volume.
Maybe a pair of these spring-loaded, surface mount handles would work. Pic's a little fuzzy from enlarging it.
Those would have to be screwed into something substantial. I'd wanna know exactly what the internal architecture of the box is before doing that. Spring-loaded handles might be safer but wouldn't look half as nice.
Slighty off (current) topic but I ordered my custom Walkabout 1x12 in early September and it still hasn't been shipped! After chasing for months and receiving the standard "no update" I finally got an email from the dealer to say he'd heard that my amp was ready but Mesa had missed the December shipment and there won't be another until late February.
I knew the wait could be bad, after initially being quoted 3 months, but I never thought it would take close to 1/2 a year. Has anyone else here ever had to wait that long for Mesa gear??
I knew the wait could be bad, after initially being quoted 3 months, but I never thought it would take close to 1/2 a year. Has anyone else here ever had to wait that long for Mesa gear??
First, welcome to TalkBass!
Is this a dealer that you trust? I'd be surprised if any gear manufacturer would only ship 6 times a year.
I'd be of a mind to call Mesa and confirm that they only ship every other month.
Wow. This handle thing has me confused. I'm just a normal guy (6'1" and a couple hundred pounds) but those cabs really just aren't that heavy. I'm surprised that having lots of complicated handles is such a big deal to so many. I carry the combo in one hand and the cab in another and could walk all day with them. It really is a grab and go cab compared to many. Not too bulky and not too heavy. And if it's that heavy for you (again surprising) get a hand truck rather than ask a company to totally redesign the internals of the cab to satisfy you. And I would argue that the internals (tuning, construction, passive radiator etc.) ARE the very sound of those cabs. Why mess that up? Geez.
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