Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread 8

[NOLA Bass]

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.

I have the 15 ext cab. It has a single strap handle on one side. It just is awkward bc you can't pick it up holding each side.

 

[speyer]

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.

I swapped the fan out in my walkabout and I think it is the cause of my recent thermal shutdowns at rehearsals. The fan I put in was a Fractal designs 20cfm/12dba and while it's pretty quiet... I don't think It moves enough air. I'm sure you will have better success with the fan you have.

I just purchased a Scythe "gentle typhoon" 45cfm/20dba and I'm going to install it tonight before rehearsal. Hopefully the new fan is quiet enough for me and do the cooling job they are supposed to. Also, on my first walkabout... I installed a mini dip switch to defeat the fan for recording. That worked like a charm and I may consider doing that to my current WA.

 

[DigitalBath]

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.

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll contact Mesa and find out. I trust the seller (I think) as it's a reputable bass shop in London but it's whether the distributor is messing me about. It's a shame as it's taken the shine off it somewhat.

 

[lomo]

You may be Hercules, but I don't know a single human being who doesn't wear an NFL uniform that would "walk all day" carrying 50 lbs in 1 hand

The 12 isn't a big deal, but there is a reason why virtually every other 50lb cab I see has paired side handles; it simply makes a lot more sense. I'm 5'10" 185 in excellent shape, but carrying the 50 lb Scout 15 in 1 hand is VERY awkward due to the handle position, and in a 65lb combo version the single handle is inept design. Show me another 65lb bass cab with a single top handle; I can't find any and I know why. That sole leather strip of skin looks cool though.

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.

 

[BassManPatsFan]

I swapped the fan out in my walkabout and I think it is the cause of my recent thermal shutdowns at rehearsals. The fan I put in was a Fractal designs 20cfm/12dba and while it's pretty quiet... I don't think It moves enough air. I'm sure you will have better success with the fan you have.

I just purchased a Scythe "gentle typhoon" 45cfm/20dba and I'm going to install it tonight before rehearsal. Hopefully the new fan is quiet enough for me and do the cooling job they are supposed to. Also, on my first walkabout... I installed a mini dip switch to defeat the fan for recording. That worked like a charm and I may consider doing that to my current WA.

Interesting, thanks for the comments. So your WA shuts down when it gets too hot? Are you running your amp at 2ohms?

The fan I installed is 33cfm/15dba, which I hope is sufficient. I have rehearsal tonight, so I'll report back later.

 

[Chef]

20cfm is well under what the stock fan moves.
Maybe half of stock.
I probably don't remember the number correctly, but I thought it was more like 38, or 42.
A lot. Which is part of why it's noisy.

 

[speyer]

20cfm is well under what the stock fan moves.
Maybe half of stock.
I probably don't remember the number correctly, but I thought it was more like 38, or 42.
A lot. Which is part of why it's noisy.

I can't remember either... I thought it was 32? I didn't realize the fan I put in had such low cfm until I looked it up after I started to have problems! just stupidity really... I just grabbed a fan from my stash of computer gadgets.

The new one going in has top of the line cfm/noise ratio and will be quieter than the stock fan and push more air... bring my poor WA back into the safe zone!

 

[speyer]

Interesting, thanks for the comments. So your WA shuts down when it gets too hot? Are you running your amp at 2ohms?

The fan I installed is 33cfm/15dba, which I hope is sufficient. I have rehearsal tonight, so I'll report back later.

I'm running my amp at 80-90% usable volume (gain@2-3 O'clock, master@2-3 O'clock) with a 4ohm load in 1 hr sets.

Do you have the stock fan kicking around? It would be nice to know the cfm's listed on it. Probably best to stay real close stock cfm specs and get a fan with better cfm/noise ratio.

 

[speyer]

You may be Hercules, but I don't know a single human being who doesn't wear an NFL uniform that would "walk all day" carrying 50 lbs in 1 hand

LOL!

 

[bassmonkeee]

Well, after an intrastate swap, JimC's Walkabout showed up at my house today in exchange for the Streamliner 600 that I've using for the
last six months, or so. I really liked the SL600, but nothing has ever moved me like the Walkabout I had close to 10 years ago.

So, it's like coming back home,really.

Here's a quick picture with the GB Focus 1x12. I don't really need a whole lot of volume at the majority of my gigs, so this setup will work fine. Of course, now I'll be keeping my eyes open for an unloaded Scout cab. It seems like they've all been passed around in the last couple of months.

 

[wateroftyne]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll contact Mesa and find out. I trust the seller (I think) as it's a reputable bass shop in London but it's whether the distributor is messing me about. It's a shame as it's taken the shine off it somewhat.

For some reason Europe is somewhere at the bottom of Mesa's priority list. They just don't want to sell amps here, and when they do it's almost through gritted teeth.

 

[NOLA Bass]

Well, after an intrastate swap, JimC's Walkabout showed up at my house today in exchange for the Streamliner 600 that I've using for the
last six months, or so. I really liked the SL600, but nothing has ever moved me like the Walkabout I had close to 10 years ago.

So, it's like coming back home,really.

Here's a quick picture with the GB Focus 1x12. I don't really need a whole lot of volume at the majority of my gigs, so this setup will work fine. Of course, now I'll be keeping my eyes open for an unloaded Scout cab. It seems like they've all been passed around in the last couple of months.

I've got an "ampless" 12 I was going to post for sale. 4 ohm with the luggage cart attachment. Now that my WA is in the headcase with my 15 ext cab, I don't use this. Shoot me a pm.

 

[BassManPatsFan]

I'm running my amp at 80-90% usable volume (gain@2-3 O'clock, master@2-3 O'clock) with a 4ohm load in 1 hr sets.

Do you have the stock fan kicking around? It would be nice to know the cfm's listed on it. Probably best to stay real close stock cfm specs and get a fan with better cfm/noise ratio.

That might make the difference. I run mine much quieter--gain around 11 o'clock, master around 9 or ten o'clock. That's still pretty damn loud for me.

I have the stock fan here and after a quick Google search I've discovered that it's rated at 39cfm/32dba. So my new fan at 33cfm/15dba is a huge improvement in cfm/noise ratio.

I ran the Walkabout with the new fan for three solid hours at practice today and it did beautifully, as always. I felt the casing several times and it never felt warmer than usual. The fan was inaudible, even between songs. I definitely recommend the Silenx fan I used.

 

[speyer]

That might make the difference. I run mine much quieter--gain around 11 o'clock, master around 9 or ten o'clock. That's still pretty damn loud for me.

I have the stock fan here and after a quick Google search I've discovered that it's rated at 39cfm/32dba. So my new fan at 33cfm/15dba is a huge improvement in cfm/noise ratio.

I ran the Walkabout with the new fan for three solid hours at practice today and it did beautifully, as always. I felt the casing several times and it never felt warmer than usual. The fan was inaudible, even between songs. I definitely recommend the Silenx fan I used.

Cool! thanks for the info.

 

[speyer]

Well, after an intrastate swap, JimC's Walkabout showed up at my house today in exchange for the Streamliner 600 that I've using for the
last six months, or so. I really liked the SL600, but nothing has ever moved me like the Walkabout I had close to 10 years ago.

So, it's like coming back home,really.

Here's a quick picture with the GB Focus 1x12. I don't really need a whole lot of volume at the majority of my gigs, so this setup will work fine. Of course, now I'll be keeping my eyes open for an unloaded Scout cab. It seems like they've all been passed around in the last couple of months.

Welcome tho the club! FYI, I would consider selling you my unloaded 4 ohm walkabout combo cab. PM me if you are interested. It's in mint shape and comes with the cover.

 

[Jim C]

Well, after an intrastate swap, JimC's Walkabout showed up at my house today in exchange for the Streamliner 600 that I've using for the
last six months, or so. I really liked the SL600, but nothing has ever moved me like the Walkabout I had close to 10 years ago.

So, it's like coming back home,really.

Here's a quick picture with the GB Focus 1x12. I don't really need a whole lot of volume at the majority of my gigs, so this setup will work fine. Of course, now I'll be keeping my eyes open for an unloaded Scout cab. It seems like they've all been passed around in the last couple of months.

]

Isn't the fan nearly silent?
It looks stock to me.
BTW, the Telefunken in V1 and the Amperex in the driver were the best after rolling MANY tubes. The tubes alone are probably worth $100 to $150 on the used market.
In hindsight I should have never included them to Nutdog as the amp didn't work out for him.
Oh well, glad you dig it.
The ONLY reason I sold it was that 300 watts did not give me the clean headroom I need for small cabinets.

 

[lomo]

Isn't the fan nearly silent?
It looks stock to me.
BTW, the Telefunken in V1 and the Amperex in the driver were the best after rolling MANY tubes. The tubes alone are probably worth $100 to $150 on the used market.
In hindsight I should have never included them to Nutdog as the amp didn't work out for him.
Oh well, glad you dig it.
The ONLY reason I sold it was that 300 watts did not give me the clean headroom I need for small cabinets.

Interesting, I have also rolled a gaggle of tubes in my Walkabouts and an rebranded Amperex in the driver slot is what I'm running now....sounds creeeeeeamy!

 

[bassmonkeee]

Welcome tho the club! FYI, I would consider selling you my unloaded 4 ohm walkabout combo cab. PM me if you are interested. It's in mint shape and comes with the cover.

Thanks! Although, it should be welcome BACK to the club. I was one of the original members. I was just dumb enough to keep trying new stuff thinking I was going to find something better.

I appreciate the offer on the cab. I've had a couple of offers. Unfortunately, I don't have the cash right now. From November 3rd to this Tuesday, I had my anniversary, my wife's birthday, my mother-in-law's birthday, my father-in-law's birthday, Christmas, and my 2 year old's birthday. To say I'm broke would be an understatement.

Honestly, I wasn't even really looking for a Walkabout. When I finally clicked on the "Walkabout for Streamliner" thread, it was the tubes that pushed me over the edge on Tuesday. And, the fact that he lives in the same state as me--one day FedEx trade for $14. Cheaper than the gas to meet up.

I'll probably put my Genz Benz Focus 1x12 up for sale and see what happens with that. Hopefully, one of you will still have one for sale when I have money, again....

 

[bassmonkeee]

Isn't the fan nearly silent?
It looks stock to me.
BTW, the Telefunken in V1 and the Amperex in the driver were the best after rolling MANY tubes. The tubes alone are probably worth $100 to $150 on the used market.
In hindsight I should have never included them to Nutdog as the amp didn't work out for him.
Oh well, glad you dig it.
The ONLY reason I sold it was that 300 watts did not give me the clean headroom I need for small cabinets.

I have only had a chance to play if for about 15 minutes. I hope to spend some more time with it this weekend.

I suspect that this Walkabout won't be leaving me anytime soon. And, it'll be my main amp, so the tubes will get some lovin'. So, they are in good hands now.

 

[nutdog]

Isn't the fan nearly silent?
It looks stock to me.
BTW, the Telefunken in V1 and the Amperex in the driver were the best after rolling MANY tubes. The tubes alone are probably worth $100 to $150 on the used market.
In hindsight I should have never included them to Nutdog as the amp didn't work out for him.
Oh well, glad you dig it.
The ONLY reason I sold it was that 300 watts did not give me the clean headroom I need for small cabinets.

Hey, man, I told you it might happen!

I'm glad I got to try it. It lives up to the hype. I won't try to explain my fickletuditivity. I'll just say I temporarily lost sight of my goals. Hope you enjoy, Bassmonkeee.