Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread Part 10

[sratas]

markmck79...this has been my exact plan. I still hope mesa will come out with a WA alternative in the future, with modern tweaks and tricks, but there are no clear signs this is going to happen...time to collect the funds for another WA and be done for decades

 

[metron]

I used to play a WA through an NV610. This thread is making me miss that amp. It was a great combination.

 

[Al Kraft]

ya know,,,my main concern is that if you a start adding stuff. its not going to be like a WA anymore...
The New Mesa 800+ already has an adjustable HPF.. and its a good amp ..
So people want a walk about, or another completely different model..

Splitting hairs can be fine. Thats the TB way.... .But sometimes we should just play our basses..

Im not trying to be an butt holio at all..
But im watching the list that people are creating and IMO it totally deviates from the WA with such a myriad of additions it may not be able to do anyone of them well..

+1...consider the success of the WA over the years and the real possibility (empirical evidence, like this thread) that we have the perfect WA now. I can think of a lot things that would make a classic Ampeg B-15 better, more useful, etc., but it wouldn't be a B-15 anymore...

 

[jnewmark]

Quick, unofficial poll here: Who would want just a more powerful WA right now, without any additional changes in tone, assuming that Andy can somehow work some magic to make it happen ? I, for one would go for that in a heartbeat.

 

[NOLA Bass]

Quick, unofficial poll here: Who would want just a more powerful WA right now, without any additional changes in tone, assuming that Andy can somehow work some magic to make it happen ? I, for one would go for that in a heartbeat.

I really don't need it. The power is fine for me with the gigs I use it for.

 

[markmck79]

I really don't need it. The power is fine for me with the gigs I use it for.

+1. But I will still probably buy one if Andy achieves the impossible.

 

[kringle77]

Me. If that could be done, make it so. If an entirely new amp were built, add some upgrades and power to the walkabout bones. One way or another.

 

[jnewmark]

+1...consider the success of the WA over the years and the real possibility (empirical evidence, like this thread) that we have the perfect WA now. I can think of a lot things that would make a classic Ampeg B-15 better, more useful, etc., but it wouldn't be a B-15 anymore...

The Ampeg B15 sounded different, imho, with every " new " version Ampeg came out with. I had a '67 and a '71 B15 and they both sounded somewhat alike, but more different from each other.

 

[markmck79]

+1...consider the success of the WA over the years and the real possibility (empirical evidence, like this thread) that we have the perfect WA now. I can think of a lot things that would make a classic Ampeg B-15 better, more useful, etc., but it wouldn't be a B-15 anymore...

I'm glad to see that you have no problem mentioning the WA in the same breath as a B-15. As a former owner of some of the "classics" (B-15, SVT, 400+, 400RB, Acoustic 360), I think the WA is THE classic hybrid and of its generation. Used prices on these are ridiculously low right now for the value and if Mesa moves in another direction I can easily see values doubling in the next 5-10 years as the supply becomes more scarce.

 

[Worldeeeter]

Quick, unofficial poll here: Who would want just a more powerful WA right now, without any additional changes in tone, assuming that Andy can somehow work some magic to make it happen ? I, for one would go for that in a heartbeat.

If it could be done in a class-D power config, then yes. More output and headroom with the ability to dial in that tube grind in a small, lightweight package is exactly what I want.
If it can't be done with a class-D amp, I say leave the WA the way it is; we don't need another class A/B amp that sounds like a Walkabout. I'm in the same boat as Rob; my WA is fine for the gigs I play.

 

[Al Kraft]

The Ampeg B15 sounded different, imho, with every " new " version Ampeg came out with. I had a '67 and a '71 B15 and they both sounded somewhat alike, but more different from each other.

Excellent point...each update/version brought something new, it didn't give you "the exact same thing, just more of it". Many Ampeg fans I know have very specific preferences for one model over another - the same experience you had.

 

[svtb15]

My ONLY addition to the WA would be a POST / PRE EQ DI...Louder would be great too

while I do agree with svtb15 to a certain degree, I'm quite worried about the WA being discontinued one day...this was the matter we discussed with agedhorse and the actual reason standing behind the requests of the community. I think this should not happen, because this amp is truly great, and Mesa would be lacking a niche tone is his lineup of amps. The strategy/prodigy and the carbines do not sound even remotely close to the WA. not better or worse, but very different. If mesa wants to drop the WA because of industrial and commercial reasons, they should build a new amp, even totally different from the WA, but aiming at a totally vintage gritty warm all tube tone. They could call it they way they want, it can be bigger, full featured etc but it HAS to have the tube complexity and grit, vintage oriented tones.

talking about the DI...it is definitely the best I have ever used and somewhat makes me smile when I see people spending big dollars on outboard devices...

 

[adam montminy]

I'm generally ok with the current power of the Walkabout although if they came out with a more powerful version, I would probably buy one haha. Although from what Andy has said throughout, it seems pretty clear that a more powerful Walkabout will not sound like a Walkabout. I think the M-Pulse 600 might already prove that (I haven't played one myself, just based on others' comments.) Correct me if I'm wrong, Andy.

 

[agedhorse]

To clarify, it won't sound "exactly" like a Walkabout. Any major changes to the power level will upset the fine balance, or the point that the balance is reached.

The real question is how close, and what changes would be acceptable or desirable.

 

[Al Kraft]

Any major changes to the power level will upset the fine balance, or the point that the balance is reached.

At the risk of being flamed for mentioning GK in a Mesa WA thread, this is very reminiscent of people who like the GK growl in the RB heads, but the higher power RB versions required them to operate at unacceptable (to them) volume levels to get that same desirable artifact. Seems like "signature voicing being an easy balance to disturb when you add power" is not unique to the WA, albeit it's likely a different operational dynamic at work here than in the GK RB example.

 

[the yeti]

To clarify, it won't sound "exactly" like a Walkabout. Any major changes to the power level will upset the fine balance, or the point that the balance is reached.

The real question is how close, and what changes would be acceptable or desirable.

you've said that plenty, and we're still on a unicorn hunt!

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

Just finished a gig with my WalkAbout/Scout 15 combo... used an older Alembic (Distillate) for most of the show, alternating on my fretless Turner Renaissance bass for a select handful of tunes. Never touched the amp settings, just tweaked the master volume on each bass to suit Mr. Sound-dude... the Turner is a little higher output than it's older cousin.

Input Gain: noon
Bass: noon
Mid: 10:00
Treble: noon

Para: Not really doing much with the low-end frequencies... sometimes I'll roll off some fluffy stuff down there, but all good tonight. I found the twangy spot on the low midrange and cut it about 5 db, finally, I rolled off about 5 dB of really high-end sizzle.

DI out: 10 o'clock (Mr. Sound Guy's call)
Master: between 9-10 o'clock

In the signal path: MXR Bass Chorus deluxe, for the Renaissance fretless, toggled off for the Alembic. Just before the amp input, an MXR Compressor, used very conservatively on the harder hitting tunes.

It was blissful.

 

[staccatogrowl]

How about this solution for a louder Walkabout experience, beloved tone fully intact, currently available to any and all:

1) Walkabout 1 sits atop two 8-ohm bass cabinets, 4-ohm total load, more efficient cabs desired

2) Walkabout 2 sits atop two additional 8-ohm bass cabinets, 4-ohm total load, more efficient cabs desired

3) Effects loop send of Walkabout 1 feeds effects loop return of Walkabout two.

In this way, a Walkabout preamp feeds Walkabout power amps, and Walkabout signal path remains pure to double the normal amount of speakers. This may not be the greatest setup in terms of portability, but if one must have more Walkabout tone, double the Walkabout gear. The setup can still be portable with a cart, which many use anyway with multiple cabs.

 

[jnewmark]

How about this solution for a louder Walkabout experience, beloved tone fully intact, currently available to any and all:

1) Walkabout 1 sits atop two 8-ohm bass cabinets, 4-ohm total load, more efficient cabs desired

2) Walkabout 2 sits atop two additional 8-ohm bass cabinets, 4-ohm total load, more efficient cabs desired

3) Effects loop send of Walkabout 1 feeds effects loop return of Walkabout two.

In this way, a Walkabout preamp feeds Walkabout power amps, and Walkabout signal path remains pure to double the normal amount of speakers. This may not be the greatest setup in terms of portability, but if one must have more Walkabout tone, double the Walkabout gear. The setup can still be portable with a cart, which many use anyway with multiple cabs.

I like the WA, but carrying 4 cabs to the gig ? Not this old guy !

 

[McFarlin]

How about this solution for a louder Walkabout experience, beloved tone fully intact, currently available to any and all:

1) Walkabout 1 sits atop two 8-ohm bass cabinets, 4-ohm total load, more efficient cabs desired

2) Walkabout 2 sits atop two additional 8-ohm bass cabinets, 4-ohm total load, more efficient cabs desired

3) Effects loop send of Walkabout 1 feeds effects loop return of Walkabout two.

In this way, a Walkabout preamp feeds Walkabout power amps, and Walkabout signal path remains pure to double the normal amount of speakers. This may not be the greatest setup in terms of portability, but if one must have more Walkabout tone, double the Walkabout gear. The setup can still be portable with a cart, which many use anyway with multiple cabs.

I like the WA, but carrying 4 cabs to the gig ? Not this old guy !

I think two Walkabouts with two Hathor 212s would be an easy load in. The hard part would be resisting the temptation to vertically stack the Hathors.