Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread Part 10

[lomo]

So playing thrash metal, with two guitarists (mesa 412s), and a loud drummer, Ill be ok with the walkabout and two 8 ohm mesa ph410s?

No one can know for sure without trying.....depends how much the 412s are cranked.....and if the guitards and you are battling for the same band of the freq spectrum....and whether you are using enough distortion to muddy your mids.....and whether you're cranking lows and sucking up a lot of output by doing so...... For any "reasonable" group I'd say you'll be fine....but not all groups are "reasonable".

 

[gravesbass]

So playing thrash metal, with two guitarists (mesa 412s), and a loud drummer, Ill be ok with the walkabout and two 8 ohm mesa ph410s?

I would say, No, it will not keep up and run out of headroom. Its only 300w

 

[kringle77]

Not enough with any cabs, not for a regular thrash band. Not at all. Now, if you cranked it up into any cab for all out grind and,ran a second amp for low end, that's different. Or, mesa could go ahead and build a more powerful one.

 

[sratas]

I'm quite lucky my bands don't usually play at high volumes. I am one of those who could use a 50 watts head with a medium sized cab and be asked to turn down...my bands are quite bass driven but we are very disciplined. Almost boring as far as attention to levels.

So the WA power is more than sufficient for my needs, at least during rehearsals. Waiting to let it rock on a stage.

I keep finding new tones and every time is a fantastic one. There is no doubt I have found my tones, finally. Unfortunately, it's an old design with some flaws and design weaks. Some of these could have been improved with a new model, like a silent cooling, extended wider heat sinks, certified safe 2 ohm operation, headphone out, speakon outs, and most of all a variable hpf filter, better feet, better handle, better bag. It's a shame mesa decided to kill the WA legacy.

 

[agedhorse]

I'm quite lucky my bands don't usually play at high volumes. I am one of those who could use a 50 watts head with a medium sized cab and be asked to turn down...my bands are quite bass driven but we are very disciplined. Almost boring as far as attention to levels.

So the WA power is more than sufficient for my needs, at least during rehearsals. Waiting to let it rock on a stage.

I keep finding new tones and every time is a fantastic one. There is no doubt I have found my tones, finally. Unfortunately, it's an old design with some flaws and design weaks. Some of these could have been improved with a new model, like a silent cooling, extended wider heat sinks, certified safe 2 ohm operation, headphone out, speakon outs, and most of all a variable hpf filter, better feet, better handle, better bag. It's a shame mesa decided to kill the WA legacy.

Who said the Walkabout was killed? They are still available.

Now, if demand goes away (like with any product) so will the product. It wouldn't make any sense to build something that people aren't buying based on "love" for the product. That's a future problem.

 

[sratas]

Who said the Walkabout was killed? They are still available.

Now, if demand goes away (like with any product) so will the product. It wouldn't make any sense to build something that people aren't buying based on "love" for the product. That's a future problem.

I was meaning that there is not a new WAlkabout in the Mesa future plans, this is quite evident. English is not my native language, it is possible that sometimes
I fail at the attempt to communicate correctly. Please forgive me.

Regarding Wa availability, I am happy it's not discontinued. This gives me some more time to save money to buy a second unit before the WA gets retired

 

[the yeti]

I'm still trying to figure how 300 watts and 8 10s isn't gonna be loud enough?

 

[agedhorse]

I'm still trying to figure how 300 watts and 8 10s isn't gonna be loud enough?

Everybody has different needs.

 

[the yeti]

Everybody has different needs.

true enough, but how would it be much different than an svt and 810?

 

[Al Kraft]

true enough, but how would it be much different than an svt and 810?

I too think the WA into an 810 at 4 Ohms should be loud enough for most folks, depending of course on the efficiency of the cab and the venue - outdoors or in a huge auditorium with no/minimal FOH support might well be challenging. The problem could come for someone when they're operating at the top of the WA power band on a continuous basis.

To me, heads like the WA have a sweet spot that exists in that 50%-70% power range. Once you start asking for maximum power continuously and tapping what was headroom for high volume sound production, the magic tone you love sort of disappears. Full tube amps sometimes actually sound their best when they're pushed into that upper capability range - so it's a trade off between actual power to produce the volume needed and the tonal characteristics of the head when you're in that territory.

This is where we get into the tube Watts vs SS Watts discussion (a landmine I'd rather not step on, but will point to). Watts are in fact Watts, however, given what is producing them and how far you may be over-driving that device and/or continuously turning what was headroom into output, many people will find "tube produced power" at the extreme end of an amp's capability sounds better than a SS power section operating in that same over-driven range/condition. Others may have equally valid theories, but that's my best explanation.

 

[bobcruz]

Regarding the "death" of the WalkAbout legacy, I predict a refresh of the current product with the obvious updates (mute, tuner out, headphone out, Speakon jacks, quieter fan) and a separate WalkAbout Preamp/DI. That should keep the legacy going pretty nicely.

Meanwhile, I'm enjoying my recently acquired WA, in excellent condition, serial no. 00015. It has an upgraded fan and cost me less than four Benjamins shipped. At the giveaway prices I'm seeing for used WAs, everyone should own one.

 

[the yeti]

I too think the WA into an 810 at 4 Ohms should be loud enough for most folks, depending of course on the efficiency of the cab and the venue - outdoors or in a huge auditorium with no/minimal FOH support might well be challenging. The problem could come for someone when they're operating at the top of the WA power band on a continuous basis.

To me, heads like the WA have a sweet spot that exists in that 50%-70% power range. Once you start asking for maximum power continuously and tapping what was headroom for high volume sound production, the magic tone you love sort of disappears. Full tube amps sometimes actually sound their best when they're pushed into that upper capability range - so it's a trade off between actual power to produce the volume needed and the tonal characteristics of the head when you're in that territory.

This is where we get into the tube Watts vs SS Watts discussion (a landmine I'd rather not step on, but will point to). Watts are in fact Watts, however, given what is producing them and how far you may be over-driving that device and/or continuously turning what was headroom into output, many people will find "tube produced power" at the extreme end of an amp's capability sounds better than a SS power section operating in that same over-driven range/condition. Others may have equally valid theories, but that's my best explanation.

i knew it! "a watt is a watt" my eye... lol

 

[bumble yeti]

Regarding the "death" of the WalkAbout legacy, I predict a refresh of the current product with the obvious updates (mute, tuner out, headphone out, Speakon jacks, quieter fan) and a separate WalkAbout Preamp/DI. That should keep the legacy going pretty nicely.

Meanwhile, I'm enjoying my recently acquired WA, in excellent condition, serial no. 00015. It has an upgraded fan and cost me less than four Benjamins shipped. At the giveaway prices I'm seeing for used WAs, everyone should own one.

Hmm. Doesn't sound like a WA to me. One of the things that make this amp sound so good is that it doesn't have any bells or whistles like a mute, tuner out or headphone jack. It's simple, powerful and elegant. Speakons for a 300 watter - not needed. Quieter fan, I'd vote for that if it didn't compromise the tone and/or make it overheat.
Savor your WA for what it is, my friend, a tone monster! Everything in it and everything that's been left out makes it special.

 

[Al Kraft]

i knew it! "a watt is a watt" my eye... lol

...it may actually be as subtle as the difference between "useful/usable" good sounding Watts vs a maximum output power rating...I sort of think of it as a situation where some of those final Watts in an amp's rating (especially with a SS power section) are better reserved for use as headroom than to provide power to a loudspeaker. YMMV and agedhorse may have a better or more accurate characterization!

 

[two fingers]

Regarding the "death" of the WalkAbout legacy, I predict a refresh of the current product with the obvious updates (mute, tuner out, headphone out, Speakon jacks, quieter fan) and a separate WalkAbout Preamp/DI. That should keep the legacy going pretty nicely.

Meanwhile, I'm enjoying my recently acquired WA, in excellent condition, serial no. 00015. It has an upgraded fan and cost me less than four Benjamins shipped. At the giveaway prices I'm seeing for used WAs, everyone should own one.

I couldn't agree more. To me it has earned a spot right next to the SVT and a 400/800RB. Everyone should own one at least once.

 

[husky123]

I couldn't agree more. To me it has earned a spot right next to the SVT and a 400/800RB. Everyone should own one at least once.

Right there with you. I've have the fortune to own a lot of classics and whenever I'm discussing them the WA is in the conversation. It reminds me of my motorcycle racing days. I got way more pleasure out of trying to ring the noots out of a 125 cc 2 stroke than a big bore 500. The WA is the little train that could.

 

[sratas]

Hmm. Doesn't sound like a WA to me. One of the things that make this amp sound so good is that it doesn't have any bells or whistles like a mute, tuner out or headphone jack. It's simple, powerful and elegant. Speakons for a 300 watter - not needed. Quieter fan, I'd vote for that if it didn't compromise the tone and/or make it overheat.
Savor your WA for what it is, my friend, a tone monster! Everything in it and everything that's been left out makes it special.

I'm not sure you are right.

How can those added feature worsen tone? I mean mute, tuner out, speakon outs, headphone outs and a different cooling design. These are peripheral features IMO. Hard to think they can impair the tonal goodness of the amp....the best part of these is that if someone does not make use of them he can leave them untouched usused, and be happy.

The core of the circuit should not be altered. If we discussed added eq bands, a different gain structure, different power amp, etc, ok, but an added headphone amp? I don't think so, frankly.

Regarding the other proposal of a pre/DI. This is a great idea. it's a fact that the DI tone of the WA is truly undeniable awesome, post eq with all the colors and complexity one could ask for. If there was such a kind of product I would buy it in a heartbeat. Just pair it with what is disposable and that great tone can be brought everywhere and on every stage-studio

Regarding the WA value in history of bass amps. I don't know how many units Mesa sold, but I repeated it over and over, it's a classic. Point.
Does Ampeg ever mind stopping SVT production because it is an old design? Think about it...

 

[staccatogrowl]

Well, the clamor and begging for a new and improved Walkabout is obviously not likely to diminish here. Maybe agedhorse could send some prototypes to tombowlus for testing and review, much like what happened with the D800+.

Or, maybe this is already in the works, or has already even happened. Hmmm. .

Nothing wrong with piquing interest in the new Walkabout+ and Walkabout preamp, is there?

 

[bumble yeti]

Well, the clamor and begging for a new and improved Walkabout is obviously not likely to diminish here. Maybe agedhorse could send some prototypes to tombowlus for testing and review, much like what happened with the D800+.

Or, maybe this is already in the works, or has already even happened. Hmmm. .

Nothing wrong with piquing interest in the new Walkabout+ and Walkabout preamp, is there?

Yessir.
Or that high efficiency 2x12.

 

[mikeswals]

I'm back to giggin a Walkabout again, feels good!
And I found a way to use it as a headphone amp. I had an amplug with a broken 1/4" jack, so I removed it and soldered on a short cable. Plug it into the fx send on the WA, and now I can use the tone and gain settings and can plug my effects in to the front of my WA and have full headphone and media input use of the amplug. Win-win!