Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread Part 10

[NOLA Bass]

My WA 15 arrived yesterday. Got home late after rehearsal and opened the box. Released that sweet smell of HiFi like those JBL L100 speakers smelled when I unboxed them back in the 70´s.
No test drive though, as it was past midnight and I have neighbors ....
Working today, but this evening I´ll have a go.
I agree with all here that the ergonomics are stupid. That top handle is a joke. But if it sounds nice, I really don´t care. I can still carry this like a baby. And if there comes a day I can't , someone invented wheels I heard.

I have the Scout 15 standalone cab. The handle on one side is just dumb. Anyone know if there is any reason I should not install one in the other side?

 

[sunbeast]

The handle placement for the 15 definitely seems like it was done more for aesthetics than function (though it is quite sturdy apart from some fraying in the thread). I used to think the critiques were sorta overblown, but now that I’ve had it for a few years getting bruised on my legs every time I carry it with the amp in there has changed my tune (and with another big rig, this amp only leaves my room a couple times a year for quieter gigs). Without the amp in it the handle is less problematic for me, but still hardly convenient even with my looong arms. If I were gigging it on the regular I’d definitely add a second handle somehow, though with the combo cab there’s really no elegant place to add a second handle that would make sense because the one handle is right in the middle of the top of the cab. A dolly would work as well, though I’ve seen how the Mesa dolly (probably not sold anymore?) can tear up the tolex on a Scout, plus it is intended as a permanent install which I don’t like.

 

[lomo]

...it sounds good and gets loud...but the WA 15 is a "dragabout"

 

[mikeswals]

Has no one ever heard of dollys?

 

[lomo]

Has no one ever heard of dollys?

View attachment 2787513

In the snow in downtown Montreal, parked 3 blocks away...a dolly is as useful to me a s a bicycle is to a fish

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

In all seriousness - this $25 collapsable dolly goes with me to every gig...

*not sure if a model with snow tires or skis is available though.

 

[sunbeast]

Has no one ever heard of dollys?

View attachment 2787513

To be fair I think almost everyone on this page did mention a dolly (or wheels) as an alternative. Doesn’t make the handle any more practical though (except as an anchor point for straps). And it’s the only bass cab I’ve ever owned without adequate handles...

 

[GeeBass]

Love my Walkabout Scout12 combo - but after major back surgery, lifting/hauling a 53 lb. combo is too difficult - especially on gigs with difficult/challenging load-in (stairs, etc.).
Hand trucks are not the answer for me for many reasons - would still need to lift amp to load in/out of house into car, etc. - and many nicer venues with stairs don't want hand trucks slamming up & down their staircases.

Pulling out the head would reduce weight by 13 lbs. and allow me to continue using the Scout12 combo - but with the big top mounted leather handle, placing the head on top for gigs doesn't work out very well.
I certainly don't want to go thru the hassle of re-installing the head into the Scout cab once I get to the gig - and the head attachment method using wood screws is just not designed to go in/out that often anyway.
I don't want to modify the amp, such as drilling holes to relocate the handle on the side - like they are mounted on the Scout extension cabs.
I thought about putting a Baby Gramma Pad on top - but the top handle is too bulky to allow this, or anything similar I've tried, to sit securely on top.
Putting the WA head on a chunk of foam is also not a good solution - as the amp heats up and could potentially cause a fire, or do cosmetic damage to the underside of the amp.
I guess I could always be on the lookout for a Scout12 ext. cab instead - but would first like to try to work this out somehow with the current Scout12 combo I own. The ext. cabs also do sound a bit different than the combo cabs.

Has anyone come up with a really good, non-hack looking, elegant solution - to allow a Walkabout head to sit securely on top of a Scout12 combo cab with the top mounted leather handle?
If so - please describe the solution you've come up with, and posting a photo to envision it would be really helpful. Thanks WA fans!

 

[mikeswals]

Has anyone come up with a really good, non-hack looking, elegant solution - to allow a Walkabout head to sit securely on top of a Scout12 combo cab with the top mounted leather handle?
If so - please describe the solution you've come up with, and posting a photo to envision it would be really helpful. Thanks WA fans!

Just make a simple wood rectangle/square frame that's tall enough to clear the handle. Probably 1"x2" lumber, and paint it with brush-on bedliner coating so it's non-skid.

 

[slofut]

Did your factory update look like that tho?

Sorry for the delayed reply, but yes my amp came back from Mesa in Petaluma with these updates (exe for the broken jack).

 

[svtb15]

They didn't mark the switch with a label? mmm

Sorry for the delayed reply, but yes my amp came back from Mesa in Petaluma with these updates (exe for the broken jack).

 

[gillento]

I just have had built a case for my WA.... Looking forward to pick it up and post additional pics.

 

[Diddywah]

Has no one ever heard of dollys?

View attachment 2787513

ofcourse, half my band are in the transport business...so we use them

 

[lomo]

Really wanted a black faced one, so this one may only be a temporary stay.

Funny....when the black versions came out I preferred them, but over time I have come to prefer the look of the silver faced ones....and they are not as prone to stripping of the decals.

 

[slofut]

They didn't mark the switch with a label? mmm

Yep, no label. And they put it right through the script that was already there, although that doesn't bother me and it was prob dictated by the components behind it anyway.

 

[gillento]

here it is:

 

[bklee]

Love my Walkabout Scout12 combo - but after major back surgery, lifting/hauling a 53 lb. combo is too difficult - especially on gigs with difficult/challenging load-in (stairs, etc.).
Hand trucks are not the answer for me for many reasons - would still need to lift amp to load in/out of house into car, etc. - and many nicer venues with stairs don't want hand trucks slamming up & down their staircases.

Pulling out the head would reduce weight by 13 lbs. and allow me to continue using the Scout12 combo - but with the big top mounted leather handle, placing the head on top for gigs doesn't work out very well.
I certainly don't want to go thru the hassle of re-installing the head into the Scout cab once I get to the gig - and the head attachment method using wood screws is just not designed to go in/out that often anyway.
I don't want to modify the amp, such as drilling holes to relocate the handle on the side - like they are mounted on the Scout extension cabs.
I thought about putting a Baby Gramma Pad on top - but the top handle is too bulky to allow this, or anything similar I've tried, to sit securely on top.
Putting the WA head on a chunk of foam is also not a good solution - as the amp heats up and could potentially cause a fire, or do cosmetic damage to the underside of the amp.
I guess I could always be on the lookout for a Scout12 ext. cab instead - but would first like to try to work this out somehow with the current Scout12 combo I own. The ext. cabs also do sound a bit different than the combo cabs.

Has anyone come up with a really good, non-hack looking, elegant solution - to allow a Walkabout head to sit securely on top of a Scout12 combo cab with the top mounted leather handle?
If so - please describe the solution you've come up with, and posting a photo to envision it would be really helpful. Thanks WA fans!

I just took a simple piece of 3/4 inch AC plywood (1/2 inch would be fine, I just had the 3/4 laying around) and put 1"x2" feet on it. The one in the picture has been outside for a while, so some of the finish has deteriorated. I put those felt furniture stick-on pads at the bottom of each foot. The stand was designed for the mixer I use for our small band gigs, so it may be bigger than you need for the head. I'm going to spruce up the finish when I get time.

 

[Chef]

You could do the same with a block of foam with a cut out for the handle

 

[NOLA Bass]

In the snow in downtown Montreal, parked 3 blocks away...a dolly is as useful to me a s a bicycle is to a fish

Trust me, dolly don't work on French Quarter cobblestone streets and busted pavement! Seems like anywhere I gig, a dolly barely saves me any carrying.

 

[NOLA Bass]

The handle placement for the 15 definitely seems like it was done more for aesthetics than function (though it is quite sturdy apart from some fraying in the thread). I used to think the critiques were sorta overblown, but now that I’ve had it for a few years getting bruised on my legs every time I carry it with the amp in there has changed my tune (and with another big rig, this amp only leaves my room a couple times a year for quieter gigs). Without the amp in it the handle is less problematic for me, but still hardly convenient even with my looong arms. If I were gigging it on the regular I’d definitely add a second handle somehow, though with the combo cab there’s really no elegant place to add a second handle that would make sense because the one handle is right in the middle of the top of the cab. A dolly would work as well, though I’ve seen how the Mesa dolly (probably not sold anymore?) can tear up the tolex on a Scout, plus it is intended as a permanent install which I don’t like.

I have the extension/standalone cab. the handle is on one side, so I can't think of a reason you could not put one on the other side. However, I recall Mesa wouldn't do this on someone's custom shop order. It gives me pause if there is some reason I shouldn't drill into the other side for any reason.