Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread Part 10

[NickFromNY]

Put mine to work this weekend with a Broughton HP/LP filter. On a stand angled up to me it had more than enough volume for me. Sent through house PA.. when I need a little extra, I pull the head and use either a Berg cn410 or Swr GoLight 4x10, both 4 ohms.

@agedhorse - when taking the WA combo off the floor, either raised or angled, do you lose anything regarding the bottom firing radiator?

 

[agedhorse]

Yes, it changes the acoustic loading so the response will change, similar to making the port in a vented cabinet larger. Power handling probably decreases too, but I haven't run any calculations.

 

[sratas]

Lately I took awareness of a simple fact. I like old school, non frfr, filtered sounding cabs. At the moment I do actually prefer the raw tone of a ashdown 15 (the one in the baby blue combo!) To my pricey barefaced big baby 2...
I decided to convert to these kind of cabs, without tweeter, ceramic, low passed drivers and was considering wich one could be a great match to my number one amp, the wa.
Maybe the orange obc115? Anyone has other suggestions?

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Lately I took awareness of a simple fact. I like old school, non frfr, filtered sounding cabs. At the moment I do actually prefer the raw tone of a ashdown 15 (the one in the baby blue combo!) To my pricey barefaced big baby 2...
I decided to convert to these kind of cabs, without tweeter, ceramic, low passed drivers and was considering wich one could be a great match to my number one amp, the wa.
Maybe the orange obc115? Anyone has other suggestions?

I was planing on a build of a reproduction of the Sunn 200S 215 cab, even had a stash of JBL K140s with original cones. I knew I'd never get around to it so I sold off the drivers. My WA does sound pretty great through my fEARful 15/6. I use the FDeck HPF, and block one or both ports. (I also have the 8 ohm 12" Scout cab, and an 8 ohm 12" extension cab)

 

[NOLA Bass]

So, I've got to pair down my suddenly ridiculous speaker cabinet situation. As such, my Scout 15 Radiator cabinet is on the block locally. I also may sell the Mesa head case for the Walkabout (but not the amp, you'll pry that from my cold dead hands). I did not want to ship the Scout as I don't have the original box (it bit the dust in a move), so I'm worried the custom box plus shipping would be pretty pricey. However, I thought I'd mention it if anyone was interested or looking for a head case. Just shoot me a PM.

 

[NOLA Bass]

Please note, both are now posted in the classifieds, see my signature for more details.

 

[NOLA Bass]

View attachment 3033372 Put mine to work this weekend with a Broughton HP/LP filter. On a stand angled up to me it had more than enough volume for me. Sent through house PA.. when I need a little extra, I pull the head and use either a Berg cn410 or Swr GoLight 4x10, both 4 ohms.

@agedhorse - when taking the WA combo off the floor, either raised or angled, do you lose anything regarding the bottom firing radiator?

Not the shabbiest gig location in the world, that is for sure!

 

[Luke the Fluke]

Lately I took awareness of a simple fact. I like old school, non frfr, filtered sounding cabs. At the moment I do actually prefer the raw tone of a ashdown 15 (the one in the baby blue combo!) To my pricey barefaced big baby 2...
I decided to convert to these kind of cabs, without tweeter, ceramic, low passed drivers and was considering wich one could be a great match to my number one amp, the wa.
Maybe the orange obc115? Anyone has other suggestions?

find someone to swap your big baby or a pair of Barefaced Two10...

 

[Zien25]

I know that this topic has been done to death, but having trouble sifting through this thread for specifics on the 15" combo (most comments seem to be about the 12"). What I am looking for is something that can cut through a strong drummer in a three piece. Would this rig hold up or should I keep moving on to something else? I primarily play in venues that DI. I gleamed from some of the thread that the 15" seems to kick out more volume of the 12". Really looking to find a "good" combo that would be gig worthy. While I love the tone of my '69 Traynor Mark II, moving it and the 15" cab once a week is getting a bit old.

So is the 15" WA Scout combo worth $1000 and can it cut through a drummer?

 

[agedhorse]

Is the problem with moving your current rig due to weight or is it because the head and cabinet are separate?

If it's because of weight, you may not save anything with the WA combo.

 

[NOLA Bass]

I know that this topic has been done to death, but having trouble sifting through this thread for specifics on the 15" combo (most comments seem to be about the 12"). What I am looking for is something that can cut through a strong drummer in a three piece. Would this rig hold up or should I keep moving on to something else? I primarily play in venues that DI. I gleamed from some of the thread that the 15" seems to kick out more volume of the 12". Really looking to find a "good" combo that would be gig worthy. While I love the tone of my '69 Traynor Mark II, moving it and the 15" cab once a week is getting a bit old.

So is the 15" WA Scout combo worth $1000 and can it cut through a drummer?

I have played numerous gigs with the WA and Scout 15, no problem at all. Two guitars and sometimes keys and it cut right through including playing without PA except for vocals. I suggest a separate head and cab. The 15 is awkward, the combo version must be much worse.

 

[NOLA Bass]

Speaking of, had second thoughts on selling my Scout 15 and headcase. Think I’ll hold on to for now.

 

[Al Kraft]

I have played numerous gigs with the WA and Scout 15, no problem at all. Two guitars and sometimes keys and it cut right through including playing without PA except for vocals. I suggest a separate head and cab. The 15 is awkward, the combo version must be much worse.

I've done quite well in some pretty loud stage situations with the WA Scout 112 combo and FOH support, so the 115 should be fine. However, I would echo the thought that the 115 combo is an awkward and heavy carry.

If weight is an issue, I think some of the newer lightweight head + cab options would be both satisfactory sound-wise and much easier in load-in/load-out department. Mesa offers some nice options here in the Subway line so you don't need to need to walk away from the WA sound entirely.

 

[Zien25]

Thanks everyone for you input here. Weight is not so much the issue here, just the size of my current rig. Looking to tour here in the fall/winter and won't have a huge van or anything, so anything that saves some space but can still move some air would be great! I guess I will need to really to try it to see if I like it. There is one on CL that I might check out.

 

[agedhorse]

I think you might be better served with a higher efficiency 215 or 410 rig and a higher powered head than a combo.

 

[SJLee]

View attachment 3033372 Put mine to work this weekend with a Broughton HP/LP filter. On a stand angled up to me it had more than enough volume for me. Sent through house PA.. when I need a little extra, I pull the head and use either a Berg cn410 or Swr GoLight 4x10, both 4 ohms.

@agedhorse - when taking the WA combo off the floor, either raised or angled, do you lose anything regarding the bottom firing radiator?

That looks like a fun gig.

 

[Al Kraft]

I think you might be better served with a higher efficiency 215 or 410 rig and a higher powered head than a combo.

This is really good advice IME. The WA Scout is the only combo I own and the only one where I have been 100% satisfied living with the trade-off that comes with combos. However, in your situation a light-weight, higher output head and compact high performance cab or cabs (to go modular) would be my first choice.

The WA is not well protected speaker/grill-wise for easily tight packing with other gear and the controls on top don't lend themselves to having stuff thrown in on top of the combo unit IMO. I see the WA combo as better designed for taking along in my own vehicle and not necessarily optimized for packing in with other gear. As always YMMV!

 

[agedhorse]

The WA combos are best transported in a road case, which defeats the size/weight benefits that a combo might help with.

 

[StayLow]

Thanks everyone for you input here. Weight is not so much the issue here, just the size of my current rig. Looking to tour here in the fall/winter and won't have a huge van or anything, so anything that saves some space but can still move some air would be great! I guess I will need to really to try it to see if I like it. There is one on CL that I might check out.

I move a Scout 15" cab often. Seems easy to me. Doesn't weigh much, for its size. The 15" combo is a bit much, especially with just the one handle.

The drummer shouldn't be a problem, unless you're doing hard rock or metal. Depending on the 3rd piece of the trio, if it's a loud guitarist you could easily get buried.

I've found the 12" combo or cab can handle any gig a combo should, and many you wouldn't expect. I'd argue it punches through better than the 15".

The 15" sounds fuller, but I wouldn't expect it to handle a situation the 12" couldn't.

Long time user of both here. From home to studios to large theatres in and outdoors.

Good luck with your gear and tour!

 

[metron]

This may be a little bit of an odd question but for you walkabout owners who also have experience with the 400+, can you compare/contrast them a little? I'm a WA/NV610 user and I'm just curious how a 400+ compares.