Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread Part 10

[Luke the Fluke]

So you are very loud.

What’s with trying to start an argument? In both the Walkabout and GK examples @Chef has just given its clear he’s not talking about volume or loudness but clean headroom - which is a different thing.

 

[Luke the Fluke]

So wattage output power loudness and decibels are all subjective?

yes, dependent on the amount of distortion for a given value.

 

[Al Kraft]

So you are very loud.

I will say that in my case I do actually use some less efficient/lower sensitivity cabs where having a bit more power than one might typically need is a necessity. When viewed from a "total amp/cab system" perspective, there are times when trading off speaker efficiency to get some desirable aspect from the cab isn't a problem if you've got lots of power on hand.

To be specific in my case, the original WA didn't work all that well with my 8 Ohm AudioKinesis C12T, but my D-800 or the WD-800 literally bring that cab to life. In fact one of my favorite cabs with the WD-800 prototype was the AK Changeling - it was easily as room filling as my original WA with my 4 Ohm Berg CN212.

Power and volume, IME are not a consistent one for one relationship when comparing cabs. Like you, I found a cab to use with my original WA that gave me good, clean, gig volume (the CN212) for most things I do, but the WD-800 allows me to get that same thing and more with any of the nine cabinets I own.

 

[rodl2005]

Horses for different folk. Some like Clydesdales..
I never found the GK 400, 700, (don't think I used the 1001) to suit my taste. Sure they got loud, but didn't seem to have gut punch. Yet the lesser powered WA DID.
Perhaps it's the way I play, every one of us sounds different, even using the same gear.
Every opinion is a valid one. Everyone's ears hear differently too.

 

[mikeswals]

.....so far I smell an uptick in D800/800+ FS but not Walkabouts.............

I'm watching this. If so then I'd have to let my WA go as I cant keep everything. I'll wait til my local dealer gets one in to try...I know I said I'd want one, but I dont want to sell WA #6 or 7 chasing another amp just to go back. Cant tell from the vid how much gnarly drive this has.

 

[murphy]

That’s, like, your opinion, man.

 

[rodl2005]

The vid sounded like a good deal of drive in a quick section of it.
Where I live, I won't be able to try it before purchase anytime, so I'll await some real gig reports etc etc...
It sure does look great.
And I'll echo others in thanking Andy for his work and extensive amounts of listening and conversing with TB'ers.
Big, huge thumbs up!

 

[mikeswals]

And I'll echo others in thanking Andy for his work and extensive amounts of listening and conversing with TB'ers.

OMG, the features are amazing! The usb charging port, which I know we mentioned; I could charge my Shure wireless between sets.

 

[Leo was right]

Remember what Leo did in the '60? He did the same thing that did Andy, Randall and all the gang: He listen to what the users asked for.

 

[agedhorse]

So wattage output power loudness and decibels are all subjective?

The need for it is subjective, every player, every situation may have a different need. For your needs, the WA is fine, be happy with that and move on but don't please disrespect other player's if they are not aligned with yours. I'm the first guy to recognize that an amp, no matter how popular, might not be a good choice for a player when it doesn't satisfy his needs.

Horses for different folk. Some like Clydesdales..

I don't care for them myself, riding them is like riding a groin stretching jack hammer

Perhaps it's the way I play, every one of us sounds different, even using the same gear.
Every opinion is a valid one. Everyone's ears hear differently too.

Absolutely.

 

[bigbajo60]

"All I need is for my rig to give me "one horsepower", as long as it's clean power..."

 

[Al Kraft]

I'm watching this. If so then I'd have to let my WA go as I cant keep everything. I'll wait til my local dealer gets one in to try...I know I said I'd want one, but I dont want to sell WA #6 or 7 chasing another amp just to go back. Cant tell from the vid how much gnarly drive this has.

Based on how you stated this, I think you're smart to wait and listen to one before letting go of the original. The original WA could get pretty busy/gnarly without even going too high on the volume. A number of folks found that to be the best feature of the head. I think you'll find some of that characteristic in the WD-800, but depending on what you're looking for and to what degree, this may not have everything you want to meet you tone goal.

 

[sunbeast]

This comment probably saved me a grand, thanks Al.

Seriously though, nice work Mesa! I’m a big fan of the brand for the sounds I get from my amps. All this great procuct development and customer service is icing on the cake. Very cool.

Me too! I'll definitely try one out when they get one in stock at Mesa Hollywood though

 

[sunbeast]

The vid sounded like a good deal of drive in a quick section of it.
Where I live, I won't be able to try it before purchase anytime, so I'll await some real gig reports etc etc...
It sure does look great.
And I'll echo others in thanking Andy for his work and extensive amounts of listening and conversing with TB'ers.
Big, huge thumbs up!

I just listened to the video and the driven section sounded pretty darn good, but very much in the realm of a standard preamp overdrive vs that elusive thing the Walkabout does at gig volume. It does appeal to me much more than the OD from the D-800 or even the preamp drive of my Prodigy based on the demo alone, and perhaps that interesting damping control might get it to respond close enough. All-in-all confirmed I really need to put one through its paces! It seems like a really sweet-sounding and versatile little beast, and the first class-D head I am really excited to try out based on a demo.

 

[metron]

Me too! I'll definitely try one out when they get one in stock at Mesa Hollywood though

Hey sunbeast! I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts when you try one. It might be a while before any are in stock around here.

 

[StayLow]

Agedhorse, I probably tried this years ago but can't recall; what's the net effect of putting a 5751 or 12at7 in the preamp of the WalkAbout... same usable max volume but cleaner, more usable max volume but cleaner, less ...?

Thanks.

 

[agedhorse]

Agedhorse, I probably tried this years ago but can't recall; what's the net effect of putting a 5751 or 12at7 in the preamp of the WalkAbout... same usable max volume but cleaner, more usable max volume but cleaner, less ...?

Thanks.

With a 12AT7, there will tend to be a little more touch dynamics, a little less baseline hair and a little more articulation overall. It won't have much impact on overall power though.

 

[StayLow]

With a 12AT7, there will tend to be a little more touch dynamics, a little less baseline hair and a little more articulation overall. It won't have much impact on overall power though.

I should've asked that in a better way. Clear answer though. Thanks again.

 

[tomydacat]

So my WA serial number is 000011 does that mean the 11 th one made??

 

[Saluki]

Really, I’m not.
It’s nice that way, I don’t have to wear earplugs and no one goes home with ears ringing.

Man, I wish my would stop ringing. Mine ring constant, ugh