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Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread Part 10

#3,984
Coolhandjjl said:
Why bother? Easier just to change the end of the existing cord. Don’t want to add any other connections to introduce noise, or more places for the connections to fail either.
Click to expand...
Google the prices on their products and you’ll see why it makes more sense to resell that cable and buy or build a new one rather than modifying it permanently...
 
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#3,993
Andy Field: sorry for any confusion - I wasn't exactly sure of the proper cable parts terminology when I posted.

Yes - it is the over-molded jack 'barrel' assembly that cannot fit in fully next to the left handle, and prevents the jack tip 'sleeve' from being fully inserted.
Obviously a different cord can be used, or my cables modified - but the best scenario IMO is for an amp design to not locate an input jack where this is even an issue to be dealt with.
Same IMO also for the mute switch and power amp dampening knob locations, where access is somewhat hampered by the handles.
As stated by others, I too wish that both of the front panel handles could be removed, or even not placed on the amp at all - when the additional new features were added to the front panel.

Just providing some 'in-the-trenches' user feedback - that maybe can be considered regarding any potential future revisions/updates of the WD-800. Great amp otherwise IMO.
 
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#3,995
GeeBass said:
Andy Field: sorry for any confusion - I wasn't exactly sure of the proper speaker cable parts terminology when I posted.

Yes - it is the over-molded jack 'barrel' assembly that cannot fit in fully next to the left handle, and prevents the jack tip 'sleeve' from being fully inserted.
Obviously a different cord can be used, or my cables modified - but the best scenario IMO is for an amp design to not locate an input jack where this is even an issue to be dealt with.
Same IMO also for the mute switch and power amp dampening knob locations, where access is somewhat hampered by the handles.
As stated by others, I too wish that both of the front panel handles could be removed, or even not placed on the amp at all - when the additional new features were added to the front panel.

Just providing some 'in-the-trenches' user feedback - that maybe can be considered regarding any potential future revisions/updates of the WD-800. Great amp otherwise IMO.
Click to expand...

This is one of the tradeoffs to keeping the amp more compact. This has been one of the most important "features" of all new amps, and because of the size, the handles were included to better protect the controls.

As far as the plug not fitting, as a designer I can't see why in the world ANY cable manufacturer would do something like this, it goes completely against the industry norm. It's like guys putting stupid big tires on their car and then realizing that they won't clear their fenders. If you go against the industry, you are going to run into these kinds of problems.

If you can't make the amp work to your satisfaction, it may not be the right amp for you. There are a whole lot of really good amps to choose from out there if your boutique cable is in fact a deal breaker.
 
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#3,999
StayLow said:
Sooooo exceptionally diplomatic.
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Can you suggest a better way to phrase this?

IMO, it's no different than a manufacturer choosing to make a 1/4" plug larger than 1/4" and not fitting the standard 1/4" jack (which has been done and resulted in some bent up contacts on jacks), or a bass builder choosing a scale's intonation that is different than everybody else. How about making a wrench that everybody else calls 1/2" yet is slightly smaller and won't fit most standard 1/2" bolt heads?

Wherever possible, I follow industry standards. Why? Because it makes things so much more compatible for everybody, and it minimizes this kind of inconvenience. When a product is compatible with 99.99% of all plugs sold on the market, an oddball plug that won't fit is the outlier, not the amp.

Incidentally, exactly the same issue comes up with 1/4" and TT patch bays. They are designed with a particular spacing to be compatible with all standard diameter barrels plugs, most won't even accept the standard Jumbo size, but this is accepted since the Jumbos are almost always reserved for speaker applications only.
 
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#4,000
When I first looked at the WD-800 I noticed that handle was very close proximity to the input jack. The first thing I thought of was simply removing the handles and throwing in a few nice looking hex/cap bolts instead. Not sure if that's possible or not... or if it would void your warranty etc. I never needed handles on my walkabout in all these years hence why my mind immediately wandered in that direction! I'm quite excited to give this amp a try at some point especially given that the WA is one of my all-time favs.:thumbsup:
 

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