Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread Part 10

[sunbeast]

Hi, I am a Boogie owner since 2 years only, I had a multitude of Ampeg, Eden, SWR, Traynor, Fender over the years up to the moments I have the chance to try the Mpulse600 and after, the BigBlock750, then I sold everything else in my setup, I didn't have the chance to try yet the WalkAbout and the WD800. I just note the consensus that everybody say the WA is the the sweetest thing on the earth in term of bass sound.

My questions is :
How close are the others models of the Mpulse family from the WA?
What differ in the circuitry between hte WA and these models?
Can somebody, who have tried the WA and others, testify the difference sonically?
Is the difference can come from the lower power / more saturation?

I remember an old interview of Jeff Beck saying about vintage Marshall guitar amp that his prefered was the JTM 45 watts instead of the Super Lead 100 watts. Is the fact that the WA 300 watts is pushed more than the biggers ones, that give his musicality?

Do somebody have a clue on this mystery?

Haha! There are at least 10 threads of people speculating over this very thing for the last 15ish years. Now that we have an engineer from Mesa regularly on here we have verified that it is a very particular power section that behaves in some similar ways to a tube power section when pushed. As @agedhorse (said engineer) has mentioned, many of these qualities can’t really be scaled up linearly ( much like lower wattage guitar heads) - so the other mPulse heads aren’t quite the same. The WD800 is one attempt to get some similar tones with more power, but there is as of yet no high-powered equivalent to a pushed Walkabout!

 

[bumble yeti]

I'm in on this! I was looking for a powerful, USA-made bass combo and I stumbled on the Walkabout. I found a 12" model on Guitar Center Used online for $850 but I talked them down over the phone to $600. It's an early silver-face model with the date given inside the amp as 2001. It has the active/passive inputs, no player network, no fx loop bypass.

It had some issues and looked like it was gigged hard. I first used wood-glue and a gloss black paint pen to fix the spots where the tolex was coming loose or chipped off. Then I took off all the knobs and scrubbed them with soap to get the dirt off. Every jack and pot got a good deoxit scrub (this very thread had a tip to use a bent pipe cleaner to get the inside of the jacks- genius!). I replaced the handle because the old one was held together with electrical tape. The fan wasn't working so I did the SilenX fan replacement, again from this thread (all I have to say is everyone here must be WAY better solderers than I am because that was not easy in that cramped space!). I must have blown out one pound of dust bunnies inside the amp. The stock tubes were totally dead and one was microphonic so I replaced them with a NOS General Electric 12AX7 in V1 and a JJ 12AX7 gold pin V2.

All I can say is it sounds unbelievable. It's the first amp in years that really hit me with that inspiring feeling. The notes just feel so alive and the low-mids are so thick. I used the EQ tip from here to use the first parametric band to scoop out some of the real lows and boost the Bass knob a bit, which really made it pump.

Have taken it to practice a few times, just the one 1x12 combo has no trouble in my post-rock trio. It handles effects very well. I play a Bass VI (six strings, tuned as a guitar one octave down) and it gives the guitar-sounding strings a very sweet sound.

I must have read almost every page of this mega thread off and on at work while I was waiting to get home and play it more. I had no idea this amp had a cult following until after I bought it and played it awhile. I'm looking forward to the next time someone asks if anyone has ever tried sending its preamp to a bigger power amp and the next time someone asks if you can run it at 2ohms!

Welcome to the heard!!!
As in, "You heard it and there ain't nuthin' else like it."

 

[Leo was right]

Haha! There are at least 10 threads of people speculating over this very thing for the last 15ish years. Now that we have an engineer from Mesa regularly on here we have verified that it is a very particular power section that behaves in some similar ways to a tube power section when pushed. As @agedhorse (said engineer) has mentioned, many of these qualities can’t really be scaled up linearly ( much like lower wattage guitar heads) - so the other mPulse heads aren’t quite the same. The WD800 is one attempt to get some similar tones with more power, but there is as of yet no high-powered equivalent to a pushed Walkabout!

Thanks If only I can fall on a WA in my area and try it to see really the difference.

 

[pfschim]

I have owned, or currently own the Walkabout (v2), MPulse 600, Subway D800+ and WD800 (along with many other amps over the past 50 years).

The Walkabout shares a bit of tone with the MPulse 600, given that they both have 12AX7 based tube preamps and use a tube driver for the Mosfet power section ... but they are not very much the same at all. Many a Walkabout player has been disappointed to discover that, while the MPulse 600 sounds very good, it is NOT a higher powered Walkabout. Even the MPulse 360 does not really sound like the Walkabout even though they are closer in total power.

I have heard that the Titan Big-Block V12 had more in common with the Walkabout than the rest, but I never used one, so I can't comment directly on why that might be.

I have also heard that the Walkabout was designed more like a guitar amp, and that's at least one of the reasons that it could not just simply scale up with a bigger power section. Not sure how that relates, but I have heard that said by those who would have some insights there.

There is definitely something in how the 4 stage tube preamp of the Walkabout drives the Mosfet power section .. some kind of sag/push (sorry not a technical idea) that makes it so musical. Its also one of its limits, as higher up the Gain/Master volume (IMO/IME, over 1:00) control levels, the Walkabout loses some of its magic and becomes kind of flabby/loose. The other thing at work is the Bass, Treble and the very important passive Mids section, as well as the very well positioned Parametric EQ section of the Walkabout.

Its well worth trying one out if you can, they are wonderful amps within their sweet spot. I use the WD800 most of the time now, but I will never sell my Walkabout.

 

[Leo was right]

I have owned, or currently own the Walkabout (v2), MPulse 600, Subway D800+ and WD800 (along with many other amps over the past 50 years).

The Walkabout shares a bit of tone with the MPulse 600, given that they both have 12AX7 based tube preamps and use a tube driver for the Mosfet power section ... but they are not very much the same at all. Many a Walkabout player has been disappointed to discover that, while the MPulse 600 sounds very good, it is NOT a higher powered Walkabout. Even the MPulse 360 does not really sound like the Walkabout even though they are closer in total power.

I have heard that the Titan Big-Block V12 had more in common with the Walkabout than the rest, but I never used one, so I can't comment directly on why that might be.

I have also heard that the Walkabout was designed more like a guitar amp, and that's at least one of the reasons that it could not just simply scale up with a bigger power section. Not sure how that relates, but I have heard that said by those who would have some insights there.

There is definitely something in how the 4 stage tube preamp of the Walkabout drives the Mosfet power section .. some kind of sag/push (sorry not a technical idea) that makes it so musical. Its also one of its limits, as higher up the Gain/Master volume (IMO/IME, over 1:00) control levels, the Walkabout loses some of its magic and becomes kind of flabby/loose. The other thing at work is the Bass, Treble and the very important passive Mids section, as well as the very well positioned Parametric EQ section of the Walkabout.

Its well worth trying one out if you can, they are wonderful amps within their sweet spot. I use the WD800 most of the time now, but I will never sell my Walkabout.

Thanks Pfschim, really nice to share your experience with that. I heard that the big block 750 (which sound very different of the 600 and maybe closer to the Titan) is like two WA sticked together (urban legend?).

Do you feel that the spirit of the WA is present in the WD800?

 

[Al Kraft]

Do you feel that the spirit of the WA is present in the WD800?

I agree with all the comments above and would say that for me there is definitely some obvious WA family resemblance in the WD-800. Although it's more like a modern take on the WA with some additional tone shaping features.

It is not a higher powered WA. However, when you start pushing the WD for serious power output at low damping it does exhibit some WA qualities, albeit in a much more composed manner. I still own two WA's, but find myself reaching for the WD mostly for gigs these days and being quite satisfied.

 

[n!k]

I used to have the 1x12 combo and a 1x12 extension cab that a TB user built himself to the same specs as the WA extension cab, just without the passive radiator

This makes sense, those extension cabs seem about as rare as hen's teeth. I like just the combo for now, but it would be cool to have a matching walkabout cab just for looks.

 

[Leo was right]

I agree with all the comments above and would say that for me there is definitely some obvious WA family resemblance in the WD-800. Although it's more like a modern take on the WA with some additional tone shaping features.

It is not a higher powered WA. However, when you start pushing the WD for serious power output at low damping it does exhibit some WA qualities, albeit in a much more composed manner. I still own two WA's, but find myself reaching for the WD mostly for gigs these days and being quite satisfied.

I feel that the damping control on the WD800 is the idea of the century... and many others features...

 

[pfschim]

Thanks Pfschim, really nice to share your experience with that. I heard that the big block 750 (which sound very different of the 600 and maybe closer to the Titan) is like two WA sticked together (urban legend?).

Do you feel that the spirit of the WA is present in the WD800?

yes, very much so ... to me it's less apparent at lower volumes, but when I gig with the WD800 at higher volumes it feels like the WD800 picks up where the WA would kind of wuss-out and it just gets better and better as you turn it up, and so the WD800 much more useful to me for the way I gig now.

Again, all that being said, I still love the sound of the Walkabout. At low/medium volumes I still prefer it over the WD800 and I'll never sell mine. I will also give another example of the Walkabouts great design. I recently added the Noble DI (Fenderish tube pre/DI) to my tone shaping tools ... with most amps I prefer to send the Noble to the input of the amp, including the WD800 (so, I'm stacking preamps .. but I use small amounts of EQ tweaking so it's not overkill to my ears) ... but the Noble into the Walkabout FX return is something quite wonderful .. thick, full, defined .. kick-ass. In this config, the Noble DI is hitting the Walkabouts tube driver for its mosfet power section ... great combination!

 

[bassmonkeee]

Well, that was a first--my Walkabout Scout shut down mid-gig last night from over-heating. But it was an outdoor gig, and the amp had been in the sun for two hours from soundcheck to gig at 6pm. In Georgia. Luckily, I had the ability to DI into the PA and run through monitors so no huge deal.

I'll definitely need to figure something out before we play there again...in August. Maybe take it out of the cabinet and put a fan on it. Or, just leave it at home and buy a DI.

 

[Luke the Fluke]

I have owned, or currently own the Walkabout (v2), MPulse 600, Subway D800+ and WD800 (along with many other amps over the past 50 years).

The Walkabout shares a bit of tone with the MPulse 600, given that they both have 12AX7 based tube preamps and use a tube driver for the Mosfet power section ... but they are not very much the same at all. Many a Walkabout player has been disappointed to discover that, while the MPulse 600 sounds very good, it is NOT a higher powered Walkabout. Even the MPulse 360 does not really sound like the Walkabout even though they are closer in total power.

I have heard that the Titan Big-Block V12 had more in common with the Walkabout than the rest, but I never used one, so I can't comment directly on why that might be.

I have also heard that the Walkabout was designed more like a guitar amp, and that's at least one of the reasons that it could not just simply scale up with a bigger power section. Not sure how that relates, but I have heard that said by those who would have some insights there.

There is definitely something in how the 4 stage tube preamp of the Walkabout drives the Mosfet power section .. some kind of sag/push (sorry not a technical idea) that makes it so musical. Its also one of its limits, as higher up the Gain/Master volume (IMO/IME, over 1:00) control levels, the Walkabout loses some of its magic and becomes kind of flabby/loose. The other thing at work is the Bass, Treble and the very important passive Mids section, as well as the very well positioned Parametric EQ section of the Walkabout.

Its well worth trying one out if you can, they are wonderful amps within their sweet spot. I use the WD800 most of the time now, but I will never sell my Walkabout.

I was selling a GK combo to a fella and he had a Mpulse 600 and two Walkabout and kinda left me in a studio to play with them and intimated they were up for sale if I was interested in a trade. The biggest difference I found in the Walkabout and Mpulse 600 was the Mpulse’s parametric eq seemed to have a much narrower Q and felt a lot less musical, similar to the Thunderfunk i previously had. The Walkabout was much wider Q and way more musical sounding to my mind

 

[Luke the Fluke]

Well, that was a first--my Walkabout Scout shut down mid-gig last night from over-heating. But it was an outdoor gig, and the amp had been in the sun for two hours from soundcheck to gig at 6pm. In Georgia. Luckily, I had the ability to DI into the PA and run through monitors so no huge deal.

I'll definitely need to figure something out before we play there again...in August. Maybe take it out of the cabinet and put a fan on it. Or, just leave it at home and buy a DI.

at 4ohms?

 

[Coolhandjjl]

...those extension cabs seem about as rare as hen's teeth...

There seem to be lots of ‘headless’ genuine Walkabout Scouts out there. That’s what my extension cab is.

 

[bassmonkeee]

at 4ohms?

It's the 4 ohm combo, yeah.

I was thinking that next time, I'd take the head out of the combo and use it with one 8 ohm 1x12 cab, instead. And, also keep the head out of the sun until gig time and maybe use a long speaker cable so it can be under the canopy covering the mixer and out of the sun.

 

[agedhorse]

Well, that was a first--my Walkabout Scout shut down mid-gig last night from over-heating. But it was an outdoor gig, and the amp had been in the sun for two hours from soundcheck to gig at 6pm. In Georgia. Luckily, I had the ability to DI into the PA and run through monitors so no huge deal.

I'll definitely need to figure something out before we play there again...in August. Maybe take it out of the cabinet and put a fan on it. Or, just leave it at home and buy a DI.

If this was at 4 ohms, has the amp been serviced and does it have the factory updates?

If it was at less than 4 ohms, this is not recommended for this reason.

 

[MarkA]

...The biggest difference I found in the Walkabout and Mpulse 600 was the Mpulse’s parametric eq seemed to have a much narrower Q and felt a lot less musical, similar to the Thunderfunk i previously had. The Walkabout was much wider Q and way more musical sounding to my mind

This is the first I've heard this mentioned with regard to the MPulse 600 and the Walkabout. I've never played the MPulse and don't own a Walkabout anymore, but that (Q/width in semi-parametric EQs) is something that's been on my mind, lately.

I have a TFunk 550B that I haven't played in awhile and an Orange 4-Stroke 500 that I picked up locally, some months back. Both use semi-parametric EQs. I found myself wishing, recently, that the Q on the 4-Stroke's EQ was a bit wider, but I guess that there would be tradeoffs there and it might just be how I've been using it. (That is, I'm ready to say that I found myself wanting a wider Q a couple of times, but not ready to say, "Orange should really make this with a wider Q on the semi-parametric bands." I have found some settings I like and would say that the EQ is pretty flexible and effective overall -- but I digress.) Will have to A/B the amps with regard to EQ, sometime.

 

[bassmonkeee]

If this was at 4 ohms, has the amp been serviced and does it have the factory updates?

If it was at less than 4 ohms, this is not recommended for this reason.

It's a blackface Walkabout, but it doesn't have the venting on the back of the Scout enclosure. It was running at 4 ohms.

Sat in the sun for two hours before the show started, and made it 75 minutes into the show before giving up. When it shut down, the light was still on. I turned it off and went DI. When set was done, I turned it on and it performed normally for the 15 seconds I tried it. And, it's worked flawlessly at my 5 4 hour indoor gigs this month. Unless you think otherwise, I'm going with "don't leave the amp in direct sunlight for two hours before playing an outdoor gig in Georgia."

This was right after I set up, and you can see the sun was right about to be full on the cab in about 10 minutes. This was before they plugged the DI from the amp into the PA.

 

[agedhorse]

I would check with customer service, this is not normal for a fully updated amp.

 

[n!k]

Anyone ever get any rattle in their walkabout cabinet when playing certain notes? I think mine is the tweeter or near. It kind of sounds like someone shaking a tambourine along with your playing (if I can't fix the rattle, I must just keep this free percussionist!). It took a lot of narrowing down from the amp to the woofer to sitting on the cabinet and such before I narrowed down to the tweeter.

I improved things by removing the screws for the tweeter and filling the holes with wood glue and some broken toothpicks. It rattles much less and on different notes this time, but it's still there. To my ear I'd almost swear it's coming from the tweeter itself. Does the tweeter need some maintenance itself or do I have to just keep searching for this elusive rattle?

 

[agedhorse]

Anyone ever get any rattle in their walkabout cabinet when playing certain notes? I think mine is the tweeter or near. It kind of sounds like someone shaking a tambourine along with your playing (if I can't fix the rattle, I must just keep this free percussionist!). It took a lot of narrowing down from the amp to the woofer to sitting on the cabinet and such before I narrowed down to the tweeter.

I improved things by removing the screws for the tweeter and filling the holes with wood glue and some broken toothpicks. It rattles much less and on different notes this time, but it's still there. To my ear I'd almost swear it's coming from the tweeter itself. Does the tweeter need some maintenance itself or do I have to just keep searching for this elusive rattle?

Could be that the tweeter is damaged, or something electronic is being reproduced by the tweeter.