- Feb 3, 2005
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- Endorsing artist: Bergantino Audio Systems and GHS Strings
Thanks for info. My silverface is such a great sounding amp.
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Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread Part 10
- Thread starter Chef
- Start date
Thanks for info. My silverface is such a great sounding amp.
I'm having a big concern with my Walkabout (had it for about 3 months). When I first started playing it, I kind of had the feeling that it was underpowered, compared to its reputation. So, up until yesterday, I have not plugged in my M-Pulse 360 since I received the WB. This was at band practice and I and the rest of the guys noticed a HUGE difference in power/volume/perceived volume (at the same setting time on the volume knob)....etc.etc.. In addition, there was a significant and very visible difference in cone movement between the 360 and WB. The extra 60 watts that the 360 has, would be in my opinion, and to pretty much common knowledge on here to be insignificant compared to the WB's 300 watts. This has me really concerned as both heads share the same technology and hardware...…. If this was an M-Pulse 600, I wouldn't be concerned. But since it's a 360, should I be concerned?
Just a quick note...… They are being played through a PH 4x12
Just a quick note...… They are being played through a PH 4x12
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Yeah, that's the feeling I get. Fortunately I live near Petaluma and it's still under warranty.
It's close enough I dropped mine off in person. Great customer service, had my WA back in 4 days. If you're within a couple hours its likely less in gas than shipping both ways and a whole lot safer. Good luck with it.
Did you take your Walkabout in? I just saw your original post and was going to suggest that if your Walkabout doesn't have the bypass switch for the effects loop, to jumper it with a short, shielded cable. Preamp tubes might be a suspect or if your amp has dual input jacks, sometimes the switching functions get dirty and can mess up with the gain of the input section of the amp.
I ended up getting this backpack. Fits nicely in the main compartment plus lots of room for all my other junk.
And a pretty good price.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B079ZZ968M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_sZ4KDb608C3E5
EdwardofHuncote
I Still Dream of Jeannie
- Aug 21, 2013
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- I privately own and operate a local musical instument repair shop.
Just had to post back in... been gigging my Mesa D-800 with a pair of Bag End S15 X-D's this Summer season, but I pulled out my old stand-by, a second-gen silverface WalkAbout in a Scout 15 combo-cab yesterday evening, fliped the switch, and WOW, what a great combo... that thing just absolutely stomps. I needed to blow the cobwebs out of it anyway, but shoot... there's no reason not to be gigging this amp.
yep .. I've pretty much switched to a WD800 for all my gigs this year, but every time I plug the Walkabout back in, it reminds me of how great it sounds.
I added a Noble DI to my regular gigging set-up earlier this year and while a lot of Noble users just run it into the FX return of their various amps, I ended up running mine into the front end of the amps I have just to get a bit more EQ flexibility. But the Walkabout sounds excellent with the Noble running into its FX return. I suspect this has to do with the fact that the Noble signal gets another dose of sweet tube goodness from the WA's tube driver for its own mosfet power section.
such a great amp
Ok everyone, need some thoughts here.
I picked up a used Walkabout 112 Combo. Black face, serial number in the low 5000s. 4ohm Speaker, bypass effects loop switch, single input with switch. Amp does have the 2 Mesa 12ax7 tubes. That’s just to let people know a little about the age/model.
So here is the issue, amp has a lot of distortion/crunch at low volume on low note B/E/A strings. Seems to be in either passive or active mode. Seems to be more with heavy attack on stings. I have tried lower input level and higher output level, and vs verse and makes no difference. I have used both a hot active bass and a passive bass for testing, I have tried with another cabinet, problem stay with amp. I have cleaned the pots, cleaned the jacks, tried the effects bypass cable trick, still same issue. Tubes do not seems microphonic, but I have not replaced them.
I have not called Mesa yet, as it’s the weekend. I also have no idea if unit has had any “updates” or what updates are even done to these. Any one with any ideas please jump in here.
Thanks
I picked up a used Walkabout 112 Combo. Black face, serial number in the low 5000s. 4ohm Speaker, bypass effects loop switch, single input with switch. Amp does have the 2 Mesa 12ax7 tubes. That’s just to let people know a little about the age/model.
So here is the issue, amp has a lot of distortion/crunch at low volume on low note B/E/A strings. Seems to be in either passive or active mode. Seems to be more with heavy attack on stings. I have tried lower input level and higher output level, and vs verse and makes no difference. I have used both a hot active bass and a passive bass for testing, I have tried with another cabinet, problem stay with amp. I have cleaned the pots, cleaned the jacks, tried the effects bypass cable trick, still same issue. Tubes do not seems microphonic, but I have not replaced them.
I have not called Mesa yet, as it’s the weekend. I also have no idea if unit has had any “updates” or what updates are even done to these. Any one with any ideas please jump in here.
Thanks
if you've tried all of those things you listed and the crunch/distortion persists, sounds like you have a problem that requires a tech. IME, a properly working WA is pretty clean with the Gain up to about 12:00 or so. The Master does not give much more usable clean volume much past 12-1:00 ... the amp just gets "rounder/tubbier" past that point ... again this is IME.
Low volume distortion is not a feature of the WA. I'm guessing if Agedhorse were around he would tell you to get it back to Mesa or an otherwise qualified tech unless you are one your self.
You can also reach Mesa customer support here on TB at @MesaBoogie
goodluck
Low volume distortion is not a feature of the WA. I'm guessing if Agedhorse were around he would tell you to get it back to Mesa or an otherwise qualified tech unless you are one your self.
You can also reach Mesa customer support here on TB at @MesaBoogie
goodluck
It’s worth a quick tube swap if you have easy access to a 12AX7 in another amp. Swap one at a time. If the problem doesn’t go away, then you know you’ve got other issues that need attention.
I actually am a tech, but amplifier design is not my normal wheelhouse, I work in RF. Rather than spending the time reinventing the wheel, I figured someone may have had this exact issue and could save me a few hours of poking around. I will probably send it to Mesa, you always get the best results when you go to the source. I am still interested in what everyone has to say though.
Have you tried the amp with a different cab? After eliminating the cab as a possibility I would try switching out each tube one by one with a known good tube to make sure it isn’t tube related (the only issues I’ve ever had with two Walkabouts were tube related and as simple as just swapping in a new one).
Same here. The Mesa Russian 2 tube in my late Silverface caused a 90% drop in output volume. Replaced with a spare Mesa JJ I had from another amp and was right back in business. It sounded so good, I replaced the Russian in my other WA with another Mesa JJ too.
