Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread Part 10

[MarkA]

gigs

i remember those

Yeah, I do, too...

 

[Chef]

One horse surrey, the economy rig.
So much more grain efficient than those 20 mule team touring surrey-buses.

 

[StayLow]

Yes, this is the main reason for not offering a 800 watt combo w/ 400 watts into 8 ohms.

When a manufacturer provides a 5 year warranty on a combo, it's prudent to consider the ramifications of the design choices on warranty claims.

The choices are to use high enough power drivers, two or more drivers or limit the power. Limiting power goes against the performance goals, high powered drivers and multiple drivers typically drive the size, weight and price to marginally acceptable levels (for the majority of players)

How many of you would even be willing to consider an $1800 combo for example?

I would. My PJB Suitcase is some of the best bang-for-buck gear money I've ever spent, and the Walkabout Scout combo cost that much, or close to it, in today's dollars when it came out, no?

 

[MarkA]

One horse surrey, the economy rig.
So much more grain efficient than those 20 mule team touring surrey-buses.

I was trying to work out a response that involved the phrase "high-grain amplifier" somehow, but, yeah... no.

 

[Snaxster]

Yes, this is the main reason for not offering a 800 watt combo w/ 400 watts into 8 ohms.

When a manufacturer provides a 5 year warranty on a combo, it's prudent to consider the ramifications of the design choices on warranty claims.

The choices are to use high enough power drivers, two or more drivers or limit the power. Limiting power goes against the performance goals, high powered drivers and multiple drivers typically drive the size, weight and price to marginally acceptable levels (for the majority of players)

How many of you would even be willing to consider an $1800 combo for example?

Maybe a $2800 combo? I would consider it, Andy.

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[DrDAV14]

Andy,
I'm in.
I had Don at LDS build me a 410 that housed my Walkabout head same as the combo. Infinite baffle 410, tilt back casters,74lbs.... There's a thief out there somewhere in Texas most likely enjoying it right now.

 

[Leo was right]

I would. My PJB Suitcase is some of the best bang-for-buck gear money I've ever spent, and the Walkabout Scout combo cost that much, or close to it, in today's dollars when it came out, no?

The 800 is so light, just put velcro between the head and the SW112 and you are very near of a combo.

 

[Chef]

Club heads up:
as you guys maybe remember, I bought a new/used walkabout a few weeks ago.
As it was a 4 ohm unit, and I can see myself running an extension cab, I bought a new 8 ohm speaker for it.
so: I have a 12" 4 ohm speaker extra at this point.
If anyone here wants it, $60, or, trade for your 8 ohm unit,
thread here:

For Sale/Trade - 12" Mesa Walkabout 4 ohm speaker

 

[Rob Martini]

Yes, this is the main reason for not offering a 800 watt combo w/ 400 watts into 8 ohms.

When a manufacturer provides a 5 year warranty on a combo, it's prudent to consider the ramifications of the design choices on warranty claims.

The choices are to use high enough power drivers, two or more drivers or limit the power. Limiting power goes against the performance goals, high powered drivers and multiple drivers typically drive the size, weight and price to marginally acceptable levels (for the majority of players)

How many of you would even be willing to consider an $1800 combo for example?

I would be in for a sub 40 lb 400 watt 12 combo priced at $1800 if the head was one of the 800 watt Subways and I could take the head out like I can with my Walkabout combo.

Even better if I could use the WD 800 I already have and just buy the cab portion. If it had to be powered by the D800 only, I would still be in.

 

[Rob Martini]

Andy,
I'm in.
I had Don at LDS build me a 410 that housed my Walkabout head same as the combo. Infinite baffle 410, tilt back casters,74lbs.... There's a thief out there somewhere in Texas most likely enjoying it right now.

Someone stole that from you? I am very sorry to hear that. It was cool.

 

[fakeneckplate'65]

How loud would the Mesa Walkabout head be through an 8ohm GK 212 NEO cab? I understand it's around 140 watts @ 8ohms.

 

[gillento]

How loud would the Mesa Walkabout head be through an 8ohm GK 212 NEO cab? I understand it's around 140 watts @ 8ohms.

I used that combo in a 90's type crossover / rap'n'roll band and it worked fine. Actually it sounded great

 

[treyandres]

How loud would the Mesa Walkabout head be through an 8ohm GK 212 NEO cab? I understand it's around 140 watts @ 8ohms.

I couldn’t keep up with a blackface Bassman/212 guitar rig and drummer in our 3 piece blues band with a WalkAbout/NV212T pairing (sealed cab). Had to be a 4 ohm 212 cab to get up to a functional volume with the WalkAbout.

 

[Al Kraft]

Had to be a 4 ohm 212 cab to get up to a functional volume with the WalkAbout.

Same experience I've had...the WA does much better IMO with a 4 Ohm 212 where it can open up a bit. I really like the Berg CN212 and WA combination. Also, using a HPF with the WA when you want it drive it hard gives you some extra headroom.

 

[fakeneckplate'65]

What about using a 4ohm 15" cab?

I'm playing in a four piece in small, sub 100 occupant bars. Well, I was anyway, hey not sure how things will be once live music resumes.

 

[Al Kraft]

What about using a 4ohm 15" cab?

I'm playing in a four piece in small, sub 100 occupant bars. Well, I was anyway, hey not sure how things will be once live music resumes.

It will work fine IME (using a SW115 for instance), but I find the additional speaker area of an efficient 212 is able to get me more volume and punch with the power available. The problem with the WA is that as you push it harder it can start to become unfocused and overly blooming in the bottom end.

To me this was always the limiting factor when going for higher volume. The problem then starts to compound itself as that big low end requires even more of the available power the higher the volume goes. A HPF can buy you a little help, but if you want volume with a WA it's been my experience that having a fair amount of efficicent/high sensitivity speaker area helps a lot.

As always, YMMV!

 

[treyandres]

It will work fine IME (using a SW115 for instance), but I find the additional speaker area of an efficient 212 is able to get me more volume and punch with the power available. The problem with the WA is that as you push it harder it can start to become unfocused and overly blooming in the bottom end.

To me this was always the limiting factor when going for higher volume. The problem then starts to compound itself as that big low end requires even more of the available power the higher the volume goes. A HPF can buy you a little help, but if you want volume with a WA it's been my experience that having a fair amount of efficicent/high sensitivity speaker area helps a lot.

As always, YMMV!

Couldn’t agree more. This is what my WA currently lives on:

The Ag SL212 is very efficient and gives me plenty of clean headroom without getting too flubby or bloomy.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Couldn’t agree more. This is what my WA currently lives on:
View attachment 3845461
The Ag SL212 is very efficient and gives me plenty of clean headroom without getting too flubby or bloomy.

That picture gives me feelings.

 

[fakeneckplate'65]

Couldn’t agree more. This is what my WA currently lives on:
View attachment 3845461
The Ag SL212 is very efficient and gives me plenty of clean headroom without getting too flubby or bloomy.

Hmm, I really don't want to buy additional cabs to suit the amp. Maybe it's just not for me, hmm.

 

[treyandres]

Hmm, I really don't want to buy additional cabs to suit the amp. Maybe it's just not for me, hmm.

Nothing but nothing sounds like a WalkAbout. Try it with the 4 ohm 15 and see if it works for you. But don’t give up that WA unless you’re sure you’ve found something else that gives you a tone you’re happy with. A lot of guys on this thread have given theirs up only to find another one later because they realized nothing else sounds quite like it.