The thing is, I'm going to check one out today & may not have a chance to give it a go during a gig in weeks/months. Sounds like it may be worth the risk though.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread Part 10
- Thread starter Chef
- Start date
How common is it for the Walkabout to need to return to Mesa for updates? It seems like a common topic in this thread. I believe the amp I'm considering is fairly new, but, it does not have the top vents.
The only visible, non-aesthetic changes you’ll be able to see are the vents on the newest black model, an Active/Passive switch on the input (in place of dual input jacks), and an FX Loop Bypass switch on the back. @agedhorse has mentioned that there have been some internal changes over the years, but there are none that I am aware of that are necessary for a killer functioning amp. There are still people rocking the first generation Walkabouts without issues (though I would probably at least get the two switch mods done to one of those early ones because signal cutouts from oxidation of unused jacks are a known issue in the earliest Walkabouts without those switches).
The vented panel is probably a great option if you find yourself slamming your amp in hot rooms a lot, but I’ve done that with my non-vented Walkabout many times with no issues.
Strongly agree with this post. I've had my WA for 13 years (purchased new) and have never modified it in any way or sent it in. (I think I had to dust off the jacks on the back once to stop some minor static.) During that time, I have seen TBers send in the amp for updates, but I don't think they were having any actual issues. I have also seen folks install quieter fans (it's audible if you're very close to it and not playing), but I've found this modification completely unnecessary even for recording situations.
I've never sent mine in, including 1st-gen redface, and never will unless it fails. After about 20 years, so far so good.
What gigs it can handle really depends on the volume of your band. I've been very pleasantly surprised, even shocked, at the gig's mine's handled with just a 1x12.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,942
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
I have three different generations of WalkAbouts (redface, blackface, and the very last new one sold by Mesa Hollywood), and none of them have been sent in for service and they all work extremely well.
I love so much his big brother Mp600 that I have hard time imagine something better but if you say it. Have you ever compare it? If yes what's you comment about?
I briefly had the MP360 and the WA at the same time, but the WA just sounds better
Alright, alright.. I'm going to go try it out on Saturday, probably.. I'm a little concerned that it wont be enough to gig. I typically play small bars though. I currently play a Gallien Krueger 700RBII with an 8ohm 212 NEO cab. I bought this cab right as quarantine started & gigs got canceled, so I've yet to use it. This combo will make the GK a little redundant as it will basically replace the GK.
Help fellas, help..
Help fellas, help..
The 700RB has a naturally more punchy/midrange-forward tone to it when set flat that can definitely punch through a mix well (and an extra 180 watts of headroom). Getting a similar response from the Walkabout may require some creative EQ’ing, and I think the Mesa is inherently smoother as it gets pushed.
I’ve only ever gigged my Walkabout at 4 ohms, through either the 15” combo, my old 12” combo, or a 6x10 cab. The 15 has been plenty loud for most normal gigs, but in a very loud rock band w/ unrestrained drummer and no PA help it’s not likely to cut it unless you get really midrange-extreme with the EQ and cut out the low-end quite a bit. That amp through a lot of speakers is enough for most loud music in a bar as long as you don’t need thundering low-end (which eats up the power quickly).
Personally I wouldn’t rely on it at 8 ohms except for fairly quiet gigs (jazz gigs or gigs with no drummer). That’s not to say it might not work out, but it just won’t give you much headroom to work with and definitely can get pretty compressed and a bit farty when you push it too far.
I appreciate it. This may be the most helpful reply yet. I kind of figured it wouldn't work @ 8 ohms & could only rely on the 4 ohm 15" speaker. I probably ought to play my GK through the 212 NEO as intended. I don't have a single 4 ohm cab. Thank you
What is the 15” cab you have? A Walkabout through a 15” is a wonderful combo! It’s tough because on one side I want to recommend the amp because they sound phenomenal, but on the other end of it the power is definitely it’s biggest shortfall (as you can read if you go back through the Mega-threads). I found in my main band of the last several years that I had to push it to its limits to keep up (even through the 610 cab!) but that was an exceptionally LOUD band, and pretty uncommon in this day and age for the small bar scene. For most reasonable volume gigs the 15” combo was just right and didn’t require pushing the amp to its limits (I find there is a sweet spot with the Walkabout where it sounds best pushed a bit on the power side much like a tube head, but when you pass that sweet spot it definitely does not respond as sweetly as a tube head!).
Given that you won’t really have an opportunity to test it for some time in a gig it may not be the best investment right now unless you happen to have that extra money burning a hole in your pocket!
I have a hard time imagining a bassist not liking a Walkabout unless they are only about super linear/bright/hi-fi tones. I will probably always have a more powerful amp option around to use, but plan to keep a Walkabout indefinitely because it sounds so sweet.
I'm curious which would be louder - the 1 15" 4 ohm cab or the 212 at 8 ohms.
The amp will produce more power with the 4 ohm load but the 212 may move more air.
Can you test out at volume before the show?
I play a Walkabout through 2 12inch cabs for all of my indoor shows - not 8 ohms though ...
Thanks for reply, one day I will borrow one and try. It is funny because their design seem very similar to Mp600, MP360 ect, so it is hard to imgine what should be different but I know that the WA was the keystone sonically for thw WD-800 so I guess it is the winner.I briefly had the MP360 and the WA at the same time, but the WA just sounds better
View attachment 3846444
More cone area wins every time.
Yeah its hard to say, and a good point- the 2x12 at 4 ohms would be the obvious choice and certainly a formidable small rig! Its all a matter of subjective needs and the particular tone/design of the cabs as well- I've never played that particular 212 cab, but they are well-loved by many on here for their volume and tone in a small/light package. My experience with the 15" combo is that it is a great small gig solution, though it is a pain to carry long distances without wheels.
At reasonable volumes you could use the Mesa with both cabs as many of us have done, but of course no longer recommended by Mesa.
Al Kraft
Supporting Member
- May 2, 2016
- 10,769
- 40,442
- Disclosures
- Mesa Boogie beta product tester and player support
In the case here where it's the GK Neo 212 I think the 212 might be surprising. I own two Neo 112II's and they are very efficient cabs when it comes to producing volume - I've played the Neo 212 and it is every bit as capable.
I've actually used my two cabs with a GK MB 200 head and didn't have it turned up all the way. My WA feels a lot more powerful despite what a pure comparison of specs would tell you. Admittedly I was running at 4 Ohms with the two cabs, but I still think even an 8 Ohm GK Neo 212 will be impressive with the WA albeit not quite the noise maker the 700 RB is.
Yeah I was definitely thinking in comparative terms with the 700RBII, because those amps (as well as the 800RB and 400RB) are voiced in a more mid-forward way that naturally cuts through despite fairly modest wattage ratings. The Walkabout can get there too with EQ, but is naturally voiced in a more fat way that tends to suck up it's wattage.
