Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread Part 10

[Coolhandjjl]

I use an FDeck HPF, as the last pedal in my chain.

 

[Leo was right]

A Walkabout into a 8X10 is a little monster!

 

[Rob Martini]

Ok. This walkabout is awesome and I’m pumped that I got one. It’s an old silver face with red and it has not undergone any of the mods I have read about in other threads - the active/passive switch etc. is it worth the hassle to see if Mesa would do this or if it this is a ain’t broke don’t break it type situation.
Thing sounds so good. Very impressed and will be my new rig moving forward. Contemplating an extension cab but I’ve seen somethings across the threads saying that by adding an extension cab it doesn’t mean that it gets louder which doesn’t make sense to me. Mine is a 4ohm and I understand while there seem to be nO real issues running at 2 or 2.67 Mesa doesn’t recommend it. So how would having 2 speakers not be louder than 1. Maybe I’m just misunderstanding. I’m also somewhat an idiot when it comes to ohms and the physics of this.

Thanks for any help

I have used a Walkabout with 4 and 8 ohm speakers along with the extension cab for many years. 12s and 15s.

The 12 with matching extension cab is quite a bit louder than just the 12. When I added the 15 ext to the 12 combo it was much louder and deeper. I have never had or tried 2 15s.

I suspect that as these amps age, they are more likely to be damaged by running ohms below 4. I only did that once and it was the only time I ever felt the amp get hot. I never noticed a volume difference between a 4 and 8 ohm speaker in my 12 combo so I almost always keep an 8 ohm speaker in there.

The combo 12 + 15 ext is the loudest, nicest sounding (to me) set up using different combinations of these pieces and no piece is particularly heavy to lift.

the 15 with no amp is 42 lbs. lighter than the 12 combo.

 

[J_WELF]

I’m gonna need you to talk to me like a 5 year old HAHA. This sounds like I should just get 8 ohm speaker (which I assume I could get from Mesa), instead of running mixed ohms - not accounting for cost lol

We stopped making the 4 ohm version because there was no net increase in max SPL due to the lower sensitivity of the 4 ohm driver near rated power.

 

[J_WELF]

this is helpful. Thanks!

I have used a Walkabout with 4 and 8 ohm speakers along with the extension cab for many years. 12s and 15s.

The 12 with matching extension cab is quite a bit louder than just the 12. When I added the 15 ext to the 12 combo it was much louder and deeper. I have never had or tried 2 15s.

I suspect that as these amps age, they are more likely to be damaged by running ohms below 4. I only did that once and it was the only time I ever felt the amp get hot. I never noticed a volume difference between a 4 and 8 ohm speaker in my 12 combo so I almost always keep an 8 ohm speaker in there.

The combo 12 + 15 ext is the loudest, nicest sounding (to me) set up using different combinations of these pieces and no piece is particularly heavy to lift.

the 15 with no amp is 42 lbs. lighter than the 12 combo.

 

[pfschim]

I have also used my Walkabout 12 with a Scout 12" extension cab, but ultimately ended up using Berg 2x12 cabs (CN212 and NV212t) as they seem to be more efficient than the WA/Scout passive radiator cabs.

Great that you got the Walkabout, it's such a great sounding amp. It's still my go-to fav with the Berg cabs as long as I don't need a ton of clean volume ... and if I do, I just use its bigger brother .. Subway WD800, a very Walkabout influenced/flavored 800w tone monster in its own right.

 

[J_WELF]

Yeah was looking at those WD-800s as well. SO MANY AMPS SO LITTLE TIME

 

[MarkA]

Do you recommend the HPF in the send/return loop or before the input jack?

You weren't asking me, but when I had my WA I ran it sans HPF, with an HPF in front, and with an HPF in the effects loop.

HPF in either place will cut the sub lows to your speakers and free up some power in the amp. HPF in front takes the sub lows out before they hit the front end of the amp, which makes it react a little differently (dynamic headroom isn't eaten up as quickly - if you were intentionally pushing the front end into a little tube compression, you might or might not find yourself dialing up the gain a bit higher to get a similar feel).

I've noticed similar effects with an HPF and my Handbox R-400 (another touch sensitive, tubey little hybrid amp) and even somewhat similar effects on the rare occasions I run pedals (HPF last in the chain makes the most sense from a safety/speaker protection vantage, but first in the chain makes my MXR envelope filter act more cleanly and predictably).

I can see some possible diffences based on the (presumably) different impedances and signal levels in the effects loop and the front end but, with my passive bass and an fDeck HPF3, I don't recall any clipping or notable ill effects in either location. I do recall slightly preferring it in the WA's effects loop at the time.

That's the long answer. Short answer is try it both places and see which you like.

 

[NOLA Bass]

I have also used my Walkabout 12 with a Scout 12" extension cab, but ultimately ended up using Berg 2x12 cabs (CN212 and NV212t) as they seem to be more efficient than the WA/Scout passive radiator cabs.

Great that you got the Walkabout, it's such a great sounding amp. It's still my go-to fav with the Berg cabs as long as I don't need a ton of clean volume ... and if I do, I just use its bigger brother .. Subway WD800, a very Walkabout influenced/flavored 800w tone monster in its own right.

My favorite cabs with my Walkabout are my Bergantino HDN212 and HG410.

 

[gillento]

My favorite cabs with my Walkabout are my Bergantino HDN212 and HG410.

I have been running my WA with a lot of different cabs (one of them being a HDN212), my favs still are the db212/112 x2 and db410 by Aguilar
In fact my WA is the only amp I own.

 

[Matt Dean]

I’m thinking about getting a used walkabout for a secondary/backup amp to my TT800. Question: I play in a couple of very different bands... one is a NOLA style funk/jazz/rock band and the other is a down tuned, down tempo doom metal band with a dub undertow. My cabs are subway 115 and subway 210. Do you guys think the Walkabout would be a good fit?

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

I’m thinking about getting a used walkabout for a secondary/backup amp to my TT800. Question: I play in a couple of very different bands... one is a NOLA style funk/jazz/rock band and the other is a down tuned, down tempo doom metal band with a dub undertow. My cabs are subway 115 and subway 210. Do you guys think the Walkabout would be a good fit?

If you're used to that kind of power and headroom, be looking for a WD-800. The 300w M-Pulse models won't feel powerful enough. That's a big part of why the WD-800 exists.

 

[pfschim]

I’m thinking about getting a used walkabout for a secondary/backup amp to my TT800. Question: I play in a couple of very different bands... one is a NOLA style funk/jazz/rock band and the other is a down tuned, down tempo doom metal band with a dub undertow. My cabs are subway 115 and subway 210. Do you guys think the Walkabout would be a good fit?

well, it depends entirely if your band(s) play at crazy volume levels and you have to cover the venue with your bass rig only. If you have PA support, the WA will work fine IMO. But if you need tons of power/volume for all the low end usually associated with down tuned metal genres, and you need to cover the venue with just your bass rig, I'm guessing you might be disappointed.

The WA is a very honest 300w into 4 ohms, but it does have a tendency to get kind of flabby/fuzzy if you push it really hard (Gain over 1:00, Master over 1-2:00). As has been said many times, an HPF helps by taking out the useless rumble level freqs and letting the amp work more efficiently, but it's not magic. Of course, that's one reason Mesa and Agedhorse designed the WD800. WA flavor with more power and clean heardroom with less tendency to get too mushy at the upper end of its power curve.

In any event, if you had the chance and have the dough, I would still grab a Walkabout.

 

[bumble yeti]

I’m thinking about getting a used walkabout for a secondary/backup amp to my TT800. Question: I play in a couple of very different bands... one is a NOLA style funk/jazz/rock band and the other is a down tuned, down tempo doom metal band with a dub undertow. My cabs are subway 115 and subway 210. Do you guys think the Walkabout would be a good fit?

My LMS has one, though there isn't an image. (They had two last week.)
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
I'm not affiliated in any way. They're just a great store.
Call and ask them to send you some pics.

 

[Al Kraft]

I’m thinking about getting a used walkabout for a secondary/backup amp to my TT800. Question: I play in a couple of very different bands... one is a NOLA style funk/jazz/rock band and the other is a down tuned, down tempo doom metal band with a dub undertow. My cabs are subway 115 and subway 210. Do you guys think the Walkabout would be a good fit?

I'm a Walkabout fan and still own two, but for your requirement I would say that the advice given above is spot on. In your case I believe you'll find the WD-800 to be a much better choice.

If you do choose to go the WA route though, take pfschim's advice and get a variable HPF to use with it. Also, 4 ohms is a hard lower limit on connected load impedance. Despite what you may hear or read, 2 Ohm loads are not good for WA longevity.

 

[sunbeast]

I’m thinking about getting a used walkabout for a secondary/backup amp to my TT800. Question: I play in a couple of very different bands... one is a NOLA style funk/jazz/rock band and the other is a down tuned, down tempo doom metal band with a dub undertow. My cabs are subway 115 and subway 210. Do you guys think the Walkabout would be a good fit?

I own and love both of those amps- I think the Walkabout might suit band 1 just fine, but if you're looking for the loud/heavy low-end I would associate with band 2 then I think it would fall short. I've tried to use mine in a louder project with an NV610 and found myself pushing the amp to the limits fairly often, even with a pretty mid-forward and tight tone (ie- cut bass and an HPF).

 

[Matt Dean]

@pfschim @Al Kraft @sunbeast

Thanks for your thoughtful comments I’ll be taking it under consideration.

 

[StayLow]

I’m thinking about getting a used walkabout for a secondary/backup amp to my TT800. Question: I play in a couple of very different bands... one is a NOLA style funk/jazz/rock band and the other is a down tuned, down tempo doom metal band with a dub undertow. My cabs are subway 115 and subway 210. Do you guys think the Walkabout would be a good fit?

Fo rme it'd be a "yes" for both, however I wouldn't be able to get away with just those cabs using *any* amp in a down-tuned doom band. If you have only one guitarist that plays at non-doom volumes, then mayyybe, or yes you'll probably need an amp with louder/cleaner headroom for the doom.

 

[DC in ATX]

Late to the party, but I received a blackface Walkabout via the classifieds this week. I have a late-model 8 ohm cab arriving this week, also via the classifieds. So, I have basically assembled an ad hoc version of the most recent Walkabout combo.

My question for the owners and experts here is whether the preamp and tone controls on the Walkabout will render my Arkham Oracle preamp obsolete?

Part of the reason I picked up the Walkabout—besides the solid reviews on TB—is that I recently acquired a used Mesa Express 5:25 Plus locally on Craigslist. The tone controls and the various drive and compression options on that amp are so comprehensive that my guitar pedalboard is greatly simplified.

I am sure the Walkabout has some similar flexibility. In the back of my mind, I was thinking that I’d sell the Arkham after getting the Walkabout combo up and running. Recently, I’ve seen some chatter where players are using both, running the Arkham ahead of the Walkabout.

I will have an opportunity to try this out soon enough, but I am curious why one might want a full-featured preamp ahead of the Walkabout. One of the strengths of the Arkham is its tone controls. But presumably the Walkabout controls covers similar territory.

Does anyone here have thoughts or firsthand experience with this or a similar setup?

I am running a Union LAB ahead of the Arkham. Is anyone using one of these ahead of the Walkabout?

thanks

 

[gillento]

My DI send is alway pre amp.
I am shaping a certain portion of my sound on a pedal board using several devices (Lehle/RMI IQ BAsswitch DI, Two Notes CabM+...) All this gflows into my DI sound. The eq on the Walkabout is only used for stage acoustics.
You might find a similar use to your preamp. If not, keep it for other applications