Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread Part 10

[McFarlin]

I often have great results with a Sparkle Drive (increased low end and gain mod). WA gain at about 12:30/1 and run the pedal gain & clean signals high enough to give a slight boost into the amp (mostly to help palm-mute tunes sit right with the rest of the set). The hair from the pedal and input boost make a create nice, dynamic/reactive grit. I always lumped the Pork Loin and Sparkle Drive in the same role but still want to try the PL.
Here's a Squier into the WA through a 212 (don't think the Sparkle Drive is engaged here, but what the heck):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBH-bgC4noo

 

[monsterthompson]

i tried the Sparkle when i tried the Loin, and the Loin was the clear winner for me. though, the Sparkle had some things going on which i did like. i did the demo at the Mesa Hollywood shop through a WA, and i was sold. i forgot that i did one jam session already with the Loin into the WA, and i liked it there.

i'll admit the Loin sounds good through my Buster and Monique, but not as good as through the WA. the WA just overdrives nicely. i've been considering an EBS Multidrive to add to my arsenal. anyone combo that successfully with the WA?

man, if Mesa could put a 500-1,000w WA with the same front end and tone, and quiet that fan down, i'd gobble it up.

 

[svtb15]

Ill try to get a photo up for you in a little while.. I have the Combo...
The Cover fits nicely and is reinforced on all corners and seams with ribbing.. super resistant to tears.. And it has a nice side pocket with a Mesh inner zipper pocket to hold connectors or an additional speaker cable.. Really well thought out...

I got a speaker cab form Xsonics the other day and it too came with a nice Padded cover.. And my GF said to me after knowing all the gear that i buy weekly.. " It would be nice if all amp companies included a cover with their cabs, Why don't they all do that"? Good question!. MESA does.. Xsonics does.
Its a nice finishing touch to an expensive purchase..

Anyway, i digress... The Mesa cover for the walkabout is a tough and durable cover.. Double layered in areas too
If i cant tear it // NO ONE CAN! I'm brutal on gear..
Give me time and i get a iphone photo or two for ya

Does anyone have a pic of the WA slip cover that comes with the cab? With and without it on the cab please

 

[svtb15]

Without Cover

With Cover > notice Side Pocket for cables etc.. It seals with a full Velco strip with an added mesh zippered pocket inside the flap cover...

Does anyone have a pic of the WA slip cover that comes with the cab? With and without it on the cab please

 

[kulit17]

Without Cover

With Cover > notice Side Pocket for cables etc.. It seals with a full Velco strip with an added mesh zippered pocket inside the flap cover...

Thanks! I got a cover for mine but I think I was given one for the extension cab the opening for handle is on the side..... Still fits but can't really carry it with the cover on

 

[svtb15]

You can go to a LOCAL tailor they can do a mod to your cover for about $10.. It would be worth it.. .

 

[Furious_Man77]

True; I have one of each. The Scout ext cab has the side handle cut out and no pocket. Side note: my ext cab is brand new and the cover is a bit thicker than the 4-5 year old one for my combo.

Thanks! I got a cover for mine but I think I was given one for the extension cab the opening for handle is on the side..... Still fits but can't really carry it with the cover on

 

[svtb15]

You can go to a LOCAL tailor they can do a mod to your cover for about $10.. It would be worth it.. .

Thanks! I got a cover for mine but I think I was given one for the extension cab the opening for handle is on the side..... Still fits but can't really carry it with the cover on

 

[Kreken]

Hi guys! I've been reading through a bunch of Walkabout megathreads lately. Finally caught up!

If you were to choose between a Walkabout head and the new Prodigy, which one would you choose and why? I understand that there is a headroom issue on the Walkabout, so my question is based on when both amps sound their best at the volume they are able to produce. It's the sound quality I'm interested in.

To be honest, I have only tried the Walkabout once in a store, and I've not had the chance to try the Prodigy. The main reason I ask if to find out if the Walkabout has a thing that some of you would prefer to an all-tube amp(specifically the Prodigy), or if it's a basically a great, practical and lighter tube amp substitute? I thinking about buying one of them, but will probably not be able to try before I buy.

Thanks!

 

[77PBass]

Hi guys! I've been reading through a bunch of Walkabout megathreads lately. Finally caught up!

If you were to choose between a Walkabout head and the new Prodigy, which one would you choose and why? I understand that there is a headroom issue on the Walkabout, so my question is based on when both amps sound their best at the volume they are able to produce. It's the sound quality I'm interested in.

To be honest, I have only tried the Walkabout once in a store, and I've not had the chance to try the Prodigy. The main reason I ask if to find out if the Walkabout has a thing that some of you would prefer to an all-tube amp(specifically the Prodigy), or if it's a basically a great, practical and lighter tube amp substitute? I thinking about buying one of them, but will probably not be able to try before I buy.

Thanks!

I couldn't find the weight on the Prodigy but I would imagine it is far heavier than the WA. That said, the extra weight gets you a tube output stage which, unless you have had an all tube amp, is like the difference between front wheel and rear wheel drive on a car.

I have a WA and love it. It is as close to my all tube, 1971 Ampeg V4B as you can get. It is also about 50 lbs lighter.

The tube pre stage coupled withe the mosfet output stage of the WA provides a warmth very close to the V4B. The tonal range of the WA is greater than the V4B.

I can run the WA from clean to wooly and get more volume than I need when using 2 HT115's.

The thing is I have access to both amps. If I was buying today and could only have a Prodigy or a WA and I was in good health with a good back, which would I choose? Very tough question.....it is hard to break the all tube habit.

 

[monsterthompson]

I tried them both and ended up with a Walkabout and a Buster and a pocket full of change. Honestly, the Buster is what I took over the Prodigy, and the WA was a bonus decision.

I think if you have good ears and are handy with the para EQ, the WA is a better option than the Prodigy. Both sound nice, but the EQ on the WA gives you more options, and probably allows you to get close to the Prodigy voicings.

If clean is your think, the Prodigy will probably win in a tone war, particularly at band volume. If you like a bit of grit, the WA overdrives in a much nicer way. The Prodigy overdrive is harsh and edgy, while the WA is easily controlled and very warm.

 

[monsterthompson]

I couldn't find the weight on the Prodigy but I would imagine it is far heavier than the WA.

wrong nubers from my memory. see mesa's reply, below.

 

[MesaBoogie]

12lbs vs 35-40lbs.

The Prodigy is 29lbs, the Walkabout head is 14lbs. Thanks!

 

[monsterthompson]

The Prodigy is 29lbs, the Walkabout head is 14lbs. Thanks!

sorry about that. i thought it was 39lbs, but that seemed wrong. stupid brain

 

[Dave W]

I have both.

I've tried most of the non tube heads that claim to have "all tube" tone or whatever. The Walkabout is the tubiest non tube head I've used. I have nothing but good things to say about it. It sounds awesome, has a great EQ, is reasonably small, and it still sounds awesome

The Prodigy is a little more modern sounding, gets louder, stays cleaner longer, and can be more aggressive if you want it which is a big selling point to me. It's not that much bigger or heavier and just has a little something extra that you get from an all tube head. I friggin' love it. I have zero amp GAS since I've had it, and I haven't touched any of my other amps (most of which I love).

 

[monsterthompson]

you can get a tubey solid state head, or a solid state-y tube head, yet they won't sound similar
kidding. the Buster gets slagged for being solid state-y, but i haven't heard that about the Prodigy.
however, the WA is great at overdrive, which people usually look for from a tube amp. and the Prodigy is great at pristine clean, which people often search for from a solid state head.


bassgod0dmw hits the nail on the head.

 

[sunbeast]

I tried them both and ended up with a Walkabout and a Buster and a pocket full of change. Honestly, the Buster is what I took over the Prodigy, and the WA was a bonus decision.



I think if you have good ears and are handy with the para EQ, the WA is a better option than the Prodigy. Both sound nice, but the EQ on the WA gives you more options, and probably allows you to get close to the Prodigy voicings.



If clean is your think, the Prodigy will probably win in a tone war, particularly at band volume. If you like a bit of grit, the WA overdrives in a much nicer way. The Prodigy overdrive is harsh and edgy, while the WA is easily controlled and very warm.

As an owner of both I have to disagree with the overdrive comparison. While the PREAMP overdrive of the Walkabout is much smoother than that of the Prodigy, when you push the Prodigy's power section it really takes the cake IMO. As with any tube head the trick is to scoop the high mids as you push it to smooth it out (I do this on my Walkabout too, though it is inherently voiced with a rounded-off top end unlike the Prodigy). Lots of the popular tube bass amps have that scoop built into them already, but the Prodigy is helped by a little sculpting. I just got finished reamping an album with my band where we put my Prodigy on half power and turned the Volume to 11! It definitely doesn't sound harsh- it actually sounded pretty much perfect with minimal tweaking through the mic...I expected to need a fair amount of mixing with the clean DI signal to round it out, but the driven Prodigy has it all- punch, balls, sweetness on quieter parts, and tons of grit when I dug in while recording in heavier parts. I'll post some examples once we start getting some mixes back.

I do love me some Walkabout though, and for quieter gigs where I might want some nice smooth drive I wouldn't think twice about bringing it. It just doesn't have the juice for my current band without sounding fairly strained.

 

[MesaBoogie]

As an owner of both I have to disagree with the overdrive comparison. While the PREAMP overdrive of the Walkabout is much smoother than that of the Prodigy, when you push the Prodigy's power section it really takes the cake IMO. As with any tube head the trick is to scoop the high mids as you push it to smooth it out (I do this on my Walkabout too, though it is inherently voiced with a rounded-off top end unlike the Prodigy). Lots of the popular tube bass amps have that scoop built into them already, but the Prodigy is helped by a little sculpting. I just got finished reamping an album with my band where we put my Prodigy on half power and turned the Volume to 11! It definitely doesn't sound harsh- it actually sounded pretty much perfect with minimal tweaking through the mic...I expected to need a fair amount of mixing with the clean DI signal to round it out, but the driven Prodigy has it all- punch, balls, sweetness on quieter parts, and tons of grit when I dug in while recording in heavier parts. I'll post some examples once we start getting some mixes back.

+1! ....keeping in mind, bass overdrive is NOT something the majority (nearly all) of bass amps were designed for or excel at...or even wanted by the majority of bass players. Bass distortion is SO much different than for guitarists - and the best overdrive/distortion is attained through external devices that were designed for the specific requirements and varying flavors that basses/bassists require. And yes, there is quite a big difference between overdriving a preamp section vs pushing a power section. Thanks!

 

[monsterthompson]

The question posed asked which you'd take and why. Volume production wasn't indicated as a concern. My response is that either are good, but if overdrive is what you are after, the WA would win in my book, based on what I've heard owning the WA and only testing the Prodigy. I have not pushed the Prodigy into power tube overdrive. If I wanted glassy cleans, the Prodigy might tempt me. Both are great and I'd dig either. The WA EQ section also crushes. However the Prodigy is not bad in any way, and the voicings are nice, particularly voice 2 with a Jbass.

The WA fan noise has been noted as an issue at low volume playing, which might bother some.

 

[Kreken]

Wow, I'm so thankful for all the replies, guys! Fantastic! Plenty of valuable info!

It's very cool to hear that the Walkabout has its own thing going! And my experience is also, on a very general basis, that preamp-overdrive tends to sound best in pedals or amps specifically designed to get that sound(solid state or tube), but that a tube power section and power tube breakup is another and glorious thing.

You've all been very helpful! And feel free to post more thoughts on the subject, everyone!