For what it’s worth when I tried the FDeck HPF 3 in my Walkabout effects loop I didn’t notice any clipping at all. It worked perfectly.
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Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread Part 10
- Thread starter Chef
- Start date
Update on this:
I went a little while mostly using my Ampeg tube amp. Decided to use the Walkabout today. Love it even more than I ever have. Do you ever find a particular combination of bass, pedals, amp, and amp settings that just enhances each individual element? That happened to me today. I was using a Fender Aerodyne on the neck pickup only (so essentially a P bass), a Whirlwind OC-Bass Compressor, and a EHX Deluxe Bass Big Muff into the Walkabout and a Ampeg SVT-212AV cab. With or without the Big Muff, it sounded glorious. I was able to find a setting where everything sounded super clear and tight without sounding too bright or clanky.
I’m back!
I used to have a Walkabout Scout ten years ago but I needed more power. I’ve been playing different Ampegs since, until I found a Subway WD800 about a year ago.
This weekend, a Scout appeared in my hometown and I couldn’t resist it.
Gig tomorrow, really looking forward to playing it again!
I used to have a Walkabout Scout ten years ago but I needed more power. I’ve been playing different Ampegs since, until I found a Subway WD800 about a year ago.
This weekend, a Scout appeared in my hometown and I couldn’t resist it.
Gig tomorrow, really looking forward to playing it again!
- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,963
- 5
- 220,655
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Is this a 4 ohm or 8 ohm Scout?
The WD has enough power to destroy the driver in the Scouts, more so if it’s the 4 ohm version. Use good good judgement and have reasonable expectations.
It’s a 4 Ohm 12” Scout, as was my first one.
Thankfully, the DI is top notch. A cable to the FOH and everyone can hear me!
- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,963
- 5
- 220,655
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Set your amp to 2 ohm mode, that will de-rate the output power of the amp.
Al Kraft
Supporting Member
- May 2, 2016
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- Mesa Boogie beta product tester and player support
Despite its limitations and quirkiness (and what product or person doesn't have a few of each), the Walkabout has a sound that has held up well over time. Many novel heads from days gone by were so unique or "one off" in their voicing that they are fun for occasional use, but not very contemporary or useful anymore. When operated within its comfort zone IMO the Walkabout can compare favorably to most modern heads.
Admittedly, I find the WD-800 more versatile and universally useful than my Walkabouts in many of my use cases. However, in fairness, the WD does have the WA sound as its inspiration along with a generous application of modern technology and brilliant engineering to eliminate the WA limitations and sometimes frustrating characteristics.
I found a solution to that dilemma, I’ve got one of each. 
Al Kraft
Supporting Member
- May 2, 2016
- 10,768
- 40,440
- Disclosures
- Mesa Boogie beta product tester and player support
I'm right there with you!I found a solution to that dilemma, I’ve got one of each.
I have an early WA Scout 112 combo, later version WA head, and a WD...I obviously can't get enough of a good thing.
Same! Though the WD hasn’t gotten many gigs yet in the few years I’ve had it (traded a TT800 for it). It’s funny, some of the main critiques I used to have with my Walkabouts (a bit dark up top, not quite enough headroom) are now pluses for me vs more modern heads as my volume needs are not nearly what they once were (and I love that slightly pushed Walkabout sound- really the closest solid-state analog I’ve found to the way a tube power amp behaves when pushed a bit) and I am using some external preamps that could otherwise get somewhat harsh with a brighter head.I found a solution to that dilemma, I’ve got one of each.
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So, I’m getting back into playing bass after a long hiatus. I bought a Rumble Stage 800 and have been pretty blown away by its versatility.
This weekend I happened across a Walkabout Scout on FB. Looked a bit dusty. I got a good deal on it and planned to clean it up and resell it. Problem is, I turned it on and fell in love.
Anyone looking for a basically brand new Rumble Stage 800?
This weekend I happened across a Walkabout Scout on FB. Looked a bit dusty. I got a good deal on it and planned to clean it up and resell it. Problem is, I turned it on and fell in love.
Anyone looking for a basically brand new Rumble Stage 800?
- Apr 3, 2003
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Those are two very different combos, but each is pretty compelling in its own right. And yes, the WalkAbout Scout is the correct choice if you can only pick one.So, I’m getting back into playing bass after a long hiatus. I bought a Rumble Stage 800 and have been pretty blown away by its versatility.
This weekend I happened across a Walkabout Scout on FB. Looked a bit dusty. I got a good deal on it and planned to clean it up and resell it. Problem is, I turned it on and fell in love.
Anyone looking for a basically brand new Rumble Stage 800?
the previous owner of my walkabout scout installed a noctua fan for a more silent operation.
I would like to return it to original specs for better flow, I don’t mind the extra noise as I don’t use it in quiet environment. What is the reference of the stock fan and is it still available ? If not, is there an alternative?
Thank you.
I would like to return it to original specs for better flow, I don’t mind the extra noise as I don’t use it in quiet environment. What is the reference of the stock fan and is it still available ? If not, is there an alternative?
Thank you.
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Still loving the Walkabout I bought last year. I've paired it with an Ampeg SVT212 cab -- which I find to be a pretty bright, tight cab. Since the Walkabout can produce a massive amount of low end, they complement each other perfectly. I've got the settings dialed in where it sounds great with any of my basses, despite them being very different (P bass, StingRay, Hofner, etc).
I play it at least as much as my Ampeg tube amp which cost me way more money. I can't remember exactly what I paid for the Walkabout -- maybe $250 or 300? -- but either way it's crazy that an amp can sound this good and yet be so cheap on the used market. I notice they're a lot more expensive right now, which is unfortunate. Glad I bought mine when I did.
The fan is definitely noisy, but I'm not using it in a way where that matters. I'll either be playing it live, where no one will notice a small amount of fan noise, or I'll be using the direct out to record with. I'm not mic'ing the cab, which is the only situation I can think of where the fan noise would matter to me.
I play it at least as much as my Ampeg tube amp which cost me way more money. I can't remember exactly what I paid for the Walkabout -- maybe $250 or 300? -- but either way it's crazy that an amp can sound this good and yet be so cheap on the used market. I notice they're a lot more expensive right now, which is unfortunate. Glad I bought mine when I did.
The fan is definitely noisy, but I'm not using it in a way where that matters. I'll either be playing it live, where no one will notice a small amount of fan noise, or I'll be using the direct out to record with. I'm not mic'ing the cab, which is the only situation I can think of where the fan noise would matter to me.
You got a great deal on that amp if you just bought it last year for that much! I don't think I've personally seen one that cheap since they were discontinued. Sometimes the oldest (non-updated) red-faced models used to sell for significantly cheaper than later ones, but I haven't even seen one of those for under $400 since at least before Covid
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Honestly the original is not a good fan. Just find anything moderately efficient in 2025 and it should work well. I upgraded mine… don’t regret it at all
- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,963
- 5
- 220,655
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
I will have to look it up when I get back to the shop.
There are some minimum requirements for air flow and static pressure, especially for 4 ohm operation. 2 ohm operation is not recommended anymore.
There are some minimum requirements for air flow and static pressure, especially for 4 ohm operation. 2 ohm operation is not recommended anymore.
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Yes... but I would like to know the specs behind the "moderately efficient"
Thank you. I am aware of this ohm issue, that's why I already followed your advise to swap the original 4 ohm Scout speaker for a 8 ohm Eminence Deltalite 2512.
During saturday gig, the amp "died" but the DI hopefully kept working. One hour later, after the gig, it came back to life.
I opened the amp and : ta-dah : the fan is the noctua non original part. There were some previous posts about the potential weakness of the noctua fan "upgrade". Saturday gig was inside, hot air, no good ventilation, I used an extension cab (walkabout 12" 8 ohms) with my walkabout scout (8 ohms) and I cranked it more than usual (gain at 10 o'clock and master at 12). I presume the airflow was too weak for my version 1 (solid lid amp & solid wood plank).
