Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread Part 10

[Al Kraft]

Ok nice, yeah a 212 would be nice, starts getting heavy though. I usually use a Tonemaster Pro for tuner and effects but I believe a HPF is built in. I will fiddle with it. Do you usually set it around that 80hz range or lower?

Around the 60Hz range as staring point seems to work well for me with a 24/dB octave (four pole) HPF. I suspect I land around 80 Hz on occasion.

The 60Hz starting point area usually gets me solid upper lows with what seems like an added emphasis in the low mids in the overall balance because of that deeper low reduction. It results in a punchy bass that is still full sounding plus it buys me some extra clean headroom in head.

 

[Al Kraft]

I think i can see a walkabout with a subway 115 in my future. I may look at the CN212

For overall utility in terms of incredible sound and room filling ability in the smallest, lightest package, a SW 115 is pretty hard to beat IMO. That cab is a bit of a unicorn...in a great way.

 

[DionClassic]

For overall utility in terms of incredible sound and room filling ability in the smallest, lightest package, a SW 115 is pretty hard to beat IMO. That cab is a bit of a unicorn...in a great way.

great i will have a look. sounds too good to be true haha

 

[sunbeast]

For overall utility in terms of incredible sound and room filling ability in the smallest, lightest package, a SW 115 is pretty hard to beat IMO. That cab is a bit of a unicorn...in a great way.

Yeah a Subway 15 is probably my main bass GAS item these days, moreso every time I have to carry my Scout 15 up and down a stairway. I wish I still lived in LA so I could demo one (and a BD800, though I have less need for a different amp). I am always keeping my eye out for a used one to pop up in the local marketplaces!

 

[Al Kraft]

great i will have a look. sounds too good to be true haha

Funny you phrased it that way....it's pretty much what we all say after hearing a SW 115 and wonder if there is a hidden cab somewhere playing along!

 

[DJ Bebop]

Man, there’s a WD-800 on the classifieds right now and I’m so tempted, but will I miss the walkabout?

Anyone have a WD-800?

I’d probably get a subway 1x15 to go with it if I did.

I love mine. It’s a very versatile amp going beyond the short comings of the Walkabout at higher gig volumes. More control, more consistency. Still exhibits some of the feel and give of the Walkabout without getting sloppy.

My imatation Walkabout Scout…

WD800 with SW 115

 

[MuthaFunk]

Here’s my imitation Mesa Scout 12. It’s been my main gigging machine for years. I plug a USB LED light in the back and it’s lights up the whole area in the back of the combo to find the DI.

Although this sees more gigs, I’ll never get rid of the Walkabout that originally came with this Scout 12 combo. That head sounds great through every cab I’ve used it with.

 

[Nebadon2000]

My decision to get WD 800 1x15 Subway was somewhat based on hearing a friends Walkabout with his Band (he also played electronic drums for my original band)

As to Walkabout a great amp is always a great amp and I consider the WD 800 in that category

 

[DionClassic]

Here’s my imitation Mesa Scout 12. It’s been my main gigging machine for years. I plug a USB LED light in the back and it’s lights up the whole area in the back of the combo to find the DI.


View attachment 7439582

Although this sees more gigs, I’ll never get rid of the Walkabout that originally came with this Scout 12 combo. That head sounds great through every cab I’ve used it with.

What speaker do you have in there? The original or a delatlite ii? The WD is 400 at 8ohm correct?

 

[MuthaFunk]

What speaker do you have in there? The original or a delatlite ii? The WD is 400 at 8ohm correct?

It’s the original 4 ohm deltalite II that Mesa Spec’d out. It sounds great to me and I’ve never had any issues with the WD800 overpowering it. I usually keep the WD set on 2 ohms so it limits the power somewhat. The HPF helps a lot with reducing excess thermal power and Xmax travel in the speaker.

There’s nothing wrong with an excess of power on tap if you know how to limit its use. You have to be aware of the limits of the cab. The speaker will let you know if it’s being stressed. If you’re turning up your volume but you’re not hearing an increase in volume and maybe just compression you’re likely about to damage something. Either cone crease, or fried voice coil, damaged spider etc.

I almost always have PA support but I’ve recently pushed the 4 ohm Scout 12 pretty hard. To the point I could hear the speaker was at its limit. The volume was admirable for the size. Just backed it off a bit and ran the whole gig at that level.

 

[agedhorse]

As a word of caution, we saw a lot of failures of the 4 ohm driver due to poor judgment and also accidents from bad pedalboard and bass connections, especially with larger amps.

This is why the driver was updated to the 8 ohm version, with no loss of volume due to the higher sensitivity.

 

[BBQV]

Ne

Here’s my imitation Mesa Scout 12. It’s been my main gigging machine for years. I plug a USB LED light in the back and it’s lights up the whole area in the back of the combo to find the DI.


View attachment 7439582

Although this sees more gigs, I’ll never get rid of the Walkabout that originally came with this Scout 12 combo. That head sounds great through every cab I’ve used it with.

Never thought of that!
Does the WD800 fit in the Scout without modifications?

 

[sunbeast]

Ne

Never thought of that!
Does the WD800 fit in the Scout without modifications?

Yeah the height + width dimensions are the same as the Walkabout but the WD is shallower (so you’d have to put something behind it to shim it flush with the top when installed)

 

[BBQV]

Nice!
Now I've got a weekend project!
Thanks!

 

[MuthaFunk]

Nice!
Now I've got a weekend project!
Thanks!

I think the best way to do it is use the feet off the WD800 to screw into sides of the cabinet to hold the WD up flush with the top of the combo.

 

[DionClassic]

Does anyone know if the original speaker is neodymium? I feel like these combos predate that tech, I have an older silver face 4ohm version. assuming a swap to a deltalite II will cut some weight as well?

 

[rodl2005]

Does anyone know if the original speaker is neodymium? I feel like these combos predate that tech, I have an older silver face 4ohm version. assuming a swap to a deltalite II will cut some weight as well?

I had a silver face with black writing, 8 ohm that I bought 2nd hand about 15 yrs ago, that had a Neo driver

 

[agedhorse]

Does anyone know if the original speaker is neodymium? I feel like these combos predate that tech, I have an older silver face 4ohm version. assuming a swap to a deltalite II will cut some weight as well?

Some of the earliest had ceramic drivers, then series 1 Neo drivers (not great but an improvement over the ceramic, then the series 2 Neo that were 8 ohm and the best of the lot.

 

[MuthaFunk]

Some of the earliest had ceramic drivers, then series 1 Neo drivers (not great but an improvement over the ceramic, then the series 2 Neo that were 8 ohm and the best of the lot.

I recall the series 2 Neo drivers were spec'd out at 4 ohm from MESA when I bought mine and 8 ohm was a separate option one had to order specifically. Even the matching extension cabinets were sent out as 4 ohm standard at that time. This would have been around 2011 perhaps? Do you have records when they officially started shipping 8ohm as standard?

 

[agedhorse]

I recall the series 2 Neo drivers were spec'd out at 4 ohm from MESA when I bought mine and 8 ohm was a separate option one had to order specifically. Even the matching extension cabinets were sent out as 4 ohm standard at that time. This would have been around 2011 perhaps? Do you have records when they officially started shipping 8ohm as standard?

No, but iirc it was not long afterwards. The 8 ohm version was superior, but customers wanted to get the “most” out of their amps so that’s why the 4 ohm version was offered (even if it was less sensitive).