What Lomo said in regards to switching out V1. I've settled on a vintage made in Britain Philips in V1 and a new Northern Electric in V2.
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Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread Part 10
- Thread starter Chef
- Start date
Yesterday I put my Walkabout head back on my LDS 15/6 to practice. Apart from how big and thick it sounds, I noticed that with my passive DJ5
(never before played through this rig) and the toggle at "passive" as usual, I can push the gain much higher than with other basses (to around 3 o'clock!) with only mild, pleasing OD, and am getting more useable volume than with my other basses (specifically my active 5594).
(never before played through this rig) and the toggle at "passive" as usual, I can push the gain much higher than with other basses (to around 3 o'clock!) with only mild, pleasing OD, and am getting more useable volume than with my other basses (specifically my active 5594).
svtb15
Inactive
- Mar 22, 2004
- 13,004
- 4,741
- Disclosures
- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
I just got a steal of a deal! GC: No longer a Mesa dealer + store closing sale = GOOD!!!
When the Mesa/GC relationship ceased most stores were blowing out Mesa stuff at pretty good prices. I'm pretty sure I saw the Walkabout was tagged at $850 within the last month or so. So this particular store is closing now, and they've got decent deals on most of the floor models. I went just to see if there was anything worth buying. As I'm checking out the bass section I notice the Walkabout again...$450!!! A brand new Blackface Walkabout for $450. Needless to say, I grabbed it and asked for forgiveness from the wife later
When the Mesa/GC relationship ceased most stores were blowing out Mesa stuff at pretty good prices. I'm pretty sure I saw the Walkabout was tagged at $850 within the last month or so. So this particular store is closing now, and they've got decent deals on most of the floor models. I went just to see if there was anything worth buying. As I'm checking out the bass section I notice the Walkabout again...$450!!! A brand new Blackface Walkabout for $450. Needless to say, I grabbed it and asked for forgiveness from the wife later
^ Awesome deal. Congrats!
I'm with Pfschim re: tubes. Very little audible difference, and arguably none in a mix. Tried a variety of tubes in several Walkabout amps. I certainly could hear a difference when listening intently back-to-back, I believe, despite the many huge variables involved.
Settled with whatever tubes I liked best and now without opening the amps and looking I couldn't tell you what's stock and what's not and couldn't care less when choosing which one I'm going to gig or record with due to there being so little variation. Staring hard at the powerful onboard EQ would probably cause greater variations than most, perhaps all, tubes I tried from cheap to pricey.
I'm with Pfschim re: tubes. Very little audible difference, and arguably none in a mix. Tried a variety of tubes in several Walkabout amps. I certainly could hear a difference when listening intently back-to-back, I believe, despite the many huge variables involved.
Settled with whatever tubes I liked best and now without opening the amps and looking I couldn't tell you what's stock and what's not and couldn't care less when choosing which one I'm going to gig or record with due to there being so little variation. Staring hard at the powerful onboard EQ would probably cause greater variations than most, perhaps all, tubes I tried from cheap to pricey.
I agree the differences between tubes are subtle and would be lost in a busy mix but that will also depend on where you like your gain set/how much stubble you like on your sound.
On another note, based on my more recent experimenting (=futzing around) with this head, I am finding that max clean(ish) headroom can be found by lowering the volume on the instrument to the point where the gain on the head can be cranked, and then adjusting the master. I don't know if/how this makes any sense in terms of circuitry, as I thought it wouldn't matter, but it seems to make a significant difference to my ear.
On another note, based on my more recent experimenting (=futzing around) with this head, I am finding that max clean(ish) headroom can be found by lowering the volume on the instrument to the point where the gain on the head can be cranked, and then adjusting the master. I don't know if/how this makes any sense in terms of circuitry, as I thought it wouldn't matter, but it seems to make a significant difference to my ear.
EdwardofHuncote
I Still Dream of Jeannie
- Aug 21, 2013
- 6,654
- 2
- 16,425
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- I privately own and operate a local musical instument repair shop.
Cheaper than a used silverface... nice going!
Got a little time to whittle next week... I'm going to make another matching wheat/tweed grill with white piping for my older Scout cab. (thanks to midichlorine's sharp eye... it turned out he had the exact right stuff leftover from one he had done some time ago)
I just got a steal of a deal! GC: No longer a Mesa dealer + store closing sale = GOOD!!!
When the Mesa/GC relationship ceased most stores were blowing out Mesa stuff at pretty good prices. I'm pretty sure I saw the Walkabout was tagged at $850 within the last month or so. So this particular store is closing now, and they've got decent deals on most of the floor models. I went just to see if there was anything worth buying. As I'm checking out the bass section I notice the Walkabout again...$450!!! A brand new Blackface Walkabout for $450. Needless to say, I grabbed it and asked for forgiveness from the wife later
Wow I was about to brag about my find. I just got my Walkabout this morning form a guy who used it maybe a dozen times. It's been in it's case in the closet for most of it's life (10yrs). Paid the same price you did...Congratz!
Attachments
I installed the JJ ECC83s in my WA head this evening. It sounds amazing through my 2 x 12" cabs.
I have no idea how old the amp is, but it had the original Mesa tubes in it (a Russian 2 and a Chinese 3), and they were likely due to be changed out. I noticed an immediate difference in the gain. At high gain (2:00) with the volume at noon, the overdrive sounds like shaving cream from one of those old dispensers - warm, thick, and creamy (not to mention insanely loud!). I had no idea a WA could produce OD like that. It's a definite improvement!
I have no idea how old the amp is, but it had the original Mesa tubes in it (a Russian 2 and a Chinese 3), and they were likely due to be changed out. I noticed an immediate difference in the gain. At high gain (2:00) with the volume at noon, the overdrive sounds like shaving cream from one of those old dispensers - warm, thick, and creamy (not to mention insanely loud!). I had no idea a WA could produce OD like that. It's a definite improvement!
The greatest
IMHO the greatest beauty of the Walkabout is the sweet tweakability of the gain stage.
Cheaper than a used silverface... nice going!
Yep. I got a steal on my silverface too, but it was a little bit more than I paid for the blackface.
I bought 2 at GC, both with tax at less than $1K
This head is going to sound sweet through the Fearless 212.
This head is going to sound sweet through the Fearless 212.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,515
- 19,945
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Yes. Other than losing enhanced bass response from the coupling effect of having the speaker close to the floor, it still sounds like a walkabout. I prefer an amp stand with the speaker angled towards my head.
OMGoodness I tried out my Walkabout with my Genz Benz NeoX 1x12 and Sonic Micro Mini 1x15 cab and Bam! I wish I would've bought one sooner! I have a Tech 21 PSA 1.1 but I don't think I need it! All kinds of Tubey Goodness that roars! I'm curious to see what adding another NeoX 1x12 would do since it is 2.6 Ohm capable...Hmm....
IME 3 12s is magic with a Walkabout for luxurious headroom. I had a Neox 212/112 stack I loved, but I was not willing to haul that many boxes around. YMMV.
That's very good to know. I don't mind hauling 3 boxes. There is a Neox 212 near around here but I it would be cheaper for me to buy another NeoX 112. If I had that then I think I would only have to add the Sonic Micro Mini for outdoor stages or when I feel like being silly. The NeoX is such a great cab! I thought I'd be gassing for a Mesa cab but this cab fits the bill nicely...
IMHE the Neox cabs are superior to both the Mesa PH and Scout-just a matter of taste
