• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread Part 10

#1,061
Hello everyone!
I can't read through all of the Megathreads so please let me know if this has been discussed before:)

I bought a new Walkabout 6 months ago and I just LOVE the sound:). It seems that it's a older model since it has two input jacks (active and passive) even though it was new.
My question is about the inputs: When I use the Active input it sound much less bright then the passive, even when I adjust the gain to the same volume. Should it be like that?
Also when I use my Sandberg and use the active input there a drastic volume change when I switch between active and passive on the bass. but NOT when I use the passive input. There's almost no change in volume at all. Is the common?

Thanks for your thoughts:)
 
#1,062
BiG-ULi said:
That's some looowww tuning! I thought I was going low (A). What size gauge on your b string?

Good to hear cause I was getting tempted on getting one of those all tube mesa heads. I gotta start messing with the para more often.
Click to expand...

I use a .135 on the low B string. It stays in tune real well surprisingly,it's a little floppy but I don't rely on that strung a whole lot,just for embellishing some parts in our songs. I'm a old guitar player and when I switched to bass,I originally used a 4 string,when I bought a 5 string it totally messed with my head,haha. So, I decided to tune it down to match my A string.It works great for me that way so I just left it.
 
#1,063
onegunguitar said:
I use a .135 on the low B string. It stays in tune real well surprisingly,it's a little floppy but I don't rely on that strung a whole lot,just for embellishing some parts in our songs. I'm a old guitar player and when I switched to bass,I originally used a 4 string,when I bought a 5 string it totally messed with my head,haha. So, I decided to tune it down to match my A string.It works great for me that way so I just left it.
Click to expand...

I use the same gauge too and find it a bit too floppy for my likes as well. Especially when doing triplets or really digging into the strings for some grind. I've been considering getting some thicker gauges but really don't wanna file down the nut. Is there such a thing as normal size gauge strings that when drop tuned have the same tension as when tuned normal? That would be awesome
 
#1,064
Overdrive777 said:
Hello everyone!
I can't read through all of the Megathreads so please let me know if this has been discussed before:)

I bought a new Walkabout 6 months ago and I just LOVE the sound:). It seems that it's a older model since it has two input jacks (active and passive) even though it was new.
My question is about the inputs: When I use the Active input it sound much less bright then the passive, even when I adjust the gain to the same volume. Should it be like that?
Also when I use my Sandberg and use the active input there a drastic volume change when I switch between active and passive on the bass. but NOT when I use the passive input. There's almost no change in volume at all. Is the common?

Thanks for your thoughts:)
Click to expand...
The only difference between the two inputs is that the Active input is loaded down with a resistor to drop the volume on a hot or active bass to get it more in the normal output range of the average bass. An added effect of increased resistance is a slightly duller tone- though it should be fairly minimal if you are driving it with a strong active signal. If you turn your bass to "Passive" and switch inputs, the Passive input should be noticeably hotter and slightly brighter.

I feel like the general consensus here is that the Passive input has a wide enough range on its own for most input signals, so few people ever use the Active input. I have a few very hot basses, and am able to get a clean tone or a dirty tone for all of them using the Gain control.

In other words- don't feel like you need to use the Active input on any amp just because you are playing an active bass. In most cases the Passive input will work fine and be slightly clearer (as you found out).
 
  • Like
Reactions: EdwardofHuncote
#1,065
vin*tone said:
So...

Has anyone ever tried sealing the cab on their combo by replacing the grille on the radiator with a piece of ply?

I'm thinking of trying it on the 15 to control the lows. hmmm.
Click to expand...
I haven't owned a Scout 15 cab, but at least with my Scout 12 there is also a port- so closing off the radiator won't actually seal it. I'd probably want to remove the radiator as well if I were going to do that (it takes up significant room in the already compact box). You could measure the box and the port size and try doing a speaker sim if you knew what kind of driver they used in there (I know the 12s use Deltalite 2512s).
 
#1,066
sunbeast said:
...In other words- don't feel like you need to use the Active input on any amp just because you are playing an active bass. In most cases the Passive input will work fine and be slightly clearer (as you found out).
Click to expand...

Right on sunbeast. I have only one bass that actually *needs* the "active" jack, and I *could* get by without it.

That being said, I *do* use it, if for no other reason than to keep it used. Before I did, it had a habit of sporadically not padding down when in use, or infinitely worse, popping in and out. :mad: A copius dose of DeOxit and some pipe cleaners fixed that, since then I just use it more regularly.

Somebody should market an anti-corrosion plug for unused jacks. :)
 
#1,067
onegunguitar said:
Don't get me wrong,the Prodigy is a great sounding amp,but one thing I noticed with it is with my low B,which is dropped to A flat,sometimes it gets boomy. With the WA,I can dial that out with the parametric if need be. I prefer the preamp overdrive on the WA better than the Prodigy also. They are both fabulous amps for sure. There are days that I can't decide which amp to play though,haha. Maybe I'll sell the Prodigy to help make things easier..lol
Click to expand...
I don't like a very low-heavy sound (more low-mid thick), and I always cut the Bass control back on my Prod to around 10 o'clock in Voice 3 and dig it that way (4 string though). I've also had great luck with an fDeck high-pass filter in front of both the Prodigy and the Walkabout to tighten them up (on the Walkabout it works better than cutting subs on the parametric and helps free up that control for other adjustments). I find the Prodigy to feel tighter to me in general than the Walkabout at higher volumes as well.

As far as the preamp Gain in the Prod I noticed there seems to be a sweet spot somewhere between 1-3 o'clock where it adds some nice complexity but without any audible dirt and seems to tighten up the tone as well in a way. Then I let the power amp do the real grit/growl when I dig in. It definitely doesn't do that saggy/fat kind of overdrive that the Walkabout Gain does so well (which sounds similar to my old tube Fender Bassman when I cranked it). I prefer the tone of the Walkabout set up much like I do on the Prodigy though- just enough Gain to get some complexity, then when I turn up the Master to 11 or 12 o'clock all hell breaks loose. I do find that in their sweetspots the two amps can sound fairly similar with some clever tweaking!

I love both amps, but prefer the clarity and punch of the Prodigy in my band. If the Walkabout were 600-900 watts that might change though!
 
  • Like
Reactions: speyer
#1,068
hi guys, just switched my transformer of my walkabout from 110v to 240v as i live in Australia. Thus, i now have a spare 110v transformer that i cant use. Just wondering if anyone can tell me how much it's worth? Looking to sell it back to someone in the U.S. In perfect condition!
photo.JPG
Cheers
 
#1,071
Got my 240v wound by Tortech in Sydney for around $350 bucks. From what i hear, i haven't got firm prices, but the mesa ones cost heaps so i am looking to get most of it back hopefully! Good not having to worry about the stepdown transformer anymore.

You can also get them online at tubeampdoctor, click transformers link -> mesa boogie, and you'll see its the only toroidal on the page. i found this after having mine wound, 200euro plus delivery, but much less hassle than organising one!! I would go this route. Get a tech to put it in.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vin*tone
#1,072
I can't be the first person to have thought of this... has anyone ever swapped out the older silver faceplate and silver knurled knobs for a late model black faceplate and new style knobs? I mean, they're essentially marked the same... so unless there's some other reason the blackface Walkabout is preferred, and/or aesthetics are the main deal-breaker, seems logical to just swap out the faceplate/knobs.

Looking around Mesa-Boogie's store, I don't see the faceplate, but the new style knobs are like $1.35 ea. I'm *guessing* they'd be glad to do the mod if you sent the amp in, but it can't be that difficult of a kitchen table job.

(for the record, I *prefer* the silverface look... but try selling one) :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
#1,075
I wouldn't mind having one of each, just to say I did... :D

I had my spare silverface Walkabout in the classifieds as part of a combo, and like every other pm was about whether it was a black one... I started thinking maybe I should just put a black faceplate on it. Finally just pulled it out of the deal... all I really want to move is the cab anyway.

Seriously, I might look into buying one for my upgraded Walkabout, if it's not prohibitively expensive.

MesaBoogie, you listening in here? ;)
 
#1,076
DrDAV14 said:
In this same boat. I talked to Roger at Baer and am waiting on the version II to hit the streets in a week or 2.
Tom B, any experience with the ML115 and a Walkabout scout 112?
Click to expand...

Nope. I have only played the ML115 at NAMM, and I only own the WalkAbout head (no Scout). :rollno:
 
#1,077
Hey guys,

Sorry for my ignorance here. I posted a while ago about my old silver face Walkabout going into what I am assuming thermal protection running a 4ohm ph410. Basically rigorous use in a very loud metal band after about an hour it would just shut down. Master around 10-11 o'clock, gain around 1-2 o'clock, everything else flat. None of the local shops could find anything wrong with it so before I send it back to Mesa I found a good deal on a newer silver face to have as a backup.

So with my newer walkabout, running to the same 4ohm ph410, I had to have the master at pretty much max volume to achieve the same level of sound. What gives? The only difference I can see between the two, aside from the fx loop switch, is the label on the speaker output per the following pictures, the little 8ohm under each output on the jacks. Either way, they both say suggested load 4 ohm.

Tjhwdk9.png
< - Old walkabout that keeps shutting down

JvEHyUE.png
< New walkabout that I have to crank the master all the way to achieve the same level of volume as my newer walkabout.

Why is does my lack of knowledge regarding amplification need to get in the way of me blowing my eardrums out? Or do I just have bad luck!

I tried to search my issues but have come up short.. :(

Thanks in advance for your help!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back