Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread Part 10

[McFarlin]

Out of all the amps I have owned, the Walkabout is the most variety-friendly with cabs. It worked great with everything I have used, and was GREAT with my Bergantino HS210. I wonder if Worldeeeter has the HT series. I could see that point with HT, maybe even the HD or AE.
I know several folks have been very happy with the SVT210AV+Walkabout, and I bet it would be great with a Hathor cab. I think Bowlus has tried both.

 

[Worldeeeter]

I have not used either the Ampeg 210av's or the Hathor 1203. But, I have used my WA with a Scout 12, 2 x Scout 12's, Scout 12 + Scout 15, Accugroove Tri 115, Mesa Powerhouse 1x12, Powerhouse 2x12, Aguilar GS112NT (and the PH 1x12 + GS112NT), Berg NV610, Berg CN212, Ampeg 115HE and an LDS 2x15 (loaded with Faital 15PR400's).

The WA sounds great into just about all of these cabs. The ones I liked the least were the Aggie GS112NT and the Mesa PH 1x12, either separate or together. And this is just a matter of personal taste really, they did not sound bad in any way, they just did not sound particularly great. On the other hand, all the rest of the cabs I listed above made the WA sound good or great. I also liked the Scout cabs too, but ultimately I found that they did not get the most out of the WA's 300w (cab efficiency issue ??). I still use my WA/112 combo for my run-around rehearsal schedule. Plenty of volume for any rehearsal I typically need to do, and great tone.

Worldeeeter's negative experience with the WA and Berg 1x12's is interesting, as I find the Berg cabs (CN212 and NV610) make the WA sound wonderful. These 2 cabs are my hands down first choice go-to cabs with the WA depending on the volume needs of specific gigs.

good luck on your cab search. I think many in this thread would join me in saying that the WA is one of those heads that sounds great into a wide variety of cabs (Worldeeter's experience aside).

I'll clarify that the WA through my Bergs doesn't sound BAD, it just isn't my cup o tea. The Berg cabs are much more clear than the Scout 12s; for some folks, it's probably a great combo for certain musical styles. I use my WA for punk, and the Scouts sound better for that. I play my fretless through the Bergs, and both amps (WA and Glock) sound great with that setup, due to the high clarity I get from those cabs.

 

[mimaz]

...as I find the Berg cabs (CN212 and NV610) make the WA sound wonderful. These 2 cabs are my hands down first choice go-to cabs with the WA depending on the volume needs of specific gigs.

I've been using the WA with my Berg HT112/EX112 stack on a regular basis...it works really well for me, as long as I don't run out of the WA's horsepower range.

Out of all the amps I have owned, the Walkabout is the most variety-friendly with cabs. It worked great with everything I have used, and was GREAT with my Bergantino HS210. I wonder if Worldeeeter has the HT series. I could see that point with HT, maybe even the HD or AE.
I know several folks have been very happy with the SVT210AV+Walkabout, and I bet it would be great with a Hathor cab. I think Bowlus has tried both.

The WA with my Berg HT210 has been a "go-to" mini-rig for me for several of the smaller venues I play....love it!

 

[Willy B]

I should probably leave well enough alone here with my Scout cabs but I am really tempted to get a pair of the svt-210av cabs and test them against the Scout stack. The idea of an affordable, lightweight, modular 4x10 rig is hard to resist.

 

[pfschim]

I should probably leave well enough alone here with my Scout cabs but I am really tempted to get a pair of the svt-210av cabs and test them against the Scout stack. The idea of an affordable, lightweight, modular 4x10 rig is hard to resist.

Several TBers (calling Tom B) have reported that the 210av's are a good match for the WA. Probably bring a cool, punchy sealed cab vibe to the party. While I like the Scout/WA combo cabs at low to medium volumes, I have always suspected that the 12's, at least, have fairly modest efficiency. It may also have something to do with the passive radiator deign of those cabs too. I can say without hesitation, that the 104db rated Berg CN212 blows a 2 x Scout 12 stack out of the water in comparative volume. The CN212 breathed new gigging life into my WA because it used the WA 300w much more efficiently (at least to my ears) and got me back into the "usable volume" zone with the WA.

 

[kulit17]

Just something of note for you Scout cab fans. Mesa has apparently discontinued the combo extension cabs. I was thinking of selling mine but once I heard that I changed my mind. It's got regret written all over it if I sold it now.

Also, I was able to confirm that the new combos cannot be purchased with lightweight Neo speakers.

oh man that's not good news!! if anyone knows where I can get one (extension cab only) or if they are selling one, please let me know.

 

[Furious_Man77]

+1

I can say without hesitation, that the 104db rated Berg CN212 blows a 2 x Scout 12 stack out of the water in comparative volume. The CN212 breathed new gigging life into my WA because it used the WA 300w much more efficiently (at least to my ears) and got me back into the "usable volume" zone with the WA.

 

[Willy B]

Well, I just couldn't help myself- I went for a pair of svt210av cabs. So I'll see how they stack up (no pun intended) against the Scout cabs.

 

[Worldeeeter]

Well, I just couldn't help myself- I went for a pair of svt210av cabs. So I'll see how they stack up (no pun intended) against the Scout cabs.

That's great! We'll have perspective on the WA with another brand/type of cab!

 

[elamenopee]

oh man that's not good news!! if anyone knows where I can get one (extension cab only) or if they are selling one, please let me know.

Unfortunately I'm also in this boat.

 

[gastric]

I haven't gotten a bad sound out of my Walkabout yet though I don't use/own hi-fi cabs as I don't personally like biting, clanky high end in my tone:

* Genz Benz Uber 212
* Berg NV610
* Ampeg 810e
* DI out into a cabinet impulse / sim for quiet recording purposes

 

[Willy B]

I haven't gotten a bad sound out of my Walkabout yet though I don't use/own hi-fi cabs as I don't personally like biting, clanky high end in my tone:

* Genz Benz Uber 212
* Berg NV610
* Ampeg 810e
* DI out into a cabinet impulse / sim for quiet recording purposes

I'm still finding what I like but I think my tastes are similar. It seems the NV610 is a favorite with WA users- I'd love to try it with the 810e as well but, I need more portability. Hopefully the 2x210av cabs will do the trick.

I've tried a few other cabs with the WA- a gk neo112-ii which, wasn't bad but I prefer the Scout 12 to it. Also the MarkBass 104hf- didn't care for that pairing, although I only tried it briefly and not in a live band setting. My favorite was an old Mesa 8 ohm 410 cab (a roadready I think) that a local bar had as a backline.

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

Anyone ever swap out the stock speakers in a Scout 12 for something else in particular? If so, what, and why?

Having grown increasingly aware of a midrange fuzziness I don't care for, (it's right in the 340-400 hz range) I'm thinking of trying a pair of (8 ohm) FaitalPro 12's in my two Scouts...

Thoughts?

 

[Worldeeeter]

Anyone ever swap out the stock speakers in a Scout 12 for something else in particular? If so, what, and why?

Having grown increasingly aware of a midrange fuzziness I don't care for, (it's right in the 340-400 hz range) I'm thinking of trying a pair of (8 ohm) FaitalPro 12's in my two Scouts...

Thoughts?

I have thought about doing this. I have 4-ohm drivers in my Scout cabs, and while it's nice and loud running at 2 ohms, the WA gets quite hot during gigs. I have kicked around the idea of putting 8-ohm drivers in the cabs, and I planned on going Mesa, but I'm open to other brands, too, if folks have had positive results with them.

 

[tombowlus]

Well, I just couldn't help myself- I went for a pair of svt210av cabs. So I'll see how they stack up (no pun intended) against the Scout cabs.

I love that setup!

 

[Willy B]

I love that setup!

Have you tried the Scout 12 cabs as well? If so, how did they compare to the ampeg stack?
I'll find out soon enough anyway...

 

[tombowlus]

Have you tried the Scout 12 cabs as well? If so, how did they compare to the ampeg stack?
I'll find out soon enough anyway...

I never owned the Scout cabs, but I tried them in several stores. But I can't really do an A/B. I do recall that the Scout cabs were just a little further down the warm/round road than I wanted to go.

My favorite cabs so far with the WalkAbout, though, are my Baer ML-112's (1st edition). They seem to bring out the most from my WalkAbout, as far as presence and volume goes.

 

[mb94952]

We had a gig last night at the new Aubergine in Sebastopol, CA now known as 755 After Dark. The club is AMAZING. Definitely a place to have national acts stop by. The new stage is huge, and plexy glass floor so you can have lights coming up from under you, or whatever. Killer sound system and PA.

Great brick oven pizza, too ! The club owner gave our band pay, two brick oven pizzas, and free drinks. Nice guy and very hospitable.

I took my Mesa Walkabout combo with the ever so helpful clip on dolly for easy transport. I wasn't even turned up to 4. Drew, the sound man, plugged in my D.I. for the house and I was set. I love my Mesa amps so much ! The Mesa Walkabout combo is possibly the best little combo out there. No class D crap, either !!! A REAL iron transformer and the powerful 300w head still weighs only 13 lbs, 50 or so total with the cab.

So when you're talking a gig rig and all the tone and power you need for a total of 50 lbs, well, it doesn't get any better than Mesa.

 

[morebass!]

My silverface died on me last night. Some intermittent cutting out first so I thought it was a cord or the jack. But it wasn't. It went completely silent. Took off the cover and switched the tubes out and that worked for a few minutes then silence again. Was running one 8-ohm cab at about quarter volume. Nothing was hot. Looks like it'll take professional to figure this one out. I just hope me switching the fan out didn't have something to do with it. That was many months ago but I don't many hours on it since then. I suppose it voided my warranty though.

I'm having a hell of time with heads lately. Smoke came out of my B15N about a month ago. I'm down to my old GK 400RB.

 

[sunbeast]

My silverface died on me last night. Some intermittent cutting out first so I thought it was a cord or the jack. But it wasn't. It went completely silent. Took off the cover and switched the tubes out and that worked for a few minutes then silence again. Was running one 8-ohm cab at about quarter volume. Nothing was hot. Looks like it'll take professional to figure this one out. I just hope me switching the fan out didn't have something to do with it. That was many months ago but I don't many hours on it since then. I suppose it voided my warranty though.

I'm having a hell of time with heads lately. Smoke came out of my B15N about a month ago. I'm down to my old GK 400RB.

Could be the common FX Loop jack oxidation issue- if yours is a later one with an FX Loop bypass, you can leave it bypassed. Otherwise try shooting some De-Oxit on a 1/4" jack and pulling in and out a few times to distribute it. It could also be the second Input jack if you have one of the early ones before the Active/Passive switch replaced the second jack- the same technique should work on that jack...