Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread Part 10

[morebass!]

all true and I was not trying to disagree with your point about using the WA pre into larger power amps when needed. It can be done, and it will work.
for my gigging situation, if I truly need more power than the WA's 300w, then I usually have pro FOH and just run the WA DI into that. I also have bigger wattage amps to use if needed (PF500 and SVT 6Pro) and, as just a practical matter, I find its better to use the fully integrated features of a single amp, than try and hook up separate units.
but of course, that's just my experience.

That makes sense. I just sold my B1500 so I'm without anything bigger than the WA but do have a power amp handy if needed.

 

[Pat C.]

Sorry to barge in on this thread, but I figured this was the best place to reach the largest number of Walkabout users. I was wondering if there are any Walkabout owners here in the Atlanta, GA area that would be willing to let me check out their amp. I'm looking to demo this amp and can't find any locally to do so. I'd be willing to come to you with a bass and a cab and just thump around a little to check out the tone with my gear. Shoot me a PM here. TIA.

 

[pfschim]

For those who have older model WA's, has anyone got a new model cover for their older WA ? I am specifically thinking of the increased venting in the new cases that I have seen. In 8 years of very steady use, I have only had one overheat issue with my WA. That incident was an outdoor gig in 108 degree heat (miserable) with the sun shining right on the amp (stupid of me) .. and after I had replaced the stock fan with a quieter one that had just a bit less CFM rating than the stock fan. Just wondering.

so, no one here considered the newer WA cover with the additional venting for their older WA amp ?

 

[gastric]

DIY drill or dremel some extra vents if you want them.

 

[pfschim]

DIY drill or dremel some extra vents if you want them.

that's one way to go. I suspect Mesa would sell an actual cover for a pretty modest price. I just wondered if any other WA user had done, or considered this option.

 

[gastric]

Alternative - stick a fan with higher cfm capabilities. Many of us went for one with lower dBa levels, but you could certainly go the other direction and that might be more effective than more holes in the case.

 

[pfschim]

Alternative - stick a fan with higher cfm capabilities. Many of us went for one with lower dBa levels, but you could certainly go the other direction and that might be more effective than more holes in the case.

I could go with a higher CFM fan now that the amp is in a headcase (recent purchase) because the headcase does dampen sound from the fan.
but ... I still expect to use the WA outside of the headcase at times, so a fan with higher CFM would work in the headcase, but probably not so well when the amp is out.

 

[lpdeluxe]

I haven't been here for a long time for the simple reason that I am perfectly happy with my rig and can't imagine altering it or using a different amp. Mesa/Boogie Walkabout head, two Genz-Benz 10T speakers and I have a lightweight, powerful bass amp that I can take anywhere. Recent pic:

Oh yeah: that's a 2006 Fender CIJ Classic '51 P with a 4-saddle bridge, a Quarter Pound pickup, TI Jazz Flats and an Electrosocket.

 

[onegunguitar]

I emailed Mesa a few months ago about buying a new vented lid for my older WA....$60 plus shipping.

 

[pfschim]

I emailed Mesa a few months ago about buying a new vented lid for my older WA....$60 plus shipping.

thanks for the reply onegunguitar. I'm going to assume all else is the same between the two lids .. like the fit, screw holes etc. To be sure, I should just ask Mesa.
thanks

 

[MesaBoogie]

thanks for the reply onegunguitar. I'm going to assume all else is the same between the two lids .. like the fit, screw holes etc. To be sure, I should just ask Mesa.
thanks

All else is the same. The vented lid is simply due to a change required for UL testing, and not a necessary update. Thanks!

 

[pfschim]

All else is the same. The vented lid is simply due to a change required for UL testing, and not a necessary update. Thanks!

very cool that Mesa keeps an eye out here on TB, and provides quick and helpful replies. thanks guys.

 

[Kael]

I started a thread asking for small cab recommendations and it was suggested that I post my question here.... so using the magic of intrawebz cut/paste....

What small cab pairs well with the walkabout that I can swap out for my combo.
considerations:
I double. The cab MUST play well with upright.
Must be a smaller, reasonably lightweight cab. If I want big or heavy, I'll schlep the 410.
Preferably not uberboutique cab out of production gear. Something like a berg is fine, would prefer something that isn't a custom build. Also, less expensive wouldn't hurt my feelings any.
If the cab "really shines" when fed a lot of power, I'll pass on it. Looking for something walkabout friendly here. Not into the newer mega wattage switch mode flyweight amps out there. Probably sticking with this walkabout for the foreseeable future. (ie: probably not one of the fearless jobbers)
Must be 4 ohms (for clean headroom) and able to belt out enough volume to complete with a band in a small club. My current gk mb115 is right at the smallest level of what I can use here.
I'm open to suggestions.

 

[pfschim]

I haven't been here for a long time for the simple reason that I am perfectly happy with my rig and can't imagine altering it or using a different amp. Mesa/Boogie Walkabout head, two Genz-Benz 10T speakers and I have a lightweight, powerful bass amp that I can take anywhere. Recent pic:

Oh yeah: that's a 2006 Fender CIJ Classic '51 P with a 4-saddle bridge, a Quarter Pound pickup, TI Jazz Flats and an Electrosocket.

cool.
I have been eye-balling one of these CIJ 51 P basses myself. I like the look and have been considering adding a P to my working bass family.
There have been a few f/s here and in the usual online places. I have also looked at Sting Sig/'54 models too. I am traditionally a Jazz guy, but have used P's from time to time in the past, but never one of these '51 tele-style basses.
As usual, I suppose the only way to know how they sound is to go try one thru my usual rig and hear it for myself.

 

[lpdeluxe]

Pfschim, the '51 is very different from the Jazz. The neck is wider and fatter, the 7-1/4" radius gives a higher crown to the fingerboard than on moderns Js, and the attack is faster, with less sustain. I'm using mine because my current combo consists of three female singers, an electric guitarist, percussion and my bass. We arrange songs as though the guitar were playing the right hand piano part, and my bass the left, not to emulated the sound of a piano, but rather the fullness of one. The characteristics of the '51 work really well in this situation, with articulation and note definition but without the aggressiveness of the split-coil P (see avatar for my Classic '50s).

 

[pfschim]

Pfschim, the '51 is very different from the Jazz. The neck is wider and fatter, the 7-1/4" radius gives a higher crown to the fingerboard than on moderns Js, and the attack is faster, with less sustain. I'm using mine because my current combo consists of three female singers, an electric guitarist, percussion and my bass. We arrange songs as though the guitar were playing the right hand piano part, and my bass the left, not to emulated the sound of a piano, but rather the fullness of one. The characteristics of the '51 work really well in this situation, with articulation and note definition but without the aggressiveness of the split-coil P (see avatar for my Classic '50s).

thanks LP, I have an Americana/Roots kind of gig where the characteristics you describe for the CIJ '51 P would work well. Still, best approach IME, is to go touch one with my typical rig - WA + Scout 12 or NV610 depending on venue - and see if it works the way I think it will.

As I said, I have used P's in the past, both for live work, and at producer request in recording situations, and I have not had any issues switching from the J profile neck to the various P profiles.

 

[Overdrive777]

yeah. Had to give that up to get with enough usable power for me.

Chef: Have you tried the WA with the power section of the MBF800???
That would be a lightweight way of having a super power Walkabout

 

[Chef]

Nope. Walkabout's all gone.
Gear I have to wrestle with just isn't a thing I'm gonna do.
I almost always use my MBF500/800 because: weight, power, tone
sometimes a 1001RBII because: horn mangment system with GK neo cabs is cool and it sounds great
Mesa M6 because: also sounds great, does 2 ohms, and I love Mesa and wanted to keep supporting them.

 

[atrapp]

Bought a used Walkabout Scout (my second) from GC used about a year and a half ago not because I needed it, but because it is pretty.
Tried gigging it but it crapped out at any reasonable volume, knowing the warranty would expire this fall I setup an RMA with Mesa who was skeptical of finding this intermittent issue.
Rich called me on Wednesday to say it was repaired, that there were two issues and they would be shipping it out next week(???)...
He said "we build and send them out having no idea how they are used and why people do the things they do." The internal fuse holders had both been cracked/broken and the mosfet bias trim pots had been adjusted out of spec. He knew I had bought it from GC used, but would really like to know what nitwit did this to the amp - LOL.

Thanks to Mesa! Yet I have a question, if the amp was repaired on Wednesday why are they waiting till next week to ship it out???

 

[Chef]

I think they're closed on Friday?
So, if they took Thursday to test/package/paperwork etc....then Monday....