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Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread Part 10

#1,541
ric426 said:
I'm thinking of trying some tube rolling, but rather than trying for clean headroom like a normal person, I'm doing it with the intention of looking for the most pleasing and controllable overdrive. From what I've gathered so far, V2 doesn't really factor into the overdrive equation that much, which makes sense. It seems that as manufacturing changes, different tube brands and configurations come in and out of favor. What are the most current recommendations for tube choices with an ear towards nice overdrive characteristics, that don't include the $300 ultra rare trans-dimensional unobtanium plate pre-1925 NOS versions? I'd like to get 2 or 3 choices in the $50-60 total range. I seem to be channeling echos of Jack Casady from 1969 lately and don't have access to a Versatone Pan-O-Flex.
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I think the JJ is a good bet for an affordable 12ax7 with good clean and overdrive characteristics. As Tom mentioned above, the Telefunken 12ax7 is a bit of a classic V1 tube in bass amps, but they can be pretty pricey and the JJ I think is the best "cheap" alternative. I have chosen the JJ every time I've done tube-flipping with what I have available, which includes a small collection of Mullard, Amperex and a few other vintage tubes as well as a handful of newer Sovtek, EHX, Tung-Sol, older Mesa (some of these tubes are probably the same but relabeled). If you can find an affordable Telefunken I'd recommend it- I had one in an old Bassman that I stupidly sold with the amp and it was great!
 
#1,542
It seems the noise issue was not the tubes, or even the amp at all but something in my signal chain. Still, I might go ahead and put those new JJ's in there just out of curiosity. Is it as simple as unscrewing and removing the chassis to remove the tubes?

By the way, Spector + Walkabout + Hathor 1203 is glorious.
 
#1,543
Willy B said:
It seems the noise issue was not the tubes, or even the amp at all but something in my signal chain. Still, I might go ahead and put those new JJ's in there just out of curiosity. Is it as simple as unscrewing and removing the chassis to remove the tubes?

By the way, Spector + Walkabout + Hathor 1203 is glorious.
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Yes, the screws around the edge of the top cover are what you need to remove. Use a good fitting screwdriver, they're probably pretty tight and easy to mar.
 
#1,544
Willy B said:
It seems the noise issue was not the tubes, or even the amp at all but something in my signal chain. Still, I might go ahead and put those new JJ's in there just out of curiosity. Is it as simple as unscrewing and removing the chassis to remove the tubes?

By the way, Spector + Walkabout + Hathor 1203 is glorious.
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Yep- there are a ton of screws which is annoying, and be careful to use a properly fitting screwdriver or drill bit as I have seen many a stripped screw on Mesa amps (not sure if they over tighten them or just use soft metal or both).

I'd bet you'll dig the change- I'd start by just changing out the V1 tube ( IIRC it is the first you see on the right looking from the front of the amp). The other tube is less noticeable tonally, though does change the dynamics of the amp when pushed and will likely put out a bit more output than the stock tube ( not to be confused with more headroom, just you'll reach the mex volume sooner on the Master dial).
 
#1,546
Yup, 20 screws later and the JJ's are in. Luckily I had a good-fitting screwdriver and they weren't too hard to get out (for the most part). I felt so accomplished. Then I beheld the marvel before me as I removed the chassis. Oh well, tubes replaced and no stripped screws- that's a success for me.

Don't want to jump to conclusions just yet as I have to keep the volume low, but it's sure sounding as sweet as ever, anyway.
 
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#1,550
I played an outdoor gig yesterday and had the offer to use my old SWR 6x10 cab(pre-Fender) that I had sold a friend of mine a few years ago,anyways I decided to take him up on the offer,one less thing to take so why not. It was a 4 ohm cab but he rewired it to run at more like 10 ohms,so he told me,after I got there,haha. So now I'm thinking,will I have enough volume running the WA at 8 ohms at an outdoor gig,with no pa support other than for vocals? Well,I was pretty surprised-running the gain at about 1 o'clock and the master at about 11,I had more than enough to do the job,and it sounded pretty rippin'!! It really seemed to give it that pushed power tube feel,even though there are no power tubes.:D
 
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#1,553
I was told by Mesa that the vented top was simply to comply with regulatory requirements and not necessary. However, I cannot help but classify it in the " cannot hurt and might help" category. Whether it's worth $60 plus shipping is a personal decision. If I was running it hot or below 4 Ohms I would do it. YMMV.
 
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#1,554
After reading Tom's piece a while ago, I found a used Telefunken on ebay from a vendor here in Jersey (she cut me a break on shipping since I had to pay sales tax). I found it did make a very pleasant difference in V1; I put a JJ in V2. I never changed the fan because it didn't bother me; once I'm playing I don't notice it.

ValmiX said:
I've noticed that some Walkabouts (silver and black plates) have different default parametric frequencies.
Some have 160 1.2k 6.8k and others 60 340 2K as you can read on the plates.
Anyone knows the real differences?
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I wondered about this, also. I don't remember what my first silver/black one had (Active/Passive inputs instead of switch). The silver/black I have now has the 160 1.2k 6.8k and has the Active/Passive switch and the factory Effects switch on the back (not the upgrade, but the small switch with stenciled Effects/Bypass label). I had a black faced with the 60 340 2k that was pre vented top cover.

I prefer the silver/black face over the all-black face; it's just my preference. I like the silver, knurled knobs, too.

One last trivial note, the three front-most, side screws on each side are a little larger. I'm guessing they are a little sturdier for mounting the rack ears.

OK, another last (I promise) note. My WA sounds terrific with my Berg NV610 (but I use an SVT-VR with it) and SUPERB with my two Ampeg SVT-210AV's. It sounds very good with my Berg NV115, but I wish it had a little more oomph for it.


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That's about four cents worth.

And... The GigSkinz Medium Mixer/Utility Bag works very well. It can be difficult trying to get the amp into and out of the Mesa bag. I'm done for now (and I have no association with GigSkinz).
 
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#1,555
Rickles said:
I wondered about this, also. I don't remember what my first silver/black one had (Active/Passive inputs instead of switch). The silver/black I have now has the 160 1.2k 6.8k and has the Active/Passive switch and the factory Effects switch on the back (not the upgrade, but the small switch with stenciled Effects/Bypass label). I had a black faced with the 60 340 2k that was pre vented top cover.
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I didn't know there were different versions with different frequency centers on the semi-parametric EQ. Ya learn something new every day. FWIW, I've got a silver/black faced one with active/passive inputs and no effects loop bypass, and it has the 60 340 2k freq. centers, which I'd prefer. It seems that whenever I do tweak the EQ it's generally in the mids, though I usually get what I want with the passive mid control. If I use the para EQ, it's usually just when I'm experimenting, and then I spend too much time tweaking and chasing the tone.
The thing I like best about the Walkabout is that I'm able to get a pleasing tone with a minimum of fuss. A couple of years ago I strayed from the path and bought a TH350 because everyone was raving about them and I jumped on the bandwagon. I just couldn't get a feel for the interactive nature of the drive and EQ controls. I'd get a sound that was close, but was constantly tweaking, trying to get closer to what I wanted. If I'd stuck with it I probably could have gotten it under control, but it lasted a couple weeks before I sold it at a loss and got another Walkabout.
 
#1,556
Rickles said:
After reading Tom's piece a while ago, I found a used Telefunken on ebay from a vendor here in Jersey (she cut me a break on shipping since I had to pay sales tax). I found it did make a very pleasant difference in V1; I put a JJ in V2.
Click to expand...

After reading all about it and procrastinating for far too long, your comments got me moving and I just ordered a Telefunken and a JJ 12ax7. Seems to be the way to go. My existing tubes don't sound bad, but they're unknown and in my never ending propensity for tinkering, it's time to change something.
 
#1,558
Since the Walkabout already has a preamp, you are likely to have level matching issues between the bass and the input of the amp (unless the preamp is "in name only" and doesn't do any appreciable amplification. Your best bet would be to use the effects return jack as your input. Do not use it between the effects send and return, again the level matching is likely to be very wrong.

Why do you think you need another preamp?
 
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#1,559
I'm playing around with an Alembic F-1X... just looking for suggestions. I may eventually pair it with a simple power amp/cab combination.
 
#1,560
I don't recall exactly, but from what I remember, that preamp has a pretty high output impedance and may not have sufficient level to overcome the losses associated with the impedance mismatch at the effects return.

I will check for you when I get back to the shop and look at the docs.
 
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