Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread Part 10

[NOLA Bass]

I hate having too many knobs on an amp (there is something to be said for simplicity). If I see a big graphic EQ on an amp, forget about it! ; ) The walkabout's mid controls really allow for dialing what you need based on the room and configuration of cabs/bass. It is a really smart design. Very flexible but simple as well.

 

[Maynard13x8]

This is such a true statement, and not the case with many heads. However, I like the Walkabout through every cab I've played it through. It warms up my GK NEO's, sounds like thunder through my Mesa 115, kills it through the Fender NEO 410, etc. I love that it sounds amazing through a vintage (or more vintage design cab), yet can really add those warm and smooth low mids through more modern and neo cabs.

It's loud enough with gk neo 212 8ohm playing with gain at around 2 o'clock ?? 2x12 in my opinion is the best configuration and it's only available 8ohm model at 639€ including delivery, very good price. Will I have problems fighting against and Engl invader with its corresponding 4x12XL and a loud drummer?
Thanks

 

[MarkA]

It's loud enough with gk neo 212 8ohm playing with gain at around 2 o'clock ?? 2x12 in my opinion is the best configuration and it's only available 8ohm model at 639€ including delivery, very good price. Will I have problems fighting against and Engl invader with its corresponding 4x12XL and a loud drummer?
Thanks

A lot depends on who you're playing with, how they play, and whether you have PA support. Unless the 2x12 is very efficient at 8 Ohms, I could see you getting buried in some scenarios with the Walkabout. A high-pass filter can help (fDeck HPF3 or micro-thumpinator) get some headroom back but, in my opinion, the ideal loud-gig setup with a Walkabout is a 4 Ohm 2x12 AND and 8 Ohm 1x12. That gives you flexibility in how you group the cabs and some wiggle room if things get loud.

Just my opinion.

 

[StayLow]

It's loud enough with gk neo 212 8ohm playing with gain at around 2 o'clock ?? 2x12 in my opinion is the best configuration and it's only available 8ohm model at 639€ including delivery, very good price. Will I have problems fighting against and Engl invader with its corresponding 4x12XL and a loud drummer?
Thanks

In my rock bands that'd be so buried I'd have to look at the pilot light to tell if the amp is even on.

In my experience, you need a lot more cabinet, running at 4 ohms if it's a single cab, to be present in a loud rock mix wth a WalkAbout.

 

[rodl2005]

I hate having too many knobs on an amp (there is something to be said for simplicity). If I see a big graphic EQ on an amp, forget about it! ; ) The walkabout's mid controls really allow for dialing what you need based on the room and configuration of cabs/bass. It is a really smart design. Very flexible but simple as well.

So true. The parametric eq on the WA is there. ...but I rarely used it. Only if there was a problem with the room acoustics etc. .. The 3 bands of eq - bass , mid & treble are fine on it.
Mostly those semi-parametric knobs usually all stayed at 12 o'clock.
But. .....handy IF you need em.

 

[bonz - darrell]

So true. The parametric eq on the WA is there. ...but I rarely used it. Only if there was a problem with the room acoustics etc. .. The 3 bands of eq - bass , mid & treble are fine on it.
Mostly those semi-parametric knobs usually all stayed at 12 o'clock.
But. .....handy IF you need em.

I didn't want to admit that my para eq is all at noon. I've been able to get everything I need and more with just the bass, mid, treble.
On the other hand, I've been able to make some really terrible sounds by trying to tweak the para eq. Now I'm just frightened of it. lol.

 

[MarkA]

I didn't want to admit that my para eq is all at noon. I've been able to get everything I need and more with just the bass, mid, treble.
On the other hand, I've been able to make some really terrible sounds by trying to tweak the para eq. Now I'm just frightened of it. lol.

I liked the semi-para EQ on the WA. Found it useful in very small doses.

 

[Maynard13x8]

In my rock bands that'd be so buried I'd have to look at the pilot light to tell if the amp is even on.

In my experience, you need a lot more cabinet, running at 4 ohms if it's a single cab, to be present in a loud rock mix wth a WalkAbout.

I'll take it into account, so I have to buy a four ohms cab. Which one available from thomann would you buy?
Invalid Link Removed

 

[sratas]

It's a shame not using the great para eq...it is the most high end eq module i used, and I used a lot in amps and studio consoles. It's very well tought out, precise as hell, musical, and it really makes the WA a chamaleon. The wa has a good natural voice, but the eq can boost this attitude. Just experiment. Yesterday night I played my jazz bass equipped with la bella flats, bass at noon, mids maxed, first parametric setted to 300 hz with 11 o' clock postion, second and third para setted to boost a notch in the higher mids in the 1200-1800 range, treble boost at 1 o' clock....burpy bold jazz bass tone, pure bliss.

But I could continue for heavier tones and scooped ones too, some of wich can be reminiscent of the traditional svt etc etc. In particular, this is the very first amp that allows me to boost mids without being annoyed...the midrange in this amp is this good, even if I usually use the gain knob to control the amount of perceived mids. The proper mid control usually sits between 10 and 12 oclock.

 

[StayLow]

I'll take it into account, so I have to buy a four ohms cab. Which one available from thomann would you buy?
Invalid Link Removed

You'll need a 4x10 if it's truly loud rock.

I'd want a Glockenklang. If budget and weight are considerations, then filter down accordingly. I'd stick to known quality reliable brands. MarkBass doesn't look "rock" with the yellow speakers, if that matters, so Ampeg, GK, Hartke, maybe the Fender Rumble.

 

[gillento]

You'll need a 4x10 if it's truly loud rock.

I'd want a Glockenklang. If budget and weight are considerations, then filter down accordingly. I'd stick to known quality reliable brands. MarkBass doesn't look "rock" with the yellow speakers, if that matters, so Ampeg, GK, Hartke, maybe the Fender Rumble.

The 104HF by MarkBass is VERY rock sounding, believe me

 

[sratas]

Had the 104hf.. if by rock sounding you mean dubby sub mush and undefined ..then it is rock for sure...☺. As always It's a matter of personal taste I think

 

[Maynard13x8]

Had the 104hf.. if by rock sounding you mean dubby sub mush and undefined ..then it is rock for sure...☺. As always It's a matter of personal taste I think

Does it sound like ampeg hlf?? Because I hate that boomy, fat, undefined sound trough my walkabout.

 

[gillento]

Well, I had both: the MB 104HF and the Ampeg Heritage 410 HLF....... Sold the Ampeg, kept the MarkBass.
The MB has a lot more going on in the low mids (whee the audible punck is) whereas the HLF had too much in the low (barely hearable) lows .

 

[freedomryder]

Does it sound like ampeg hlf?? Because I hate that boomy, fat, undefined sound trough my walkabout.

Maybe check out the Ampeg SVT-212av? I have 2 of the 112's and they sound great with my Walkabout.

 

[sratas]

I was thinking about the ampeg svt cabs myself...their specs seem to be optimal to match the WA...I'm considering the 112 and the 210...

 

[Maynard13x8]

I was thinking about the ampeg svt cabs myself...their specs seem to be optimal to match the WA...I'm considering the 112 and the 210...

I've just looked that cab and could be a good option, what I don't like is its frequency range:

• Frequency range (-3dB): 71 Hz - 18 kHz

71hz( -3db) seems to be poor for 2x12 speakers.

 

[rodl2005]

I'd listen to it before I took ANY notice of the listed specs.
The SVT810E has a pretty decent roll off of low end but I've found it to pump out the low notes of a 5 string with aplomb

 

[sratas]

Exactly...the old sound of the revered fridge is nothing about deepest lows, but it's bold in the upper bass. The 2x12 has interesting specs because of that lowend rolloff, it's not a minus in my book, probably a plus instead...

 

[sratas]

The only minus in the spec sheet of the 212 is the weight...not a fridge but it will be not so easy to move and carry. Just because of this I'm toying with the idea of 2or 3 svt 210 av....they are sold at an awesome price point (I can actually buy 3 of them with the cash needed to buy the 2x12) and the spec'd lowend rolloff should compliment the deep tone of the walkabout very well