Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread part Four!

[Lowbrow]

Buzz, I don't think the 60/340/2K was a mistake by any means. It seems (to me at least) that the vast majority of WB's out there are made this way.

I'm guessing that Mesa went with logarithmic pots due to the way the 3 parametric controls overlap each other. Basically, you have fine control on the very low end, then as that first (lowest frequency) para increases in frequency, it starts to crossover into the beginning region of the next pot, and so on. I'm guessing that because of the minor differences most people may hear at the highest frequencies (above 6-8K), that having fine control on the top end (the last 1/3 of the last pot) wasn't as critical as the rest of the spectrum. Based on how it sounds to me I think they got those controls just right, and wouldn't want it any other way.

Not being a technical person I have a different perspective on this: 60hz, 340hz, 2k corresponds to many simpler amp's Bass, Lo Mid, Treble tone stack. Noon/"flat" is default setting.

 

[BillyB_from_LZ]

60/340/2K on my reddish/brown on silver Walkabout...

 

[ishouldbeking]

60/340/2K on my reddish/brown on silver Walkabout...

and on my 2010 blackface as well.

 

[RickenBoogie]

Now see, that's just odd. Mines an '06 silver face/black writing model, and definetly 160 @ noon on the low band. I had no idea there were some 100 Hz lower. So now we need a shootout between the 2 different versions- because it must make a difference, no?

 

[Chef]

No, I wouldn't think so, given that you have them set the same.

 

[sunbeast]

Now see, that's just odd. Mines an '06 silver face/black writing model, and definetly 160 @ noon on the low band. I had no idea there were some 100 Hz lower. So now we need a shootout between the 2 different versions- because it must make a difference, no?

Both of mine with the 160, etc labels were also silver/black from around that same era- so it must have just been a supply thing for a short period right then? Seems kinda crazy to print up seperate chassis' like that for a new set of potentiometers then just switch back when they run out (I guess that is alot of assumptions about the hows and whys for the change though). I wonder if any of them were mislabeled when the pots switched back? I know my Walkabouts seemed to sound fairly different, though I think I attributed it to the different tubes...

 

[Buzz Grim]

Peculiar. I just checked my Silver / Black Walkabout which was new in December 2008. The settings at noon are 160/1.2/6.8. The overall range of each knob is the same as the photo of the Blackface that was posted earlier. I hereby retract my previous statement accusing Mesa of making a mistake with the 60/340/2k noon settings. I don't think it was a mistake since both versions work fine and some users may prefer the 60/340/2k over the more linear 160/1.2/6.8. The question remains as to why Mesa changed the pot taper for a while and then changed it back.

 

[Jim C]

Just as a data point:
Silverface / Maroon; has passive active switch and really home made effects bypass decal / switch
EQ freq's straight up are
60/340/2K

Don't think I've ever owned a MI amp that didn't have a serial number on the back panel; how odd

 

[Lowbrow]

Pretty amazing that this didn't come up sooner.

 

[vin*tone]

60/340/2K on my reddish/brown on silver Walkabout...

+1.

I think mine's pretty old.

 

[BillyB_from_LZ]

...
Don't think I've ever owned a MI amp that didn't have a serial number on the back panel; how odd

I think it's on the bottom...which you can't see when the amp is installed in the combo cabinet.

I bought a used Walkabout Scout Combo at a local Guitar Center...when going through the serial number check at the door, the guy said...Oh...Hmmmm...Umm, I guess these things don't have serial numbers.

 

[finalrequiem]

What would we need to do to figure out the date range of the 160/1.2/6.8 heads? Mine was new this spring and it's a 60. I have no reason to care other than curiosity and a desire to know more about the history behind my equipment.

 

[Buzz Grim]

I'm also curious as to the date range for the 160/1.2/6.8 version. Mine is from Dec. 2008 which is nearly 2009. I'm wondering if they changed back to the earlier version with the Black/ Black models. Three questions.
1) Does anyone (Chef) know what year the first Black/ Black Walkabout was made?
2) Does anyone have a 160/1.2/6.8 Silver/ Black newer than Dec.2008?
3) Who has the earliest dated 160/1.2/6.8?

 

[SJLee]

What are you fella's using to transport your 12 combo's? I've read that some are not satisfied with the luggage cart. Does anyone have something they like?

 

[bigbajo60]

What are you fella's using to transport your 12 combo's?

;-)

 

[SJLee]

Nice! I have one of these.

But I'm interested in what folks are using to get from the truck to the gig.

;-)

 

[bigbajo60]

In all seriousness, we're usually lucky enough to be able to do load-in and load-out within 50-100 feet of the stage, so the 'ol "hand-schlep" is normally okay by us.

 

[SJLee]

That's what I've been doing. However at 45, I am looking for something a little easier on the back.

 

[tombowlus]

That's what I've been doing. However at 45, I am looking for something a little easier on the back.

I highly recommend the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. I have a Tri-Kart 800, but if you didn't need/want the tilt-back feature, then Super 600 would be a great option.

 

[pgbassman]

I know that the Passive Radiator is critical to the sound and tuning of these cabs, but i was wondering if you removed the rubber feet and installed (4) inch and a half wheels in their place how it would effect the tuning of the cab...Has anyone modified their cab that way or in any other way. Show us your modified walkabout cab!