Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread part Four!

[SJLee]

I have something similar to this and they elastic straps do not do a good job of holding the cab in place. I might need some tigh down straps. The way it is now, the cab slide pretty easily on the metal brace.

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.

 

[tombowlus]

I have something similar to this and they elastic straps do not do a good job of holding the cab in place. I might need some tigh down straps. The way it is now, the cab slide pretty easily on the metal brace.

Really? Man, I have hauled a lot of stuff (most of it much heavier than the WalkAbout Scout Combo), and those bungees have pretty much always done the trick for me.

I suppose you could get a come-along and strap the combo to your cart (maybe your existing cart), if need be.

 

[Vic]

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.

+1, and while I did get the 800, I found the tilt wheels to be more of a hassle than a benefit for the very few times I'd use them. Even when they're folded up they tend to interfere a little with using the stair rails, etc.

In short, the Super 600 is the one to get, IMHO.

 

[Vic]

I have something similar to this and they elastic straps do not do a good job of holding the cab in place. I might need some tigh down straps. The way it is now, the cab slide pretty easily on the metal brace.

I've had pretty good luck with them (as Tom says), but that may be dependent on the size/weight of what you're hauling too.

 

[SJLee]

Mind I don't have the exact make or model Tom is talking about. They seem similar to what I have and the elastic cord is just meh. On mine it tends to slide quite a bit on the metal rails because the elastic straps have too much give in them to really secure the amp well. Perhaps the Kart-a-Bag elastic straps are much tougher than what I have on my cart?

 

[Dan55]

My silver/black WA is 60/340/2K. Not sure of the year - I bought it used a couple of years ago.
No problems hauling the Scout 12 with a Magnacart.
http://www.amazon.com/Magna-Cart-Personal-Hand-Truck/dp/B000HVVSDU

Dan

 

[Jim C]

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?

I would think a quick call to Mesa Tech Support would be best.
I've not had good luck with the folks that answer the phone or sales of small items (rack ears) but tech support has been excellent; guy was totaly jacked to talk about the WA.

 

[bigbajo60]

Finally had a chance to replace the Chinese Mesa tube in my WA's V1 socket with a Telefunken.
Wow!
I immediately noticed a bit of boost gain-wise. Tonally, it seems to have opened up some detail in the upper mids and tightened up the lower end somewhat (in a good way!).
Gonna keep paying attention over the course of the next few weeks, but my first impression is quite positive! My appreciation to those fellow WA owners who have led the way with their "tube rolling" experimentation!

 

[Jim C]

Yeah Baby!
It's real right? (not some ash vs alder trickery )
Will be interested to see if you change the driver tube and your opinion of the difference.
For me, there was a difference but not nearly as great.

 

[bigbajo60]

I'm interested in swapping the V2 tube out as well, but whereas there seemed to be a fair amount of consensus on the Telefunken in the V1 position, my "jury's still out" as to which tube might be best for the driver.
I've heard a JAN Phillips 12AX7 would do really well, but are there other tubes that have given any of you out there good results in the V2?

 

[wellso74]

Big Bajo or anyone that knows!- which telefunken 12AX7 should I get for rolling the V1 tube. Is there a link that you could share- where you got that tube?

 

[BarStarzBass]

I will defer to others with greater expertise - but mine was a "The Fisher" branded Telefunken for $40 off Evilbay at Viking Vintage. I'm very happy with it.

 

[Chef]

http://tubedepot.com/ts-12ax7.html

i know this is tung sol, and not telefunken. still nice tho, as are the JJ's.

 

[wellso74]

thanks!!!!

 

[Jim C]

I have a used Dynaco Telefunken that I liked the best; I tested a bunch within this thread and it tuned out to be that I generally liked the long plate versions best.
Think that Amperex and Tele sounded the best (these were long plates) also liked a NOS National long plate and the short plate Mullards (branded as Eico's)
Tried a JAN12AX7 and thought it was good but no better than the European units and maybe not as good; also tried a bunch of US tubes as well as Russian and Chinese that were just OK
Shoot me a PM if you want to see all the results based on a Stingray bass and Berg HT322 cabinet

 

[NOLA Bass]

OK, I have not gotten to any tube swapping yet, but I am so sold on how great this head is! I picked mine up a while ago, but had not really used it yet. My guitarist has a Hartke 210 rig set up in his practice space, so I lazily used that each week. I did a fill in gig with the Walkabout through my 2 GK NEO 112 II's, but it was a weird gig soundwise. Performed fine, but unfamiliar band, strange room, etc. made for not the best true test.

Well, we just added a keyboard player and I decided to bring 1 of my 112's and the Walkabout to the last two practices. It was an amazing difference that both guitarists noted. We played last night, so I ran it with both cabs. Once again, the sound was just amazing. Warm, fat, punchy, etc. I can honestly say that the only other heads I've played through that I was this impressed with were the Sadowsky SA200, 65 amps (forget the model name) and Aguilar DB750. Considering the weight, portability, cost, this head is a no brainer for me. Can't wait to gig some more with it.

 

[P. Bass]

Chef, Just wondering what you think about using an 8ohm Uber Quad cab w/ the walkabout hd OR running it with my 8 ohm scout cab to get a 4 ohm load (300W), for when that's appropriate.
B.

 

[GRoberts]

Chef, Just wondering what you think about using an 8ohm Uber Quad cab w/ the walkabout hd OR running it with my 8 ohm scout cab to get a 4 ohm load (300W), for when that's appropriate.
B.

My Scout cab is 4 ohm. I ran my Walkabout Scout 1x12 4 ohm combo on top of a bergantino EX112 8 ohm cab and it sounded great! Totally giggable rig for tons of work. Never hiccuped. So running a pair of 8 ohm cabs together should be just fine.

 

[Chef]

That GB 1288 cab intrigues me, but I've never played one yet...

 

[jnewmark]

If one of you guys has a minute, could you give me the dimensions of just the Walkabout head ? I can't find them anywhere on the Mesa site, and I was wondering if any other bass head would fit into that slot on the cab. Thanks.