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Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread Pt. Tres

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#802
MarkusBass said:
Thanks Kevin....I wonder if I'd have better luck with a different brand.
Click to expand...

The cost isn't that much for return shipping, and tubedepot is pretty easy to work with, so you could order up a couple of pairs to give them a run and return what you don't like. If you don't like break up, you might want to try the new Tung Sols. They break up later and it's smoother, the lows are a little tighter (less boom?), highs are a little more open (more clarity?), and less grind in the mids. I won't say it becomes scooped by any means - this is still all within the Walkabout world of tone - so maybe it just smooths out a little. This is compared to the stock Mesa 12AX7-A Russian2's, through the Scout 12" cabinet which has pretty deep lows without trying. The Walkabout should get that real tubey give as you push gain toward 2 o'clock, but not really overdrive until later unless you max the mid control. Any tube swapping will likely be minor variations of what was originally intended by Mesa. YMMV of course. Good luck... the Walkabout is a great amp that takes some time to get to know but gives great tone no matter what you do.
 
#804
They'll really let you return tubes you've used? Really????

I might need to try the tung sols, cause by noon on input gain, theere's nothing left I like in my Walkaobut. If tung sols got me to 2 oclock, that'd be great....


Ultimately, what I really want is a Walkabout with about three times the power so I can set "tube richness with input gain, and total output with master gain.''
Right now, I have to run both at noon, and to quote Mr. Scott: "I'm giving her all she's got captain!"

KevinMG said:
The cost isn't that much for return shipping, and tubedepot is pretty easy to work with, so you could order up a couple of pairs to give them a run and return what you don't like. If you don't like break up, you might want to try the new Tung Sols. They break up later and it's smoother, the lows are a little tighter (less boom?), highs are a little more open (more clarity?), and less grind in the mids. I won't say it becomes scooped by any means - this is still all within the Walkabout world of tone - so maybe it just smooths out a little. This is compared to the stock Mesa 12AX7-A Russian2's, through the Scout 12" cabinet which has pretty deep lows without trying. The Walkabout should get that real tubey give as you push gain toward 2 o'clock, but not really overdrive until later unless you max the mid control. Any tube swapping will likely be minor variations of what was originally intended by Mesa. YMMV of course. Good luck... the Walkabout is a great amp that takes some time to get to know but gives great tone no matter what you do.
Click to expand...
 
#805
KevinMG said:
The cost isn't that much for return shipping, and tubedepot is pretty easy to work with, so you could order up a couple of pairs to give them a run and return what you don't like. If you don't like break up, you might want to try the new Tung Sols. They break up later and it's smoother, the lows are a little tighter (less boom?), highs are a little more open (more clarity?), and less grind in the mids. I won't say it becomes scooped by any means - this is still all within the Walkabout world of tone - so maybe it just smooths out a little. This is compared to the stock Mesa 12AX7-A Russian2's, through the Scout 12" cabinet which has pretty deep lows without trying. The Walkabout should get that real tubey give as you push gain toward 2 o'clock, but not really overdrive until later unless you max the mid control. Any tube swapping will likely be minor variations of what was originally intended by Mesa. YMMV of course. Good luck... the Walkabout is a great amp that takes some time to get to know but gives great tone no matter what you do.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I played with it for hours yesterday, and I am truly amazed by the tone...starting to even like a little breakup with my Darkstar'd P bass and flats:bassist: Now I hear what everyone is talking about!
 
#810
Chef said:
They'll really let you return tubes you've used? Really????

I might need to try the tung sols, cause by noon on input gain, theere's nothing left I like in my Walkaobut. If tung sols got me to 2 oclock, that'd be great....


Ultimately, what I really want is a Walkabout with about three times the power so I can set "tube richness with input gain, and total output with master gain.''
Right now, I have to run both at noon, and to quote Mr. Scott: "I'm giving her all she's got captain!"
Click to expand...

They let me return the 2 sets of Sovtek LPS that didn't work for me. When I didn't want to reorder something else the 3rd time, they didn't make a fuss. However, I just checked their site and it does state that there is a 20% restock fee for regular returns. So I guess I overstated how generous their policy is (sorry about that!).

Though for $30 I'd still say give the Tung Sol's a shot... actually surprised you haven't already :) Actually be interested to compare ears (my disclaimer in case you pull the trigger and tell me they break up just like the rest of them!). Though I want to say there was a post or a separate thread on this topic where someone else described them similarly.
 
#811
MarkusBass said:
OK...thanks I was thinking that too, unless they were replaced with some other Mesa tubes. This head was definitely opened before.
Click to expand...

That SPAX-7A is probably not what it originally left the factory with. There is talk in the gu!+@r world that the SPAX-7A is a great 12ax7 and then there is talk that it is just a normal 12ax7. The story behind the tube is that Mesa picks the least microphonic and "best" 12ax7 Chinese and Russian tubes and labels them SPAX-7A. I have one and it sounds good...I use it in slot 2.
 
#812
MarkusBass said:
OK...thanks I was thinking that too, unless they were replaced with some other Mesa tubes. This head was definitely opened before.
Click to expand...

Did a quick search and found this...
Link Removed
MESA SPAX7 preamp tubes are a super-premium grade substitute for any 12AX7 positions - They are a "Special Requirement Preamp Tube" that possess an even higher standard of overall performance, due to their incredibly low sensitivity to microphonic noise - This is the ultimate preamp tube to use in all critical gain stage positions - It is the absolute best of the best!

So there you have it... the best of the best :) It's $4 more than their standard preamp tube that still shows a picture of the 12AX7-A you have. My guess is the previous owner was having some tube noise issues and went the safe route. Good on ya! Enjoy.
 
#813
I couldn't resist asking Mesa the price of a CS WA headcase in an embossed leather finish/
Whoa, talk about sticker shock. 299 for a regular headcase. The upcharge for an embossed leather covering is 479 (for a different color vinyl is 179). That'd be 779 for a super swank leather helmet.........not sure if I've been THAT good a boy this year.......
 
#814
KevinMG said:
Did a quick search and found this...
Link Removed
MESA SPAX7 preamp tubes are a super-premium grade substitute for any 12AX7 positions - They are a "Special Requirement Preamp Tube" that possess an even higher standard of overall performance, due to their incredibly low sensitivity to microphonic noise - This is the ultimate preamp tube to use in all critical gain stage positions - It is the absolute best of the best!

So there you have it... the best of the best :) It's $4 more than their standard preamp tube that still shows a picture of the 12AX7-A you have. My guess is the previous owner was having some tube noise issues and went the safe route. Good on ya! Enjoy.
Click to expand...


Thanks! I guess if it's the best of the best;)
 
#815
stingray56funk said:
That SPAX-7A is probably not what it originally left the factory with. There is talk in the gu!+@r world that the SPAX-7A is a great 12ax7 and then there is talk that it is just a normal 12ax7. The story behind the tube is that Mesa picks the least microphonic and "best" 12ax7 Chinese and Russian tubes and labels them SPAX-7A. I have one and it sounds good...I use it in slot 2.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info! What do you use in slot one?
 
#817
lomo said:
I couldn't resist asking Mesa the price of a CS WA headcase in an embossed leather finish/
Whoa, talk about sticker shock. 299 for a regular headcase. The upcharge for an embossed leather covering is 479 (for a different color vinyl is 179). That'd be 779 for a super swank leather helmet.........not sure if I've been THAT good a boy this year.......
Click to expand...

WOW!!! Sticker shock indeed! Hmmm...I may need to offer my WA Headcase up for sale. :hiding: :D
 
#819
Well, I'll just pass on the headcase then, that's waaay too much. I'd be better off ordering another Scout cab, an 8 ohm version, (to run with my 4 ohm 212). As to tube swapping, if I could coax a wee bit more clean headroom out of this amp, I'm in. But, like Chef, what I really want is a 600-900 watt Walkabout. Who knows, maybe someday Mesa will thrill us all.
 
#820
RickenBoogie said:
Well, I'll just pass on the headcase then, that's waaay too much. I'd be better off ordering another Scout cab, an 8 ohm version, (to run with my 4 ohm 212). As to tube swapping, if I could coax a wee bit more clean headroom out of this amp, I'm in. But, like Chef, what I really want is a 600-900 watt Walkabout. Who knows, maybe someday Mesa will thrill us all.
Click to expand...

:hiding:Well -if you want a 600-900 watt Walkabout...you're really talkin Mesa Boogie Titan V12. About 900 watts @ 2 ohms and 1200 watts @ 4 ohms that can do WA tone better than the WA and much more tonal variety as well...no limit to headroom...as you turn the master is just gets louder and louder..."not that you'd ever want to play it that loud":smug:''...the mother of all amps...Peace...DAcat
 
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