mine was an older mesa diesel 115, even further "complicated" by the fact it was loaded with a new em 3015.
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Mesa Boogie Walkabout Mega-thread Pt. Tres
- Thread starter Chef
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front to back, center to center on the mounting screws, 10"
about 12" total, edge to edge, outside to outside, on the big rubber feet.
about 12" total, edge to edge, outside to outside, on the big rubber feet.
Okay, I'm a slow learner, but here's another question: I've got a Scout (w/4 Ohm, but I'd be willing to replace the speaker). If I added a 1x15 extension, what would be the ideal Ohm spec for the Scout's speaker and for that 115?
And here's my guess about my external cab ohm question (maybe somebody can tell me if I'm on the right track):
My Scout has a 4 Ohm speaker. I have an external 12 that's 8 Ohms. When I hook it up, it doesn't make as much diff as I expected. I'm guessing this is because the external is producing about half the sound of the Scout's internal (actually less because it's not as fine a speaker cabinet). So there's a diff, but not a big one.
If I were to put an 8 Ohm speaker into the Scout, then the two cabs would each carry half the load (cab quality differences aside). The Scout's internal would be quieter, so I'd wind up increasing the master gain to get the same volume. But my sound would be cleaner because the Scout's speaker isn't having to work so hard.
Moving on from that, if I replace the ext.12 with an ext.15 (also 8 Ohms), I'd add more volume because the 15 moves more air. And I'd get a bassier sound (maybe boomy to some ears) at the same time (more square inches moving more air).
And if I keep the 4 Ohm in the Scout, and add a 4 Ohm external, I'll get good results too (although I'm into the "Mesa says don't do it" zone).
So far so good? If so, then here's the latest question:
Will the amp sound different through the two 4 Ohm speakers instead of the 8 Ohms? Will its added power also have an "I'm workin' pretty hard here, boss" kind of sound to it?
My Scout has a 4 Ohm speaker. I have an external 12 that's 8 Ohms. When I hook it up, it doesn't make as much diff as I expected. I'm guessing this is because the external is producing about half the sound of the Scout's internal (actually less because it's not as fine a speaker cabinet). So there's a diff, but not a big one.
If I were to put an 8 Ohm speaker into the Scout, then the two cabs would each carry half the load (cab quality differences aside). The Scout's internal would be quieter, so I'd wind up increasing the master gain to get the same volume. But my sound would be cleaner because the Scout's speaker isn't having to work so hard.
Moving on from that, if I replace the ext.12 with an ext.15 (also 8 Ohms), I'd add more volume because the 15 moves more air. And I'd get a bassier sound (maybe boomy to some ears) at the same time (more square inches moving more air).
And if I keep the 4 Ohm in the Scout, and add a 4 Ohm external, I'll get good results too (although I'm into the "Mesa says don't do it" zone).
So far so good? If so, then here's the latest question:
Will the amp sound different through the two 4 Ohm speakers instead of the 8 Ohms? Will its added power also have an "I'm workin' pretty hard here, boss" kind of sound to it?
I'll try to answer all the ?s: In general, you're correct about the 4 Ohm internal and 8 Ohm internal situation. You're probably getting around 400 watts into a total of 2.7 Ohms with about 250 watts to your internal 12 and 150 to the ext cab. Further, the internal can only really use somewhere between 150 and 200 before the driver maxes out, so this is a very inefficient setup. Obviously, these are generalizations that depend partially on cab specifics. Yes, the power output would be balanced between the 2 cabs if they were both 8 Ohms, and the scout would sound cleaner and uncompressed at higher volumes compared to the 1st situation. The ext cab would also be louder, as would overall volume. Yes, other specs being equal, a 15 will be much louder than a 12 do to the increased cone area. It may or may not be "bassier" as that depends heavily on driver specs and cab volume/tuning. The Scout 15 is much deeper sounding than the 12, for sure. Yes again, adding a 4 Ohm ext to your 4 Ohm internal can sound good but will work the head harder. It may get warmer and you'd be in "not factory recommended but a whole lot of users have had no issues" territory. I don't believe the paired 4 Ohm cabs would sound different from the paired 8 Ohm cabs, but I haven't compared the 2 and IMO the ONLY advantage to the former would be not having to replace your current driver. My choices would be 1) 2 8 Ohm 12s, assuming PA support. Or, if you need to be very loud (as in no PA support, or outdoor or large venues) 2)8 Ohm internal 12 and a 4 Ohm ext 212. Adding a 4 Ohm 15 is also a reasonable choice, but you'd be better off if your internal 12 was only 8 Ohms in that case, in terms of better using your available power. It depends on your needs. If much of your playing is fine with the single 4 Ohm 12 you already have, occasionally pulling the head for use with a 410 or other large cab makes sense as well. IME, if you have PA support (and even if you don't in an average sized bar), a pair of good 12s will leave you headroom to spare with the Walkabout in an average rock band setting.
I run mine at 2 ohms almost all the time.
A 15 is not necessarily tuned deeper, my mesa diesel wasn't.
the PH115 isn't, tho the scout 15 is.
My Scout was 4 ohms, my diesel was 8 ohms. I know people will tell you that will sound imbalanced, but, in that case, it did not.
ymmv.
A 15 is not necessarily tuned deeper, my mesa diesel wasn't.
the PH115 isn't, tho the scout 15 is.
My Scout was 4 ohms, my diesel was 8 ohms. I know people will tell you that will sound imbalanced, but, in that case, it did not.
ymmv.
While I don't know the size of the rooms your gigs are in, you might consider using the Scout 4 ohm for practice and whatever smaller gigs you feel it can handle, and then get a larger 4 ohm cab such as a 4x10 or 2x12 that will work well by itself with the head removed. It certainly seems like 2x12s get the job done for most needs from what gets reported here. To me it just seems like a waste of a perfectly good speaker trying create a 3 speaker setup. If you need to push that much air without PA support, why not look at a 4x12 or the Powerhouse 1200 that has both a 4x10 and 1x15 inside just for those situations?
this depends on the efficiency of the setups you compare.
for instance, i found my scout+15 pushed more air that walkabout + epi UL410.
however, walkabout + henry 8x8 worked pretty well.
for instance, i found my scout+15 pushed more air that walkabout + epi UL410.
however, walkabout + henry 8x8 worked pretty well.
All depends on what your priorities are. I'm simply not willing to haul any single item (cab or head) much over 50 lbs so I dig a modular thing. I'd rather carry 50 lbs up a flight of stairs 3 times than do it once with 85 lbs. I'm also almost never satisfied with less than a pair of 12s or a 15, regardless of volume needs. We all have our preferences and ya gotta go where it feels right. If I was forced to choose 2 cabs to cover everything I do with a WA head I'd go with an 8 Ohm WA 12 cab and a 4 Ohm WA 15 cab. The 4 Ohm 15 could handle 90% of the few gigs I play, the 2 together for the outdoor or larger stuff and the 12 for drumerless jams and noodling. Nothing much over 50 lbs. As always, YMMV.
That's a decent plan!
I, personally, found the Scout 15 "a little blubbery" for me, (and thus my choice to go with the diesel, which is ported/tuned higher), but if it meets your tone goals, that's a fine way to go!
I, personally, found the Scout 15 "a little blubbery" for me, (and thus my choice to go with the diesel, which is ported/tuned higher), but if it meets your tone goals, that's a fine way to go!
Yeah-I often trimmed at around 60-150Hz when pushing the 15 to keep it from booming, but found it to have massive, useful low end when tamed. IMO it's also bigger and heavier than than suits its' single side handle.
My 8 ohm Schroeder 15L is easily as loud as my 4 ohm Scout cab when I pair them. I attributed this to the efficiency of the neo Celestion in the Schro and the upfront voicing of the box. These cover any gig I may run into. The Schroeder really punches up the sound of the Scout when I stack them. I'd like to have a nice Scout 12 stack aesthetically, but this thread has got me wondering about the pairing of 2 4 ohm Scout cabs and whether the benefits equal the extra wear and tear on the 'lil head. I may just stand pat on this.
I'm not certain on the math, but I *think* you're looking at about a 3dB increase.
well, that's all kinda complicated...you want a scientific answer, or a real world answer?
the 3db is the science answer.
the 50% is probably closer to real world, as you're doubling both horsepower and cone area.
fwiw, when I still used the Walkabout Scout, there really wasn't a job I couldn't cover with the 115 underneath it.
the 3db is the science answer.
the 50% is probably closer to real world, as you're doubling both horsepower and cone area.
fwiw, when I still used the Walkabout Scout, there really wasn't a job I couldn't cover with the 115 underneath it.
I used the WA head (taken outta it's 8 ohm scout combo) with my Bergantino NV215 the other nite.
WOW- Beautiful bouncy bubbly bassiness
with a P-bass with Flats! Gorgeous!!!!!
& LOUD!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!! HUGE sound!!!
WOW- Beautiful bouncy bubbly bassiness
with a P-bass with Flats! Gorgeous!!!!!& LOUD!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!! HUGE sound!!!
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