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Mesa Boogie Walkabout Megathread; Part Two

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#121
Many years ago, I helped a local bassist "fix" this same problem by lowering the pickups on his basses...

Seems that he liked the idea of having the lowest notes be the strongest notes, so he had set all three of his basses up with the pickups too close to the strings on the E side.

Not saying that this is your problem, but check it out, just in case!
 
#122
This is also a very good suggestion.
Lowering the low side of my pickups is a conclusiion I came to at one point, for sorta similar reasons.

My Berg AE410 just didn't seem to handle low notes very well, depsite all it's glowing reviews here. Dropping the B/E side of the pickups cleaned this up nicely,and really didn't change the percieved balance of the notes either.

Give it a shot!
 
#123
Hello all,
Going to buy the Walkabout head. I live in Sacramento and the only dealer is Northridge Music and they do have one. It is the older brown/red face and has a few scratches and a nice little gouge on the gain/bass /mid side. They won't budge on the $999.00 price so probably will drive to Petaluma and buy direct unless shipping will be cheaper than driving. Anyhow, I am thinking about buying the Aguilar db212 cab. What do you all think.

Thanks in advance -
 
#124
nickyn99 said:
Hello all,
Going to buy the Walkabout head. I live in Sacramento and the only dealer is Northridge Music and they do have one. It is the older brown/red face and has a few scratches and a nice little gouge on the gain/bass /mid side. They won't budge on the $999.00 price so probably will drive to Petaluma and buy direct unless shipping will be cheaper than driving. Anyhow, I am thinking about buying the Aguilar db212 cab. What do you all think.

Thanks in advance -
Click to expand...

Skip the shop worn one if it's full price! There have been improvements (bypass switch on the effects loop, active/passive switch vs. active and passive switching jacks, etc.) that will already exist in a newer version.

Once you have the amp, try out a number of different cabinets and see which one works best for your needs.
 
#125
I'd go buy direct, and get the new blackface layout. It's kewl.

I've not tried that cab, but my walkabout sounds big and old school thru my LDS 2x12.
 
#126
nickyn99 said:
Hello all,
Going to buy the Walkabout head. I live in Sacramento and the only dealer is Northridge Music and they do have one. It is the older brown/red face and has a few scratches and a nice little gouge on the gain/bass /mid side. They won't budge on the $999.00 price so probably will drive to Petaluma and buy direct unless shipping will be cheaper than driving. Anyhow, I am thinking about buying the Aguilar db212 cab. What do you all think.

Thanks in advance -
Click to expand...

Hey, I'm a Walkabout user in the bay area, and if you are thinking of going to Petaluma, you could also consider two other Mesa dealers: Hartlein in Dublin (right off 580), or even Gelb Music in San Mateo for buying a new Walkabout. I have No affliation with either shop, Just sayin', there are other options.

I would also agree that for that kind of dough, you should just consider new instead of a several year old model.

Walkabout is a great amp, hope you enjoy it.
 
#128
So just a followup on my distortion problem. Took the amp to the dealer, replaced both tubes-same problem. Sent the amp back to boogie and got a new one in exchange within one week. Pure thick goodness now sans distortion! Props for excellent customer service!
 
#130
nickyn99 said:
Hello all,
Going to buy the Walkabout head. Anyhow, I am thinking about buying the Aguilar db212 cab. What do you all think.

Thanks in advance -
Click to expand...

I've never played through any Aguilar gear, even though the stuff gets rave reviews, but I do agree, the Walkabout through a pair of 12's is a thing of pure delight. I've only owned 3 2x12's in my life, and currently I'm all about the Genz Benz Uber 212. Perfect mate for a Walkabout, old-school fat round tone, with enough modern clarity to please anyone. They simply go together like PB&J, or (pick your favorite analogy). Can't say enough how great they are together. Good luck, I'm sure you'll love that head.
 
#131
OK, I've been playing through my Mesa Walkabout head for about 3 years and just had my first problem. It's a red face, and I bought it used at GC. I was at a show a few weeks ago, turned on my rig (Mesa Walkabout, Hartke Trasporter 4x10, Hartke XL 2x15), tuned up my guitar, checked the sound, everything was fine. Came back 5-10 minutes later to start our set, no sound. Borrowed another bass player's head for the show until I could inspect further. Same thing happened, turned it on, tuned up, started playing. Only this time, I actually heard the sound fizzle out. It was definitely gradual, which leads me to believe I have a tube issue. My question is, has anyone else had this problem or any suggestions to a solution? Thanks, --Brian

p.s. sorry if this has been answered on an earlier page. This thread is definitely mega

Link Removed
 
#133
OK I am new to the Walkabout scene...I just have to say that this amp with a PBass and a 4 ohm 410 is killin'. This is my first experience with tubes in anything but a stomp box so I am a little concerned about reliability and such. Do the reports here about issues represent a vocal minority or do I need to always have a backup? The amp I bought has black lettering and has the effects loop bypass switch.
 
#135
Joe Smithberger said:
Do the reports here about issues represent a vocal minority or do I need to always have a backup? The amp I bought has black lettering and has the effects loop bypass switch.
Click to expand...

Black lettering and surrounds with silver knobs (as opposed to red/brown) represent the middle models of the Walkabout FWIW. Newer models have black fender style knobs, older/original models have reddish/brown lettering and markings.

No one can tell you that back-up is a bad idea, but no one can also tell you (honestly) that you must always have one. If you are a very risk averse person, then always have a back-up. If you are not, you will probably be ok, unless you are gigging 7 nights a week in the Arctic or something like that. :cool:

I think the issues with the WA as reported here have been very minimal. The poster above is perhaps just having an issue with corroded FX Send/Return jacks that are not used much. Its an easy fix with some electronic contact cleaner and a 1/4" plug. This really does not happen very much, and is also not just a Walkabout issue.

enjoy your Walkabout !
 
#136
pfschim said:
I think the issues with the WA as reported here have been very minimal. The poster above is perhaps just having an issue with corroded FX Send/Return jacks that are not used much. Its an easy fix with some electronic contact cleaner and a 1/4" plug. This really does not happen very much, and is also not just a Walkabout issue.

enjoy your Walkabout !
Click to expand...

Thanks, that was what I was hoping to see. First gig with the new amp is Saturday. I will probably throw my GK MB150 combo in the car, but I will be a little more confident that I won't need it.
 
#137
Well, I have never contributed to a "Mega Thread" before..... but since I just bought a walkabout amp head, I figure; its a good time for a thread revival.

Currently, I am using the WA amp head with a double bass (just purchased the amp from classifieds). Here is the positive; It feels like the timing (or attack?) can be adjusted using the volume knobs to make the sound response (?), the same as the upright bass. This may sound odd to electric players, but my experience with a Little Mark II and the DB caused problems because the sound seemed to jump out of the amp much quicker than the natural bass. It kind of threw the timing of the band off. The LMII also seemed to be a sustain killer, slower songs, with half notes, were painful. The notes from the WA have a more natural sound, more of an of ext. of the bass, than a separate amp.

So far, the WA is creamy. It had the Mesa stock tubes inside and I switched them with some old 12ax7's from a 1960 Hammond chord organ. I am not sure of the make of the tubes but, the plates are significantly longer than the Soviet Mesa tubes. This made a noticeable difference, not as loud, but very smooth, no harshness at all. I will try the Groove tubes 12ax7c next, just to compare.

I am also using an Ampeg BXT 15 speaker with the WA. They have a different sound compared to regular Ampeg speakers, more scooped middles, I think Victor Wooten had something to do with these. Any way, the combo sounds good.

Double basses are very difficult to amplify, This amp is new to me, I hope it will work out for the best.
 
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