I tell people, "Technology has finally caught up with my back." But if I could afford to buy a roadie, the Walkabout head would be back in its creme vinyl cabinet.
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Mesa Boogie Walkabout Part 5!!!
- Thread starter Chef
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I tell people, "Technology has finally caught up with my back." But if I could afford to buy a roadie, the Walkabout head would be back in its creme vinyl cabinet.
The para eq isn't as hard as it seems.
Pcik a frequency you want to boost or cut on the bottom knob, and, how much to boost or cut on the top knob.
It's boost a range of freq's around that center.
Yes, you'll have to remove the head to see the serial number.
That takes a phillips screwdriver and about 60 seconds.
Pcik a frequency you want to boost or cut on the bottom knob, and, how much to boost or cut on the top knob.
It's boost a range of freq's around that center.
Yes, you'll have to remove the head to see the serial number.
That takes a phillips screwdriver and about 60 seconds.
The case definitely looks cool. But I'm not in a hurry to add 20 lbs. to the head.
For you guys who are having an issue with handle location on the scout cabs all it takes is a drill, hammer & screw driver.
Get yourself a set of these (metal strip inside the vinyl).
Invalid Link Removed
Looks like tap-in T-nuts are included but as an alternative :
They still allow for the cover to slide over them & aren't going anywhere if you use T-nuts. (same as speaker mounting & are available at most hardware stores)
You'll need to remove the speaker for installation. Drill the hole all way thru the same size as the T-nut outside diameter & just tap it in w/a hammer. If you need to buy a new set of screws & T-nuts, no big deal. Just take the handle to the store.
NOTE: You may be wise to locate the side handles a bit closer to the back where the weight is to make for better balance when carrying the combo.
B.
Get yourself a set of these (metal strip inside the vinyl).
Invalid Link Removed
Looks like tap-in T-nuts are included but as an alternative :
They still allow for the cover to slide over them & aren't going anywhere if you use T-nuts. (same as speaker mounting & are available at most hardware stores)
You'll need to remove the speaker for installation. Drill the hole all way thru the same size as the T-nut outside diameter & just tap it in w/a hammer. If you need to buy a new set of screws & T-nuts, no big deal. Just take the handle to the store.
NOTE: You may be wise to locate the side handles a bit closer to the back where the weight is to make for better balance when carrying the combo.
B.
re-the rack....
It's a choice.
It's not "a micro-head" anyway.
My MB-Fusion weighs 4.5lbs: that's light.
The Walkabout weighs about 25, racked, or, about the same as my M9......
I wouldn't trade either of them, really.
It's a choice.
It's not "a micro-head" anyway.
My MB-Fusion weighs 4.5lbs: that's light.
The Walkabout weighs about 25, racked, or, about the same as my M9......
I wouldn't trade either of them, really.
I've been very happily playing out with my GB Shuttle 9.0 and Berg AE112/210 pair. Maybe it was things were just too good or just time to shake things up but a couple of new amps came into the house last week.
One was a MarkBass F500. The only chance I ever gave MB was for 10 minutes at a Guitar Center. And normally I like to give gear a few months and/or band practices/gigs before declaring yes or no.
The other incoming was a Mesa Walkabout Scout 15. The surprise here is that I like quick, fast, high power, hard hitting amps. When they first came out, I was playing a Mesa M9. I loved the amp but hated carrying it. I was turning into a micro kind of guy. So from having a Shuttle 3.0-8t, I decided to try the Shuttle 9.0. And that lasted for about a year till I started missing that Carbine sound. So six months ago, I picked up a Fathom M6. Again, I loved the sound but hated carrying it.
And that's where the Walkabout comes in. Due to the near cult like following it has here on TB, I figured it was time to try one. (I played one a couple of times in the past but only for a few minutes. Not enough time for any decision). Fortunate for me, I found someone will to trade my M6 for a Walkabout Scout 15.
It was time for a test! (Sorry for the crappy cell phone pic.)
(I'll leave the F500 out for now. Compared to the Shuttle 9.0, there's pluses and minuses but I need more time with it.)
The Walkabout is about as far as one can get from the M6 as possible. Where the M6 was all business, the Walkabout just wants to have fun. No hurries. No worries. Let's just make some music. The best description I can come up with is that it's so musical!
I really appreciate the eq section on the amp. I've been using the bass/mid/treble as a kind of global tone and the semi para eq more for notching out or boosting specific frequencies.
I initially tried the head with the AE112 and AE210 seprately. Both sounded very good with the AE210 being wider and the AE112 having a little more snarl and upper mids. Using both cabs together was a religious experience. The low end stayed tight but sounded huge. I think the warmness of the head with the near modernness of the cabs worked well together.
Finally, I tried it as a combo. I realize after playing bass for around 25 years, I've never played thru a 15. Lots of low end. Very full sound. This is something I'll have to try with the band to see how it works. One thing that surprised me was the single 15 sounded louder than the pair of Berg cabs. Does that sound right?
I initially thought of using the dolly attachment that Mesa offers but then I found out you can't use it with the cover on. So, I'm thinking of trying some casters on the cabinet. Has anyone done that and how'd it work?
I've also noticed that folks have tried different tubes in the amp. It looks like JJ long plates are a favorite. What are the other tubes worth trying.
I'm looking forward to using the amp/combo on the next few gigs coming up.
One was a MarkBass F500. The only chance I ever gave MB was for 10 minutes at a Guitar Center. And normally I like to give gear a few months and/or band practices/gigs before declaring yes or no.
The other incoming was a Mesa Walkabout Scout 15. The surprise here is that I like quick, fast, high power, hard hitting amps. When they first came out, I was playing a Mesa M9. I loved the amp but hated carrying it. I was turning into a micro kind of guy. So from having a Shuttle 3.0-8t, I decided to try the Shuttle 9.0. And that lasted for about a year till I started missing that Carbine sound. So six months ago, I picked up a Fathom M6. Again, I loved the sound but hated carrying it.
And that's where the Walkabout comes in. Due to the near cult like following it has here on TB, I figured it was time to try one. (I played one a couple of times in the past but only for a few minutes. Not enough time for any decision). Fortunate for me, I found someone will to trade my M6 for a Walkabout Scout 15.
It was time for a test! (Sorry for the crappy cell phone pic.)
(I'll leave the F500 out for now. Compared to the Shuttle 9.0, there's pluses and minuses but I need more time with it.)
The Walkabout is about as far as one can get from the M6 as possible. Where the M6 was all business, the Walkabout just wants to have fun. No hurries. No worries. Let's just make some music. The best description I can come up with is that it's so musical!
I really appreciate the eq section on the amp. I've been using the bass/mid/treble as a kind of global tone and the semi para eq more for notching out or boosting specific frequencies.
I initially tried the head with the AE112 and AE210 seprately. Both sounded very good with the AE210 being wider and the AE112 having a little more snarl and upper mids. Using both cabs together was a religious experience. The low end stayed tight but sounded huge. I think the warmness of the head with the near modernness of the cabs worked well together.
Finally, I tried it as a combo. I realize after playing bass for around 25 years, I've never played thru a 15. Lots of low end. Very full sound. This is something I'll have to try with the band to see how it works. One thing that surprised me was the single 15 sounded louder than the pair of Berg cabs. Does that sound right?
I initially thought of using the dolly attachment that Mesa offers but then I found out you can't use it with the cover on. So, I'm thinking of trying some casters on the cabinet. Has anyone done that and how'd it work?
I've also noticed that folks have tried different tubes in the amp. It looks like JJ long plates are a favorite. What are the other tubes worth trying.
I'm looking forward to using the amp/combo on the next few gigs coming up.
I can dig that. I looked it up on the Mesa site before my last post and it said 33 lbs. with the case; struck me as a big jump from the 13-14 lb. weight of just the head. But to each his own, of course.
Leon: Nice!
Several comments for you:
1) The M6/9 in a two space skb just isn't that bad. 32lbs, for endless power, punch and mix shred-ability..
2) Yeah, the Walkabout tone is yards away from the M6/9. Very different.
3) I'm not surprised you like the Walkabout with the AE stuff; it's a good ying/yang thing. I ran the Walkabout with an AE410 for a while, so I feel that
4) Those radiator cabs, and the Walkabout's rich, musical midrange fill a lot of space. It's almost black magic that way.
enjoy!
Several comments for you:
1) The M6/9 in a two space skb just isn't that bad. 32lbs, for endless power, punch and mix shred-ability..
2) Yeah, the Walkabout tone is yards away from the M6/9. Very different.
3) I'm not surprised you like the Walkabout with the AE stuff; it's a good ying/yang thing. I ran the Walkabout with an AE410 for a while, so I feel that
4) Those radiator cabs, and the Walkabout's rich, musical midrange fill a lot of space. It's almost black magic that way.
enjoy!
I could be wrong; I'm guessing.
It's an easy one hand grab, whatever it; and, feels lighter than my M9/skb rack; which is 28lbs+4lbs, I think.
It's an easy one hand grab, whatever it; and, feels lighter than my M9/skb rack; which is 28lbs+4lbs, I think.
The Magna Cart works great for me w/ the Scout 12.
Amazon.com: Magna Cart Personal Hand Truck: Sports & Outdoors
Dan
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Thanks for the welcome Chef.
I got so used to putting the Shuttle into my gig bag that the M6 in a rack bag was a burden. I have a Gig Skinz that the Shuttle just fits into. It is bigger than a micro but at least I can throw it over my shoulder (which I couldn't really do with the M6).
Thanks for the cart recommendation guys. I'll check it out. But I do like the caster idea in a "one less thing" kind of way. I've had Mesa removable casters on a few Mesa guitar amps I've owned. On and off very easy and they roll over everything.
I got so used to putting the Shuttle into my gig bag that the M6 in a rack bag was a burden. I have a Gig Skinz that the Shuttle just fits into. It is bigger than a micro but at least I can throw it over my shoulder (which I couldn't really do with the M6).
Thanks for the cart recommendation guys. I'll check it out. But I do like the caster idea in a "one less thing" kind of way. I've had Mesa removable casters on a few Mesa guitar amps I've owned. On and off very easy and they roll over everything.
The MagnaCart will work with "other stuff."
It folds up to the size of a courier bag, and lives under the passenger seat in my X-bus.
It folds up to the size of a courier bag, and lives under the passenger seat in my X-bus.
I will admit, I don't know of any other head that has the tone of the Walkabout. Which makes me wonder why Mesa hasn't come out with a higher powered version.
Maybe you'd lose the magic with a higher powered version? You certainly wouldn't have to push the power amp section as hard.
Maybe you'd lose the magic with a higher powered version? You certainly wouldn't have to push the power amp section as hard.
You are absolutely not the first person to think this.
If you harassed Mesa about it, you wouldn't be the first person to do so.
Plenty of folks have auditioned the MPulse 600, hoping for the Bigger Walkabout. It ain't that
I've asked and asked for the Walkabout front end on an M9 power plant.
I'd melt my credit card Poste Haste for that.
Ka-Bam. Done. I can see it dripping off the counter in my mind's eye.
If you harassed Mesa about it, you wouldn't be the first person to do so.
Plenty of folks have auditioned the MPulse 600, hoping for the Bigger Walkabout. It ain't that
I've asked and asked for the Walkabout front end on an M9 power plant.
I'd melt my credit card Poste Haste for that.
Ka-Bam. Done. I can see it dripping off the counter in my mind's eye.
Mine came with casters on it. For me, the combo is a little on the low side to use them easily. I really need to bend over to push it along...but I'm 6'1" Couple that with carrying a gig bag and it turns into a PITA.
I'm thinking about getting the little hand truck since you can use it for other things. I totally agree about having to lug around one less thing, but I don't want to push/carry this thing that far...heck it's probably 1/8 mile to my garage and that was plenty far enough for me!
Chef said:You are absolutely not the first person to think this.
If you harassed Mesa about it, you wouldn't be the first person to do so.
Plenty of folks have auditioned the MPulse 600, hoping for the Bigger Walkabout. It ain't that
Along the lines of a more powerful Walkabout, how does the Mesa 400+ compare to the Walkabout tone wise?
I've never had a chance to try the 400+. I know it'd be a lot heavier and you'd have to deal with power tubes but would the tone be similar?
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