• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Mesa Boogie Walkabout Part 6

Status
Not open for further replies.
#201
The input stage is designed to breakup when the gain is up past noon so not sure if there is much you can do. I hear that tube changes can make a difference but haven't changed mine yet. Funny how we all hear and describe what we hear differently as "rounder/fatter" is what the Walkabout does best in my opinion! :)
 
#204
You don't want a 12ua7 in there, unless you want a super quiet walkabout. you'll kill what gain it has.
In the 400+, changing the driver tube to a 12au7 is a good mod.
 
#206
SactoBass said:
What do y'all think of running a Walkabout into a stacked pair of Bergantino HD112's?
Click to expand...

I think it would sound great. The one thing I haven't EVER read anywhere is someone saying "tried brand X cabs with the WA and it sounded bad"

The Walkabout seems to get consistent positive reviews no matter what cab is used. Bergantino has a reputation for making quality gear. I'm sure the pair would perform well.
 
#207
Played outside last night.This is my loud group.Two guitars 100 watt Musicman and 100 watt Peavey tube amps,Keys and a heavy hand drummer,I used my WA with 2 stacked 2512 DeltaLites, SR5 and Dingwall combustion.Did not even need PA support....this set up kills ;)
 
#208
Crabby said:
Funny how we all hear and describe what we hear differently as "rounder/fatter" is what the Walkabout does best in my opinion! :)
Click to expand...


Once we're throwing nonspecific descriptors around.....what I love about the Walkabout is that is gets fat but still maintains a midrange bite that gives a lot of character and allows it to cut through. IME that's where it edges out some other heads like the Streamliners, which can get way fat and loud, but somehow miss the midrange bullseye I always seek. I find I can get close to the kind of tone Kyle Eastwood records with electric bass........I love his recordings. I have no clue what equipment he uses but I always enjoy the tone (upright or electric) he records......I wish I could play like that, but I guess I'd have to live my life over again, start playing bass before middle age and drop the whole alternative career thang, :DLOL.
 
#210
lomo said:
Once we're throwing nonspecific descriptors around.....what I love about the Walkabout is that is gets fat but still maintains a midrange bite that gives a lot of character and allows it to cut through. IME that's where it edges out some other heads like the Streamliners, which can get way fat and loud, but somehow miss the midrange bullseye I always seek. I find I can get close to the kind of tone Kyle Eastwood records with electric bass........I love his recordings. I have no clue what equipment he uses but I always enjoy the tone (upright or electric) he records......I wish I could play like that, but I guess I'd have to live my life over again, start playing bass before middle age and drop the whole alternative carrer thang, :DLOL.
Click to expand...

+1 - No sidetrack intended here but check this out starting @about 1:47.
Kyle Eastwood Now - YouTube
B.
 
#212
Chef said:
You don't want a 12ua7 in there, unless you want a super quiet walkabout. you'll kill what gain it has.
In the 400+, changing the driver tube to a 12au7 is a good mod.
Click to expand...

Thanx Chef. I was going to add - unless adding a lower gain tube would lower the overall volume- but wasn't sure if I'd sound like a dumb-cluck :)
Guess I did anyway.
Can you enlighten me as to how this works in the all tube amps like my old YBA200 & as you suggested-the 400+ & won't work in the WA?
 
#214
I can only speak to the 400+, as that's all I've done it in.
a 12ax7 is "100% gain," of tubes of that type. a 12au7 is about a 60% gain reduction, IIRC. Tube Depot or someone has a graphical of this.

PsychoBassGuy turned me on to that mod for the 400+ when I was griping about it not being clean enough for me. If you search Mesa 400+ threads, you'll probably find the one that comes from, and the tech with it.

For the Walkabout, you can mess with rolling tubes, and find some that are cleaner and break up a little later as input gain is applied.
I believe Tung Sol and Telefunken were two that behaved that way...maybe...
 
#215
newbold said:
Is there any way to get less harsh/gritty tube breakup when the input gain is past noon on a passive Jazz? I really like the sound of this amp and want it to stay at the top of my list but I played it again today and was hoping for something a bit rounder/fatter.

Mind you...I was playing as jazz with rounds and I play tapes/flats, but would like to know if a tube swap would work.
Click to expand...

In my experience, the mid knob has a huge effect on the character of the drive. I generally play with the Gain knob down around 10-11 o'clock and mids around 1-2 o'clock, but sometimes if I want more growl from the preamp I will push the Gain as far as 2-3 o'clock and cut the mids down to 9 or 10 o'clock and it seems to balance out well- that grittiness you hear is mostly in the midrange and gets boosted heavily with the gain pushed, so cutting the mid control really evens it out again...

Also- you should definitely not judge the tone of the amp by what you hear with roundwounds if you always play with flats- I played my G&L with flats through my WA for a long time and kept the mids higher bac then to get MORE grit!
 
#216
RickenBoogie said:
The YBA200 and 400+ are both all tube amps, the WA is not. The 1st tube in the WA is the initial gain stage, and the 2nd, at least part of it, is the driver.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know these. I just didn't know that adding a lower gain tube to the V1 pos WOULD DEFINATELY relsult in the loss of actual headroom, I knew it'd be lower gain & therefore less overdrive... Well I 99% knew... (def. NO tech - me)

Why is it that tube amps will work OK with this done & hybrids..not? :help:
 
#217
When I tried different tubes in my Walkabout, for the most part, the tubes that lowered the gain also lowered the volume too much.

The Telefunken that I tried (and kept) didn't lower the gain. What it did was tighten up the bass a substantial amount. Enough so that I didn't have to cut the low frequencies on the amp as much.
 
#218
Just put my order in for the matching 12" extension cab. Now to wait for the next 2-3 months. :atoz:

DSCN0448.jpg
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back