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Mesa Boogie Walkabout Part 6

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#681
EQ note:
I did a small gig last night; took my 57P reissue (flats) Walkabout, and GK212 neo (more cab than I needed.)
Input at noon, bass+1, mids flat, para bass (100hz)+2, para mids flat, para treble (4khz)+3, treble -1; Master at 9 oclock.

Man, fattest, clearest, meatiest P bass tone ever.
 
#682
Thoughts of cab differences.

I do find that the PH112 stack has a much more "open" sound then the Walkabout cab. They are not as muted and warm but are quite well balanced and have a lot of low end. I took some time to compare a single PH112 (8 ohm) to my Scout 112 (4 ohm) sitting side by side and of course, using a Walkabout head. Here's what I found:

The Scout has a very humped low end response and less open and bright sounding. There is a very sweet midrange character to this cab that pairs so well with the Walkabout. I find that if not placed on the floor, the benefits of the passive radiator are lost which makes sense to some degree.

In comparison, the PH112 is a more balanced cab and as described, sounds very open in that the highs are higher but not shrill, the lows feel very solid but more modern sounding. The cab doesn't have the same character to the mids but is not scooped in any way. This is a very pleasing cab to play and seems to be able to put out a lot of volume without ever sounding boxy or overly hyped in one frequency. Of course adding the second identical cab makes a huge difference.

Just for fun, I then compared my PH112 stack to my Scout 112 stacked on top of my EA CXL-112 which is almost the exact same dimensions as the Scout cab. The EA is an 8 ohm cab so a bit of a miss match to the Scout. On its own, the EA is more efficient, louder, has less lows and a much more aggressive midrange then either of the Mesa cabs. It puts out a ton of volume and doesn't fart out easily but has a touch of "boxyness" to the tone that reminds you that its a small cab. When stacked with the Scout on top, I was shocked at how well the cabs compliment each other. The stack is warm and mid present, loud and full sounding and I didn't feel that one cab was louder then the other. Very nice pairing actually.

In comparison, the PH112 stack just sounds better to my ears but its hard to explain why. Could be the fact that 2 identical cabs work better together but there as much as I liked the Scout/EA stack, the PH112's are just a little sweeter sounding and seem to fill the room with a more pleasing and balanced tone.

Lastly, I prefer the Scout and or the EA cab when playing fretless as the warmth of the Scout and the hyped mid growl of the EA really bring out the "mwah" in my Sterling fretless.

But for my fretted Stingrays and Bongo, I have to give the edge to the PH112 stack. If only taking one cab, I think the Scout is still very hard to beat and it continues to amaze me at how much ground it can cover.
 
#683
I tried a search through most of this mega-thread, but could'nt really find anything specifiic. Do any of you use the Walkabout Scout on an amp stand? I have to have cabs elevated to hear myself the way I want, and, if I got one, it would definitely go on a stand. I have one modified with 3/4 plywood over the two " forks" where a cab bottom would normally rest. Just wondered if this would interfere with the passive radiator in any way. I have never really noticed a lack of low end elevating a cab around 18", but I've never had one with a passive radiator before. Any thoughts ?
 
#684
jnewmark said:
I tried a search through most of this mega-thread, but could'nt really find anything specifiic. Do any of you use the Walkabout Scout on an amp stand? I have to have cabs elevated to hear myself the way I want, and, if I got one, it would definitely go on a stand. I have one modified with 3/4 plywood over the two " forks" where a cab bottom would normally rest. Just wondered if this would interfere with the passive radiator in any way. I have never really noticed a lack of low end elevating a cab around 18", but I've never had one with a passive radiator before. Any thoughts ?
Click to expand...

The radiator is nothing more than a port. Elevating the cab may make it sound different, but not because of the radiator. If you elevate it less than 2 feet off the floor, it will not sound any different than flat on the floor from out in the room. If you elevate any cab enough, it will sound different, as it will if you place it adj to a wall vs a few feet away from the nearest wall.
 
#685
lomo said:
The radiator is nothing more than a port. Elevating the cab may make it sound different, but not because of the radiator. If you elevate it less than 2 feet off the floor, it will not sound any different than flat on the floor from out in the room. If you elevate any cab enough, it will sound different, as it will if you place it adj to a wall vs a few feet away from the nearest wall.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I just wondered if the passive radiator need a certain minimum clearance from the floor, as the cab sits on rubber feet.
 
#687
I'm new to Talk Bass, but I've owned a Walkabout 112 combo for about five years. I always get compliments about the sound. People can't believe the room filling volume out of this little combo. I roll off the low end at about 80hz by three or so dB using the parametric eq. Using a musicman sterling five and playing mainly blues/rock. It is a great amp.
 
#691
Chef said:
EQ note:
I did a small gig last night; took my 57P reissue (flats) Walkabout, and GK212 neo (more cab than I needed.)
Input at noon, bass+1, mids flat, para bass (100hz)+2, para mids flat, para treble (4khz)+3, treble -1; Master at 9 oclock.

Man, fattest, clearest, meatiest P bass tone ever.
Click to expand...

Heaven on earth :)
 
#692
Chef said:
EQ note:
I did a small gig last night; took my 57P reissue (flats) Walkabout, and GK212 neo (more cab than I needed.)
Input at noon, bass+1, mids flat, para bass (100hz)+2, para mids flat, para treble (4khz)+3, treble -1; Master at 9 oclock.

Man, fattest, clearest, meatiest P bass tone ever.
Click to expand...

Cool. Are you able to dime the WA into that cab without it whining/compressing/farting?
 
#693
jnewmark said:
I tried a search through most of this mega-thread, but could'nt really find anything specifiic. Do any of you use the Walkabout Scout on an amp stand? I have to have cabs elevated to hear myself the way I want, and, if I got one, it would definitely go on a stand. I have one modified with 3/4 plywood over the two " forks" where a cab bottom would normally rest. Just wondered if this would interfere with the passive radiator in any way. I have never really noticed a lack of low end elevating a cab around 18", but I've never had one with a passive radiator before. Any thoughts ?
Click to expand...

When using the Scout as a stand-alone, I use a keyboard stand somewhat similar to this :
musical-instrument-d_11547.jpg


Mind you; I've shortened the legs so the combo is about 17" from the floor. Especialy when the stage is boarded there is a difference in sound.
When raised on the stand the combo is much less boomy than when placed directly on the stage, but this is not due to the radiator: Same goes for my GK Neo 112's.
I have the 15" WA Scout combo, by the way.
 
#696
Chef said:
EQ note:
I did a small gig last night; took my 57P reissue (flats) Walkabout, and GK212 neo (more cab than I needed.)
Input at noon, bass+1, mids flat, para bass (100hz)+2, para mids flat, para treble (4khz)+3, treble -1; Master at 9 oclock.

Man, fattest, clearest, meatiest P bass tone ever.
Click to expand...

Great, I'll try this on my next rehearsal.
Just curious.. Why boost the para treble and then cut the treble?
 
#697
Different hz-points.

I do this on my active basses a lot too.
Boost active treble, cut passive tone.

Maybe I'm crazy, but, I like that.
 
#698
Chef said:
Different hz-points.

I do this on my active basses a lot too.
Boost active treble, cut passive tone.

Maybe I'm crazy, but, I like that.
Click to expand...

Not crazy at all. I do the same with my active FBass. The treble frequency center on the FBass preamp just sounds great when really boosted and I'll usually pull the whole treble range down on the amp until I get a smooth but cutting tone.
 
#699
Having got to know my Walkabout head I am now about to buy some new cabinets to go with it.

My shortlist at this point is a pair of TC Electronics RS212s or a pair of Ampeg PF115HEs. Both easy to transport while still moving a reasonable amount of air, reasonable pricepoint and in theory will do a nice "old school" sound.

Anyone using either of those cabs with Walkabout care to comment on your experiences.

P.S. Happy Birthday Chef.
 
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