Mesa Boogie Walkabout Scout 12 vs 15

[rhopper]

Anybody have a chance to compare these two combo amps? (or at least used the 15 inch version)

I am seriously digging the 12 inch but I have not yet played around with the 15 inch.

The 15 inch is $100 more and I am wondering if it is worth the extra cost.

Thanks,

HOP

 

[KJung]

Played both side by side on a few occasions.

The good news about the 15... a little louder, deeper, fuller, and virtually the same weight.

The bad news about the 15... BIG (not a one hander any more), and the deeper, fuller low end combined with the already big, wide, tubey low end of the Walkabout is not necessarily a good thing.

If you are really into low end rumble, the 15 Scout is cool, but the 12 sounds more balanced, tight, and pretty much just as loud, although without that 'bloom and boom'.

I'd stick with the 112 myself!

IMO

 

[uaudio]

I've played my old Walkabout head through the Scout 15" cabinet (at a shop) and while it was okay, it wasn't nearly as perfect as that head through the 12". The 15 combos are rare - at least in my opinion - because a single 15 isn't that great as a standalone combo solution for that amp. I'd go so far as to say its a little muddy.

 

[rhopper]

Thanks,

As of now, seems like the 12 incher is the more popular of the two.

Anyone else?

HOP

 

[rhopper]

I've played my old Walkabout head through the Scout 15" cabinet (at a shop) and while it was okay, it wasn't nearly as perfect as that head through the 12". The 15 combos are rare - at least in my opinion - because a single 15 isn't that great as a standalone combo solution for that amp. I'd go so far as to say its a little muddy.

Thanks also...

HOP

 

[57pbass]

Played both side by side on a few occasions.

The good news about the 15... a little louder, deeper, fuller, and virtually the same weight.

The bad news about the 15... BIG (not a one hander any more), and the deeper, fuller low end combined with the already big, wide, tubey low end of the Walkabout is not necessarily a good thing.

If you are really into low end rumble, the 15 Scout is cool, but the 12 sounds more balanced, tight, and pretty much just as loud, although without that 'bloom and boom'.

I'd stick with the 112 myself!

IMO

As usual KJung nails it perfectly..

I have heard the 15 and 12 side by side and the 15 is too boomy for my liking...and I love tubes and flats and 15"s..
and almost too big for a combo...I would rather move a 4 x 10 plus head...

The 12" Scout IMHO is perfection.....

 

[62bass]

As usual KJung nails it perfectly..

I have heard the 15 and 12 side by side and the 15 is too boomy for my liking...and I love tubes and flats and 15"s..
and almost too big for a combo...I would rather move a 4 x 10 plus head...

The 12" Scout IMHO is perfection.....

Yes, the 12 Scout sounds a lot like a good 15 to me. It puts out more low end than any other 12" cabinet I've heard and is just perfect with the Walkabout head. With the 15 cabinet you'd be turning down the bass a lot of times. In fact, I've had to do that with the 12 in some rooms.

 

[Chef]

KJung nailed it.
To me, the 15 is "too big sounding," and, too big.
The 12 is a one handed grab; the 15 isn't so much.

Also: the Walkabout head sounds great with many other cabs if you decide you don't like either walkabout scout cab.

 

[abngourmet]

I've got the 12" version of the Scout combo, and I've never heard any combo that is this good. Lows, tight mids and highs, it's all there. I've not heard the 15" version, but then again, I'm so happy with what I've got that maybe it's not necessary. I'd go for the 12" version if I were you.

Alan

 

[rhopper]

the Walkabout head sounds great with many other cabs if you decide you don't like either walkabout scout cab.

Well, I am convinced the 12 incher is the way to go!

Could you please give me a few good examples of a good cab besides the scout.

Thanks,

HOP

 

[Folmeister]

Sorry to derail the consensus here, but I like the 15 more than the twelve. Sure, it's a bit bulkier, but I like the bigger sound. I had two of the 12 cabs at one time, but moved to the 15 and am quite happy.

 

[RickenBoogie]

Well, I am convinced the 12 incher is the way to go!

Could you please give me a few good examples of a good cab besides the scout.

Thanks,

HOP

Imo, any decently constructed 2x12 cab is the perfect match with a Walkabout head. I used an Epifani UL212 for a while, and loved it. It's modern voicing blended well with the old-school WA tone. Also, the Genz Benz 212, I forget the model, but it's stacked one on top of the other with a big port down the side, that sounds good too. Really, so much to choose from, you'd have to test drive to find YOUR match.

 

[57pbass]

I suggest 2 Bag End S 15D cabs with the Walkabout head and a good P Bass..with flats or rounds....

and a pint of Guinness

But there too many great cabs out there to choose from..there are hundreds of great combinations

 

[62bass]

Well, I am convinced the 12 incher is the way to go!

Could you please give me a few good examples of a good cab besides the scout.

Thanks,

HOP

Well, it takes a good 2x12 cabinet to beat the single Scout 12", it's that good.

But I've used the Walkabout with a Yorkville 1x15 upgraded with an Eminence 15 with better specs. That sounded great. I also used a high end, custom built 3 way with 15", 10" and a horn. All RCF components and that was amazing, even at 8 ohms. Also used it with an Eden 1x15. That was quite nice. Also an SWR 4x10. That was as good as I've ever heard the SWR-even better than when driven by a GK 800RB. Also once with an Eden 4x10. Also very good.

The Walkabout is a very big sounding 300 watts.

 

[Folmeister]

I have used the Scout head with:

Berg HT115 - a GREAT combination
Berg HT322 - A GREATER combination
Accugroove El Whappo - WOW!
Acme B1 - A wonderful small-gig cab

 

[BillisCool]

I really really really really miss my walkabout combo... I had the 15" model and it was probably the most fun amp that I've ever had.

Sadly, sometimes I played shows that were vocal only PA but were kinda loud... and it just wasn't loud enough.

I play at Titan now... and while it's awesome... it doesn't sound like a cranked walkabout. I'll probably get another one one day.

Here's a clip direct from the board... so no mix at all... it's not a good demonstration in terms of clarity... but it does demonstrate that it was a fun tone. We were all totally hammered... (like drinking 151 between songs) and I had the treble all the way up on my P bass... lol

http://www.teband.com/music/TEBSTONEFREE.mp3

 

[pfschim]

I use the Walkabout 12 combo and am a big fan of the smaller version of this great rig. Covers about 80% of my gigs.

BUT .. I also use the Scout 15 under the WA 12 for larger gigs. The 15 adds some very nice girth to the sweet, tight WA 12 ... makes me a very happy bass player when I use this combination.

My Scout is 4ohms, as is my WA 12, so as an added bonus, I squeeze about 500w out of the little powerhouse Walkabout head with these 2 cabs. The dual player control, and dual tweets set-up is a nice feature as well .. a mid (3 or 4k) nudge and slightly raised tweet setting for the 12, and the full on (5k) setting with the tweet flat or cut slightly on the 15 gets a great big, well balanced tone for sure.

very nice.

fwiw, I have also used the WA to drive:
- Aggie GS112NT (kinda blah/neutral to my ears ... but ok as a 2nd filler cab)
- Mesa Powerhouse 1x12 (nice, but not as nice as the Walkabout 12 solo. Good in combo with the WA 12 combo, but not as nice as the Scout 15 .... fewer deep lows)
- Mesa Powerhouse 2x12 (very solid, agressive mid forward tone ... not always my thing, but does cover the mix very well)
- Mesa PH 2x12 + Scout 15 (goofy combination, did not work very well together.. oddly out of balance .. did it because I had them available)

good luck

 

[DenisLM]

sorry up this thread!
(my first post! )

i want one WA12 or 15 to replace my hartke amps (HA3500 and VX410), for a tonal upgrade and lighter my arms!

what is more indicated to me? 12" or 15"?
my hartke send 250W @ 8ohm (my VX410 is 8ohm) and this Mesa Walkabout send 300W @ 4ohm, i will "feel more sound" from Mesa Walkabout or i will lose sound because my hartke cab is 4x10"?

tks for help me!
(and sorry for english , i speak only portuguese! )

 

[SCT1422]

I just picked up a used Scout 15 and love it so far.. I'm also going to pick up a Scout 12 eventually.. I've played one before and liked it.. The 15 is cool and yes it can get alittle boomy, but I may prefer it for the B string... I got it for a good price, so I'm happy... I may also pickup a small Bergantino cab to use with the Walkabout head... I used the Scout 15 on a fill-in gig last weekend that covered blues, country and rock and it sounded perfect.. It was 2 guitars, bass and drums...My regular gig covers everything from Jazz standards to disco and rock and all points in-between, so I'm curious to see how the Scout sounds for that..With any 15 you may want a good tweeter/horn and the one in the Scout is okay.. My Bergantino IP-153 has a great combination of a
15", 2-6"s speaker and a tweeter, so it's a perfect full sound spectrum..

 

[RickenBoogie]

sorry up this thread!
(my first post! )

i want one WA12 or 15 to replace my hartke amps (HA3500 and VX410), for a tonal upgrade and lighter my arms!

what is more indicated to me? 12" or 15"?
my hartke send 250W @ 8ohm (my VX410 is 8ohm) and this Mesa Walkabout send 300W @ 4ohm, i will "feel more sound" from Mesa Walkabout or i will lose sound because my hartke cab is 4x10"?

tks for help me!
(and sorry for english , i speak only portuguese! )

The answer is, both. Your tone will improve instantly, (my Opinion), but going from 410's to 1 12 will be a cut in percieved volume. I'd suggest you get the Walkabout head, and a 2x12 cab. Then, you'd be ahead of the game on both counts. Good luck.