Mesa Next-Gen Walkabout Scout

[dbsfgyd1]

I'm sure the Ravens' fans loved the colors on your bass! Lol. Go Steelers!!!

Stiller rule!!! But maybe not this year. But, the last time I played (music)for the Steelers was in 1969. One other date of note, I played( music) at 3 Rivers Stadium in 1971 the day Pirates beat the Orioles in game 7 of the World Series.

 

[two fingers]

This is 100% hypothetical, I have no knowledge of a next-gen Scout and this is more wishing out loud than anything. In fact, from a financial standpoint I probably would never approve a next-gen walkabout combo. A head and cab are close enough for 90% of the players that might be interested. But if it were to happen, play along in my wishful thinking land, would it have to be based on a WD-800 or would a D-800 be good enough? Would you want a 112 or a 115? A 112 is more compact but a 115 now is almost as light as the old 112 cab. Would you want the controls top facing as on the original? That's perfect for when just the combo's speaker is used, but awkward to read / adjust when you sit it on top of another cab.

Again, just a thought experiment. With the 2 ohm switch, the heads seem more ideal for a cab because you can limit the power sent to the internal speaker. But I guess the 112 can handle 400W, so maybe that isn't needed.

Well, if it isn't a WD head (or doesn'thave that preamp at least), it wouldn't be a Walkabout.

I own a Walkabout Scout 15" combo. It can't hang with my TT800 and Subway 115 in any measurable way.

Also, as small and lightweight as the new Mesa heads are, portability has, in essence, been tossed out as an "advantage" of a combo. Using the carry bag they come with, my head and bass go over the same shoulder.

I have adored my time on stage with Walkabout Scout stack. And, I never thought I would says this. But I've moved on and never looking back.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

For my uses I would say no. The cabs are so light, while still being capable, that I don't feel any interest in going to a combo. In the past combos were desirable because they were more portable but now the loss of modularity factors into that equation much more heavily.

The other reason is logistics for my personal work flow. I frequently place a rack with a box mixer and a few other goodies in it on top of my Subway cab. This puts a ton of utility into a very small on stage footprint. A combo with front controls would be inconvenient and top controls would be impossible. Realistically it was this setup that moved me to the Subway in the first place. I was previously using an Ampeg PF-500 setup and the arrangement of the head/cab made this very inconvenient.

View attachment 4298815

I’ve been wearing Bi-Focals since my last 20s and reading amp top controls, especially in poor lighting, can be a challenge.

I have a couple of Eden 320 watt 4 ohm combos with top controls. I also have a rack that could be used with my combo now that you mention it, but it never occurred to me. Mainly because of the very heavy stereo power amp in the rack.

 

[scottm]

Chiming in late on this one, but man I’d love a Subway combo like the old Walkabouts.
WD800 200 watt or more version in a 12 cab to make it portable? Sign me up!

-ScottM

 

[pfschim]

Being a huge Walkabout fan ... mine is still my favorite sounding amp ... and having owned a D800+ and a WD800, I would never accept a D800 as a "new Walkabout", its not even very close IMO/IME, much more Carbine-like than Walkabout-like.

I did not read thru the whole thread but has anyone mentioned a possible "WD350/Scout" combo ?

All that being said, I am not eager for another combo personally. I find the WD800 (or even the Walkabout, depending on volume needs) driving a 1x12 or 2x12 (Berg CN112 or CN212 or NV212) to be perfectly good matches for my needs. I still have my WA combo 1x12 cab around here somewhere, but I never use it anymore.

 

[pfschim]

Well, if it isn't a WD head (or doesn'thave that preamp at least), it wouldn't be a Walkabout.

I own a Walkabout Scout 15" combo. It can't hang with my TT800 and Subway 115 in any measurable way.

Also, as small and lightweight as the new Mesa heads are, portability has, in essence, been tossed out as an "advantage" of a combo. Using the carry bag they come with, my head and bass go over the same shoulder.

I have adored my time on stage with Walkabout Scout stack. And, I never thought I would says this. But I've moved on and never looking back.

Pretty much agree with you on all of that two fingers, other than the fact that my WA is always my first choice in my music studio/rehearsal space, so its not going anywhere. The WD800 and one or another Berg 212 cabs get nearly all the gigs, but that WA is a permanent fixture for me.

 

[two fingers]

Pretty much agree with you on all of that two fingers, other than the fact that my WA is always my first choice in my music studio/rehearsal space, so its not going anywhere. The WD800 and one or another Berg 212 cabs get nearly all the gigs, but that WA is a permanent fixture for me.

If I recorded a lot I would be right there with you.

 

[Kipp Harrington]

Stiller rule!!! But maybe not this year. But, the last time I played (music)for the Steelers was in 1969. One other date of note, I played( music) at 3 Rivers Stadium in 1971 the day Pirates beat the Orioles in game 7 of the World Series.

Wow! That's awesome! I guess you've been a part of some pretty talented bands. I was in Three Rivers Stadium one time in my life. It was in October of 1982 when the Steelers played the Browns. Never been to Heinz field, yet.

 

[DrDAV14]

I had LDS build me a wedge 112 that houses my WB-800 for small needs. I'm trying different speakers in it to find the desired tone, currently using a Fiatal Pro 12FH500.

 

[lomo]

The above posts (by RichSnyder and lomo) are exactly why I still own a 112 WA combo and a little Eden EX110 and GK MB200. There are times when I just want to work on something I heard before I forget it, or do a living room jam/practice with just a guitarist and vocalist, or need a minimal footprint, easy to set-up monitor.

Pulling out big gun gear is doable, but less convenient and not as fast. When that small gear is also gig capable for reasonable volume things, that makes it very attractive for me...and thus I bought a WA Scout combo years ago and have never parted with it.

I'd be all in for something pro quality in a small combo package that had a good feature set and would especially be interested if the head was removable. I love the WA Scout 112, but smaller and lighter (at the same quality level) would be welcome.

.....but the Walkout combo, even the 112 version, weighs about 50 lbs.......I'd really dig a highly functional 110 combo around 25 lbs or less. The DI would be a must, and I would want full eq and the very useful onboard, adjustable HPF.....an onboard, decent, 2 knob compressor would be the cherry on top for me (dreaming' big here), but I could do with a single speakon out and no FX loop.

 

[mb94952]

Damn, this is a tough one ! Good thread because you're challenging us. Like Al Kraft said, I played a big show once (not a stadium by any means) but the stage monitor was a Mesa WA combo and it was plenty loud AND sounded KILLER in the crowd.

My best sounding amp of all time is my Mesa M6 Carbine. I have my WA head at one studio for band practice and for recording. We all know that the WA has one of THE BEST sounding recordable D.I.'s ever.

So, as an "improvement" I'm at a loss for ideas / words at the moment.

I guess since I'm a Mesa and SWR fan and only play those two amps, I'd say a hybrid of the two would be the best. Like an SWR Super Redhead combo but maybe smaller like a 2x8, or /and 2x10 with a Walkabout head, so like a mini me.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I guess that I really just want a quality combo that is no compromise. I have one that is close, but it’s not Mesa level. The WD preamp would be sweet, but I could easily live with a D-800 based combo. Some kind of bracket that would fit on top of a SW112 would be close. Maybe a clever way to attach the cables to the bracket or the cover so that I don’t do anything stupid and forget them. In other threads, I’ve argued against this very concept. But the single unit convenience factor has more and more appeal as I realize that it’s really all the volume I’m going to need and I have little desire to play “loud”.

 

[Al Kraft]

Loved my Walkabout combo stacks. The only drawback IMO was the location of the amp. Make the new (hypothetical) combo with a forward-facing amp.

When I saw this earlier today the first thought I had was what I find to be the biggest pain the neck (literally) drawback of the WA Scout combo design. Getting to the DI and checking to be sure all rear panel switches are in the right positions is not exactly a piece of cake on a dark, crowded stage...in fact it's not much easier on a well lighted, "room to spare" stage either.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Wow! That's awesome! I guess you've been a part of some pretty talented bands. I was in Three Rivers Stadium one time in my life. It was in October of 1982 when the Steelers played the Browns. Never been to Heinz field, yet.

Thanks Kipp, while I’m still currently in a band with a recording contract no less, and is still gigging (hard to believe at my age), truth in advertising, our high school had the best marching band in the tri-state area. Starting in 1966, each year we played a Steeler halftime show. Out 1968 show was one of the last halftime shows to have been broadcasted in it’s entirety coast to coast. 1969 was the last one we played.

The show in 1971 was a regional marching band festival and the band came in second place behind Central Catholic. But since we had dancing girls, and Central Catholic was an all boys school, our dancing ensemble came in first.

My opinion was central Catholic may have had better players, but we had the best show on the field!!!

Sidebar: later that night, the Pirates flew into Pittsburgh ad went directly to the stadium and made a curtain call enroute to the dressing rooms to a standing ovation. However, forseeing the raucous celebration in the Burgh, we left town because it would become dangerous and missed all that. But, my parents stuck around a said it was pretty cool.

 

[TinIndian]

Huh...never seen those before, but yea, something like that.

They made them for a couple years in the late 80's. You could by different modules and swap them in different combinations and completely change the tone of the amplifier. I played with a guy that had one back then pretty cool concept and it really worked from my experience with that one. They never caught on though.

 

[TinIndian]

Huh...never seen those before, but yea, something like that.

 

[MuthaFunk]

I guess that I really just want a quality combo that is no compromise. I have one that is close, but it’s not Mesa level. The WD preamp would be sweet, but I could easily live with a D-800 based combo. Some kind of bracket that would fit on top of a SW112 would be close. Maybe a clever way to attach the cables to the bracket or the cover so that I don’t do anything stupid and forget them. In other threads, I’ve argued against this very concept. But the single unit convenience factor has more and more appeal as I realize that it’s really all the volume I’m going to need and I have little desire to play “loud”.

This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. I’ve wanted a lighter more powerful Scout Combo for years. My bands always have PA support and I’ve had no problems gigging and recording with my Walkabout Scout for 10 years. It totally cured my GAS. But there is a few drawbacks in the live setting.

I’m now gigging this beauty.

I’ve never personally minded the place of the amp in the combo and actually prefer it for on the fly adjustments. I find it easy to see and reach vs on the front since the combo isn't really very high. The DI being on the bottom is a little bit of a nuisance but I learned quickly how to hook it up by feel. For the odd occasion I need to flick a switch or read a jack I installed an LED light in the USB on the back. It works great!

As long as your cognizant that the amp can push the speaker beyond its limits it’s not a problem. It might be an issue for a manufacturer to produce this as someone will blow up their driver but in my experience the speaker will tell you when it’s stressing. You’ll know you’re too loud for a 112. But that comes with experience I guess.

This Scout has the factory neo 12” speaker in it and including the floorboard and casters it weighs 42lbs. It’s a breeze to lift and roll around.

I still prefer the sound of my WA to the WD but for gigging, this is an amazing package! Full featured high powered head, thick sounding small light cab. What more could you ask for?

 

[DJ Bebop]

This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. I’ve wanted a lighter more powerful Scout Combo for years. My bands always have PA support and I’ve had no problems gigging and recording with my Walkabout Scout for 10 years. It totally cured my GAS. But there is a few drawbacks in the live setting.

I’m now gigging this beauty.
View attachment 4300062

View attachment 4300067

I’ve never personally minded the place of the amp in the combo and actually prefer it for on the fly adjustments. I find it easy to see and reach vs on the front since the combo isn't really very high. The DI being on the bottom is a little bit of a nuisance but I learned quickly how to hook it up by feel. For the odd occasion I need to flick a switch or read a jack I installed an LED light in the USB on the back. It works great!

View attachment 4300071

As long as your cognizant that the amp can push the speaker beyond its limits it’s not a problem. It might be an issue for a manufacturer to produce this as someone will blow up their driver but in my experience the speaker will tell you when it’s stressing. You’ll know you’re too loud for a 112. But that comes with experience I guess.

This Scout has the factory neo 12” speaker in it and including the floorboard and casters it weighs 42lbs. It’s a breeze to lift and roll around.

I still prefer the sound of my WA to the WD but for gigging, this is an amazing package! Full featured high powered head, thick sounding small light cab. What more could you ask for?

Do you ever run it in the 2 ohm mode?

 

[mb94952]

@MuthaFunk - I got this on Ebay for $25. It's a powerless (no need for 9v or any power supply) Hi Pass filter. It protects your speakers from being damaged. Watch the Youtube video on it. I bought one and use it all the time. It's amazing.
BTW, your "new" WA combo looks amazing !

 

[mb94952]