Mesa Next-Gen Walkabout Scout

[MuthaFunk]

Do you ever run it in the 2 ohm mode?

I found I preferred the tighter 4/8 Ohm setting. In 2 Ohm it felt more tube like and squishy which I sometimes enjoy in the right context. For the most part though in my cover band I want to punch through without being too loud.

 

[MuthaFunk]

@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.
View attachment 4300094

I've always used an Fdeck HPF just prior to the amp on my Walkabout as a tool to tame the lows for each venue I play. The WD has one already installed which was one of the many "upgrades" I appreciated. Less connecting stuff and battery to worry about on the gig. That and the Pre/Post selection DI that's not linked to the master control, the lighter weight, the ridiculous power output if needed.... it's a lifetime amp.

 

[mb94952]

I've always used an Fdeck HPF just prior to the amp on my Walkabout as a tool to tame the lows for each venue I play. The WD has one already installed which was one of the many "upgrades" I appreciated. That and the Pre/Post selection DI that's not linked to the master control, the lighter weight, the ridiculous power output if needed.... it's a lifetime amp.

WOW ! I didn't know that !!! That is awesome. I'm sorry if I was telling you something you already knew, and most likely know way more about it than I do, but for those who don't know, these are amp (speakers, to be more specific) savers and make life easier, overall.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I found I preferred the tighter 4/8 Ohm setting. In 2 Ohm it felt more tube like and squishy which I sometimes enjoy in the right context. For the most part though in my cover band I want to punch through without being too loud.

Was the feeling of it in 2 ohms more like the original Walkabout? I've heard that description, more tube like and squishy, applied to them.

Plus there is the difference of feeding the cab 400 watts in 8 ohms vs 300 watts in 2 ohms.

 

[MuthaFunk]

Was the feeling of it in 2 ohms more like the original Walkabout? I've heard that description, more tube like and squishy, applied to them.

Plus there is the difference of feeding the cab 400 watts in 8 ohms vs 300 watts in 2 ohms.

In my experience yes. I found it made the WD feel a lot more like the Walkabout being pushed hard. It was more of an effect than setting the dampening switch to low. At least that’s my take on it. All of these descriptions are subjective and there are many factors that would/could effect the way the amp feels. Type of bass, how hot the pickups are, frequency response of the instrument, compressor used prior to the amp, ect.

 

[DJ Bebop]

In my experience yes. I found it made the WD feel a lot more like the Walkabout being pushed hard. It was more of an effect than setting the dampening switch to low. At least that’s my take on it. All of these descriptions are subjective and there are many factors that would/could effect the way the amp feels. Type of bass, how hot the pickups are, frequency response of the instrument, compressor used before the amp, etc.

Yes, as always, YMMV

I just ask because I think I get a similar effect with my little knock-off WA mimic...


I've only played through a Walkabout Scout, 12 I think, and only briefly.

From what I can remember, a fatter sound with the down-firing radiator. I get a close approximation from the GS cab. It has a crossover network that scoops the woofer, creating a similar effect, to my ear, that gets a Scout sound. Then manipulating the ohms and damping, I think I get a similar thing happening as a Scout.


Anyway, that's my combo right now.

 

[mb94952]

I know this is the "Walkabout 2nd Gen what if.." thread but after all this talk about the Subway WD800 I SO want one, now !
I had no idea about all the features it has including a built in hi pass filter for boomy rooms, etc. Mesa is the Cadillac of amps. My M6 Carbine is hands down the best sounding amp I own (tied with my SWR Baby Blue), and my Walkabout has the best D.I. tone for recording. I use my SWR Baby Blue II more than any other amp I own, though, but I'd sure love to try a WD800.

 

[DJ Bebop]

WD-800 set to 2-ohms, two 8" Faital Pro joints of some sort, Mesa spec'd.

My very crude and not dimensionally correct mock-up...

 

[pfschim]

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?

yes, very cool. Even though I don't use it anymore, I have kept my WA 12 combo cab (its here somewhere). I keep my Walkabout in the Mesa headcase that you could buy some years ago and so my WA 12 combo cab amp slot it empty. When I first got the WD800, I did go through the exercise of seeing if it would fit in the WA cab amp slot. Seemed to go in ok, but as you pointed out (and adjusted to with your creative USB light solution), the switches on the WD are much more used than the limited ones on the WA and getting at them in that recessed "upside down" position would be kind of a pain. As I gave up on the WA cab and moved to Berg 1x12 or 2x12's with the WA I have not revived the WD800/combo at all .... and would not intend to.

I too, still prefer the WA amp over the WD for its great tone, but the WD is close enough for me on gigs and it has much better clean volume (plus the HPF, real 2ohm operation and Damping control) so it gets nearly all the work.

Mesa sure makes some great bass gear!

 

[donhank]

Another potential direction to consider: maybe the next Mesa WA combo could be something dual-channel (inst and mic) like a Rosette 300, only truly bass capable. I've done plenty of low volume, zero footprint singer/songwriter acoustic gigs with just a Carvin AC40 and my vocal mic thru a GenzBenz Compak 300.

 

[Old Fart]

Mesa sure makes some great bass gear!

Yes they do. And I think a WD800-based combo is silly for the reasons probably cited on the first page. There is no 12" or 15" speaker that can handle the power and a 215 combo is just silly. In fact, as portable as these things are in a carry pouch, and as portable as today's 112, 115 and 212 cabs are....why bother making a combo?

 

[MuthaFunk]

Yes they do. And I think a WD800-based combo is silly for the reasons probably cited on the first page. There is no 12" or 15" speaker that can handle the power and a 215 combo is just silly. In fact, as portable as these things are in a carry pouch, and as portable as today's 112, 115 and 212 cabs are....why bother making a combo?

For me it’s economy of motion. It’s all wired up and ready to go. Every second counts for set up and tear down.

As far as calling using a WD800 with a 112 cab “sillly” I have to ask why? Lots of people use the same head and simply take the appropriate cab to the gig out of a selection. If their gigs only require a 112 cab 90% of the time, what’s wrong with using a 112 with a 800W head. It’s not like you’ll be pushing it at 800W if the gig only needs a 112.

For the bar circuit gigs with PA support I don’t need a lot of power and loudness. I gig every weekend and a 112 is plenty to allow me and my drummer to hear myself. I can also feel the bass and hear some of it out of the mains. It’s normally a simple PA with only one active sub and two 112+horn mains. We rarely run the PA even close to half power.


The old days some combos didn’t make sense because of their size and/or weight. (Eden Metro, SWR Redhead).

With today’s light weight speakers, and heads I’d ask why not a combo?

 

[agedhorse]

Yes they do. And I think a WD800-based combo is silly for the reasons probably cited on the first page. There is no 12" or 15" speaker that can handle the power and a 215 combo is just silly. In fact, as portable as these things are in a carry pouch, and as portable as today's 112, 115 and 212 cabs are....why bother making a combo?

The power handling is indeed a significant problem with an 800 watt RMS rated amp (400/8 and 800/4). This can be remedied by using a cabinet design like the Subway 112, BUT the cost would come in at around $1700 or more which puts it out of reach of many of the players looking at combos for the more usual reasons.

For me it’s economy of motion. It’s all wired up and ready to go. Every second counts for set up and tear down.

As far as calling using a WD800 with a 112 cab “sillly” I have to ask why? Lots of people use the same head and simply take the appropriate cab to the gig out of a selection. If their gigs only require a 112 cab 90% of the time, what’s wrong with using a 112 with a 800W head. It’s not like you’ll be pushing it at 800W if the gig only needs a 112.

The problem here is that when selling to the general public, the average player, the combo's speaker needs to be well protected against damage by players that do not have great judgement, common sense or reasonable expectations. Since we warranty out products for 5 years, this is a VERY important consideration that you may not have thought about.

 

[DJ Bebop]

The power handling is indeed a significant problem with an 800 watt RMS rated amp (400/8 and 800/4). This can be remedied by using a cabinet design like the Subway 112, BUT the cost would come in at around $1700 or more which puts it out of reach of many of the players looking at combos for the more usual reasons.


The problem here is that when selling to the general public, the average player, the combo's speaker needs to be well protected against damage by players that do not have great judgement, common sense or reasonable expectations. Since we warranty out products for 5 years, this is a VERY important consideration that you may not have thought about.

I was kinda kidding in my post Mesa Next-Gen Walkabout Scout, but funny you should say $1700. That was the very number I had for my creation

 

[pfschim]

For me it’s economy of motion. It’s all wired up and ready to go. Every second counts for set up and tear down.

As far as calling using a WD800 with a 112 cab “sillly” I have to ask why? Lots of people use the same head and simply take the appropriate cab to the gig out of a selection. If their gigs only require a 112 cab 90% of the time, what’s wrong with using a 112 with a 800W head. It’s not like you’ll be pushing it at 800W if the gig only needs a 112.

For the bar circuit gigs with PA support I don’t need a lot of power and loudness. I gig every weekend and a 112 is plenty to allow me and my drummer to hear myself. I can also feel the bass and hear some of it out of the mains. It’s normally a simple PA with only one active sub and two 112+horn mains. We rarely run the PA even close to half power.


The old days some combos didn’t make sense because of their size and/or weight. (Eden Metro, SWR Redhead).

With today’s light weight speakers, and heads I’d ask why not a combo?

I use my WD800 (2ohm setting) with an 8ohm Berg CN112 all the time in low volume situations and rehearsals. I just have to watch the Master V a bit and be reasonable in my expectations (which I am), but it's never been a problem.

 

[agedhorse]

I use my WD800 (2ohm setting) with an 8ohm Berg CN112 all the time in low volume situations and rehearsals. I just have to watch the Master V a bit and be reasonable in my expectations (which I am), but it's never been a problem.

Not a problem for you, but you are NOT the average player either.

 

[pfschim]

Not a problem for you, but you are NOT the average player either.

fair enough

 

[MuthaFunk]

The power handling is indeed a significant problem with an 800 watt RMS rated amp (400/8 and 800/4). This can be remedied by using a cabinet design like the Subway 112, BUT the cost would come in at around $1700 or more which puts it out of reach of many of the players looking at combos for the more usual reasons.


The problem here is that when selling to the general public, the average player, the combo's speaker needs to be well protected against damage by players that do not have great judgement, common sense or reasonable expectations. Since we warranty out products for 5 years, this is a VERY important consideration that you may not have thought about.

I can totally understand that. 2 notes. 1. My thoughts are that yes, it’s a $1700 high end combo. That’s not likely to be purchased by beginners. Mesa has never been an entry level brand. It’s always been geared towards professionals.

2. What is stoping a manufacturer from designing the “combo” button that functions similar to the 2 Ohm switch where power output is limited when installed in the combo. You could perhaps overengineer in a self actuating switch when the amp is mounted in the combo or my preference would be to have a user selectable button.

I have to ask though. What design decisions to you take into account with making a (Subway) 112 cab that could very well be sold with a matching branded high powered head (WD-800) that you couldn’t apply to a combo?

 

[agedhorse]

I can totally understand that. 2 notes. 1. My thoughts are that yes, it’s a $1700 high end combo. That’s not likely to be purchased by beginners. Mesa has never been an entry level brand. It’s always been geared towards professionals.

2. What is stoping a manufacturer from designing the “combo” button that functions similar to the 2 Ohm switch where power output is limited when installed in the combo. You could perhaps overengineer in a self actuating switch when the amp is mounted in the combo or my preference would be to have a user selectable button.

I have to ask though. What design decisions to you take into account with making a (Subway) 112 cab that could very well be sold with a matching branded high powered head (WD-800) that you couldn’t apply to a combo?

1. Many players, regardless of their level, will balk at a combo in the ~ $2k range (with sales tax and shipping). Add in the 20% VAT (and other fees) that our friends across the pond have to pay and now it’s a $2500 combo.

2. Sure the 2 ohm power reduction from operating the amp in 2 ohm mode into 8 ohms will help, but that does nothing about the cost of the combo.

In the Subway cabinets, there is significant cost to maintain the low frequency extension, high mechanical power handling and compact size. I order for the cabinets to be a viable product, they must appeal to players who may have a variety of higher power amps and have many more applications than a dedicated combo. Otherwise I fear that the number of potential customers is too small to be viable.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

1. Many players, regardless of their level, will balk at a combo in the ~ $2k range (with sales tax and shipping). Add in the 20% VAT (and other fees) that our friends across the pond have to pay and now it’s a $2500 combo.

2. Sure the 2 ohm power reduction from operating the amp in 2 ohm mode into 8 ohms will help, but that does nothing about the cost of the combo.

In the Subway cabinets, there is significant cost to maintain the low frequency extension, high mechanical power handling and compact size. I order for the cabinets to be a viable product, they must appeal to players who may have a variety of higher power amps and have many more applications than a dedicated combo. Otherwise I fear that the number of potential customers is too small to be viable.

As much as I hate to admit it, yeah, it’s not a viable product. I’ve even been considering getting a mounting plate 3D printed or machined to attach to the top of a 112 SW cab, holes for the feet of the selected head and Velcro straps over top to hold it there. But I would prefer going vertical with the 112 and then the handle is in the way of a mounting plate.