Mesa Next-Gen Walkabout Scout

[DJ Bebop]

Whichever amp would be chosen in that scenario, I'd recommend designing it in such a way that the cab could be tilted back, and the amp wouldn't cause a balance problem.

Heck, you could even offer a tilt-back platform/brace as an accompanying accessory, then we'd have the assurance that everything is designed to work together.

 

[WoodyJ]

Some the others who want a featherweight, smaller combo won't agree but I do like the concept of a modified Subway 115 cabinet combo with a removeable less-powerful Subway head. Or maybe a 112 for those who want something smaller and lighter. But many of us feel that the Subway 115 is currently the Holy Grail of single-speaker amps that can kick butt and can usually get by just fine on its own.

The one thing I would like to see would be an attached tilt-back feature. I recently tilted my Scout back slightly and was surprised at how much better it sounded. Years ago I had a SWR WorkingPro 2x10 combo that came with a spring-loaded tiltback thingie on the bottom and there was a very noticeable difference hearing it onstage. Some of us older guys have tinnitus.

And I wonder if the elusive D-350 prototype might be under consideration?

 

[BlueTalon]

There are only 4 heads (the WD and TT have identical chassis) so IF I was to look at this concept again, which of the 3 formats (D-800, D-800+ and WD/TT) would be most interesting to players?

Whichever amp would be chosen in that scenario, I'd recommend designing it in such a way that the cab could be tilted back, and the amp wouldn't cause a balance problem.

Heck, you could even offer a tilt-back platform/brace as an accompanying accessory, then we'd have the assurance that everything is designed to work together.

Add-on thought: Why couldn't you make such a bracket adjustable, to accommodate every amp in the lineup?

 

[DrDAV14]

I have an LDS built 112 tilt back cab that houses a WD 800 head similar to the Walkabout design.
cab is loaded with a Fiatal Pro 12FH500 8 ohm.

I'm not using it at the moment, lost the WD800 and a 410 to a thief!!!!!!
Cab sounds awesome, and only weighs 30lbs.

 

[agedhorse]

Add-on thought: Why couldn't you make such a bracket adjustable, to accommodate every amp in the lineup?

The chassis are too different (other than the TT and WD)

 

[MultiScaleMale]

The best universal bracket idea that I could come up with was a set of four brackets, I'm envisioning a U shape with a hole in the bottom of the U for the leg on the amp, two screw holes in the middle and the "top" has a bent edge and slot to hold a 1" velcro strap. So you line up where the feet would go, place the four brackets in place lock in place with tape, remove the head, screw each in place and then return the head with the holes lining up for the feet. Run a velcro strap from front left to front right, another back left to back right through the slots in the brackets. Tension to taste, ta da! You have a combo and these brackets would work with most heads and cabs.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I saw a pic yesterday of a local guy, cant remember his name using a cab tilted back and had his amp mounted on a pedaltrain pedal board that hung over the top of the cab. So, tilt back, head doesn’t move, no cab modification. Maybe that’s an idea?

 

[scottm]

I have t been on Talkbass in awhile because I’ve been so busy. I only got back on just to check this thread!
Fingers crossed something comes of it.

-ScottM

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I have t been on Talkbass in awhile because I’ve been so busy. I only got back on just to check this thread!
Fingers crossed something comes of it.

-ScottM

Bass Central is showing expected delivery for a pair of 112 cabs and a D-800 as a June 2022 date on Reverb. I think new products are less likely for at least a year.

 

[scottm]

Bass Central is showing expected delivery for a pair of 112 cabs and a D-800 as a June 2022 date on Reverb. I think new products are less likely for at least a year.

I agree, thanks for the info.
I’m all set with all the Mesa gear I have, but a combo would definitely put a smile on my face.
-ScottM

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I agree, thanks for the info.
I’m all set with all the Mesa gear I have, but a combo would definitely put a smile on my face.
-ScottM

Agreed

 

[pfschim]

I saw a pic yesterday of a local guy, cant remember his name using a cab tilted back and had his amp mounted on a pedaltrain pedal board that hung over the top of the cab. So, tilt back, head doesn’t move, no cab modification. Maybe that’s an idea?

this is kind of how I use my WD800 with either a Berg CN112 or NV212t. With the CN112 I use a tilt stand and the angle is pretty high ... which is great because it points the cab up toward my head pretty well (I'm 6ft tall). I just "hang" the WD800 with its front feet over the lip of the cab and I've never had any issue with it slipping at all. With the taller NV212t, I use a wedge (or the folded Subway amp soft case ) to tilt the cab up a bit .. and again, I hang the WD800 on the cab in that set-up too. Works fine for me, no real need for a combo per se. It all comes down to what your comfortable with. I used to use the Walkabout 12 combo for as many gigs as I could, never had a problem with the combo set-up either ... very convenient for the most part, but ultimately I needed more cab to make the Walkabout work on louder gigs without FOH support so I ended up putting it in a Mesa headcase and put the WA cab in storage.

 

[DJ Bebop]

this is kind of how I use my WD800 with either a Berg CN112 or NV212t. With the CN112 I use a tilt stand and the angle is pretty high ... which is great because it points the cab up toward my head pretty well (I'm 6ft tall). I just "hang" the WD800 with its front feet over the lip of the cab and I've never had any issue with it slipping at all. With the taller NV212t, I use a wedge (or the folded Subway amp soft case ) to tilt the cab up a bit .. and again, I hang the WD800 on the cab in that set-up too. Works fine for me, no real need for a combo per se. It all comes down to what your comfortable with. I used to use the Walkabout 12 combo for as many gigs as I could, never had a problem with the combo set-up either ... very convenient for the most part, but ultimately I needed more cab to make the Walkabout work on louder gigs without FOH support so I ended up putting it in a Mesa headcase and put the WA cab in storage.

I do that too, feet hanging off the front...

 

[NickBassCentral]

Bass Central is showing expected delivery for a pair of 112 cabs and a D-800 as a June 2022 date on Reverb. I think new products are less likely for at least a year.

Yep, unfortunately Mesa put all new orders on hold for the rest of the year. What we've got is what we've got!

 

[JW56789]

I've caught back up on this thread, and a few thoughts came to me:

1) I think a real consideration vis-a-vis some sort of 'Subway bracket' is how many 'sheesh, I just pulled that 5# head off the cabinet and now it's toast' warranty claims (or 'your fault' or out of warranty repairs) have cropped up. After a certain number or steady percentage of these claims or repairs is exceeded, it would begin to make a LOT of sense as a preventative measure.

2) I still have a soft spot for combos, and have been looking at the little Tech 21 200w combo and its matching extension cabinet. This is may favorite layout and compromise of size and power.

BUT . . . . if I'm Mesa, and we can sell old JW his preferred Subway head and two single 12 bins (the same similar single 12 bins with an extra box on top, just like the Tech 21 rig) with the resulting gains in power, tone, etc., why would we worry with building something like that when it will probably be heavier, probably less versatile, and probably more expensive ? And will it cannibalize Subway separates sales and/or will we sell enough of them to make it worth our while. Oh, and PS, we got to make this fly against Rumbles and the new Ampeg combos. This hill is getting steeper to climb by the minute. . . . .

 

[MultiScaleMale]

BUT . . . . if I'm Mesa, and we can sell old JW his preferred Subway head and two single 12 bins (the same similar single 12 bins with an extra box on top, just like the Tech 21 rig) with the resulting gains in power, tone, etc., why would we worry with building something like that when it will probably be heavier, probably less versatile, and probably more expensive ? And will it cannibalize Subway separates sales and/or will we sell enough of them to make it worth our while. Oh, and PS, we got to make this fly against Rumbles and the new Ampeg combos. This hill is getting steeper to climb by the minute. . . . .

I agree. I probably wouldn't do it if I were Mesa, but the original Walkabout Scout combo was very popular and still highly desirable. So, there is something to the combo format that is appealing over a head and a cab. I *think* the Scout was discontinued due to parts going out of production rather than lack of sales.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I've caught back up on this thread, and a few thoughts came to me:

1) I think a real consideration vis-a-vis some sort of 'Subway bracket' is how many 'sheesh, I just pulled that 5# head off the cabinet and now it's toast' warranty claims (or 'your fault' or out of warranty repairs) have cropped up. After a certain number or steady percentage of these claims or repairs is exceeded, it would begin to make a LOT of sense as a preventative measure.

2) I still have a soft spot for combos, and have been looking at the little Tech 21 200w combo and its matching extension cabinet. This is may favorite layout and compromise of size and power.

BUT . . . . if I'm Mesa, and we can sell old JW his preferred Subway head and two single 12 bins (the same similar single 12 bins with an extra box on top, just like the Tech 21 rig) with the resulting gains in power, tone, etc., why would we worry with building something like that when it will probably be heavier, probably less versatile, and probably more expensive? And will it cannibalize Subway separates sales and/or will we sell enough of them to make it worth our while? Oh, and PS, we got to make this fly against Rumbles and the new Ampeg combos. This hill is getting steeper to climb by the minute. . . . .

ATST Gibson has Mesa in their portfolio now. What if a Mesa-designed Gibson branded budget (in comparison to Mesa) offshore combo in competition to the Rumbles and Ampeg Rockets were made.
How would that be received?

 

[pfschim]

ATST Gibson has Mesa in their portfolio now. What if a Mesa-designed Gibson branded budget (in comparison to Mesa) offshore combo in competition to the Rumbles and Ampeg Rockets were made.
How would that be received?

could work, but it also might be a little bit of "competing with yourself" too that Mesa might not want to do. Don't really know. hmmmm

 

[MuthaFunk]

Mesa is and always has been pro level high quality gear made in USA. The niche has worked for them. The Walkabout was one of the most produced, most expensive combos in its time. There are other boutique high priced combos but none of them sold in the numbers the WA did.

Why try to jump into a pond with off shore cheap non pro combos when you’ve already identified a hole in the market your brand can’t fit nicely in?

Stick with quality, concentrate on the sound and gigable features and make the best product you can. I think that’s the key to Mesas next Walkabout.

 

[agedhorse]

Yep, unfortunately Mesa put all new orders on hold for the rest of the year. What we've got is what we've got!

Just for clarification, we are still shipping orders to dealers that still have back orders in the books.

Parts necessary to complete amps and cabs are still arriving, but the delays are monumental and frustrating for us as well as (understandably) the dealers.