Mesa Walk About Extention Cab

[zackhartsog]

I've been using a Walkabout 1x12 (4 ohm) for a while and needed more. I've added another walkabout 1x12 (4ohm). I was told to run these in a series with a "Y" cable to insure a balance...and mainly to run cooler temp wise. Is anyone else doing it this way and what's your thoughts/experience? I understand some run at (2 ohms) with no problems at all. Also, I figure any minimal power loss will be made up by sound via the second cab, right?

 

[pfschim]

I use a WA as well, and have used both a WA/Scout 12 and 15 extension cabs in the past. I have also run my WA @ 2ohms (and 2.67ohms) without any issue.

From your note, I'm not quite clear on what your question is.

Are you running 2 Walkabout 12 combo amps using a "Y" cable ?

or

a Walkabout 12 combo with an added Walkabout/Scout 12" extension cab ?

If its the second one - Walkabout 12 combo with a WA/Scout 12" ext, then I don't understand your use of a "Y" cable to connect them. You can connect an extension cab right from the Walkabout amp, no Y cable needed.

You should notice a significant boost in overall volume using a second 4ohm cab. Are you not getting that boost ?

maybe I'm missing something, but if you clear up what you are asking about, there are plenty of WA users here on TB that will happily chime in.

 

[Slevage]

Go for it. Keep it well ventilated.

A fan blowing on it only makes things better--- especially outside.

 

[MuthaFunk]

Dont waste your time with they Y cable. IF your talking about running the two 4 ohm cabs in series at 8 ohms and getting 235 watts out of the WA into two cabs vs 300 into 1-4 ohm cab the pair would still be louder. There really is no need for the y cable IMO. I run the exact stack all the time at 2 ohms and about 485 watts without any problems. It's been a few years now without any issues...

 

[EastCoastThump]

I also frequently run two Walkabout 4 ohm cabs from a single WA head, w/ no problems. I don't see an advantage to the Y-cable.

 

[zackhartsog]

I have the WA 1x12 (4 ohm) combo and purchased the WA 1x12 radiator extension cab and was told I needed to run the cab in a series to prevent the head from over heating. Also that by adding the 4 ohm 1x12 extension I'd be moving much more air to compensate for any power loss I may encounter. I do keep hearing that running at 2 ohms doesn't cause issues at all...but it seems I now have bigger issues with "the dirty effects loop" distortion/cut out thing that keeps happening at random times....I love this amp! I will not give up. Any comments are appreciated. I do understand this was undoubtedly covered in the mega thread and do apologies for the dead horse.

 

[pfschim]

I have the WA 1x12 (4 ohm) combo and purchased the WA 1x12 radiator extension cab and was told I needed to run the cab in a series to prevent the head from over heating. Also that by adding the 4 ohm 1x12 extension I'd be moving much more air to compensate for any power loss I may encounter. I do keep hearing that running at 2 ohms doesn't cause issues at all...but it seems I now have bigger issues with "the dirty effects loop" distortion/cut out thing that keeps happening at random times....I love this amp! I will not give up. Any comments are appreciated. I do understand this was undoubtedly covered in the mega thread and do apologies for the dead horse.

well, I think you got the general answer from several here who have, or currently run their Walkabout's with 2 cabs. to recap:

2 40hm cabs (Scout radiators or not) which will run the amp at 2ohms should NOT result in an overheating situation of any kind. As was already mentioned, lots of us have done this for years with no issues. Whoever is telling you you need to run in series is either b.s.ing you, or does not know what they are talking about. IF you are really worried about this and don't want to rely on the experience of others here on TB, then perhaps run a fan to keep the WA totally cool. You can also try changing out the speakers for 8ohm ones and end up with a 4ohm load total (in spec for the WA). Mesa will happily sell you 8ohm 12's. Again, I'll say that this is TOTALLY unnecessary, but you do have the option if you want to spend the $$.

I don't understand what you mean by this: "Also that by adding the 4 ohm 1x12 extension I'd be moving much more air to compensate for any power loss I may encounter. " If you use another cab with the WA 12 combo, you will be "moving more air" with the additional 1x12, but you will be raising the power output of the amp from 300w@4ohms to somewhere in the 400+w range @ 2ohms .... so no power loss at all, quite the opposite. Less resistance results in more power from the amp (roughly speaking).

As far as your dirty effects loop problem, have you followed the advice from the MegaThread on this. Use some electronics cleaner, like Deoxit, and clean the jacks out. Spray some on a 1/4" cable, and run it in and out a few time. If it truly is the FX loop problem, this should clear it up. If not, you may have other issues with the amp, including a pre tube in its last stage of life. This is also easy and cheap to fix. Very decent 12AX7 tubes can be had for under $20.

good luck with your Walkabout

 

[zackhartsog]

awesome. I appreciate it. I will follow this advice. So what is the result or benefit of running the extension cab from the series Y cable...none I guess? Only that the load will match?

 

[pfschim]

awesome. I appreciate it. I will follow this advice. So what is the result or benefit of running the extension cab from the series Y cable...none I guess? Only that the load will match?

first, in the spirit of full disclosure .. I am NOT an electrical engineer

Generally speaking:

when you run multiple cabs in parallel (normal/typical jacks on cabs) the total resistance is reduced (so two 8ohm cabs show a total of 4ohm's of resistance to the amp, and two 4ohm cabs show a total of 2ohm's ... etc ect ..), the lower the impedance (resistance) the greater the output of the amp (up to its electrical limits).

When you run multiple cabs in series (very unusual, or nonexistent in MI cabs), resistance is additive (two 4ohm cabs in series shows a total of 8ohm's to the amp) As you increase resistance, the power the amp will deliver to the cabs goes down.

So, given all of that, if you were to run your Walkabout with two 4ohm cabs in series, it would see a total of 8ohms of resistance. The Walkabout would deliver about 165w of power total to the cabs. So, really no benefit as it runs the amp below its rated spec, and the amp only delivers 1/2 of what its capable of.

At 4ohms, the Walkabout delivers a very honest 300w (BGM bench tests). With 2.67 and 2ohm loads, the WA starts to deliver 400-475ish watts to the cabs - very safely. The only real issue with this arrangement is that the Walkabout/Scout cabs really only handle about 160-180w before getting kind of flabby sounding - IMO/IME

good luck with the WA, wonderful sounding amp for sure.

 

[Chef]

I've run Walkabouts at 2 ohm loads for years and years with no issues.
I can recall -1- user here having problems, and he had a heater pointed at his rig when it failed, IIRC.

So, ya know; don't do that.

 

[Mastermold]

Good thread. I've been using a single 12" 4 ohm WA scout combo for a few years now for rehearsals and small room gigs. Have yet to try an extension cab but threads like this get me thinking about it.

 

[pfschim]

Good thread. I've been using a single 12" 4 ohm WA scout combo for a few years now for rehearsals and small room gigs. Have yet to try an extension cab but threads like this get me thinking about it.

you should try it. I moved from the Mesa 12 combo, and several WA/Scout/other cab combinations (12+12, 12+15. WA12+Powerhouse 12, WA12+Accugroove Tri1x12)), then last year I picked up a Bergantino CN212 and the Walkabout was given new life because of this cab - it just shines. great combination. Such a great amp, just needs more drivers and greater cab sensitivity to really roar.

 

[lpdeluxe]

Newer Walkabouts have a switch on the rear panel to bypass the noisy jack. I have a Silverface demo that I sent back to Mesa/Boogie to fix the problem of intermittent signal and they installed the switch, and also replaced the second input on the face with a toggle. No problems since, as long as I remember to check that the bypass switch is in the down position (it's not labeled).

 

[RickenBoogie]

I think the OP's confusion on the Y cable is that it is NOT series. It's still a parallel connection. To run series, you'd need to make a special cable that goes from the amp, and has two leads on the other end. Or, a box to re-wire the cables to series. The Y cable does nothing for you, and is exactly the same thing as running 2 spkr cables from amp to each cab, or amp to cab, cab to 2nd cab.

 

[zackhartsog]

I had a special cable made to run it just in case. Here is the cable. ...i can't post links..hurmph.

procablesnsound.comspeaker-y-cables power-y-adapter 70002


But from the way it sounds (I trust this experienced panel) I'll not need this cable at all. My cab actually came in TODAY. I'll probably just run it regular at 2. I'll try it both ways a post about my experience tonight. I really appreciate this thread. Thanks a million.

 

[lomo]

So I recently acquired a fEarful 12/6 and sub. The Walkabout sounds superb on this stack, even though it cannot come close to pushing these cabs into their sweet zone. For poops and giggles, I also tried the Walkabout on top of my GB Shuttle 2 112 with the fEarful 12 sub under it-coooool! The fEarful sub really brings the booty of the head front and center.