Mesa Walkabout Megathread!

[Toffa]

Dunno if someone is interested in another tube-changing-story.

I recently found out that the tubes that were in my Ada Mb-1 (replaced them because I thought they were old ) are NOS tubes. RSD ECC83 to be exactly. So I compared them with the Mesa stock tubes:

There's not much in it. The NOS-tubes have a little less gain and sound less harsh when overdriving them. More a creamy kind of overdrive. Sounds a bit like my old Trace V-Type. And the Mesa tubes tend to compress more than the NOS do.

RST was a factory in east germany who made the tubes for RFT, Siemens, Phillips, Brimar, Mullard, RSD and Telefunken. They made their last tubes in the early 90s.

I don't know if I should keep 'em... I'll try them at the rehearsal tomorrow then I know better.

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

Uh, this has probably been asked before, but please indulge me...

What are the difference between the red-faced walkabouts and the black-faced ones?

Thanks!

 

[BillyB_from_LZ]

Uh, this has probably been asked before, but please indulge me...

What are the difference between the red-faced walkabouts and the black-faced ones?

Thanks!

I think early Black-Face Walkabouts have the FX bypass switch but no Active/Passive switch (just two jacks like the Red-Face). Later Black-Face have both switches.

I might be mistaken as I have a Red-Face with neither.

Regarding that...is it true that Mesa will update for free just becauese they love us, or does one have to have a problem first? I've had problems with the FX jacks (a call to Mesa told me to clean the jacks) and with one of the molex connectors inside. It behaves as long as I set it on a piece of foam on top of my cabinet.

 

[Chef]

My tthree year old blackface has neither of those switches, but, two inputs: active, and passive.

I think early Black-Face Walkabouts have the FX bypass switch but no Active/Passive switch (just two jacks like the Red-Face). Later Black-Face have both switches.

.

 

[Poon]

My tthree year old blackface has neither of those switches, but, two inputs: active, and passive.

Yep. My blackface came with neither.

 

[::::BASSIST::::]

but there is no difference in power or anything "important"?

 

[BillyB_from_LZ]

but there is no difference in power or anything "important"?

I think the power output has always been 300 watts into 4 ohms. As for other "important" features, the reason Mesa went to switches instead of switching jacks is because the jacks become dirty and the amp goes dead...so, they're actually quite important.

 

[Folmeister]

O.k. I'm kicking this thread with some observations. I picked up a 15 combo cab from a fellow TBer not long ago (Lo_Bass). After using the 15 cab in a few different situations, I am far more impressed with the sound. The 12 is great, but the 15 kicks it. Second, the removeable wheel assembly sucks. It is way too flimsy for the 15 cab. The axle part flexs and it wore a hole right through the rhino hide and down to the wood. It is horrble on anything but smooth concrete. Very small cracks trap those tiny wheels and pulled the who thing right out of my hand. Twice. In a contained practice area, the 15 combo is one great sound!

 

[RD]

Billy B,
They updated my red-faced amp for free with effects bypass, active/passive switches and a check-up last year. They have since done the same on a 2-input black-face for me for $100.00. They also threw in a new handle for my Scout combo. Yes, I'd have to say that Mesa loves us!
RD

 

[BillyB_from_LZ]

Billy B,
They updated my red-faced amp for free with effects bypass, active/passive switches and a check-up last year. They have since done the same on a 2-input black-face for me for $100.00. They also threw in a new handle for my Scout combo. Yes, I'd have to say that Mesa loves us!
RD

Thanks! Did they offer to update your red-faced amp or did you ask? Did you have to have recurring problems with it first?

 

[wharris]

I have use the Walkabout 300 pushing an Ampeg 410 HLF for about three years. I love the warmth and depth of the Walkabout. I run in pretty close to flat with minor variations generally on the bass depending on the humidity. You can roll it anyway you want to hear more clarity in the mids if needed. Had to send it the factory one time due to it cutting out. They installed an effects loop bypass switch and have had no problems since. i have not had the need to change tubes so the information in this thread is interesting for me.

 

[RD]

I asked that they update the red-faced amp after hearing that they would do it here. I had had no real problems with it.
RD

 

[barroso]

which are the main differences between the red faces early ones and the actual black flace?

 

[rochishin]

BACK TO THE TOP!

I just bought a used 12" walkabout scout(w/o the effects bypass, the sheen options, horn protection and the with two inputs) am I missing something? Do I need these? It does however sound luverly!

 

[barroso]

Do you know about socut comebos or extension cabinet without passive radiator hole?

 

[RD]

I think the only difference in the early black and red faced walkabout head is cosmetic. The later black faces got the hard effects loop bypass switch and active/passive switch. I don't know about any possible internal differences between red and black faced amps.
I've only seen one scout ext. cab and it had the passive radiator.
I don't know about the time line of tweeter switching options on the scout ext. cabs or combos.
All the walkabout amps I've tried sound great to me.
RD

 

[lowmid]

I'm getting to try one out this saturday, can't wait!!

will have to sell the ashdown to finance it

 

[Chef]

This is not true of my blackface; it's an 05 model...

The later black faces got the hard effects loop bypass switch and active/passive switch.
RD

 

[RD]

I said "later." My '07 has the switches.
RD

 

[RickenBoogie]

Alot of love for Mesa's littlest bass amp. I'm still loving mine, just on the fence over my speaker cabs. I'm running two Powerhouse cabs, and sometimes wishing I had a single 4 ohm cab instead, but can't seem to part with the big ones. They sound pheonominal, just a little big and heavy. I know there's tons of options, but I'd have to sell my Powerhouse cabs to do it, and I can't.