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Mesa Walkabout Megathread!
- Thread starter Vic
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Overall I don't know, I do/will not turn up the gain or the volume past 3 O'clock. Louder is really limited by your poweramp, not by clipping the preamp.
As for my current setup ECC83's and TLE2072A's Vs Stock. I can run more gain. IE on the factory components my tube broke up and compressed themselves so bad @ 3 O'clock my cab(s) sounded like a real loud fart box, lacking any preceivable difference from note to note.
Now I can jam with the overdriven @ 3, and it sounds great IMO, as well as my neighbors. The ECC83's (by themselves) seemed to cut off some high end, But the TLE2072A's brought it all back and added detail the amp never had before.
I can't say it will make the amp louder. But my tubes do not break up as early. Both the gain and the master controls have more function. I still feel they come on late 8:30-9 O'clock Gain 8-8:30 master. As I said before gain is functional to high dial settings, I'd estimate you get "1-1.5 hours" more @ the same level of break up as before.
So in ther real world yes I have created new settings @ high gain values. I.e. I used to slap @ 9:30-10 O'clock Gain & 2-3 O'clock Master. Now I like 12 & 12, I preceive this as louder than my old setup, I the preamp tubes aren't killing the detail with the Gain @ 12 new setup vs old.
I am assuming here, but the OPA2134, should give the WalkAbout even more. This OPAMP is a comon upgrade on pro sound boards (not hobby pro, but sound engineer pro). So it should be cleaner. Outside of these "drop ins" and there interchangables, you may need to rebias the OPAMP's I forget if my PCB was fixed bias or not. IIRC there are some trimmers on the power section (might be the next thing I tune), so it's possible that the preamp has some to control OPAMP voltage.
Currently I have to say I like this set up I have more veratility. I tell people it not your every day Mesa, that it's clean to dirty vs dirty to dirtier.
Atleast in the early WalkAbout's Mesa used sockets. The OEM OPAMPs are 8PDIP's, other PDIP's and CDIP's will fit as long as they are the same demensions. A simple chip puller removes them. It's actually easier than tube rolling, less force required and easier to mantain straight pins.
There's easily more OPAMP's to roll than tubes. Keep the TI TL072 as your baseline, as Texas Instruments invented it back in the 70's. Generically more bandwidth will have more detail / better frequency response. Higher slew will be cleaner / fast acting leaving the tubes as the bottle neck. Lower slew will then be slower becoming easier to overdrive and get dirty and potentally limiting the tubes @ a point.
You'll have to try lose the tubeyness in this amp. Mesa did an awesome job with the tube circuit.
Chef
In Memoriam
Chef
In Memoriam
Last night I had a pop up sub job come up at 9:05; suppoed to be on stage playing at 9;30.
So, I grabbed waht was fast and easy:
Walkabout and a Mesa Diesel 115 under, JO5 bass. Walkabout in one hand, 115 in the other (it's neo loaded now, and 45lbs), JO in a bag over my shoulder.
Great performing rig.
However, I was thinking.
Walkbout at 4 ohms, 115 at 8 ohms...2.67 load.
But, *two* 115s at 8 ohms each=4 ohms. Walkabout = 4 ohms.
It'll run a 2 ohm load.
So, I *could* run *both* 115's under it.
heh-heh.
So, I grabbed waht was fast and easy:
Walkabout and a Mesa Diesel 115 under, JO5 bass. Walkabout in one hand, 115 in the other (it's neo loaded now, and 45lbs), JO in a bag over my shoulder.
Great performing rig.
However, I was thinking.
Walkbout at 4 ohms, 115 at 8 ohms...2.67 load.
But, *two* 115s at 8 ohms each=4 ohms. Walkabout = 4 ohms.
It'll run a 2 ohm load.
So, I *could* run *both* 115's under it.
heh-heh.
Chef
In Memoriam
Benjamin Strange
Commercial User
- Dec 25, 2002
- 9,737
- 310
- 49
- Disclosures
- Owner / Tech: Strange Guitarworks
Why haven't I posted in this thread yet?
I was really hesitant to get a lightweight SS head and neo speakers, but this rig is just fantastic. It's not quite the tone of my BassTriaxis rig, but it's less than half the weight and doesn't take up nearly the space. Every bassist that tries it loves it. My Walkabout makes me a happy camper, fo' sho'.
I was really hesitant to get a lightweight SS head and neo speakers, but this rig is just fantastic. It's not quite the tone of my BassTriaxis rig, but it's less than half the weight and doesn't take up nearly the space. Every bassist that tries it loves it. My Walkabout makes me a happy camper, fo' sho'.
Why haven't I posted in this thread yet?
I was really hesitant to get a lightweight SS head and neo speakers, but this rig is just fantastic. It's not quite the tone of my BassTriaxis rig, but it's less than half the weight and doesn't take up nearly the space. Every bassist that tries it loves it. My Walkabout makes me a happy camper, fo' sho'.
You just gave me GAS.
So, I got my Eden WT550B today, and had some time to do some A/B testing with the Walkabout, using my Sadowsky NYC PJ5 thru an Epifani UL110 and UL410. First thing I noticed right off was that the Eden was definitely louder. Not a huge difference, as pointed out by Chef, but still noticeably more headroom. But............
IMO, the Walkabout simply smoked the Eden in the tone department. The Eden certainly had a tube-like thickness, but was more mushy whereas the Walkabout is fat and clean at the same time. The EQ points are virtually identical, and I could tweak either amp to sound close to the other, but still..........Walkabout by a MILE. The lowend was more controlled and seemed fuller in the lowmids to me, despite EQing on the Eden to get something similar, and the Mesa's highend was musical and dynamic, whereas the Eden's was slightly harsh to my ears.
Different strokes for different folks..........
On a side note, I need to replace the fan in my Walkabout. It's significantly louder than the Eden's.
Sure, I could use a smidge more power than the Walkabout can give without breaking up, but I don't really NEED that extra wattage if I have to divert from what is simply an amazing take on the SS/Tube hybrid design.
IMO, the Walkabout simply smoked the Eden in the tone department. The Eden certainly had a tube-like thickness, but was more mushy whereas the Walkabout is fat and clean at the same time. The EQ points are virtually identical, and I could tweak either amp to sound close to the other, but still..........Walkabout by a MILE. The lowend was more controlled and seemed fuller in the lowmids to me, despite EQing on the Eden to get something similar, and the Mesa's highend was musical and dynamic, whereas the Eden's was slightly harsh to my ears.
Different strokes for different folks..........
On a side note, I need to replace the fan in my Walkabout. It's significantly louder than the Eden's.
Sure, I could use a smidge more power than the Walkabout can give without breaking up, but I don't really NEED that extra wattage if I have to divert from what is simply an amazing take on the SS/Tube hybrid design.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,518
- 19,955
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Why haven't I posted in this thread yet?
I was really hesitant to get a lightweight SS head and neo speakers, but this rig is just fantastic. It's not quite the tone of my BassTriaxis rig, but it's less than half the weight and doesn't take up nearly the space. Every bassist that tries it loves it. My Walkabout makes me a happy camper, fo' sho'.
Very nice, Benjamin! That rig looks great!
And opamp rolling, eh? Hmmmm.....
Chef
In Memoriam
Hey Vapochilled;
I'd love to see a seperate thread on your take of walkabout tech...tube and opamp rolling...
I'd love to see a seperate thread on your take of walkabout tech...tube and opamp rolling...
I was afraid of that Luke. If you loooove the sound of the WalkAbout, the WT550B is most likely going to disappoint. Personally, the WT550 + UL410 thing was one of my favorite sounds for a smoother, jazzier bag. You can always add a power amp to the WalkAbout I reckon.
The "fan mods" talk starts somewhere around page 10 on this mega-thread. I changed out my fan and got some relief from the noise without any problems thanks to Vic.
I'm sure a number of you can answer this question.
Has anyone else had an issue with running an Octaver through the 12" combo. Any octave pedal I've tried results in what could best be described as the speaker sounding like it's going to shut down... not so much break up or distort, but more like it momentarily cuts out as soon as it tries to produce the notes.
I've never heard this happen through any other amp, nor does my scout do this at any time other than with the octaver.
Any thoughts??
Has anyone else had an issue with running an Octaver through the 12" combo. Any octave pedal I've tried results in what could best be described as the speaker sounding like it's going to shut down... not so much break up or distort, but more like it momentarily cuts out as soon as it tries to produce the notes.
I've never heard this happen through any other amp, nor does my scout do this at any time other than with the octaver.
Any thoughts??
I'm looking at picking up a Scout cab for my Walkabout head. Has any body dealt with Mesa's custom shop? What can I expect to pay for a custom Scout cab when compared to the stock ones? I've heard the wait for customs can be around 4 months?
Sorry if this has all been brought up already, I've been out of the loop for awhile. Too busy playing my Walkabout i guess
Cheers,
D
Sorry if this has all been brought up already, I've been out of the loop for awhile. Too busy playing my Walkabout i guess
Cheers,
D
They're that price in £s GBP in the UK, I wonder if with the current world recession Messa will be as high handed regarding their ridiculous UK and europe prices, surely it is now in their own interests to start a realistic overseas pricing policy; they've already lost my custom over a 15" Walkabout Combo.
Chef
In Memoriam
I've been an "input low, master high" kinda guy with both my Scout, and seperate WA head.
Recently, I've had great fun with running the other way around.
There's great tones to be had with the input at about two o'clock, and the master at about 9 o'clock. As long as you're easy on the strings to keep the preamp from pushing too hard, it stays nice and clean, but with great rich harmonic content...especially if you're playing a cab with no horn.
Also, there's a ton of untapped headroom in the input section, later in the dial. Again, you have to be selective with how hard you hit the strings, and how "hot" a bass you're feeding it...but, good stuff in there.
Recently, I've had great fun with running the other way around.
There's great tones to be had with the input at about two o'clock, and the master at about 9 o'clock. As long as you're easy on the strings to keep the preamp from pushing too hard, it stays nice and clean, but with great rich harmonic content...especially if you're playing a cab with no horn.
Also, there's a ton of untapped headroom in the input section, later in the dial. Again, you have to be selective with how hard you hit the strings, and how "hot" a bass you're feeding it...but, good stuff in there.
Bassman62 - anytime someone mentions pricing you always pop up with the UK pricing problems.
Your starting to sound like a broken record
Your starting to sound like a broken record
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