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Mesa Walkabout Megathread!

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#101
zac2944 said:
I used to run my Walkabout at 2.67 Ohms from time to time and never had any problems.

I have done this on maybe 5 to 10 gigs, with typically three 50 minute sets. I have never had any issues or shut downs.

I feel very comfortable running at 2.67 ohms, and would do it again if I needed to. I have yet to hear about anyone else having issues either. I think that this thread will help use get a good idea of just how far you can go.

Anyone want to donate there Walkabout to science? We'll run our own "Smoke-A-Walkabout" test, and gig it long and hard at 2 ohms till she dies!
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NO! :)

As a side note, I spoke to Mesa about this as well, mainly because I've been researching fans, and I found one that is about 75% quieter, but while it has a pretty high CFM rate, it's still not as high as the stock fan (which I could probably us in my Mazda! :) ).

Anyway, I asked "if it overheats, it just goes into thermal shutdown, right, so should be worst case the rig turns off, right?" They guy basically agreed, but not with the kind of positive assurance I'd like to have heard.

Bottom line is, someone's just gonna' have to find out the hard way, but I'm going to play it safe. I think I'd be ok with 2.67 (4+8) as that's prolly all I'd ever need anyway, but I doubt I'll ever try 2, and 90% of the time I'll be at 8 or 4 anyway. I'd bet It's loud enough for me at 4, but I'll be able to tell y'all for sure after tomorrow's gig.
 
#102
tombowlus said:
But, how many SS bass heads use "conventional laminated transformers"? It seems to me, that most have either toroidal transformers (like the iAMP 800, Mesa Walkabout, etc.), or they use switching power supplies (like Walter Woods), with the former being the "heavier" and the latter being "lighter."

Granted, many tube amps do seem to use the laminated transformers.

Tom.
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True, but I was assuming we were only comparing the transformers to keep the comparison direct. I wasn't really meaning to get into all different amp design types.

In other words, a Walkabout with a typical laminated vs the toroid it has... I'm saying Mesa went with that kind of transformer for weight and efficiency reasons. I'd bet they really didn't want to get into a whole new power supply design because that'd probably really change their output profile, which they've worked very hard to establish.

Anyway, IMHO/FWIW. :)
 
#103
tallboybass said:
I'm going to use the Scout with an EA Wizzy tonight at a gig, I'll let you know what happens. Scout + Wizzy = 2 OHMS :eek:
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Dang it, the gig got cancelled because of the State Fair!

All I know at this point after running the 2 ohm load for about an hour is, it didn't get hot and it's loud as S#!T!!!!! The Wizzy and Scout work well together.
 
#104
Got anuthr'n
Hutton Steel said:
I'm actually new to playing bass although have been a guitar player for many years now. I bought the walkabout as I wanted as big a sound as I could get from as portable a rig as possible. The walkabout seemed the best bet for my requirements. I'm happy with the tubes supplied with the combo. They provide warmth,cope well and provide a wide spectrum of tones. I like the walkabout scout cab as it gives me such a large sound. As the cab is rated at 4ohms you get the full output from the amp which I like. I play in a church band and so the amount of volume is more than sufficient. I do however also play blues and a bit of rock. The walkabout again copes admirably although if the venue is large then I suppose it may struggle. However, with DI facilities and miking then the problem is overcome. I suppose you could always remove the amp and use bigger cabs. The versatility is there with this setup.

By the way I play a Musicman SUB.

Hutton
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#105
I have a Walkabout Scout 12 & love it. I don't have a big vehicle to lug speaker cabs around in & the Walkabout fits in the trunk perfect. Not to mention that size for size, this little thing puts out more volume & tone than anything I've ever seen.
 
#106
First gig impressions...
Ok, so I took my two Aggie GS112's, the Walkabout, an EBS compressor, my Zon Sonus, and my MTD 535 to the gig last night.

I was using the Telefunken preamp tubes. Three people in the band came up and commented on how much warmer my tone was. I'd forgotten what it was like to use the tube sound... it "feels" much larger without adding EQ... part of that was the Telefunkens, as well. I tried the Mesa SP's at home but immediately could tell I lost a touch of clarity and depth, so I put the Tele's back in.

Man, both the Zon and especially the MTD are really crisp instruments with lots of depth, and the Aggies paired VERY nicely with the Walkabout. My sound was huge without being too loud and clear without being brittle. In short, I was seriously impressed.

Also, at 4ohms with the 2 single 12 cabs, I had no problems keeping up with the rest of the band... even when we occasionally got too loud on stage. This little warrior has serious mojo. I love it.
 
#107
Howdy, I used my WalkAbout head with my Schroeder 1210 last night at a loud blues gig. Although I'm still not sure if I like the Schroeder tone, this is a LOUD rig! Had the Gain & Master controls both at about 10:00 and my ears are still ringing! Sorry, no 2 ohm test yet, but I will try it next opportunity I get.

Alan
 
#109
tallboybass said:
Howdy, I used my WalkAbout head with my Schroeder 1210 last night at a loud blues gig. Although I'm still not sure if I like the Schroeder tone, this is a LOUD rig! Had the Gain & Master controls both at about 10:00 and my ears are still ringing! Sorry, no 2 ohm test yet, but I will try it next opportunity I get.

Alan
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What kind of tone were you able to get with this combo. Im looking to trade out my GK cab Im using with my Walkabout for a 1210. And also, if you dont mind, what about the tone did you not like?
 
#110
DMB said:
What kind of tone were you able to get with this combo. Im looking to trade out my GK cab Im using with my Walkabout for a 1210. And also, if you dont mind, what about the tone did you not like?
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Well, the main thing I don't like is the excess low-mid hump that is discussed in the Schroeder mega-thread. Also, I'd like more high-mids. I think in time, the WA offers enough EQ to get the sound sorted though.
 
#112
DMB said:
Does anyone know why some Walkabouts have a blue power indicator light and some have a red one?
Dave
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Prolly just folks buying replacements. These are standard "jewel light" covers and you can get them in all kindsa' colors. Either that, or maybe Mesa changed colors at some point. Mine's a 12/2003 head and it's got brown panels on the front and a red jewel light.
 
#113
Vic said:
Prolly just folks buying replacements. These are standard "jewel light" covers and you can get them in all kindsa' colors. Either that, or maybe Mesa changed colors at some point. Mine's a 12/2003 head and it's got brown panels on the front and a red jewel light.
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Thats the colors mine is. Darn, I was hoping the ones with the blue light were like special magical heads.

How did you find out when yours was made? You have to send the serial number in to Mesa or something?
 
#114
DMB said:
Thats the colors mine is. Darn, I was hoping the ones with the blue light were like special magical heads.
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Hey, they're ALL magical if you ask me. :)

How did you find out when yours was made? You have to send the serial number in to Mesa or something?
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Yep. I wanted to find out about the warranty transfer. There's almost 4 years left on mine cause it was purchased in july '04, and the warranty starts at first purchase.
 
#116
BillisCool said:
Got some Ei Elites today and tried them out for a little bit...

much added punch and clarity... extremely smooth distortion.
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Got my EH's today, but can't plug them in until tonight. However, at this point, I'm fairly spoiled on the Telefunkens. :)
 
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