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Mesa Walkabout Megathread!

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#143
Hi all, I used my WalkAbout Scout last night at a casino gig. This was with a rockabilly/rootsy/country 3 piece band with electronic drums. The Scout really seems to have plenty of lows-mids-highs. I had everything set flat except the mid control at 2:00...tweeter off. They miced the amp with no DI send and I was told it sounded awesome out front. Usually at this place, I just plug straight in to the board and they are able to get a sound I can deal with though the monitors (except they roll off everything below 80hz). The Scout provided lots of low end that I'm not used to hearing, and stayed very defined. I started out with the gain knob at 12:00, but had to back it down because it was too distorted. (Jazz bass with pickups in series) Ended up at about 10:00.

Alan
 
#144
I've been using my Walkabout Scout combo for over a year now for all kinds of gigs. Once in a while I've used the direct out in large rooms and the onstage volume has been more than enough for monitor purposes..

This combo is amazing. Best small combo I've ever used. A few times I've used the head alone to drive an 8 ohm 1-15 cabinet. Plenty of volume even at 8 ohms, in fact enough to drive the speaker into distortion (and it's rated for 400 watts).

I've had no problems with it in all that time. Very reliable. It takes a bit of practice with the preamp volume and master volume to get the right mix of tube warmth and definition but it soumds great when you get it down. It will also do the ultra clean sound well.

The EQ section is very flexible. Every bass I've played through it has sounded good. Some day I may experiment with different preamp tubes but I see no need for it now.

Mine is the 12" model.
 
#145
I got my Electro-Harmonix a while back but still haven't tested, however, I just got my JJ's and JAN's, so it's about time to pull the lid off again.

These are the ones I got:
From: http://www.vacuumtube.com/guitartubes.htm

JAN/Philips 12AX7WA The last of the best USA-made 12AX7s. Very musical, smooth, punchy and dynamic. Super-long lasting. They will never make them like this again!

NEW - JJ ECC803S This is now my very favorite new tube for guitar amps. It has super large gray plates similar to 1950s GE 12AX7s, with warm, huge dynamics and sweet harmonics. Much more like a Mullard or GE than any of the current production foreign 12AX7s. We super-select these for lowest noise and low microphonics. These babies are sweet.
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They also have some Mullards, but at $150 each, I can't really do those any time soon.

Also, I can't remember if I said so before, but I did try the Mesa SP tubes... supposed to be the "special purpose" version, with more gain and less noise than stock, but to my ears, the Telefunkens are significantly wider in frequency response. Better lows AND highs, so the SP's didn't last long. Maybe as a FET driver tho.

BTW, Here's Tombowlus' review, which is what piqued my curiosity into the whole deal...

http://bowlusblog.blogspot.com/2005/02/preamp-tubes-in-mesa-walkabout.html

I also found this page interesting...

http://www.thetubestore.com/12ax7review.html
 
#146
I just picked up two NOS Mullards (CV 4004's) for a very good price ($65 each, shipped), so there are some good deals out there. But, for the Walkabout, I liked the Telefunkens even better, and I've been able to get those for even less (though I've also seen them go for ridiculous prices).

Since I did my last shootout in the Walkabout, I've picked up a bunch more tubes. If anyone wants me to try any particular tubes out, please let me know. If you read this thread, I talk about a lot more tubes, and I think I included a list of some of the tubes I have on hand.

Tom.
 
#147
I do plan on adding one to my collection sometime in the future.

Best piece of gear I ever regret selling was my M-Pulse 600 (oh my LORD why!?!?), and this is just a mini version of such.

It should sit nicely with my Schro 1210 when I don't need the whole rack at a smaller gig... or just want some of that mmmgood Mesa sound.

Killer!
 
#148
Last night I did an outdoor gig with guitar-bass-drums...no PA support for me, just the Scout combo with an EA Wizzy. What a sweet sound! The Scout pumps out plenty of lows and has the tweeter for the highs. The Wizzy has the mid definition thing going on big time...which is the only thing the Scout is a little weak on IMO. I was running the amp pretty hard all night and didn't have any problems.
 
#149
tallboybass said:
Last night I did an outdoor gig with guitar-bass-drums...no PA support for me, just the Scout combo with an EA Wizzy. What a sweet sound! The Scout pumps out plenty of lows and has the tweeter for the highs. The Wizzy has the mid definition thing going on big time...which is the only thing the Scout is a little weak on IMO. I was running the amp pretty hard all night and didn't have any problems.
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I can see that being a great combination! Great idea. Thanks for sharing, and I am glad to hear that you haven't had any problems with a 2 ohm load, either.

Tom.
 
#150
tombowlus said:
I can see that being a great combination! Great idea. Thanks for sharing, and I am glad to hear that you haven't had any problems with a 2 ohm load, either.

Tom.
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Tom, I'm still fascinated with the idea of running 2 Wizzies, do they throw out enough low end to cover a loud gig? (sorry if I've asked you this before) The Scout - Wizzy combo was right on the edge of running out of juice.

Alan
 
#151
tallboybass said:
Tom, I'm still fascinated with the idea of running 2 Wizzies, do they throw out enough low end to cover a loud gig? (sorry if I've asked you this before) The Scout - Wizzy combo was right on the edge of running out of juice.

Alan
Click to expand...

I haven't used the Walkabout with two Wizzy's at a loud gig, but it did hold up fine in a loud practice. I have gigged with two Wizzy's and an iAMP 800 (which puts out 1,000w into a 2 ohm load!), and needless to say, this was more than enough! :bassist:

But in my experience, the Walkabout driving two Wizzy's is just about as loud as the Walkabout gets in a compact rig - although I must say it did sound great driving my Diesel 4x10 and Diesel Powerhouse Jr.! :D
 
#152
So, I have this board recording from a show with a pretty large PA... the guitar playing a Mesa Stilleto half stack, very loud... I had my 15" Scout on about halfway and the bass is barely in the mix. :) I was so disappointed to hear the recording because it sounded so awesome while I was playing, and I was really looking forward to hearing my sound. Don't judge us too much...we had about 7 or 8 shots of 151 each before we went on. :) Oh yeah, this was a Jimi tribute show a few months back... we did it 3 piece.

http://www.teband.com/music/TEBSTONEFREE.mp3

Oh yeah, it's JJ's with my recently sold American P Bass.

I'm playing this weekend with the Ei Elites... I'll let you guys know how they work out. I bought 4 extra elites too if any of you guys wanna buy em from me el-cheapo. :)

I'm really excited to give them a workout!
Link Removed
 
#156
rockstarbassist said:
Just FMI- does anyone here run a Walkabout as a regular amp partially, then run it into say a bigger power amp or something when duty calls, and just run the pre out of the FX loop "Send" to bypass the amp's power supply? I figured that would work, and it's something the more I think about that intrigues me...
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I've thought about this too. You could look at it like a heavy SABDDI with a couple of real tubes in it. :smug:
 
#158
rockstarbassist said:
Just FMI- does anyone here run a Walkabout as a regular amp partially, then run it into say a bigger power amp or something when duty calls, and just run the pre out of the FX loop "Send" to bypass the amp's power supply? I figured that would work, and it's something the more I think about that intrigues me...
Click to expand...

For large gigs I drop my walkabout into a 4 space rack with a Mackie 1400i briged to 1400W @ 4 ohms into a Schroeder 1212, or sometimes I add a SWR 15". I have been using the DI out on the back of the Walkabout to go into the Mackie. This allows me to use the DI level knob on the front of the Walkabout to make sure that the power amp doesn't clip.

I have never tried using the FX out. I'd like to know if anyone does this. I don't see why you couldn't. Would the level be enough to drive the power amp?
 
#159
tallboybass said:
I've thought about this too. You could look at it like a heavy SABDDI with a couple of real tubes in it. :smug:
Click to expand...


Oh yeah... If I ever went this route, I'd definitely have at least a 10-space roller rack goin' and if not, then an 8 space for all my "stuff" (counting the Mesa) then a shock-racked 2-space for my amp.
 
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