+1. Long-time Walkabout head / combo user here, but since I got the TC, the WB has hardly been touched.
The TC is frighteningly good.
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moving to Europe, amp decision to make
- Thread starter pfschim
- Start date
The TC is frighteningly good.
So I take it that the WALKABOUT amp is relatively easy to switch from 110V to 240V ??? Would my amp tech find this an easy job?? i.e is there a 240v tap on the OT in the WA head??
I recommend you to NOT go that direction, I got their Flightcase BG-150 and their "switchable power" supply creates ugly digital noises that are unbearable, when running on 220-240 volts.
They don't seem to bother doing anything about it either, so, stay away if you dont like high freq. digital noise (it is everywhere in the combo, speakers, DI, headphones, etc.).
Cheers,
D.Don
It's a non issue. I've been abroad for 12 years and have never heard of reliability issues. I brought a GK head and used it. My guitarist brought a Soldano tube head and gigged 3-7 nights a week a week for seven years with a 110 wired head through transformer. That seve year stint ended 10 years ago and he still uses it.
I've been running my stereo for the past nine years through a voltage regulator. It's a complete non-issue.
Just be sure you know the difference between a voltage transformer and a wall plug adaptor. Completely different animals.
If you're only here for a couple of years, don't bother with the conversion. Furthermore, with the cost of conversion to 240 and back to 110, coupled with the price of shipping, are you sure it's the most cost effective solution?
Lots a good used value over here. Don't look at retail prices because they're ********.
PM me if you want more advice.
Seriously, the transformer thing has no substance to it at all, other than using too small a transformer on an electrical device. We ran 110v Maytag washer and dryer with a transformer for three years in the Middle East. If someone says otherwise, they clearly have no idea what they are talking about.
It WILL be great for sure!
Great and tasty draught beer (beware - its a bit stronger than that watery US Stuff) - and an incredible density of the most beautiful girls!
You will love it!
The only disadvantages I can think of will be the weather - compared to California theres a lot of rain and the winter is brrrr - And the nearly non-existent music industry.
For shopping musical instruments eg you will need to reach out to shops in Germany or Austria.
Mesa Amps are insanely expensive here in Europe.
Get another Walkabout in the US - convert for european voltage and bring it over. When you go back to the US - sell it before you leave. You will get about the double of what you spent for it.
Good luck!
If you need a loudspeaker cabinet custom made for your Walkabout Head -
go to Invalid Link Removed
It s a small company located in southern Germany.
They can ship to prague for reasonable costs.
Their page is written in German but I am sure that you get english info after mailing them.
Their made quality is very good and the pricetag is only a bit over the china made standard you can buy from the shelf and far below US made stuff like mesa of aguilar.
I have an FMC 2x12" Neo cabinet equipped with two eminence 2512 - its rocksolid but lightweight (21 kg) - it was about 440 euros.
Excellent braced cabinet and tuned properly.
They have a lot of customers on their built list and it would take about 8-12 weeks after the order to receive the cab but I believe that any tolex, grill, tweeter, additional 8" or cosmetic options can be made for the customers taste.
Otherwise - two great stores in Germany or Austria:
www.thomann.de
Invalid Link Removed
go to Invalid Link Removed
It s a small company located in southern Germany.
They can ship to prague for reasonable costs.
Their page is written in German but I am sure that you get english info after mailing them.
Their made quality is very good and the pricetag is only a bit over the china made standard you can buy from the shelf and far below US made stuff like mesa of aguilar.
I have an FMC 2x12" Neo cabinet equipped with two eminence 2512 - its rocksolid but lightweight (21 kg) - it was about 440 euros.
Excellent braced cabinet and tuned properly.
They have a lot of customers on their built list and it would take about 8-12 weeks after the order to receive the cab but I believe that any tolex, grill, tweeter, additional 8" or cosmetic options can be made for the customers taste.
Otherwise - two great stores in Germany or Austria:
www.thomann.de
Invalid Link Removed
wow, great thread revival. appreciate the replies, particularly from the European TBers.
I have a no-cost way to get a second Walkabout re-tapped for euro-voltage, it seems like a no-brainer to do that and get a cab locally. I am also bringing along my laptop DAW/practice rig, so I can keep up the chops until I can possibly find a playing situation. This also will make a cab a secondary requirement until I get a situation where I might need one.
At the moment, it appears that we will probably be over sometime in September.
I have a no-cost way to get a second Walkabout re-tapped for euro-voltage, it seems like a no-brainer to do that and get a cab locally. I am also bringing along my laptop DAW/practice rig, so I can keep up the chops until I can possibly find a playing situation. This also will make a cab a secondary requirement until I get a situation where I might need one.
At the moment, it appears that we will probably be over sometime in September.
Looking forward to the beer, but will have to carefully navigate the incredible density of beautiful young womanhood .. because I am a very happily married man (or so my wife always tells me
).I'm not too worried about the weather. While we have lived in California for 20 years, and are definitely very happy with the mild weather, my wife and I are both originally from the midwest (Chicago and St. Louis) so we know all about cold weather.
Paucity of gigs is also not a huge issue. I have a pretty demanding day job that will keep me traveling quite a bit, so I am not looking for a steady gig. In fact, I'd be perfectly happy with a jazz rehearsal/writing type situation that had an occasional gig. I mostly just want to keep playing any way I can.
I will figure out the gear situation. I understand that prices will be steep, but I plan to bring a re-tapped Walkabout and my Lull M4V. I'll grab a cab locally if/when I need to. I am not a major GAS addict, so hopefully I will not have to deal with the local music retailers (and pay the heavy euro prices) too much. In any event, money will not exactly be an issue due to the day gig and a looong history of financial prudence
Ha, not to resurrect an old thread but I just saw this. I guess I didn't really subscribe. Prague is an amazing city. You will love it.
Anyone know if the GK MB500 has switchable power? I will probably bring that amp with me in my suitcase if possible.
+1
Why not just get something there ans sell it when you leave?
All that shipping and modding seems like a waste of money.
Plus, they have Orange there for less!
I mentioned in an earlier post that I can get a Walkabout re-tapped for euro-voltages for free. Pretty nice inside deal really. As I really enjoy my Walkabout now, I think thats the way I going to go (and pick up a cab over there when the need arises). Also, I just don't much care for the Orange tone, IMO/IME it breaks up far to quickly for the music that I usually do. But thanks for the comment.
As an updates to the original thread. My relocation appears to be on track. It took a few wild twists and turns earlier this summer, but now seems to be heading in the right direction. With any luck, we will be heading over there late this year, or perhaps in early January (brrrrr!).
Mine is on track too--I am looking at September. 
I would buy something over there but it seems hardly worth it for 5-6 months---I am not going over there to play bass or anything. The band is going on hiatus for the time being. It just would be nice to have some amp juice with the bass I am bringing along. And you never know if I might get a chance to play with some folks along the way. Oh well, I might have to resort to a headphone amp for that time.
I would buy something over there but it seems hardly worth it for 5-6 months---I am not going over there to play bass or anything. The band is going on hiatus for the time being. It just would be nice to have some amp juice with the bass I am bringing along. And you never know if I might get a chance to play with some folks along the way. Oh well, I might have to resort to a headphone amp for that time.
- Jun 3, 2009
- 3,330
- 399
- Disclosures
- Bassgearu, Music Industry Consulting and Sales. Tech 21, NBE Corp, Sonosphere.
If you are going to sink that kinda dough, When you get to Europe by an Orange Bass Terror with the 2X12 cab. Tiny, will be in euro voltage and will have all the tube tonal love and be super transportable. And also, will have good resale when you leave. Or you can bring it back here with you and just have it changed at home.
Once you go Orange I hear you never go back (or is that come back...)
Once you go Orange I hear you never go back (or is that come back...)
Because money doesn't appear to be too big a consideration (see option 2), I'd personally look around for something "european" that would cost me an arm and a leg more in the US.
TecAmp and Glockenklang are the first two names that pop into my mind; while there are many more brands that fall into the exchange rate price difference land.
TecAmp and Glockenklang are the first two names that pop into my mind; while there are many more brands that fall into the exchange rate price difference land.
Most amp makers who sell both 110 and 220v versions of their products manufacture them in a way that allows them to be easily wired for one or the other. This is to save cost as they only have to make one set of PCBs, etc. However, they don't always provide the schematics to help you convert. When I moved to Europe, I paid a VERY good tech in northern France to convert my amp to 220v. It cost me arount $20 and has worked flawlessly for many years. Before he did it, I took lots of pictures to make sure I could swap it all back when I return. It'll be easy as it only requires a few wires to be moved and a new fuse.
I now own an TC RH450 and haven't looked back. Huge tone, 110/220 auto switching, small, light - what more could I want?
I now own an TC RH450 and haven't looked back. Huge tone, 110/220 auto switching, small, light - what more could I want?
i was under the impression the only way to change the voltage of a WA was to change the output transformer out. is it possible to just rewire it to change the voltage?
It depends on the amp, many have transformers with multiple taps so all you need to do is change a few connections on the transformer and you're good to go.
At least that was the case with my SVT-II (previous owner had imported it from the US and it is clear the connections on the transformer have been changed).
Not all amps will have this tho.
+100 top stuff the TC range...i know someone that has no car and takes a 2x10 and a rh450 + bass on his bicycle...
mesa gear is very very expensive in europe..when i hear what u guys spent on a 400+ i almost cringe when i think how much mine cost with the mesa shockmount..
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