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Question about Walkabout Scout

G

Gabbass

Aug 15, 2004
38
0
Italy
#1
Hi,
I have the Walkabout Scout 1x12 combo 4 ohm and I'd like to add another cab (another 1x12 or a 2x10)...
...but I don't know about the impedance...
which impedance must have the second cab? 4 ohm or 8 ohm?
... is it ok if I plug the second cab to the other speaker output of the head? (there are two speaker outputs in the walkabout head)
...or is the impedance less than 4 ohm in that way?

let me know...thanks.
 
#3
Some guys report running their Scout with an extension which brings the impedance below 4 ohms. It's not recommended by Mesa. According to others the amp doesn't fail or overheat. I'm conservative and won't do it myself.
 
#4
So if I add a 8 ohm cab the impedance is 2.6 ohm and if I add a 4 ohm cab the impedance is 2 ohm...right?
I could ask to my technician in Florence if it's possible to put in the cab of the combo a switch and choose the impedance (4 ohm or 8 ohm)...it's like the Accuswitch in the Accugroove cabinets....
...it would be great....I could use the combo @ 8 ohm when I add another 8 ohm cabinet for the big stages and I could use it @ 4 ohm when I use only the combo for the small stages.
I have my Walkabout owner's manual and they wrote this:
"Minimum load rating is 2 ohms and while the Walkabout will handle this lower load condition-and in fact produce more than its rated power,it is not recommended.Prolonged use of a 2 ohm load will cause the power mosfets to run hot causing the protection circuit to trigger and mute the output signal until such time as the mosfets can return to a safe operating temperature.Avoid using 2 ohm loads whenever possible".
So it seems this head can work @2 ohm but there's the possibility it goes in protection if overheated....
Anyway I want to talk with my tech and with Mesa too....
....I will let you know.
Cheers from Italy!
 
#5
If you are planning on pushing the amp loud at 2 or 2.67 ohms, I wouldn't do it.

I've tried mine at 2.67 ohms using an 8 ohm Yorkville 1X15 and it sounds great, but I've never pushed it. I wish Mesa had made the 8 ohm Scout cabinet standard as the head itself, removed from the Scout cabinet and driving the above mentioned 1X15 had lots of headroom and volume although only technically capable of 150 watts or so. I also used it with an 8 ohm custom made 3 way cabinet with high end RCF drivers and it was impressive and able to fill a big room easily.The Mesa is a very loud amp for its power rating compared to many other name brands.
 
#8
I'll chime in with my own hands on experience.

I am running a Walkabout Scout 12 combo like yours with a Mesa Powerhouse 1x12 cab (300w 8Ohm) for medium sized gigs. Have run it 3 set and 4 set gigs, indoors and out, in the heat of summer as well and have had absolutely no problems at all with breakup or thermal overload.

I don't push it much. Pre @ 1:00, Master @ 12:00, EQ slightly pushed for bass and highs and the passive mid at about 9:00. The para EQ is near flat with again a touch of 35-40hz bass boost, mids slightly cut at 1.5k and highs set flat. Basses are both active and passive.

So far, nothing but really nice, warm, slightly compressed (tube pre) tone with just the slightest hint of early breakup. Great sounding amp in a easy loading package.

enjoy it in good conscience
 

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