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School Me On Walkabout

#41
I have a new (set of) question(s). I notice some Scouts have vented back panels. You can actually SEE the torroidal transformer. Mine lacks this. I'm not sure how this works but I assume the fan is still at the back of the head and therefore the fan would push air upward and likely exhaust through the back of the combo more than it would exhaust upward through the front of the head. Wouldn't this have an effect on cooling and also possibly have an effect on fan noise?
 
#42
Old Fart said:
I have a new (set of) question(s). I notice some Scouts have vented back panels. You can actually SEE the torroidal transformer. Mine lacks this. I'm not sure how this works but I assume the fan is still at the back of the head and therefore the fan would push air upward and likely exhaust through the back of the combo more than it would exhaust upward through the front of the head. Wouldn't this have an effect on cooling and also possibly have an effect on fan noise?
Click to expand...
Not really.
 
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#44
The WA head is a classic. Pair it with a large efficient cab and watch it wake up. Used one through a Mesa PH 412 and it was bliss. I’ve owned a few combos, sold them and bought again.
 
#45
Old Fart said:
I have a new (set of) question(s). I notice some Scouts have vented back panels. You can actually SEE the torroidal transformer. Mine lacks this. I'm not sure how this works but I assume the fan is still at the back of the head and therefore the fan would push air upward and likely exhaust through the back of the combo more than it would exhaust upward through the front of the head. Wouldn't this have an effect on cooling and also possibly have an effect on fan noise?
Click to expand...
there were 3 versions of the Walkabout. v1:Silver and Brownish-red face markings, v2: Silver and Black face markings, and v3: Black face.
v3's also had additional venting on the metal amp case as well as on the back of the cab (the piece that basically holds the amp in the cab).

I am a loyal and happy owner user of a v2 Walkabout and it remains my favorite sounding amp of all time. I do still have the original 1x12 4ohm combo cab, but I rarely use it as it can't really handle the full power of the WA and is very likely not a very efficient driver/cab design in the first place. My WA is in a Mesa headcase and drives any number of larger, more efficient cabs (Berg CN212, CN112, NV212t) and does it very well. Now as much as I love the Walkabout, it does have some meaningful clean volume limits. So, the amp that gets most of the gigs is my WD800, which does sound very similar to the WA. But when I can use the Walkabout, I do. Such a great amp.

enjoy OP, and welcome to the happy WA users club! :thumbsup:
 
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#47
Old Fart said:
I have a new (set of) question(s). I notice some Scouts have vented back panels. You can actually SEE the torroidal transformer. Mine lacks this. I'm not sure how this works but I assume the fan is still at the back of the head and therefore the fan would push air upward and likely exhaust through the back of the combo more than it would exhaust upward through the front of the head. Wouldn't this have an effect on cooling and also possibly have an effect on fan noise?
Click to expand...

As detailed in my long post on pg. 2, any kind of alteration to the casing can, and very likely will, make a difference in fan noise for the reasons detailed in my post above. Try some of the suggestions I made above.
 
#48
Update: The crackling problem was caused by a failed 12AX7 in V2. Even with the Master Volume off, intermittent crackling. A little tube rolling using a couple of different vintage 12AT7 tubes, cycling back to the factory 12AX7, shows this was the problem. Whew! Now this thing is quiet as a mouse. Quieter than my SVT and V4. Those things really care about power supply.
 
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#49
Old Fart said:
Update: The crackling problem was caused by a failed 12AX7 in V2. Even with the Master Volume off, intermittent crackling. A little tube rolling using a couple of different vintage 12AT7 tubes, cycling back to the factory 12AX7, shows this was the problem. Whew! Now this thing is quiet as a mouse. Quieter than my SVT and V4. Those things really care about power supply.
Click to expand...

Excellent! That was my suggestion.

Is the fan still (as much of) an issue after removing the amp from the combo, opening and re-seating the amp?
 
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#50
No. It is not. As some have postulated, vibration transfer can play a big role. Can you say "huge?" If speakers did not have paper, they would have volume issues. The amp is sitting atop two 1x15 Diesels (I should take a pic) with its top off for tube rolling. I can hear the fan easily from here (about 17 feet) but it's not troubling in the slightest. I will do some experimenting, but I expect it to get louder when I put it back in the cab. I may, or may not, choose to swap out the fan.

Sir Agedhorse, if you are concerned about the possibility of performance problems, relax. At Mesa, I think, you guys are not comfortable by anything but perfection. It shows. This amp is one of the finest machines I have purchased, and I am on my third Porsche.
 
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#51
Old Fart said:
No. It is not. As some have postulated, vibration transfer can play a big role. Can you say "huge?" If speakers did not have paper, they would have volume issues. The amp is sitting atop two 1x15 Diesels (I should take a pic) with its top off for tube rolling. I can hear the fan easily from here (about 17 feet) but it's not troubling in the slightest. I will do some experimenting, but I expect it to get louder when I put it back in the cab. I may, or may not, choose to swap out the fan.
Click to expand...

That was also me, a fellow Porsche enthusiast. No longer have my PCA membership or the car, but still driving a few WalkAbouts.

If you decide to swap the fan, search the WalkAbout Megathread for terms "cfm" to find the stock fan's specs (I believe the stock brand is Sunon) and what some people have used for replacements (often "Silenex" brand).

Any fan of the proper dimensions with around the same cfm (cubic feet per meter) spec should do, then it's a matter of the dB rating for the particular fan. Most that are specifically made to be quieter also come with mounting bits that dampen the vibration transfer, so if possible get one of those.

Enjoy the amp!
 
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#52
Note that for amps with variable speed fan control circuits, it's very generally very important for the cfm versus voltage/current curves to be close also. Otherwise the airflow may not track the temperature properly and the temperature may run away.
 
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#54
Wild_Bill_57 said:
I bought a used V3 12” Combo last fall and it had a few intermittent noise issues, I sent the amp to the Mesa factory service center in CA, $150.00 (shipped) later, I received a rebuilt, completely updated amp that is absolutely rock solid. I can’t complain, the Factory service center is the way to go.
Click to expand...

Me too. I have an early Walkabout. I sent it to Mesa. They went through it with a fine-tooth comb. Now I just don't worry about it.
 
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#55
I'm not sure it always matters if one goes back to the factory service techs for work, but the Mesa folks are top notch and they know their products (plus the configuration/updates by serial number) better than most local shops do IMO. The Mesa approved/authorized repair centers would be my second choice, but with lightwieght, small gear like this, why not just pack it up and go for the best option?
 
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#56
agedhorse said:
Note that for amps with variable speed fan control circuits, it's very generally very important for the cfm versus voltage/current curves to be close also. Otherwise the airflow may not track the temperature properly and the temperature may run away.
Click to expand...

I've done my homework and still lack the technical expertise to understand all I have read. IIRC, the factory fan moves 36 CFM. The Silenx fans (different model numbers, some of which are now discontinued) guys have discussed were 32 CFM, which is likely good enough. However, there was discussion about a resistor which limited voltage to the fan. If voltage is reduced, perhaps CFM is also reduced which could cause problems. Some have suggested removing that resistor which, was said, would give the Silenex fan the 12V it needs. I do not understand these things and therefore would not know what to do.

Yes, some of the Silenex fans are variable speed units, so there is one wire which is not used in the Walkabout application. I am thinking this would be a snap for one of our local amp techs.

Yes, the rubber grommets would help isolate the fan from the frame. I am finished tube-rolling so one of these days the head will go back into the Scout for further evaluation.
 
#57
Since the WA does not have variable speed fan control circuitry, that's not an issue but there were several versions of the WA. The resistor was used to improve (electrical) noise rejection with some fans and not for controlling fan speed. Different fan models use different commutating circuits, some are noisier in some circuits than in others.

I believe I posted an approved replacement fan option in the Walkabout megathread.
 
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#59
Old Fart said:
Needle in a haystack. I may go looking for that. there are no less than ten Walkabout threads. I assume you mean the current one (V10) with around 5000 posts.
Click to expand...
I don't remember. Perhaps somebody who followed my recommendation might recall better.
 
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#60
Old Fart said:
Look what followed me home. Walkabout 15. It's got the 4 Ohm speaker. Cosmetically it is in good shape except for some fairly violent rash at the front edge of the cabinet, on the vertical part of that front edge, from the lower corner extending upwards about five inches. It has been 'fixed' with black epoxy, which is fine. The very nice older gentleman who sold it said it was never gigged, always treated well (except for the rash), and it looks like it indeed has, as he says, been treated well except for that. It replaces my only other combo which was stolen.

First impression: O. M. G. If my old (stolen) BA-115HPT was 200 Watts, then this thing is about 1000 Watts. Alternatively, if this thing is 300 Watts, then the Ampeg was about 75 Watts.

I can see I will need to spend a bit of time learning how to use the para EQ and other tone controls. I am very happy to have this. I paid $600.

View attachment 3726213
Click to expand...
Great deal, enjoy! You’re gonna love it!:thumbsup:

Old Fart said:
There are many WA threads. MANY. Several have over a thousand posts. There are perhaps ten thousand posts here on TB singing the praises of this combo. Perhaps I will start another. ;)
Click to expand...
Apparently you have lol.:laugh:

pfschim said:
there were 3 versions of the Walkabout. v1:Silver and Brownish-red face markings, v2: Silver and Black face markings, and v3: Black face.
v3's also had additional venting on the metal amp case as well as on the back of the cab (the piece that basically holds the amp in the cab).

I am a loyal and happy owner user of a v2 Walkabout and it remains my favorite sounding amp of all time. I do still have the original 1x12 4ohm combo cab, but I rarely use it as it can't really handle the full power of the WA and is very likely not a very efficient driver/cab design in the first place. My WA is in a Mesa headcase and drives any number of larger, more efficient cabs (Berg CN212, CN112, NV212t) and does it very well. Now as much as I love the Walkabout, it does have some meaningful clean volume limits. So, the amp that gets most of the gigs is my WD800, which does sound very similar to the WA. But when I can use the Walkabout, I do. Such a great amp.

enjoy OP, and welcome to the happy WA users club! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
So I have a v2 then. Didn’t some of the early v2’s have separate passive and active inputs?

I love being able to pull the amp out of the cab and using it with other cabs. I don’t believe either is particularly efficient but I currently have enough volume for my needs.

Old Fart said:
No. It is not. As some have postulated, vibration transfer can play a big role. Can you say "huge?" If speakers did not have paper, they would have volume issues. The amp is sitting atop two 1x15 Diesels (I should take a pic) with its top off for tube rolling. I can hear the fan easily from here (about 17 feet) but it's not troubling in the slightest. I will do some experimenting, but I expect it to get louder when I put it back in the cab. I may, or may not, choose to swap out the fan.

Sir Agedhorse, if you are concerned about the possibility of performance problems, relax. At Mesa, I think, you guys are not comfortable by anything but perfection. It shows. This amp is one of the finest machines I have purchased, and I am on my third Porsche.
Click to expand...

Sometimes a solution regarding vibration issues is sitting right in front of us. After many years I noticed a vibration coming from the cab so I simply took a screwdriver and tightened everything up. End of problem.:)

I’ve had my WA for over a decade. Bought it simply because of it’s construction and ease of getting a great tone. It was before I discovered Talkbass and Mesa and their devoted followers. I was just a very rudimentary bassist looking for a better tool for making my sound and at that time I believed that it was in the amps and cabs area that needed the most urgent upgrading.

I play mostly at home or jamming and occasionally gigging with a loud 4-piece rock band with a heavy hitting drummer. With the stock cab it holds its own. Not by a lot but it does. I also play a church gig every other week and it carries that with ease.

I usually play a EBMM 4H Stingray in standard tuning but occasionally play in C# or B standard as well.

I find that it doesn’t really get any louder beyond about the twelve or one o’ clock position on the master. It just kind of compresses and fattens up. To be honest idk if that’s normal or not. Anyone else want to kick in on that one? Maybe more speaker needed?

It’s a confidence inspiring workhorse of an amp that simply works. When I arrive to play with my mates they always look at the WA and smile cause they love it’s sound. I always get compliments on its tone on gigs.

Another thing I noted is that even though I don’t think of my gear as a financial investment I believe it could be a good one as you paid about the same for yours than I for mine did back in 2006 when it was probably 2 or 3 years old.

So far I’ve never considering parting with it. Best gear purchase I ever made along with the SR. Now I just need to get a nice Fender Precision...:cool:
 
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