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The Big Walkabout Purge...

#61
I have returned to the WA after using a plethora of different amps. I found changing cabs to fit the sonic landscape works best for me. I had Don at LDS make me a sealed 410 combo cab that fits the head same as the scout. So I use it or the Scout cab depending on the gig need.
 
#62
Kind of a side topic here, but, it seems like a lot of WA users have been pleading for a louder version, mostly for lack of headroom. Bu I wonder if it would sound the same in a louder version ? Other amp companies have tried this, like GK and Markbass. I have tried both companies louder versions of the same model amp, namely the GK MB series, and the Markbass Little Mark series, and found both companies versions of a louder version of the same head to not exactly be, well, just louder. There were very different nuances in tone from version to version, especially in the GK MB succession of " louder " models. So I wonder if the WA is a one off, as far as tone goes, and Mesa is leaving well enough alone ?
 
#63
True, there have been "mixed results" when manufacturers make a more powerful version of a given amp. But sometimes it works out well, and from playing around with running the effects send from the WalkAbout into another power amp, I think that there is a decent chance of good success if Mesa were to pair up the WalkAbout front end (including the tube driver stage) with a more powerful output section. True, it would likely not sound exactly the same, but I think it'd be worth the attempt.

FWIW, I think that the GK MB800 is very similar, if not slightly more organic (it uses FETs in the preamp, instead of opamps), than the MB500, but I agree that the MB200 (which has a very different front end) does sound more notably different than its bigger brothers.
 
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#64
If more power costs money (especially when it is not Class D)
and
the WA is pricey to start with
then
Mesa marketing must feel that the 800 watt WA would be a loser sales wise.

I wonder how many they sold when they were most popular?
My suspicion is that it is an expensive amp to build and is only cherished by a few in the know and the masses don’t find it attractive.
My prediction: one year from now they will be below $400 for a used unit.
 
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#66
jnewmark said:
and found both companies versions of a louder version of the same head to not exactly be, well, just louder. There were very different nuances in tone from version to version,
Click to expand...

You're observations are exactly right with my observations and opinion. You simply can't double or triple the power and expect it to result in the same amp, just louder. An amp sounds the way it does because of the level it operates at, or it's limitaion. Mesa says they put the same front end on the MP600 and got resulted in being different (surprise!), and the V12 was also a more power version of all that. Also exactly why a louder Ampeg B15 doesn't happen either...they sound the way it does because of it's low power sweet-spot.
 
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#67
mikeswals said:
You're observations are exactly right with my observations and opinion. You simply can't double or triple the power and expect it to result in the same amp, just louder. An amp sounds the way it does because of the level it operates at, or it's limitaion. Mesa says they put the same front end on the MP600 and got resulted in being different (surprise!), and the V12 was also a more power version of all that. Also exactly why a louder Ampeg B15 doesn't happen either...they sound the way it does because of it's low power sweet-spot.
Click to expand...
Thanks, and I'll go one step further since you mentioned the B15N. Now I know they never made a louder B15, but I've owned 3 of them, a '65, a '67, and a '71. All three sounded different in some ways. I'm not an Ampeg nut, but I imagine the " improvements " that Ampeg made along the way to the B15, resulted in different nuances of tone. BTW, I much prefer the ' 67 over any other year of B15 I have ever played. Very sweet tone .
 
#70
I've got both. I really like the d800. It's a great sounding class D amp. I tend to agree that there seems to be a sweet spot for tone. For modern amps, I believe it's around. 200-400 watts. Some of my favorite sounding amps are
1. Mesa Walkabout
2. Eden WT300 or 400
3. Aguilar DB359
4. Trace Elliot v4

All are not the loudest. But sound great!
 
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#73
sonic 7 said:
All of this love of the Walkabout has me gassing for one. I already have a walkabout 12" cab. Is there any difference between the older silverface compared with the blackface ?
Click to expand...
nope.
(to the best of my knowledge) there are three versions of the WA in the wild today.

First version is silver with red-ish brown faceplate markings, which looks pretty much the same as the discontinued MPulse 360 head (these amps are 360w versions of the MPulse 600 design. 12 tube driven MOSFETs vs 6 in the WA - also kind of cool, but not the same as the Walkabout). It has 2 input jacks for passive and active inputs, slightly different range on the Para EQ than the 2nd and 3rd versions, and no FX on/off switch.

Second gen is silver with black faceplate markings. It has 1 input jack and an active/passive switch, slightly different Para EQ ranges than ver 1, and an FX on/off switch.

Last/current version is the blackface, which is functionally the same as ver 2.

go for it, you won't be disappointed !
 
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#74
IME all iterations of thew Walkabout sound alike, but there were a couple of minor (and insignificant IMHO) variations in the center eq points that were brought to light somewhere deep in the bowels of the Walkabout Megathread.
 
#75
Pickebass said:
I've got both. I really like the d800. It's a great sounding class D amp. I tend to agree that there seems to be a sweet spot for tone. For modern amps, I believe it's around. 200-400 watts. Some of my favorite sounding amps are
1. Mesa Walkabout
2. Eden WT300 or 400
3. Aguilar DB359
4. Trace Elliot v4

All are not the loudest. But sound great!
Click to expand...

I could not agree more.
 
#77
I switched from a Trace Elliot V-Type 220 W head and 1248H 4x12 cabinet that weighed about 170 lbs together to a Walkabout Scout 1x12 combo that I can pick up with one hand. My original plan was to buy two of these, and use them together on rock gigs, but so far, I'm doing fine with the one, and PA support where needed. I can't imagine why I would need or want a Subway. I love Mesa, don't get me wrong. Both of my current amps are Mesa (I have a rare F-50 1x12 narrow chassis combo for my guitar needs), but if I ever bought another Mesa bass amp, it would be a second Walkabout Scout 1x12. Or an all-tube Mesa, if I had roadies to carry it for me. :D

As it is, I can strap my Scout to a collapsible handtruck with my gig bag, stage stand, and pedalboard, sling my bass over my shoulder, and go wherever.
 
#78
amper said:
I switched from a Trace Elliot V-Type 220 W head and 1248H 4x12 cabinet that weighed about 170 lbs together to a Walkabout Scout 1x12 combo that I can pick up with one hand. My original plan was to buy two of these, and use them together on rock gigs, but so far, I'm doing fine with the one, and PA support where needed. I can't imagine why I would need or want a Subway. I love Mesa, don't get me wrong. Both of my current amps are Mesa (I have a rare F-50 1x12 narrow chassis combo for my guitar needs), but if I ever bought another Mesa bass amp, it would be a second Walkabout Scout 1x12. Or an all-tube Mesa, if I had roadies to carry it for me. :D

As it is, I can strap my Scout to a collapsible handtruck with my gig bag, stage stand, and pedalboard, sling my bass over my shoulder, and go wherever.
Click to expand...
Is your WA a 4 or 8 ohm. I have the 8 ohm and am hoping it will be all I need like your current situation...
 

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