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Ultimate Walkabout Cab

Joe Smithberger

Joe Smithberger

Mar 8, 2002
1,940
143
Canton, Ohio, USA
www.smithbergerphoto.com
#1
I read through most of the threads on this head before I got one. Now that I have it in hand, I like the little guy a lot. What would be your prime cab setup for a blues/rock bar band given the modest power involved. I have a 4 om Avatar B410 Neo at the moment, but I can't help wondering what I should be keeping my eyes open for in the future.

The Avatar is OK. It's plenty loud enough, but I would like to get a bit thicker and chewier yet. Lately I have been running with the mids about 9:00 and a bit of bass boost (1-2:00) and a slight cut at 40 Hz on the parametric. I am new to this so if you have other insights, I would like to hear those as well.
 
#3
I ran that same setup. I find the scout cab (the one as a combo) is better sounding than the avatar. I read here on the walkabout mega-thread that the mid control is a cut only. Which basically means that your 9:00 is cutting mids significantly. I put that theory to the test this weekend live and let me tell you that it did the trick. I left it all flat including the EQ on the bass, gain at 12, and it responded to my touch like crazy. super mellow and deep to full on grit and growl.

Anyway my point was that the mesa radiator 12 is much better than the 4x10 IMO. Your right, the Avatar is plenty loud, but for me was missing the grit I would love to try a mesa 2x10 or 1x15.
 
#5
RickenBoogie said:
So far, my favorite pairing with my Walkabout is the Genz Benz Uber 212. Talk about a match made in heaven.
Click to expand...

I've heard many good things about the WB through 212's. The 112 in the Scout is certainly wonderful. It's amazing how fantastic the head sounds through almost any cab I've played it through, but my preference (so far) has been through 410's. Presently, I'm playing it through the Ampeg BXT cabs, and I love them to death with this head. (I use the BXT410 or BXT210, depending on venue -- will also not hesitate to stack them in a 2 ohm, 610 configuration, I just haven't had that need yet, as I always have PA support)

Mesa Walkabout = my all-time favoritest head ever! :bassist:
 
#11
No sir, the 15/6 wanted more power than the Walkabout had.

The LowDownSound 2x12+2x6 is awesome with the Walkabout though. It's on the right...15/6 on the left:
lds156and2x12.jpg
 
#14
Really, the 3015 has been the only cab the Walkabout hasn't played well with yet; and I've tried it with a ton of stuff. That was a power thing, and not a tone thing, and in the walkabout's defense, the M6 didn't push it well either.
It's gonna depend a lot on your ears and preferences.
 
#15
I am looking for a thick, powerful sound that will carry a mid sized bar with a pretty loud drummer and minimal PA support. With this band I play a P5 and a '78 P, fingerstyle, and like flatwound strings or dead rounds with the tone control full up. Most of the places we play have tight "stages" so getting back away from my cab has been a problem. It seems like a 212+mid or 115+mid configuration would work well for this and taller is probably better.
 
#16
Reviving an old thread to ask a question...

Chef, does that 212 LDS cab of yours have the LF drivers? If not do you think the little Walkabout would do OK with the new 12LF drivers and a single 6? I'm sure Don could do a killer vertical 212+6 cab that would look great with the Walkabout but I am concerned about power.

Has anyone tried this head with the Berg NV215? I know its a heavy beast, but I would love to play through one of those.
 
#18
No, the box is older than that; they're 2512's.


Joe Smithberger said:
Reviving an old thread to ask a question...

Chef, does that 212 LDS cab of yours have the LF drivers? If not do you think the little Walkabout would do OK with the new 12LF drivers and a single 6? I'm sure Don could do a killer vertical 212+6 cab that would look great with the Walkabout but I am concerned about power.

Has anyone tried this head with the Berg NV215? I know its a heavy beast, but I would love to play through one of those.
Click to expand...
 
#20
Concur: I really haven't met a bad match for the WA...
My two faves at this time are:
Two LDS 2x8 cabs stacked in a 4x8 line array. One has a mid driver, one has a horn, making a pretty cool 3 way system. 2 ohm load.
LDS 2x12+2x6: more vintage sounding; with the two 6" mid-drivers doing "a more modern vintage top end." 4 ohm box.
 

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