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Walkabout Scout + 12" Extension Cab = how much usable output?

ishouldbeking

ishouldbeking

Feb 5, 2007
2,090
32
#1
Been reading through quite a few walkabout threads after looking into a lot of other micro amps, and these (theoretically) sound like what I'm looking for. Add to that the convenience of a modular setup, and this sounds like a no-brainer. Gonna hit up the Mesa Boogie Hollywood store tomorrow and try some out for good measure. But since it's a tiny showroom and I doubt they'll let me rattle all those boutique instruments off the walls... I thought I'd ask this in advance.

I know everyone says its fine to run a second 4 ohm extension cab to get the maximum output out of these bad boys. Just curious how much usable volume this could realistically generate without putting the cabs or amp into danger. For reference, my current club-gig rig is an Ashdown ABM 500 into an 8 ohm Orange 115 (guessing its getting around 300 watts at 8 ohms). This rig is plenty loud enough for the shows we play, though the overall tone feels rather muted (overly dark) and it's not that great for stage monitoring due to its height. Plus it's heavy for what it is. Not having the foggiest clue how sensitivity or other speaker specs work, would the Mesa mini stack be able to easily compete with my current setup?
 
#2
You get a 3dB increase by adding an identical driver. That translates as being twice as loud. And you need twice the wattage to get a 3dB increase, provided your drivers can handle the juice.

But what should really be selling you on switching is the fact that the Walkabout Scout is a flipping amazing piece of gear.

: )
 
#3
naturalkinds said:
You get a 3dB increase by adding an identical driver. That translates as being twice as loud. And you need twice the wattage to get a 3dB increase, provided your drivers can handle the juice.

But what should really be selling you on switching is the fact that the Walkabout Scout is a flipping amazing piece of gear.

: )
Click to expand...

And, in this case, if I were to add the identical driver for the 3 db boost, it seems like there'd be an additional gain, since the amp would then be running at 2 ohms and putting out 400-something watts instead of the 300 it puts out at 4 ohms, no? Maybe that'd be a "4db" increase, ha.

Out of addt'l curiosity: how much does the Scout 12" combo weigh? The Boogie site is mysteriosly vague, despite repeated mentions of the head clocking in at 13lbs.
 
#4
It's 500 watts @ 2 ohms, and it will be significantly louder, (and better sounding) than your current rig. But, I prefer NOT to run my WA at 2 ohms, and instead use the head with a 4 ohm 2x12- which is an easy breezy 300 watts through 2 12's- plenty loud in a 4pc rock band.
 
#6
...and for what it's worth, I think it will easily be as loud or louder than your current set up. Both my cabs are 4 ohms. Never had a problem.

I agree with Rickenboogie also. A WA into a efficient multi-driver cab, will cover most anything.
 
#7
I have owned a bunch of WA and Scout products. IME there's no reason to go below 2 8 Ohm Scout 12s as there's no sig volume increase in going from 300 to 500 watts since the 12s will each max out (although not blow) well before 25o watts each. IME they're like most non-fEarful 12s and will start compressing well before their 300 watt thermal armageddon point. The 15s are another matter, however, and keep getting ear-splittingly louder right up near 300 watts.
 
#8
RickenBoogie said:
It's 500 watts @ 2 ohms, and it will be significantly louder, (and better sounding) than your current rig. But, I prefer NOT to run my WA at 2 ohms, and instead use the head with a 4 ohm 2x12- which is an easy breezy 300 watts through 2 12's- plenty loud in a 4pc rock band.
Click to expand...

very cool. Rickenboogie, looking through your influences (and your name) I imagine we might appreciate some of the same tones... can you get a nice warm-but-grindy Ric-with-a-pick tone outta these rigs ala Chris Squire or Roger Glover?
 
#9
ishouldbeking said:
very cool. Rickenboogie, looking through your influences (and your name) I imagine we might appreciate some of the same tones... can you get a nice warm-but-grindy Ric-with-a-pick tone outta these rigs ala Chris Squire or Roger Glover?
Click to expand...

The Scout can get some serious grind, especially if you fiddle around with the crossover network on the newer Scout cabinets. I absolutely love the sound of the tone knob cranked on a P-bass with flats through the combo. Don't use that sound much personally, but it nearly defines the rock P-bass tone for me.
 
#10
lomo said:
I have owned a bunch of WA and Scout products. IME there's no reason to go below 2 8 Ohm Scout 12s as there's no sig volume increase in going from 300 to 500 watts since the 12s will each max out (although not blow) well before 25o watts each. IME they're like most non-fEarful 12s and will start compressing well before their 300 watt thermal armageddon point. The 15s are another matter, however, and keep getting ear-splittingly louder right up near 300 watts.
Click to expand...

this is another viable option. does the walkabout scout sound all right by itself running into a single 8 ohm cabinet? I'd be hoping to use this in a modular capacity for recording, radio shows, intimate settings, etc.

also, what do you guys think of the scout cabs themselves? i mean as opposed to running the head through more traditional cabs. any preference? I expect I'll get to try the head through the scout cabs, maybe a powerhouse or two, but obviously only mesa stuff at the mesa store.
 
#11
I use a 4 ohm WA 12 for most of my gigs, but add a 4ohm Scout 15 when I need a bit more 'umph than the single 12 can deliver. I love this combination, and use the both cabs' Player Control settings to get the most out of the pair (Scout 15 set on full range crossover and the WA 12 set on sheen 3k) when I use them together.

I do find the WA and Scout cabs (particularly the Scout 15) to be low end friendly. I don't push any extra low bass freq's through my rig, in fact I use the para eq to carve it out a bit at 60hz or so. I never use the Scout 15 by itself, but found that you have to be careful not to feed it too much low end, because it has a tendency to get a bit mushy/bloomy if you get to happy with the sub 100hz freqs.

The Walkabout/Scout stuff does deliver some wonderful tones. In 35 years of playing, I have never been as happy with a rig as I am with this WA 12 (and the occasional added Scout 15).
 
#12
ishouldbeking said:
this is another viable option. does the walkabout scout sound all right by itself running into a single 8 ohm cabinet? I'd be hoping to use this in a modular capacity for recording, radio shows, intimate settings, etc.

also, what do you guys think of the scout cabs themselves? i mean as opposed to running the head through more traditional cabs. any preference? I expect I'll get to try the head through the scout cabs, maybe a powerhouse or two, but obviously only mesa stuff at the mesa store.
Click to expand...

The Scout cabs are tuned lower than expected for their driver sizes-I think because of the radiator port, and I often cut lows (60-100Hz), even with the 12. I absolutely love my Scout boxes. I use an LDS 15-6 because it's as loud as both Scout 12s together in 1 box, but I prefer the Scout sound-not as hifi and clear but very thick. The 12, however, is a 12, and I can't imagine playing one of my rock gigs with just that. Once again, IME the 4 and 8 Ohm Scout 12s produce pretty much the same volume-definitely louder than my old Epi UL2-112 but still a 12. I use a pair of 12s because the 15 is MUCH bulkier and awkward to haul IMO. The single handle is woefully inadequate for it, even if its 50lbs are doable with 1 hand, the box size requires 2 when loading in and out of cars, carrying up stairs, etc. If that doesn't bother you, I'd go with an 8 Ohm 12 and 4 Ohm 15 to yield 3 rigs. The 15 alone would be fine for anything I'd do and for a sane rock band will fill any bar I've played on it's own. A 12 on top would be the icing on the cake. I do prefer the separate head to my combo for a gig 'cause I like to have the controls where I can see 'em easily. The pair of 12s also works great for me, and at under 40lbs each they're a cinch to move. FWIW I sometimes play my GB Shuttle 3 through the Scout 12 and it sounds amazing......maybe because I've rescued it from the little Shuttle 8:p

Having said all that-IMO the real magic is in the head more than the boxes.
 
#13
+1 the 4 ohm Scout 12 on it's own, is woefully inadequet for my rock band. I like the Scout cab, but I never really loved it. i much prefer my Genz Benz Uber 212 by itself, but I also use an Aguilar DB 112 (8 ohm) with the head, and it's just as loud as the 4 ohm Scout. Different for sure, but just as loud. I will occasionally run the 4 ohm Uber AND the 8 ohm DB together, @ 2.6 ohms, and serious thunder, but usually that's with a keyboard synth, not bass, (not that that matters, but there you go). Of ALL the Walkabout plus "other" cab combo's i've tried so far, the Uber 212 is tops, for tone and volume. I've been raving about this combo for over a year, and still get excited about it.
 
#14
I got the 8 ohm 12" Scout. IMO that is all that's needed for a single 12" driver! I cannot see the single 12" taking much more than what the WA can throw at it.

Simply add another 8 ohm 12" is what I Do usually- tho I DO have the option of adding another 4 ohm 2x12 for a massive 4x12"s & 500w @ 2ohms.... tho I've not needed it.

Just another 2c.... I use the WA head(outta the scout combo) with my Bergantino NV215 (4ohms) & it's VERY LOUD... VERY!!! I play in a 8-11 piece soul/funk band -WITH a LOUD hard hitting drummer!!! - & I think I only had the WA on about 1/3 volume.
Was even LOUDER when I used it thru the slightly more efficient(higher sensitivity rated) NV610.
It's a LOUD ( & fantastic sounding) 300w that li'l sucker
 
#15
I use the WA scout 12" 4 ohm, have the 4 ohm extension and rune them at 2 ohm all the time...
At home when i practice, at gigs, ALL the time! never had an issue with it...
Adding the second cab does beef up the sound a lot and makes it a bit louder!
I would say that unless you play in some sort of death trash noise band at ear bleeding level you should be fine volume whise, mine gets incomfortably loud with 15db molded earplugs before it sounds to fart or struggle...
I use the combo alone in a lot of my gigs but i do have PA support with subs...

I dont know it getting a 8 ohm would make a big difference but i never wished i had bought one instead...
 
#16
RickenBoogie said:
..but I also use an Aguilar DB 112 (8 ohm) with the head, and it's just as loud as the 4 ohm Scout. Different for sure, but just as loud...
Click to expand...

How would you compare the sound of the DB112 to that of the Scout 12?? I currently run a pair of DB112's and is great but the idea of a W.A all in one combo gives me the drools. There's no way to try one out down my end of the planet so I would have to import blind and hope for the best.
 
#17
I have been seriously thinking of buying a second 4 ohm Scout cab as I love how you can carry them in one hand. I just loaded my pair of Mesa Powerhouse 115 cabs into the van and they are heavy and awkward to schlep around. They sound absolutely huge with the Walkabout head though but at 70 pounds each they are tough to carry around. I also love the Walkabout head with my Powerhouse 412 cab but its also a monster to move around.
 
#18
Crabby said:
I have been seriously thinking of buying a second 4 ohm Scout cab as I love how you can carry them in one hand. I just loaded my pair of Mesa Powerhouse 115 cabs into the van and they are heavy and awkward to schlep around. They sound absolutely huge with the Walkabout head though but at 70 pounds each they are tough to carry around. I also love the Walkabout head with my Powerhouse 412 cab but its also a monster to move around.
Click to expand...

I somewhat dig the PH tone as well but they seem to be made of granite, LOL. The Scouts have a broader low end at a more reasonable weight, but at a premium price.
 
#19
vin*tone said:
How would you compare the sound of the DB112 to that of the Scout 12?? I currently run a pair of DB112's and is great but the idea of a W.A all in one combo gives me the drools. There's no way to try one out down my end of the planet so I would have to import blind and hope for the best.
Click to expand...

The Scout has more obvious low end, and overall a little "woofier" than the DB, and to my ears, the DB is tighter all around- but I don't feel like I'm missing the low end, if that makes sense. Volume wise, it's a tie.
 

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