Double Bass Walter Woods Amber light

[klem.gote]

Hi all. Well I just became the proud owner of a Walter Woods amber light head (Wow!!). But I am by no means any kind of a sound expert and I'd appreciate any advice I might get it terms of settings. I'm especially a bit confused by the "balance" and "vari" knobs. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!!!

 

[Ric Vice]

Hi all. Well I just became the proud owner of a Walter Woods amber light head (Wow!!). But I am by no means any kind of a sound expert and I'd appreciate any advice I might get it terms of settings. I'm especially a bit confused by the "balance" and "vari" knobs. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!!!

KG,
Here's Robgrow's explanation of the Balance Knob. "re: "Balance" control on the Electracoustic amps. When boosting or cutting with the bass and treble controls, the balance control either boosts the lows and cuts the highs or boosts the highs and cuts the lows depending on which way it is turned. It has a seesaw-like effect and effectively expands the range of the bass and treble controls, with it is very interactive. The effect of this control can range from very subtle to pretty dramatic. When bass and treble controls are at 12 o'clock, the balance control is effectively out of the circuit and does nothing. The Vari knob does something similar with the low and high midrange.

Ric

 

[brianrost]

The Vari knob sets the frequency of the midrange control. For some reason it's backwards (CCW is highest CW is lowest). There's no frequency indication as on most amps with adjustable midrange.

 

[klem.gote]

Hi!! Obviously the best thing is for me to just play with it, but both those explanations help me understand much better. Much appreciated!!

Thanks!!

 

[robgrow]

Have fun with your new amp! Don't be afraid to experiment. It's not as mysterious as it might seem at first. If this hasn't already been mentioned, advancing the "Send Mix" knob adds a bit of unique sound quality all its own. A little bit is usually more than enough.

The settings of the "Pre Gain" and "Post Gain" controls also have an effect on the sound. Higher Pre Gain settings tend to give a fatter sound. Higher Post Gain settings give a little more open or airy sound.

This is all very subjective of course, so don't afraid to experiment. Personally I use the EQ very sparingly, and get the sound I want primarily with the Gain and Send Mix control settings. Although I do use Bass, Treble and Mid if I need them. They are very effective.

 

[klem.gote]

Have fun with your new amp! Don't be afraid to experiment. It's not as mysterious as it might seem at first. If this hasn't already been mentioned, advancing the "Send Mix" knob adds a bit of unique sound quality all its own. A little bit is usually more than enough.

The settings of the "Pre Gain" and "Post Gain" controls also have an effect on the sound. Higher Pre Gain settings tend to give a fatter sound. Higher Post Gain settings give a little more open or airy sound.

This is all very subjective of course, so don't afraid to experiment. Personally I use the EQ very sparingly, and get the sound I want primarily with the Gain and Send Mix control settings. Although I do use Bass, Treble and Mid if I need them. They are very effective.

Thanks for that info!! I hadn't really tried any of that so it's something new for me to try. I have been getting a damned good sound without doing too much tweaking but it's nice to have more to experiment with!!

Thanks, Tom

 

[robgrow]

I've had my WW green-light Electracoustic for about ten years, and I'm still learning things about it. The green light (300W / 450W @ 8 and 4 ohms) has always been more-than-enough power for me, so your amber light should be as much power as you'll ever need. Enjoy!

 

[klem.gote]

Yes I know now I won't need all the power it has, but aside from sheer power is just the clear sound I get now, much clearer than I was getting with anything else I've ever used. Big fat clear sound, very cool!!

 

[jazzizded]

hey, does your amber light (the actual light) change - gets brigher and dimmer every second or so?

 

[bassfacer22]

wait so Is Walter talking?? he is answering his phone?? I've been wanting to chat with him for his 1 hour conversations about life are unreal.. ha

 

[jazzizded]

wait so Is Walter talking?? he is answering his phone?? I've been wanting to chat with him for his 1 hour conversations about life are unreal.. ha

yes. walter is alive and well and will call you back. just be patient..

 

[jazzizded]

walter said the blinking light just happens sometimes because they are actually neon lights, not LED's...

 

[bassfacer22]

Jazzizded, can you private message me the number he answers to? I have 2 numbers..

I happen to call him and just talk about life.. Not even bass stuff haha..

He is a real gem. I want to move to California just to go hang out and learn from him.. He has so many ideas and theories about things ha.

 

[Ric Vice]

Jazzizded, can you private message me the number he answers to? I have 2 numbers..

I happen to call him and just talk about life.. Not even bass stuff haha..

He is a real gem. I want to move to California just to go hang out and learn from him.. He has so many ideas and theories about things ha.

Walter works most days either repairing, or occasionally building amps. He's out on vacation several times during the year. At this point, he appears to be gradually ramping down his amp production. Since I own two of his amplifiers,
I have the highest regard for the quality of his designs and the sound they produce. His builds are very complicated
and off the shelf components are becoming more and more difficult to source, there will be a time when Walter simply cannot get the components he needs. When that time comes, Walter will gradually phase out his production and eventually his repairs. Since we both own Walters amps, hopefully that day wil be a long time coming.

Ric