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Walter Woods Amps History and Development

#261
KJung said:
Good point.... it is probably more of a 'difference' versus 'better or worse', depending on the tone you are trying to achieve. It surely wasn't a 'night and day' difference between the 1999, the 2002 and the 2005 that I've A/B/C'd
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Fwiw, I've never noticed an of those differences. Sometimes I think we get a little over particular about this stuff.
 
#262
Uncletoad said:
Fwiw, I've never noticed an of those differences. Sometimes I think we get a little over particular about this stuff.
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If you are running a Walter with a DB into a small cab, I would think most of this is moot. However, if you are playing a loud pop gig with an EB using a large cab, there is definitely a difference between the years in low end girth and punch IMO and IME. The bad news is, even with the 2001-2003 models, there are other, newer SMPS/class D designs that seem to work much better for that application than the Walters IMO and IME. I do not recommend Walter Woods amps for EB applications any more. Lot's of great sounding new stuff out their now for a fraction of the cost that seems to be designed more for EB amplification.

Again, if I was a DB player, forget about it... I would still have my Walter!
 
#265
+1 on different strokes. I've owned Acoustic Image and Markbass amps and neither were my cup of tea. Also neither of those amps worked for me for both bass guitar and double bass. My Walter Woods amp sounds good to me for both instruments, loud, soft or whatever.
 
#271
LarryR,

The two-page instructions that came with my 1986 MI 100-8 say under "Additional Instructions For Two Channel Model": "The 'mode' switch provides stereo capability with the addition of a slave amp and speaker. To achieve separation using different signals, set the 'mode' switch to "STR" (stereo). This separates the line outputs for channels 1 and 2. Next, using a shielded phone (instrument) cord, 'patch' from either line output (channel 1 and 2) to the adjacent 'line input'. Finally, using a second instrument cord 'patch' from the remaining 'line out' to the slave amp input. When stereo operation is not desired, set the mode switch to "MON" (monaural)." Hope this helps.

On an unrelated matter but for anyone (at least those using or contemplating using a mid-80s MI 100-8 or MI 225-8 WW amp for both electric and acoustic bass) who might be interested, the instructions also say "Unless otherwise specified, channel one equalization is different from channel two. This was done to give greater sound control flexibility. However, most players feel that channel one is preferred for electric bass and channel two is preferred for acoustic bass."

Finally, one other item of possible interest to those fascinated by WW lore is that when I purchased my MI 100-8 in 1986, it came with a complimentary red tee-shirt with a small "Walter Woods Amplifiers" on the left chest and a large "WW Amps" logo from that era on the back. Realizing at the time that it was probably not easily replaced, I've never had the nerve to wear it (which sort of defeats its purpose as either a garment or source of advertising).
 
#272
JDR,
My man! Thanks for the deets. YES!.....the slave option.
For my needs, this could be handy. I might consider selling my WW stereo head (times being what they are); using a small, less expensive head ala Eden WTX or Markbass.

So like...........when are you selling your WW shirt to me? :)
 
#274
For posterity's sake, here's a pic of my first Walter Woods amp, an "ice cream sandwich" I bought from a pawn shop in 2002.
Woods_Ice_Cream_Sandwich.gif
 
#276
Wow! Walter Woods. It's great to see that he still has such a following! I bought my WW amp in 1980 and can't even conceive of how many productive hours I've spent with it.

I called Walter many years ago while I was in California. I actually went to his house and drank juice with him! (No, actual, real juice -- can't remember if it was orange, grape, whatever...). Walter's great!

Jon Liebman
[email protected]
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