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Walter Woods Amps History and Development

#282
Can any of you kind gents with a scanner email me a .pdf of the "Manual" for my new ~80-ish MI 100-8?

I'd be glad reciprocate with a copy of the folded up schematic I found inside the case. (VERY glad it was folded paper clunking and not something that shook loose in transit).

Funny thing, fresh out of the box, it wouldn't respond to my MIJ-fender PJ on either channel until I plugged in my Alembic. Now it answers to all my instruments. (Must be the "Oh-No-You-Di`ent" Bozo Discriminator Circuit)
 
#283
On opening the case, it seems that the BD circuit mentioned above might have actually been the result of a layer of black crud on the springy-speed-bump bit of the 1/4" stereo jack contacts.:hmm:

Anyone had luck (good or bad) with spray contact cleaner and q-tips?
 
#284
rjbassman said:
On opening the case, it seems that the BD circuit mentioned above might have actually been the result of a layer of black crud on the springy-speed-bump bit of the 1/4" stereo jack contacts.:hmm:

Anyone had luck (good or bad) with spray contact cleaner and q-tips?
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Sounds like you already have a good handle on the situation. Dirt and oxidization on jacks like this are a common problem. Any good-quality electrical contact cleaner (without lubricant or any other type of residue) should work fine for cleaning the jacks. Wet the Q-Tip with the contact cleaner and use a bit of elbow grease to wipe the contacts. Repeat until a clean Q-Tip doesn't show any more contamination and you're done. Avoid indiscriminate spraying of contact cleaner in the amp.
 
#286
I am confused about the date when the 1200w Electracoustic appeared...I have read this entire thread and their seem to be conflicting answers as to whether the 1200 watt version came in the "late 1990's" or in 2000...does anyone know?
 
#288
Just Thumpin' said:
Is anybody out there that can answer my previous post?
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I purchased my Walter Woods Ultra 1000 in early 1998, which was pretty close to the introduction of that model, from what Walter told me at the time (TBer Ric Vice is still happily using that amp!). I upgraded to the 1200 watt model in January, 2000, which was also pretty close to the introduction of that model. It was a very different design, and had more 'balls' than the original 1000 watt blue light. It seems Walter went back to a 1200 watt design that was quite similar to the 1000 watt model (i.e., the insides of the boxes look pretty similar) after 2003 (hence, what many consider the 'magic' period of the Ultras, from 2000-mid 2003 or so).

So, to answer your specific question, the 1200 watt Ultra was most likely first released in late 1999, since mine showed up in early January, 2000, and I'm sure I didn't get the first one.
 
#289
Thanks! Was there any physical way to tell the difference between a 1000 watt and 1200 watt blue light from the outside of the amp?

KJung said:
I purchased my Walter Woods Ultra 1000 in early 1998, which was pretty close to the introduction of that model, from what Walter told me at the time (TBer Ric Vice is still happily using that amp!). I upgraded to the 1200 watt model in January, 2000, which was also pretty close to the introduction of that model. It was a very different design, and had more 'balls' than the original 1000 watt blue light. It seems Walter went back to a 1200 watt design that was quite similar to the 1000 watt model (i.e., the insides of the boxes look pretty similar) after 2003 (hence, what many consider the 'magic' period of the Ultras, from 2000-mid 2003 or so).

So, to answer your specific question, the 1200 watt Ultra was most likely first released in late 1999, since mine showed up in early January, 2000, and I'm sure I didn't get the first one.
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#290
Just Thumpin' said:
Thanks! Was there any physical way to tell the difference between a 1000 watt and 1200 watt blue light from the outside of the amp?
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Not that I know of. They looked identical to me and, if I remember correctly, the Walters of this era (late 90's to present) no longer have the wattage printed on the bottom of the amp.

While I did think my 'upgrade' to the 1200 was worth it, it was a bit of a luxury upgrade. While I did find the 1200 a bit fatter and punchier, it was more of a 'icing on the cake' thing than a huge difference. I would say the 1000, the early 1200's and the later 1200's sound 90% identical, with the early 1200's having just that touch more 'meat' to them.

So, it would suprise me that anyone would 'love' one Blue Light and 'hate' (or even dislike) one from a different build era.

I wouldn't sweat it too much if you have a line on one.
 
#291
Thanks a bunch KJung!

KJung said:
Not that I know of. They looked identical to me and, if I remember correctly, the Walters of this era (late 90's to present) no longer have the wattage printed on the bottom of the amp.

While I did think my 'upgrade' to the 1200 was worth it, it was a bit of a luxury upgrade. While I did find the 1200 a bit fatter and punchier, it was more of a 'icing on the cake' thing than a huge difference. I would say the 1000, the early 1200's and the later 1200's sound 90% identical, with the early 1200's having just that touch more 'meat' to them.

So, it would suprise me that anyone would 'love' one Blue Light and 'hate' (or even dislike) one from a different build era.

I wouldn't sweat it too much if you have a line on one.
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#292
1996 was the first year for the current Electracoustic WW amps. The mono Electracoustic amps have model numbers which correspond to their rated power @ 8 ohms such as M300 (300 watts @ 8 ohms), M500, (500 @ 8) and M800 aka the Ultra High Power that is rated 800 watts @ 8 ohms. There is also a stereo Electracoustic amp, which, in bridged mode, is rated 700 watts @ 8 ohms and 1000 watts @ 4 ohms.

In the late 80's, Walter Woods offered the MI 400-8 and the MI 700-8, which were rated 400 and 700 watts respectively @ 8 ohms. Power @ 4 ohms for both was about 50% higher (600 and 1000 watts).
 
#295
Just Thumpin' said:
So, now I am really confused. Another source that I trust just told me that all Blue Lights are 1200 watts...KJung, are you 100% certain that there were 1000 watt Blue Lights?
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Yes, I am 100% certain. I owned one! Again, I am 99%+ sure the Blue Light Ultra's were increased to 1200 watts in very late 1999, which is when I sold my original, first generation Blue Light 1000 and bought Walter's upgraded Blue light.

This was all based on talking with Walter when I made the purchases, and, as many of us know, Walter is constantly tweaking the output and design of these amps. So, my guess is there was some varying wattage output within each of the 'colored light categories' before he seemed to lock in those spec's in late 99 to present day.

I'm not familiar with the earlier Electracoustics, since I bought the Walter that the Blue LIght 1000 watt replaced in 93.

You might want to PM TBer Ric Vice, who I sold that 1000 watt amp to when I got my new 1200 in early 2000. I'm pretty sure I included the spec sheet with the wattage information with the amp when I sold it to him, and maybe he can take a look and see if there are any other identification numbers, etc. on the amp that might help you identify the 'pre 1200 watt spec' Ultra's. If I remember correctly, the wattage specs on the invoice copy that Walter sends with all his amps said 600 watts 8ohm, 1000 watts 4ohm. I remember that, at that time, I was very sensitive to wattage since I was using two Acme B210's for a while, and felt that, with those cabs, upgrading to the new design 1200 watt model (800 into 8ohms) would be worth it at the time.

Finally, if you are looking at a used one, just get the serial number from the owner and call Walter. He's very cool about responding to these types of requests. He will also tell you if the amp has been serviced. You can tell by taking the top off. Walter always puts the service date in magic marker on the top of the chassis. The 2000-2003 models needed to have a fix done on them. I believe a couple of components were put on the board too close to one another, and caused some heat failures in some of these amps from this particular era. I sent mine in to have a pot replaced (never had any other problems with it over the 6 years I had it...played HARD at 4ohms), and Walter did the 'upgrade' while it was there.
 
#296
The Ultra from Picture #1 of post #69 of this thread that used to be KJung's is now playing happily in my studio. It remains in FANTASTIC condition for a 10 year old amp and was purchased by me last week through a fellow TB'er who handled a sale for a friend of his in Houston.

1999WW1200-1.gif
 
#297
Just Thumpin' said:
The Ultra from Picture #1 of post #69 of this thread that used to be KJung's is now playing happily in my studio. It remains in FANTASTIC condition for a 10 year old amp and was purchased by me last week through a fellow TB'er who handled a sale for a friend of his in Houston.

1999WW1200-1.gif
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Excellent. That is a 'good one' by any definition. Congrats! I really babied it when I owned it, and I don't think the previous owner gigged it much.
 
#299
Just Thumpin' said:
It is KILLER in every respect -- and I know that you and I disagree on this, but I love it through my Epi UL410 cab! ;) Cheers!
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I played many, many, many, many gigs with this amp and my 410UL with my Fodera, and it was very nice! That combination (i.e., big, fat, warm bass with that head and cab) is actually really nice.

Enjoy! I sent you a PM also... bounce me back when you get a chance:)
 
#300
LarryR said:
Ebay just had an Electracoustic Stereo Amp (similar to mine) with a s/n of xxxx91.
Item number: 200355953755 (still in completed listings section).
Did Walter put a new 'face' on an older amp?
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There are a bunch WW amps like that out there. A friend has a 1994 MI 200-8 that he had Walter refit with a new front panel / pre-amp section from an Electracoustic amp. It sounds great.
 

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