Walter Woods Amps History and Development

[Uncletoad]

I spoke with Walter today. He's replacing the entire power section of my Ultra. Apparently it will be awhile to finish. He says it's nothing I did, but I've killed two in less than 15 months. I wonder.

Then again that could speak to the reliability thing we've talked about here.

He said he spoke with the fellow that spent $3450 on an Ultra on Ebay. He's amazed they are selling that high and said he preferred people just buy them from him. His wait list is over 6 months for the Ultra, and who knows for anything else so I can see how people might want to overpay. More than 1K over new price is a bit much though. I hope he doesn't think to raise his price yet again. I think he's hit near the upper limit myself.

 

[KJung]

I spoke with Walter today. He's replacing the entire power section of my Ultra. Apparently it will be awhile to finish. He says it's nothing I did, but I've killed two in less than 15 months. I wonder.

Then again that could speak to the reliability thing we've talked about here.

He said he spoke with the fellow that spent $3450 on an Ultra on Ebay. He's amazed they are selling that high and said he preferred people just buy them from him. His wait list is over 6 months for the Ultra, and who knows for anything else so I can see how people might want to overpay. More than 1K over new price is a bit much though. I hope he doesn't think to raise his price yet again. I think he's hit near the upper limit myself.

You've killed two Walters? Did you just blow one today. Wow! I've been using them for 15 years and have never known anyone to have a problem except for the very, very early years, other than a scratchy pot or a power cable being replaced. As posted above, there were a small number of problems with the 2000-2003 Ultra's, but that was it.

Something seems strange here

 

[Uncletoad]

You've killed two Walters?

Yea in fact I have. I killed Tom Bowlus's first. I borrowed his for a few months back in early 2005 to see if I wanted one. Did a couple weeks of Double Bass gigs with it. Was pretty much sold on it after about 10 minutes. Then I played a pretty loud heavy rock gig on an old Pbass with a pick and it overheated and burned up right there on stage. Sent it to Walter, he said the transistors had a cascading failure and that it wasn't my fault. Apparently enough of my fault to pay for the work though.

I bought one from him soon thereafter as I was on the list and my number came up. I used that one (06/05) until last month when it started popping like a firecracker on a Double Bass gig. Nothing else broke that night but the Woods. He said today that he was replacing the entire power board. He's never had that problem before. He said my case and innards were to clean to suspect mistreatment. I do carry it in a Moradian case. I don't think I'll have to pay for that though but he hasn't said. Regardless he's going to have had it for 2 months I'm guessing before I see it back.

I suspect I'm in the extreme. Otoh I wonder if perhaps we are seeing the effect of his increased demand on the final product. His demand spiked mid to late 2003 coinciding with the aforementioned decrease in tone and perhaps reliability.

I could be reading to much into it. I do have the tendency to push gear to the edge of what it can do.

I also don't want to be the guy that makes 2001, 2002 2003 WWU cost $5K either. I have long suspected that's what killed the original thread.

 

[KJung]

Yea in fact I have. I killed Tom Bowlus's first. I borrowed his for a few months back in early 2005 to see if I wanted one. Did a couple weeks of Double Bass gigs with it. Was pretty much sold on it after about 10 minutes. Then I played a pretty loud heavy rock gig on an old Pbass with a pick and it overheated and burned up right there on stage. Sent it to Walter, he said the transistors had a cascading failure and that it wasn't my fault. Apparently enough of my fault to pay for the work though.

I bought one from him soon thereafter as I was on the list and my number came up. I used that one (06/05) until last month when it started popping like a firecracker on a Double Bass gig. Nothing else broke that night but the Woods. He said today that he was replacing the entire power board. He's never had that problem before. He said my case and innards were to clean to suspect mistreatment. I do carry it in a Moradian case. I don't think I'll have to pay for that though but he hasn't said. Regardless he's going to have had it for 2 months I'm guessing before I see it back.

I suspect I'm in the extreme. Otoh I wonder if perhaps we are seeing the effect of his increased demand on the final product. His demand spiked mid to late 2003 coinciding with the aforementioned decrease in tone and perhaps reliability.

I could be reading to much into it. I do have the tendency to push gear to the edge of what it can do.

I also don't want to be the guy that makes 2001, 2002 2003 WWU cost $5K either. I have long suspected that's what killed the original thread.

Interesting. I'm sure sorry you have had these problems, but maybe there is something a not quite right with the design of the new units. The good news is, you will hopefully get it back and it will be good for many more years.

I did notice a few posts ago that you said your Walter was 'totally clean unless you really push it'... or something to that effect. I kind of raised my eyebrow at that comment a little. I've used mine into a large 4ohm cab (Epi410UL) on BRUTALLY loud gigs with very aggressive playing style (12 piece horn/funk bands in very large rooms with no PA support, slapping on a 5 string bass), and it never even came close to any sort of clipping or breaking up. I sometimes wished it had a little more balls in the low end in those situations, but it never even came close to any sort of distortion.

So, I wonder if your unit was faulty from the start?

Anyway... best of luck with this, and sorry you are having problems.

 

[Uncletoad]

So, I wonder if your unit was faulty from the start?

That is Walter's thinking.

 

[KotBasses]

I finally decided to make the plunge and get a woods. The only time I've personally played through one was at the F bass booth at the last Namm show. However, some of the best tones I've ever heard were coming out of a woods. I saw Richard Bona playing at 55 bar with Mike Stern several times last year and his sound was killer (WW and Epifani cabinet). I'm on the waiting list, it could be six months or more. I debated the stereo model, but went with the Ultra. Now it's time to sell one of my basses to pay for this sucker (anyone interested in a Conklin custom 5 string fretless? .

What are your opinions of the mono vs the stereo?

Chris

 

[Joelc73]

I finally decided to make the plunge and get a woods. The only time I've personally played through one was at the F bass booth at the last Namm show. However, some of the best tones I've ever heard were coming out of a woods. I saw Richard Bona playing at 55 bar with Mike Stern several times last year and his sound was killer (WW and Epifani cabinet). I'm on the waiting list, it could be six months or more. I debated the stereo model, but went with the Ultra. Now it's time to sell one of my basses to pay for this sucker (anyone interested in a Conklin custom 5 string fretless? .

What are your opinions of the mono vs the stereo?

Chris

Congrats Chris on the plunge. You will be quite pleased. The WW is so flexible and incredibly light weight that it's one of those amps that I'll probably have for the rest of my life.

I haven't spoken to Walter in years so I'm a little out of the loop... What stereo model does Walter currently offer and what are the specs? And price...

 

[KotBasses]

I haven't spoken to Walter in years so I'm a little out of the loop... What stereo model does Walter currently offer and what are the specs? And price...

The stereo model is $2599, it's 1000 watts bridged mono, so not quite as much power as the 1200 watt Ultra High Power. The stereo model puts out 250w per channel at 8 ohms. What made me think I should go with the mono model is that it allows you to run both channels through one speaker, where-as the stereo model, in order to use both channels, has to have two speakers hooked up - the channels can't be combined to one speaker output. The mono is also the most popular, so I figuire there must be some reason for it.

I'm currently running my '72 jazz through a blackface demeter / QSC to an Accugroove Tri112L. I've heard that WW and Accugroove is a good combo and I'm looking forward to it. I like the demeter / QSC but it is a heavy haul for my back. I only play electric bass, not upright and the other lightweight heads I was also considering were the MarkBass LMK / Little Mark II, or the AI Focus III. Now I have to debate if I should sell the blackface and QSC. My GAS isn't to the point where I can rationalize owning a bunch of amps..

I played an Alain Caron signature through a WW at the F Bass booth at last namm, and it was pure bliss. I wish they made a 4 string Alain Caron sig.

Chris

 

[Uncletoad]

Walter said he doesn't know when he's going to get around to building more stereo units. I'd guess he won't. He can't keep up on the Ultras.

 

[KotBasses]

I'm not sure I understand what 'stereo' does in terms of bass since the bass is mono. I think I'm going to stick with the mono mostly because of wattage. The stereo is 225 into 8 ohms per side, I would probably be running two 8 ohm cabs, each would only get 225, which doesn't sound like enough. Anyways, what are the differences and advantages / disadvantages of these two models?

Chris

 

[brianrost]

As far as blowing a WW...

My Electrocoustic High Power died on me one night at a rehearsal. I have no idea what happened to it as Walter didn't tell me but it was in the power supply (fuse didn't blow). He keeps good records though...he knew I wasn't the original owner...but only asked for $20 to cover return shipping (I paid shipping out to him so my out of pocket was about $40). The amp was back to me a week to the day after it blew and has been fine since.

My older MI-225-8 has never had an issue since I got it (it supposedly had been overhauled by Walter before it was sold to me).

As far as delivery, I got both mine used after waiting over 3 years for a High Power. Walter himself suggested getting a used one as he didn't know when (if ever) he would get to making my amp, this was at least 3 years ago...maybe more.

 

[brianrost]

I'm not sure I understand what 'stereo' does in terms of bass since the bass is mono. Anyways, what are the differences and advantages / disadvantages of these two models?

The stereo amp is like two High Power amps in one unit or bridge it and you've almost got an Ultra.

Stereo advantages:

-- Run two basses each with their own EQ settings into their own cabs.

-- Playing duo gigs, share the head with a guitar or keyboard into it's own cabinet.

-- Plug a mixer into the return and use the head to power your PA cabs.

-- Run stereo effects in real stereo

-- Hook up mismatched cabinets and be able to balance the volume of each one

-- Biamping

These may seem oddball applications only because most other amps can't do them

The idea of sharing one amp for multiple instruments or even PA is cool when you play really small venues...restaurants, coffee shops, book stores, etc...the sort of gigs that "working stiff" jazz players come across all the time. If you see photos of bands back in the 50s when guitar amps had multiple preamp channels and inputs for mikes and accordions you might see a whole band plugged into one amp. You can still do this with a WW!!!

 

[KotBasses]

On the stereo model, can you run both inputs into one cab like you can on the mono?

It's interesting it looks like some of the older WW's had a switch for stereo or mono, and phase switches and other goodies.

Chris

 

[robgrow]

On the stereo model, can you run both inputs into one cab like you can on the mono?

It's interesting it looks like some of the older WW's had a switch for stereo or mono, and phase switches and other goodies.

Chris

Chris,
The current Electracoustic series stereo amps have pan pots for each input channel. You can pan either input to either output or to anything in between. You can also bridge the 2 power amps for mono.

It's a different story with the older amps like the classic MI-100-8 that has a stereo / mono switch. This just allows you to send the inputs to 2 separate outputs. You have to have an additional power amp for stereo. Walter made some matching power amp models although they are extremely rare I think.

 

[Stephen]

How does one get on the list?

Thanks

 

[Brad Maestas]

Call him up. Do you have his number?

 

[robgrow]

Current contact info for Walter Woods:

78395 Sterling Lane
Palm Desert, Ca 92211
760-772-7952

You will probably get his answering service when you call. Leave your name and number, and Walter will call you back.

 

[sixway]

Hello to all, this is my first post...

On the stereo model, can you run both inputs into one cab like you can on the mono?

On the StereoCoustic model Walter makes up a special "Y" cord that plugs into both inputs on the back of the amp. The "Y" cord bridges the two seperate amps together, and thats how the amp becomes mono.

I'm not sure I understand what 'stereo' does in terms of bass since the bass is mono. I think I'm going to stick with the mono mostly because of wattage. The stereo is 225 into 8 ohms per side, I would probably be running two 8 ohm cabs, each would only get 225, which doesn't sound like enough. Anyways, what are the differences and advantages / disadvantages of these two models?

First of all, Walter is no longer making a StereoCoustic amp, so used is the only way to get one. Secondly, the StereoCoustic, as per Walter's brochure that comes with the amp, states the power rating as follows:
100W/side @8ohms, 225-350W/side, 700-1000W bridged @8-4ohms. Watts always hinges on the load, and you most likely would be daisy-chaining your 8ohm cabinets together, so no matter what amp you have, you're going to get more power from the amp as the ohm load gets "smaller".

My StereoCoustic serial number is 010103, bought for $2250, and was a Christmas /Birthday(01-02) present to myself and went back to Walter at the end of April/2003 after it blew up on stage at Aloha Tower in Hawaii (where I live...). the part that blew up, according to Walter, was part of a batch that had not been manufactured to his specs. It was replaced and back to me within one week! I've been pushing it hard ever since (two LOUD Blues/Rock bands) and it's still going strong...

Just so you know, I'm currently playing a 5-string through my WW and an El Whappo Jr. (Neo-model) and all bass players who hear it, or play through the two, are amazed at the sound.

This is my first post, and I'm going to try and include pics of the front and the interior of my WW. I'll know soon enough it it worked...

UncleToad, thanks so much for starting this thread... Walter Woods is a magic name in the bass-amp world, and there is precious-little info out on the net... I feel privileged to own one, and to be a part of the bass community that plays with one... Thanks to all of you responding to this thread, and the info and pictures you've contributed so far....

A friend of mine, who is my personal guru, has three of them, and that's how I first found out about WW's. I saw Bela Fleck here in late 2002, and Victor Wooten was playing one through two SWR 410's (loaners?) as I recall. That was it - I had to have one! It just so happened Walter had one available, and my friend, literally acting as a sponsor, and promising Walter that I would love, honor, and cherish the amp etc., agreed to sell it to me. In other words - I got one within one week of asking! Yeah, I'm a lucky guy...

OK, picture's, I hope....

 

[all_grown_up]

The stereo model is $2599, it's 1000 watts bridged mono, so not quite as much power as the 1200 watt Ultra High Power. The stereo model puts out 250w per channel at 8 ohms. What made me think I should go with the mono model is that it allows you to run both channels through one speaker, where-as the stereo model, in order to use both channels, has to have two speakers hooked up - the channels can't be combined to one speaker output. The mono is also the most popular, so I figuire there must be some reason for it.

I'm currently running my '72 jazz through a blackface demeter / QSC to an Accugroove Tri112L. I've heard that WW and Accugroove is a good combo and I'm looking forward to it. I like the demeter / QSC but it is a heavy haul for my back. I only play electric bass, not upright and the other lightweight heads I was also considering were the MarkBass LMK / Little Mark II, or the AI Focus III. Now I have to debate if I should sell the blackface and QSC. My GAS isn't to the point where I can rationalize owning a bunch of amps..

I played an Alain Caron signature through a WW at the F Bass booth at last namm, and it was pure bliss. I wish they made a 4 string Alain Caron sig.

Chris

I have an Alain Caron Signature 4 string 34 inch scale. Custom made. Not sure I am going to keep it.

 

[rollopizza]

Quote:SIXWAY

Secondly, the StereoCoustic, as per Walter's brochure that comes with the amp, states the power rating as follows:
100W/side @8ohms, 225-350W/side, 700-1000W bridged @8-4ohms.


Walter was making 2 different stereo models
1. Low power 100w/side@8ohms

2. the Hi power is the 225@8ohms and 350@4ohms
Bridged(with special cable mentioned) is 700@8ohms and 1000@4ohms.

I don't know much about the Lo power stereo model and/or it is possible to bridge it or what functions it has.

I spoke to him last week and he said he's making plans for making more Stereo amps. But he was taking a few weeks off to start another batch. Wait time is currently 6-8 months if he's making that model.

rp