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Walter Woods Amps History and Development

#161
The earliest WW amps used conventional linear audio circuitry with all discrete transistor Class A preamps and Class AB power amps. The preamps are particularly interesting in that they were based on a Class A FET and bipolar transistor gain block, which helped give the early amps a nice warm tube-like sound. These preamps had relatively high distortion just like most vacuum tube based guitar amps have. Fortunately the distortion products are of the "good kind" that lend themselves to a warm, musical sound. Later models dropped the discrete transistor Class A preamp and instead use preamps designed around IC opamps (chips). (All the amps with "VARI" controls are IC opamp based I believe.) While IC opamps are used as a cost savings in many commercial products, Walter switched to them in order to design more sophisticated preamps with lower distortion.
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Which of the earlier stereo amps still used this design for the pre amp stage? The MI-100 was mono with stereo preamps, but what about the MI-200 and MI-225? Were either of these still using the Class A FET and bipolar transistor gain design?

I'm interested because I want to use a WW stereo amp for guitar. I know that the MI-100 sounded really nice, I assume because of the older pre-amp design. The Electracoustic series with the new IC designed pre-amp did not have the same warmth and lush midrange for guitar. I guess I could try to find two MI-100's but carrying two amps defeats the purpose. Any information or opinions on this would be greatly appreciated.
 
#162
rpctrane said:
Which of the earlier stereo amps still used this design for the pre amp stage? The MI-100 was mono with stereo preamps, but what about the MI-200 and MI-225? Were either of these still using the Class A FET and bipolar transistor gain design?

I'm interested because I want to use a WW stereo amp for guitar. I know that the MI-100 sounded really nice, I assume because of the older pre-amp design. The Electracoustic series with the new IC designed pre-amp did not have the same warmth and lush midrange for guitar. I guess I could try to find two MI-100's but carrying two amps defeats the purpose. Any information or opinions on this would be greatly appreciated.
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Sorry I didn't see this sooner. I think all Walter Woods amps that have red anodized aluminum front panels and the "WWAMP" logo (with overlapping W's) all use discrete class A preamps. Any amp with the current side by side "WW" logo and "VARI" controls uses IC opamps in the preamp section I believe.
 
#166
Hello gentlemen,

I was wondering if anyone knows the answer, I want to run the WWoods as a pre amp without a load. Is that OK? Can I run into any difficulties?

The FOH/monitor Engineer wants to have control of all stage volume. I really don't want to buy a Sans Amp or sometime like it.

Any suggestions?

rp
 
#167
rollopizza said:
Hello gentlemen,

I was wondering if anyone knows the answer, I want to run the WWoods as a pre amp without a load. Is that OK? Can I run into any difficulties?

The FOH/monitor Engineer wants to have control of all stage volume. I really don't want to buy a Sans Amp or sometime like it.

Any suggestions?

rp
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Not a good idea. Just use a small cabinet and keep the level low. It works for awhile that way but will eventually burn up.

And FOH doesn't get control over stage levels. He's FOH not talent. His job is to work with what he gets.

Of course you can be nice if you like....
 
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#168
rollopizza said:
Hello gentlemen,

I was wondering if anyone knows the answer, I want to run the WWoods as a pre amp without a load. Is that OK? Can I run into any difficulties?

The FOH/monitor Engineer wants to have control of all stage volume. I really don't want to buy a Sans Amp or sometime like it.

Any suggestions?

rp
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You can run any WW without a load as long as it does NOT have "-2" at the end of the serial #. "-2"'s started in late 2003.
 
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#172
My Directions read as follows. I have a High power dual input 2 Ch Stereo head.

2. SPEAKER IMPEDANCE: You may use as many speakers as desired. However, the total impedance of all speakers must never be less tha 4 OHMS per power amp and 4 OHMS, bridge mode. When using the amp as a preamp only, it is not necessary to connect a speaker or dummy load. The amp may be turned on and off without a speaker being connected.

Thanks to all with your help.

rp
 
#173
Just FYI, this is true for most modern solid state amps. You can run them indefinitely with no speaker load. Just don't try this with with your vintage vacuum tube amp, which is a different story.

BTW I've used my '97 WW Electracoustic as a preamp with no speaker connected for recording several times. Works great.
 
#176
The reason I post is that his machine doesn't even let you leave a message. It's just an outgoing message saying he's unavailable until late next month.
But its been on his machine for nearly three months now.

So i was wondering if there is another "insiders" number????

thanks for any help.
 
#177
edham said:
The reason I post is that his machine doesn't even let you leave a message. It's just an outgoing message saying he's unavailable until late next month.
But its been on his machine for nearly three months now.

So i was wondering if there is another "insiders" number????

thanks for any help.
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No insiders number, but Walter does take breaks every now and them. It could also be that his is catching up on orders, and building amps. The last time I talked to him he still worked alone. But be don't give up. When you leave a message HE WILL CALL YOU BACK, and the amps are worth the wait. :hyper:
 
#178
Reefer said:
Owning about 25 of Walter's amps over the past 27 years, including the very rare 2200 watt model.

According to the instructions on every model except the "-2", they can all be used without a speaker load. I've used them myself that way many times without a glitch.
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WOW!!! 2200 watts...never heard of it. How'd it stack up?
 
#179
brianrost said:
An 80s/90s two channel 600 watter (amber light), notice the +/- EQ switches, channel selector, stereo preamp and phase switch! I own an MI-225 (green light, 350 watts) like this one. These older ones used to turn up for $1000 or so which made them good buys.
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Hi Brian, I started a thread a couple days ago about the very head you have pictured (2 channel) '83 build.
I just bought it off the "bay" I love the older heads. I tried tying the inputs of channel 1 and 2 with a Y and it just didn't do much more than distort the signal. I have a 1 channel that allows the blending of both preamps and it sweetens the sound a great deal....thought I might be able to duplicate this on the 2 channel but it didn't seem to flow like I hoped.
Great thread....the more info on WW the better
Downhill
 
#180
interp said:
My question isn't directly related to WW history, etc. but here goes anyway.

I just acquired a WW Stereo Hi-Power made in 2000. It is in pristine physical and functional condition, except for one thing. About 2-3 seconds after I turn off the power the amp makes a hideous noise lasting about 0.5 seconds. The best way I can describe it is like a duck being castrated. This happens whether or not I turn down the volume before switching off the power. It does not sound normal :-), but it does not seem to have any damaging effect on the amp or speakers.

Anyone have any ideas about this? Should I send it to Walter and have him take a look at it? Incidentally, judging from the lack of markings on the interior chassis, this amp has not been at Walter's since it was built.

Thanks in advance for any input/ideas...

Kevin
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I talked to Walter about your very issue...High Power Stero amp making a loud noise when turned off, even if I had the master vol turrned all the way down....He said that is the way it is and not to send it in for a fix as there is nothing worng...Must admit though....I kinda bugged me hearing this noise pop out of the head/cab
Downhill
 

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