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Double Bass Walter Woods Showdown! MI-225 8 vs Sweeper MI-400-8

#21
10-15 years ago I traded my WW MI-100-8 and some cash over to Steve Azola for his MI-225-8. I've got the "dual DB" model and use an MXR/Bradshaw preamp pedal when somebody wants to play BG through it.

It does everything today that it did the day I got it. Toneful, portable, dead quiet, honkin' loud. It loves a 4 Ohm load -- whether the second EA VL-110 or my new Wizzy 12/4 in a homebrew box, 4 Ohms makes the Woods smile. And that makes me smile and the neighbors frown, and that makes me smile more.

As a bonus, I'm a longtime Underwood user and the MI line was supposedly R&D'd around the Underwood pickup. If you haven't tried that combination you've missed out on a righteous sound!
 
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#26
I have owned the same amp and it came with a cable as you describe. You can only run bridges into an 8ohm cab. Do you have the manual? I remember being confused by the bridging situation. The manual states the amps output bridged at 4 ohms but goes on to state that it should only be run at 8ohm bridged. I never actually tried the cable. I also remember the manual having a strong warning regarding shock hazard while using a bridge cable with metal "caps"(?).

Great amp. My all time favourite.

James Genus seems to love his. Still using it on tour.
Povl Carstensen said:
I do not find it weak as such. The reason I use the ART Tube MP Project Series is that I use a Countryman condenser mic that requires phantom power. But then again, I can not compare with other WW amps.
The Sweeper eq section is a bit enigmatic. Even with the levels in neutral, changing the center frequencies changes the sound somewhat. I have ended using the bass control at the lowest frequency setting and the treble at the highest. I hardly touch the treble, the bass is a bit like a variable "rumble filter", and then I can use the mid to either add a bit of low mids, or take out some scratchy high mids, depending on the room etc.
While we're at it: My amp has two power amps, which can be used for two speakers (also with stereo effects), or even with a build in variable crossover, to power a "top" and "bottom" cabinet. I have no use for these possibilities. So actually the more powerfull mono output version I saw on the list from the German site would have been perfect for me. Which brings me to the possbility of bridging. I have not gone into it, because it seems a bit of a hazzle and perhaps slightly hazardous. Lately I came to think about whether the right guy could make a single speaker cable with two jacks for the amp, that took care of the whole bridging part. Anyone with experiences in that?
Click to expand...
Povl Carstensen said:
I do not find it weak as such. The reason I use the ART Tube MP Project Series is that I use a Countryman condenser mic that requires phantom power. But then again, I can not compare with other WW amps.
The Sweeper eq section is a bit enigmatic. Even with the levels in neutral, changing the center frequencies changes the sound somewhat. I have ended using the bass control at the lowest frequency setting and the treble at the highest. I hardly touch the treble, the bass is a bit like a variable "rumble filter", and then I can use the mid to either add a bit of low mids, or take out some scratchy high mids, depending on the room etc.
While we're at it: My amp has two power amps, which can be used for two speakers (also with stereo effects), or even with a build in variable crossover, to power a "top" and "bottom" cabinet. I have no use for these possibilities. So actually the more powerfull mono output version I saw on the list from the German site would have been perfect for me. Which brings me to the possbility of bridging. I have not gone into it, because it seems a bit of a hazzle and perhaps slightly hazardous. Lately I came to think about whether the right guy could make a single speaker cable with two jacks for the amp, that took care of the whole bridging part. Anyone with experiences in that?
Click to expand...
 
#28
Graham,
To my knowledge Walter never built a ML-228 it's likely a MI-225. When and if you decide to sell it, if you're a TB Member you can post it in the DB Classifieds. Does your amp have two rows of vent holes in the top. Let me know and I'll P.M. you with some information. Woods amps don't seem to be moving on Talk Bass as quickly as they used to.
 
#29
Ric Vice said:
Graham,
To my knowledge Walter never built a ML-228 it's likely a MI-225. When and if you decide to sell it, if you're a TB Member you can post it in the DB Classifieds. Does your amp have two rows of vent holes in the top. Let me know and I'll P.M. you with some information. Woods amps don't seem to be moving on Talk Bass as quickly as they used to.
Click to expand...
times they are a changing. so many small powerful amps out now. love my walters (i have 3 of them) but mostly take out my quilter now... for electric and upright
 
#31
laslo panaflex said:
I have owned the same amp and it came with a cable as you describe. You can only run bridges into an 8ohm cab. Do you have the manual? I remember being confused by the bridging situation. The manual states the amps output bridged at 4 ohms but goes on to state that it should only be run at 8ohm bridged. I never actually tried the cable. I also remember the manual having a strong warning regarding shock hazard while using a bridge cable with metal "caps"(?).

Great amp. My all time favourite.

James Genus seems to love his. Still using it on tour.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I just saw an interview with him. Although he is a Hartke artist he said he still uses his 1990 Woods when he has to double.
 
#32
shwashwa said:
times they are a changing. so many small powerful amps out now. love my walters (i have 3 of them) but mostly take out my quilter now... for electric and upright
Click to expand...
Which Quilter amp? That's an impressive advertisement. I returned the early 90's MI-400 and have been using my EA doubler most of the time. My friend is still selling his MI 225 that I loved, but he is asking an astronomical price I can't afford, unfortunately.
 
#36
laslo panaflex said:
I have owned the same amp and it came with a cable as you describe. You can only run bridges into an 8ohm cab. Do you have the manual? I remember being confused by the bridging situation. The manual states the amps output bridged at 4 ohms but goes on to state that it should only be run at 8ohm bridged. I never actually tried the cable. I also remember the manual having a strong warning regarding shock hazard while using a bridge cable with metal "caps"(?).

Great amp. My all time favourite.

James Genus seems to love his. Still using it on tour.
Click to expand...

Walter had an optional upgrade on that model that was 1000 watts @ 4 ohms bridged. When he started building the Electracoutic all of the Stereo models would run at 4 ohms bridged.
 
#37
Graham Spice said:
I'm sorry, of course you're correct, the model is the MI-225 8. Maybe I'll just keep the amp, it's amazing at everything. Thanks for the info, this is a cool thread.
Click to expand...

No apologies necessary, I half thought there might be a Walter Woods amplifier that I hadn't seen:). Over the years, he's built many different models. Unfortunately, according to Walter he cannot repar the original MI-225's. It's

unique because their are two 100 watt power amps ganged to a single SMPS. If you have one two rows of ventilation holes in the top, that's the one.
 

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