Double Bass California Blonde to Mesa Walkabout ?

Laura Camacho

Laura Camacho

Jan 28, 2008
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Georgia , USA
www.athenstangoproject.com
#1
I'm performing happily with my Cali Blonde ( SWR). I can use both inputs: one for my pickup, and one for the clip on mic. Sound is great .
I sometimes play bass guitar .
I have the option of getting a Mesa Boogie walkabout for a third of the original price . I loved the sound when I tested it with a bass guitar , and about to check it again in terms of portability compared to the Blonde . Weight seems almost identical , but 3 inches shorter , which would make it a bit easier to carry upstairs .
Anyone played their upright through it , or noticed the live difference between these two ? ( Besides the obvious of one being designed for acoustic instruments).

Alas, it's my call, and the Mesa has only one input , but the mic could be used through the PA, and I'd like to hear your experiences with overall sound in small and medium size venues ( below 500) with these two.
Thanks !!!

Laura.
 
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#2
I should add I'm only asking because the Blonde is not a one hand for me upstairs ( two high/ tall- I'm a short woman ).
**Also because I read the Walkabout is as superb as a remember, and worth having, even if for bass guitar alone .
I'd love to have the bass on one hand and the amp on the other . The ampeg 4x10 is too much for me without help , and the cali is doable but hard getting back home upstairs .
 
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#5
I use the 1X12 Walkabout with my upright when I'm doubling w/electric. (I don't have any experience with your SWR Cali Blonde.)

The Mesa doesn't sound as "natural" with my big bass as my AI Coda, but it is warm and plenty loud.

I does seem to have a tighter response with my upright than what I was using before. (SWR 15" combo) I do use the additional EQ of my Fishman pre when going through it though.

The Mesa isn't a one-hand kind of amp, unless it's for a short distance or you work out a lot.
 
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#6
Carl Hillman said:
I use the 1X12 Walkabout with my upright when I'm doubling w/electric. (I don't have any experience with your SWR Cali Blonde.)

The Mesa doesn't sound as "natural" with my big bass as my AI Coda, but it is warm and plenty loud.

I does seem to have a tighter response with my upright than what I was using before. (SWR 15" combo) I do use the additional EQ of my Fishman pre when going through it though.

The Mesa isn't a one-hand kind of amp, unless it's for a short distance or you work out a lot.
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Acoustic Image is top nocht! I haven't owned it , but I've seen jazz people on stage with it - beautiful sound .
The California Blonde works amazingly well for the acoustic , specially with the AMT mic complementing the Realist. The bow sound is amazing , and sound guys complement my rig all the time !
The Walkabout is probably a great amp I want but not necessarily need (as backup maybe ).
 
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#7
I will NEVER let my Cali Blonde go. I upgraded the driver to a Kappa many years ago.

In fact I love it sooooo much I almost bought a backup a few months back but went with a GK115 to have variety.

Now that I think about it I have a brand new replacement reverb tank I need to swap out on the SWR.
 
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#8
pnchad said:
I will NEVER let my Cali Blonde go. I upgraded the driver to a Kappa many years ago.

In fact I love it sooooo much I almost bought a backup a few months back but went with a GK115 to have variety.

Now that I think about it I have a brand new replacement reverb tank I need to swap out on the SWR.
Click to expand...
I'm not lettting the Cali go!!
Just Temped to get the Walkabout , that's all!
Will probably also get another blonde sometime !
 
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#10
pnchad said:
Do you know both Christian McBride & Esperanza (sp?) Spaulding have been seen in concert sporting California Blondes? Good company.
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I love my California blonde , I'm not getting rid of it . It's a natural sound for my bowing , which took a while to find .

I was checking people's opinion , mostly for bass guitar gigs, where upright may be secondary or absent . I see it's well regarded in terms of tone and versatility, as well as volume / size ratio. Was curious about being worth getting it for so cheap , being that I already have my SWR.
 
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#12
I had both at one point.
Now I just have the Mesa. I did some tests comparing them just in terms of fidelity. I may have taken the pre amps out of the comparison, just power amp and speaker.
I thought the Mesa was quite a bit more accurate. The Mesa is a phased reversed amp, so for upright you need a pre to flip the phase. Also the Mesa just has more thump.
 
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#13
Ezra Rugg said:
I had both at one point.
Now I just have the Mesa. I did some tests comparing them just in terms of fidelity. I may have taken the pre amps out of the comparison, just power amp and speaker.
I thought the Mesa was quite a bit more accurate. The Mesa is a phased reversed amp, so for upright you need a pre to flip the phase. Also the Mesa just has more thump.
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I'll have to look that up, then ( the pre amp). I have a realist on my upright , and a amt mic that the Mesa won't be able to take ( xlr) like the Blonde does .
I'm always for more thump!

I'll be picking it up soon, so I'll be testing it live in the next few months.

Thx for the feedback!
L.
 
#15
So, one way to deal with three basses and your SWR combo: Use your amp as you would for your upright pickup and mic. Get a Sansamp ParaDriver or BassDriver for the electric bass. When using the electric bass plug the Sansamp into the effects return input on the SWR. You will bypass the preamp on the SWR and have volume and tone for the electric without changing anything on the front of the SWR. This has worked well for me over the years. And it's EASY!
 
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#16
B String said:
So, one way to deal with three basses and your SWR combo: Use your amp as you would for your upright pickup and mic. Get a Sansamp ParaDriver or BassDriver for the electric bass. When using the electric bass plug the Sansamp into the effects return input on the SWR. You will bypass the preamp on the SWR and have volume and tone for the electric without changing anything on the front of the SWR. This has worked well for me over the years. And it's EASY!
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Thanks, I'll look into that!
The upright sounded beautiful through the Mesa last night . Very warm and present .
 
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#18
B String said:
What kind of pickup are you using? Both good amps with lots of usability. You can do the Sansamp thing with either amp.
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I use a copper realist, plus an AMT microphone attached to the body of the bass, that floats over the F hole. It gives it a natural sound, great combination with the pickup.
I love using both with the Blonde for acoustic sets .
 
#19
This thread really makes me want the Blonde! Especially for the built in blending option, and the price not being too out of this world. I used to have an old SWR Workingman head when they were made in the US. 400 watts, built like a tank, and very transparent. I'm thinking it would had been a great upright head but i sold at before i picked up my own upright.
 
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#20
Seanto said:
This thread really makes me want the Blonde! Especially for the built in blending option, and the price not being too out of this world. I used to have an old SWR Workingman head when they were made in the US. 400 watts, built like a tank, and very transparent. I'm thinking it would had been a great upright head but i sold at before i picked up my own upright.
Click to expand...
It's definitely worth having one for upright . Specially for the price .
 
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