Walter Woods

Posted on October 28, 2007 by Jonas

Walter WoodsM-100, M-300, M-800
Type: amp head
Power rating: M-100: 120W@8 Ohms, 200W@4 Ohms
M-300: 300W@8 Ohms, 450W@4 Ohms
M-800: 800W@8 Ohms
Features: dual channel (buffered, high impedance inputs), parametric EQ, XLR DI output
Size: 9 x 31 x 22 cm
Weight: 3kg

Walter Wood’s makes his really legendary handmade amps in different versions with one, two or four channels. When they first came out in the early 1970′s, they were the first amps designed for the double bass. For many bassists, the Walter Woods’ amp is still the reference amp. They are available as special order directly from Walter Woods only.

Walter Woods, Tel. 760 772-7952, Palm Desert CA, USA
(no website)

Two vintageWalter Woods amps (1970ies):

Some more informations about the history and the models of Walter Woods’ workshop are available at the website of Hubert Ligeois, french double bassist and electrical engineer.

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  • http://www.tombuckman.com Tom Buckman

    I searched Walter Woods just for fun and found your site. The picts. you have up and history take me back to 1972. I met Walter while I was playing bass at a backyard party in Orange County CA and he was playing saxophone. He brought in a hideous-looking chassis with parts sticking out everywhere and asked if I would play thru it, it was his frst prototype from the bench!
    It sounded smooth and phat. The rest is history.
    I owned a few of his amps in the 80s and sold my last one in 95, when I quit playing until starting again in 99 and have not been able to afford to get another one, yet.
    I have visited and kept in touch with him over all these years and always am impressed with him and his amps. He lives near Palm Springs CA.
    I would not hesitate to get his Ultra when possible since I’m starting to play upright and I’d be happy to promote him for the rest of my career.
    I live in the SF bay area.

  • http://www.tombuckman.com Tom Buckman

    Walter’s current phone is USA area code 760 772-7952 in Palm Desert CA.

  • Nathan Waddell

    The Walter Woods MI 200 – 8 is a wonderful amplifier for double bass. With 225 watts per channel (350 at 4 ohms)it has plenty of power. Its input is a good match for most pickups. The tone controls are well thought out although the sound is excellent with only minimal adjustments required, depending on performing environment. Since the early nineties it has been absolutely reliable.

  • Kevin O’Brien

    where can you get rack ears for a walter Woods amp? Thanks Casey

  • http://www.tombuckman.com Tom Buckman

    Call Walter!

  • Casey

    Thanks is his number still 760-772-7952

  • http://www.tombuckman.com Tom Buckman

    Should be, try it.

  • Kris

    we bought our son a walter woods amp a few years ago. Walter was so nice. The amp, incredible, a young musicians dream come true. The amp was recently stolen out of our son’s car, along with his double bass. Whoever you are thief, you suck bigtime.

  • http://www.tombuckman.com Tom Buckman

    I have all my equipment insured on my home policy and I never, ever leave my bass in my car overnight. I hope it’s all recovered. Go to http://www.snagg.com to chip the future replacements.

  • Casey

    I’ve been playing for over 40 years. And one of the only times I left my equipment in my van (never a guitar) someone tried to help them self to it. The police happened to be passing by and stopped them Get the homeowners insurance in the future only about $25.00 a year. It’s a shame about your son’s equipment.

  • Harris

    I’ve had the WW Ultra Hi Gain amp for about 5 years now. I’ve never had a single problem with it. I carry the amp, all my cables, pedals, extra strings, etc. in a DJ record bag. With my 2 1×12 Jim Bergantino cabs, my rig totally humps, and the whole thing easily fits in the trunk of a honda civic. Plus I can load in in one shot too. I run the Woods basically flat and use a Sans Amp bass DI to fatten it up just a bit. I give the amp a 10 out of 10 absolutely. Best money I ever spent on equipment, plus the whole buying experience was extremely pleasant. I got my name on the list and Walter called me up a few weeks later. I overnighted the $$$ and he overnighted me the amp. Cool guy. Great amp!

  • Kevin

    Walter Woods has the Ultra High Power Bass Amp – blue light amp in stock and ready for shipping. They come with rack ears and the price is less than some of the last few that sold on EBay. So why buy used when you can get new for almost the same price. Just a thought. Give him a call 760-772-7952

  • klaus

    looking for a used amp mi 200.
    who sell it?

  • http://none Jeff Drew

    I am an old friend of Cleve Eaton. How much for the 200 watt amp? and what speaker combinantion do you reccommend?
    jeff

  • http://www.clevinger.com jennifer

    hi jeff! we keep trying to send to your jeffdu1 email address but it comes back undeliverable. pls send us and email and we have some comments and photos and prices for your 2nd clevinger opus

    best regards,
    jennifer

  • Nathan Waddell

    Recently played the Woods through an older Euphonic Audio 1X10 and it was great. The usual box is a 2X10 Bag End, no tweeter. The Bag End is a great box for double bass or bass guitar. It handles a low B with no problem, even on high volume gigs, but its a bit much to carry these days. Next stop: EA Wizzy 12.

  • http://www.signatureband.net GEORGE ANDERSON

    I have one of the very first walter woods amp from the early 70′s.
    I bought it via walter woods himself, who informed me about one for sale in LA. I have a two hundred + year old bass and the woods amp just sounds great with it.I have had live sound guys say to me
    “I’m running you flat on the board” and that they never do that.
    I do have a very fine bass, but i know the walter woods has so much to do with those comments.I love these amps.. THEY ARE GREAT for upright bass! and so is the man who makes them.
    Thanks Walter…. you got it right…you really got it right!
    George Anderson

  • http://www.tombuckman.com Tom Buckman

    If anyone can help me locate a WW M-300 2 channel amp for sale, I’d be interested.

  • http://www.paulkogut.com Paul Kogut

    Tim at Schroeder Guitar Repair in Chicago made me a set of rack ears for a newer amp. He can whip up a pair if you’re out of luck w/ Walter.
    Contact
    Schroeder Guitar Repair
    1455 W Hubbard Street
    Chicago IL 60642
    312.226.9668

    • john atkinson

      FWIW I wrote to Schroeder to ask about rack ears- they said “not at this time”…

  • http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280544726500 Dan Rubel

    Hello all!

    If interested, I have a WW MI 100-8 amp available on Ebay:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280544726500

    …or please feel free to contact me @ bassfreqqjunk@gmail.com concerning any inquiries. It’s an incredible amp, but I recently upgraded, and it’s just sitting in the closet in need of a good home.

    Thanks!

  • http://bagleycrossdobson.com Sue Cross

    What 15-inch speaker would you recommend for a Walter Woods MI 225-8 head (4 ohm)?

  • http://www.doublebassguide.com Jonas

    I prefer smaller speakers. I have 10″ Hevos cabinet for my WW.

  • Phil

    I have a M-225 Walter woods amp that I would like to sell. Two channel 1-Standard and 2 ch. set up for Acc Bass. Sent amp into Walter and he replaced all the Caps. The amp is in great shape. Email me for pictures and info if anyone is interested before I put it on ebay.
    Phil

    • Alanniblock

      hi I would be interested in the M 225 ww amp if you still have it.

  • Nathan Waddell

    Bag End has a nice little 1X15 cab. It is 8ohm but efficient enough that you may not notice a difference power wise, compared to a less efficient box. They also make one with a co-axial horn that sounds especially smooth with both string bass and electric.

  • Eric

    Is your amp still for sale Phil?

  • David Shelton

    I have had one of WW amps since 1976 when I lived in LA and went to the valley to pick it up from Walter. I would never sell this amp head
    and I play it thru a 15″ Gauss speaker when I use it. I have a couple of rigs, but being able to put an amp head in a briefcase makes life a lot easier. The only maintenance it ever needed was done by Walter himself. Always a gentleman.

  • http://www.tombuckman.com Tom Buckman

    David S., did your Gauss speaker box happen to have been built by Gary Raymond? I had two of his 15″ cabs and used singly, stacked or split on either side of the drums, they sounded wonderful everytime. He was from the Redondo/Hermosa area and ran a sound company back then.

  • Don Marshall

    OK, Walter. I’m about to really blow it for you. Here goes: Walter was a couple years ahead of me at the U. of Redlands (’62-’66). Fortunately he graduated on time, thus allowing me the first alto chair. What a great jazz guy! But his classical work is equally exquisite. I’ve not met many musicians as talented as Walt—improvisation skills = amazing. But he’s totally unassuming about all that. I don’t think he knows how good he really is. I purchased an early “red head” model for my high school studio band along with a custom speaker made by a friend of Walt’s. The pros judging jazz festivals we entered loved looking at the little thing—most had never seen one. Walt, I’m going to hunt you down. Time for some war stories. I’m in Palm Desert several times a year. My daughter lives there!

    • Onetwomanymurphy

      Walt is my ex-brother-in-law and I bet you I have some war stories to tell! Give him my love!

  • Greg

    I have a Walter Woods MI-100 that I purchased in the late 1980′s. Only used it for about three years while playing bass in a small piano trio. Its been in my basement ever since. It is in excellent condition aside for some dust it almost looks new. If anyone’s interested email me at ghall321 at aol. For double bass there is no better amplifier.

  • Hughkirkpatrick

    First time I saw a WW amp was in a recording session in 1980. I asked the bass player “how many watts”. I laughed when he told me. How could you get that much power out of something the size of a kid’s lunchbox? He had the last laugh watching me lug my 50 lb bass head out to the car….

  • Fred

    Walter Woods fans….
    I am looking for a WW Slave amp…can anybody help me to locate one of these ?
    Thnx till sofar…

    Fred Severin.

  • fred severin

    Hello Walter Woods fans…
    Can anyone help me to locate a Walter Woods Slave power amp ?
    Thnx till sofar

    Fred Severin