Mesa Boogie WD800

[Blue]

Come on - yer old enough to know that old joke

 

[agedhorse]

Come on - yer old enough to know that old joke

Of course, I get it, but it's much more likely to be a simple mistake

 

[petestrummer]

I bought the Mesa footswitch and cable for my WD-800, which has MUTE on the left and EQ BYP on the right. Unfortunately, it isn't working properly, and I'm hoping someone here might have solution.
To start, I have the mute switch on the amp set to PLAY (in the down position)
.
On the pedal, the right switch turns the EQ on and off perfectly well, but the MUTE light on the amp stays on no matter how I click the left footswich.

I need to to determine whether the problem is being caused by the cable or by the foot switch itself. I don't have another TRS to TRS cable, but I do have a TRS splitter that creates tip and sleeve mono outputs. When I use a single footswitch, both the MUTE and the EQ BYP work fine when plugged into their respective sides. That suggests to me that the amp isn't the problem.

Any have a similar experience or thoughts on the most likely solution to the problem? TIA

I just started gigging with the WD 800 and wondering what advantages (other than the apparent obvious one) are you getting out of turning the EQ on and off. I'm not much of a knob tweaker but wanting to get the best out of the amp from people with first hand experience.

 

[WRM]

I don't have a WD but do have a TT. It simply gives you the option of having two different tones available at the touch of a switch/button.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I just started gigging with the WD 800 and wondering what advantages (other than the apparent obvious one) are you getting out of turning the EQ on and off. I'm not much of a knob tweaker but wanting to get the best out of the amp from people with first hand experience.

I use the footswitch to both mute and turn the EQ off and on, on my WD. I find by using the EQ switch I can turn the EQ off, get a base setting for the amp with what is left, then turn the EQ on and set that for a different tone or for a different bass. Then I am able to switch back and forth, offering me two switchable tones.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I'm not much of a knob tweaker but wanting to get the best out of the amp from people with first hand experience.

One way I attacked the multiple Mid EQ knob thing early on in life was, I would start with just one set of knobs, volume and frequency. I would do the suggested thing of turning up the volume of that frequency knob and sweeping the frequency knob from one end of the spectrum to the other, then cut the volume and do the same thing until I found a tone or frequency that I liked to boost a little or one I didn't and cut it a little. I would do that and just work with that one set for a while until I got use to it. Then graduate to another set of knobs and do it all again, finding a second boost or cut frequency that I liked, then a third. As you go, you can become more familiar with how they react and tailor the overall sound. It can become second nature, like Bass and Treble

 

[Nebadon2000]

petestrummer said:
I'm not much of a knob tweaker but wanting to get the best out of the amp from people with first hand experience.

I am also not much of a knob tweaker so I would also consider using Para Eq for different tones like others mentioned with footswitch

At this time I use Para EQ for overdrive tone setting for my own entertainment not gigging as of now

But when I was gigging with other Amps their were more than a few times Venues had bad acoustics for Bass and I considered strongly getting a Para EQ pedal and only use [in EfX loop] when necessary as opposed to moving cab around and drastically changing my technique; Nice to have it on hand with my WD800

Being able to bypass EQ eliminates accidental problems with knobs being turned and satisfies my OCD so to speak of knowing signal is going through less electronics which goes along with minimal knob tweaking

I find now I use more knob tweaking mainly Passive Mid and HPF also Damping Sometimes along with Pre on my Stingray Special

 

[shadven]

Did I hear you say show us your WD800?
View attachment 4182570

Yes!

 

[petestrummer]

One way I attacked the multiple Mid EQ knob thing early on in life was, I would start with just one set of knobs, volume and frequency. I would do the suggested thing of turning up the volume of that frequency knob and sweeping the frequency knob from one end of the spectrum to the other, then cut the volume and do the same thing until I found a tone or frequency that I liked to boost a little or one I didn't and cut it a little. I would do that and just work with that one set for a while until I got use to it. Then graduate to another set of knobs and do it all again, finding a second boost or cut frequency that I liked, then a third. As you go, you can become more familiar with how they react and tailor the overall sound. It can become second nature, like Bass and Treble

I remember something like this from the old WA thread. I appreciate the extra tip. Never did get the hang of it with my old WA but now that I'm gigging I need to get on this.

The switch certainly sounds like a worthwhile cheap investment that I will also get on.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I remember something like this from the old WA thread. I appreciate the extra tip. Never did get the hang of it with my old WA but now that I'm gigging I need to get on this.

The switch certainly sounds like a worthwhile cheap investment that I will also get on.

I like to fiddle with knobs but there are times I will leave the mids off. Sometimes I will only adjust just one or two mids. There is a lot of character adjustment in the HPF, Active Bass and Treble, Passive Mid, and Damping Control alone. It’s a very versatile amp

 

[Drredplate]

You got that right.... She was never like that until we got married, then the shackles were slowly tightened around my ankles. The guys coming today to measure for her new kitchen quartz countertop I got her. Now's the time to strike while the iron is hot and ask(beg) for a Mesa TT800).

My strategy is “it’s easier to gain forgiveness than consent “

 

[One Two]

Four months later finally managed to buy a WD800

Still very much learning what it has to offer, but definitely a step up from my previous set up.

Thanks to @agedhorse
and everyone's feedback and help on this thread.

Fave two things so far have been:
1. Using the HPF to survive on a regular gig where the sound setup at the venue is AMAZINGLY bad.

2. Discovered that using a OAMP by 29 pedals in the fx loop to (clean) boost the power amp stage, gives me the option of maintaining a lot of volume from my cab whilst also letting me reduce the WD800 input gain for a cleaner tone if I want that.

I have a feeling I'll be smiling more and more on April's gigs!

 

[One Two]

Also, reading through the manual with regards to using the FX loop Send as a pre Master Volume out...
Does this mean the WD800 could be used as a kind of super DI for gigs where backline equipment is provided?
I.e.
Bass > WD800
WD800's Fx loop Send > fx return of backline amp
WD800's DI > FOH

Is this possible? Does anyone use their WD800 like this?

Thanks!

 

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

One Two,

The signal chain and use case you describe above would work.

 

[agedhorse]

Also, reading through the manual with regards to using the FX loop Send as a pre Master Volume out...
Does this mean the WD800 could be used as a kind of super DI for gigs where backline equipment is provided?
I.e.
Bass > WD800
WD800's Fx loop Send > fx return of backline amp
WD800's DI > FOH

Is this possible? Does anyone use their WD800 like this?

Thanks!

Yes.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

One way I attacked the multiple Mid EQ knob thing early on in life was, I would start with just one set of knobs, volume and frequency. I would do the suggested thing of turning up the volume of that frequency knob and sweeping the frequency knob from one end of the spectrum to the other, then cut the volume and do the same thing until I found a tone or frequency that I liked to boost a little or one I didn't and cut it a little. I would do that and just work with that one set for a while until I got use to it. Then graduate to another set of knobs and do it all again, finding a second boost or cut frequency that I liked, then a third. As you go, you can become more familiar with how they react and tailor the overall sound. It can become second nature, like Bass and Treble

It does that some effort and time to get them dialed in. Once you get it dialed in, take a picture of it and save it with a brief description caption.

What I find with WD800 is it’s an amp with a thousand voices. I’m not so sure most players need a thousand voices, but it likely has the voices you are trying to find.

 

[One Two]

One Two,

The signal chain and use case you describe above would work.

Excellent! The WD800 just about fits in my gig bag large front pocket, so I can see myself taking it to rehearsals as well to improve the tone of the studio rigs there

 

[One Two]

Yes.

Thanks Andy!

 

[agedhorse]

Excellent! The WD800 just about fits in my gig bag large front pocket, so I can see myself taking it to rehearsals as well to improve the tone of the studio rigs there

Be sure to protect the amp when transporting.

 

[One Two]

Be sure to protect the amp when transporting.

Thanks Andy! I'm now looking up a TB thread discussing the options. Definitely for out of town things, or stuff where my gear isn't with me I think a hard SKB-type construction molded case lined with foam looks like it would be good?
For around the city, it's always a challenge as I'm always using public transport, carrying a GR Bass 210v cab with my Bass (and amp) on my back.
I'm currently using this Pro Rac Bass case with the WD800 going in sideways in the large front pocket. I always make sure to have the amp side turned into facing my body when on crowded metro, trains, buses etc. It's a bit of a pain, but driving isn't really a viable option for getting all around London these days

Would be great to see other people's solutions for transporting and caring for their WD800's!