Isn't it awesome that a few amps have potentiometers that allow a person to use their entire range without sounding like a triple-rectifier on crack.
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AudioKinesis Cabs Part VI...
- Thread starter Thor
- Start date
knob tapers can be different on the same model. at least according to product support guy at ashdown.
Yeah, I remember on my old Acoustic 370 head I could never get it much over 3. It got all its volume at low settings. But the Mesa and MB are at least not on that kind of taper. I wasn't really expecting them to be identical any way, but it does seem like as an 800w head the Mesa is not showing much power so far. To be fair, I've only had it in rehearsal.
Mark, if I recall correctly, these cabinets don't show signs of strain like typical cabinets do. I will have to be extra cautious. I may only use the Mesa when two cabinets are called for or in rehearsal volume just to be safe.
Mark, if I recall correctly, these cabinets don't show signs of strain like typical cabinets do. I will have to be extra cautious. I may only use the Mesa when two cabinets are called for or in rehearsal volume just to be safe.
Yes, when I had an Acoustic 370 amp I could barely get it above 3. It got all its power early. I wasn't expecting the Mesa and LM to be identical, but for an 800w head I'm not feeling the power from the Mesa. At least, not so far in rehearsal type situations.
Mark, if I recall correctly, these cabinets don't give much warning when they are being stressed. I'll have to be extra cautious. I will probably only use the Mesa when using two cabinets or playing at low rehearsal volumes through one cabinet.
I will say that the Mesa has amazing clarity and coupled with the TC cabs gives really great note definition.
My former backup amp - an Ampeg PF350 is now officially retired.
Mark, if I recall correctly, these cabinets don't give much warning when they are being stressed. I'll have to be extra cautious. I will probably only use the Mesa when using two cabinets or playing at low rehearsal volumes through one cabinet.
I will say that the Mesa has amazing clarity and coupled with the TC cabs gives really great note definition.
My former backup amp - an Ampeg PF350 is now officially retired.
Al Kraft
Supporting Member
- May 2, 2016
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I have to admit that I was a little shy to crank the controls on the D-800 at first and felt that maybe it was tad weaker than I expected for its ratings. Having been subliminally trained (from past gear I've owned) that by 10-12 o'clock I'm already at 90% of full output potential, the D-800 took some mental re-calibrating.
Once I got over my instinctive fear of turning anything labeled volume/master past about half way and expecting a result, my initial impression that it seemed a little quieter than I had expected vanished. After I got used to playing a bass head where control knob positions closely reflected the actual output power setting, I immediately realized that not only was the D-800 quite powerful, but I was better able to dial in exactly what I wanted volume-wise. And I should add that I really appreciate how an occasional unintended bump of a volume control (input or master) doesn't translate into either whisper quiet output or a sudden increase in the sound that could drown out a jet engine.
Glockenklang amps (at least those I've played) are this way with regard to volume and gain settings. I believe that Euphonic Audio are, as well. There are others.
Al Kraft
Supporting Member
- May 2, 2016
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- Mesa Boogie beta product tester and player support
The Mesa D-800 was my first bass head with that kind of taper, and being a heavy Mesa Carbine user it was a serious adjustment!
I tried the d800 a few times and never quite bonded with it..not sure why maybe i just needed to meddle with the eq more.
I've read about the Carbines! I think that if I'd had one I'd have swapped the volume pot for another of the same value but a more gradual taper.The Mesa D-800 was my first bass head with that kind of taper, and being a heavy Mesa Carbine user it was a serious adjustment!
It does a lot of things well, but I wouldn't describe it as warm. The highs in particular is where that bothers me a bit. But it has so many ways to adjust the tone I can get something I can live with. I like everything else about it.
Al Kraft
Supporting Member
- May 2, 2016
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- Mesa Boogie beta product tester and player support
I think folks who like more open top end will likely find better success with the 800+ from what I have read and heard. The D-800 is okay for me as the native voicing suits me fine, and it's rare that I don't attenuate higher frequencies on my GK MB and Mesa Carbine heads. The D-800 EQ is sort of focused on the lower side IME for folks coming from heads where mid EQ is more in the 800-1000 Hz range and treble EQ tends to be 4KHz or higher. Once again I like the D-800, but would bet the 800+ is a much better head for folks who want more control, options and presence in the higher frequencies.
Al Kraft
Supporting Member
- May 2, 2016
- 10,771
- 40,450
- Disclosures
- Mesa Boogie beta product tester and player support
For me, a warm class D is my Aguilar TH500. While I'm not real familiar with the Ampeg line, they have some warm sounding class D heads as well, at least to my ear.
Having experienced both extremes, I would much rather have a master volume control with a nice gentle taper, like the D800.
I love my G-K heads, but my biggest beef with the Fusion and MB800, has been that it’s risky to go much over 9 or 10 o’clock with the gain at low volumes.
If you do, then the master vol starts acting more like a switch. There’s a huge dead spot at the start, and then it suddenly comes in with a bang.
Pain in the neck...
Yes, I concur! my Glock had gradual taper controls, Genz too. On my loud Sun. gig I typically run my MM1000 gain 9 to 10, master around 12 noon, ( I think louder would kill small animals) all tone controls around noon with slight variations. (Its close to flat per Mr. Bowlus) it can get way loud at that setting. The tapers on the MM is gradual. 4ohms and 212s. I usually run bass vol slightly rolled off. (Room to rock)
I liked the Mess 800+ way better than the regular 800. I also liked both Mesas better than the Quilter. (Re tone options)
Hey Duke, ya staying relatively dry? Just looked at your weather and looks like you’re getting a break now but more coming in.
I liked the Mess 800+ way better than the regular 800. I also liked both Mesas better than the Quilter. (Re tone options)
Hey Duke, ya staying relatively dry? Just looked at your weather and looks like you’re getting a break now but more coming in.
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This is my first post with the AK community, but I recently received a beautiful AK Changeling 12T cab! I've been saving up for a head to pair with it (hopefully soon!) and was curious if anyone had by chance tried the TC RH750 with any AK cab (Hathor or TC). Looking forward to finding a solid partner for this beautiful feat of audio engineering
Suddenly the clock ticking has gotten much slower.
This is my first post with the AK community, but I recently received a beautiful AK Changeling 12T cab! I've been saving up for a head to pair with it (hopefully soon!) and was curious if anyone had by chance tried the TC RH750 with any AK cab (Hathor or TC). Looking forward to finding a solid partner for this beautiful feat of audio engineering
I can only tell you that the Thunderchild cabs are flat and do not color the sound. You'll be surprised at how much color other cabs introduce by comparison. What your bass and amp sound like is what you'll get. There are people that love and people that hate any brand of amp you can name. What is your tone goal? What music styles do you play? These things would influence my amp head selection if I were you.
It’s gonna start spinning faster once you plug it up and get lost in what it does. Curious to hear your thoughts on it when you get the chance. I was gonna type ‘when you get back to reality’ but these cabs of Duke’s make reality so much better!
