Best Tube Pre Amp for Mesa D-800+

[Clark W]

Just curious to see what everyone thinks about which tube pre amp works best with a Mesa D-800+ head. And if you should run it in front of the amp or thru the FX loop.

Personally, looking for something simple, and good for rock n roll, from early ZZ Top to the latest Foo Fighters and everything in between.

 

[gtirard]

Just curious to see what everyone thinks about which tube pre amp works best with a Mesa D-800+ head. And if you should run it in front of the amp or thru the FX loop.

Personally, looking for something simple, and good for rock n roll, from early ZZ Top to the latest Foo Fighters and everything in between.

I'm not sure there's a specific "best match" for that amp in particular.

The least expensive ones IMO are the Night Owl Industries and Sushibox.

Lots of more expensive options here:

https://www.talkbass.com/threads/tu...-15-super-stack-reddi-tonecraft-jule.1469686/

 

[daddymactx]

Sushibox... Take your pick.. I have a Particle Accelerator.. not familiar with Night Owl...

 

[amper]

Just curious to see what everyone thinks about which tube pre amp works best with a Mesa D-800+ head. And if you should run it in front of the amp or thru the FX loop.

Personally, looking for something simple, and good for rock n roll, from early ZZ Top to the latest Foo Fighters and everything in between.

I would suggest replacing the D-800+ with a TT-800 or WD-800, both of which have tube preamps.

 

[daddymactx]

I would suggest replacing the D-800+ with a TT-800 or WD-800, both of which have tube preamps.

Or just keep the 800+ and add a WD or TT!! LOL!! The + is so portable, extremely simple and you can get some grind if you kick the gain up!!

 

[Clark W]

Or just keep the 800+ and add a WD or TT!! LOL!! The + is so portable extremely simple and you can get some grind if you kick the gain up!!

Yes the 800+ is a great amp! And I've considered getting the TT 800 as well for the tubes, the two channels, and rack mounting capability. Probably will end up doing just that.

I use a MXR 85 Bass Distortion Pedal in front of the D-800+ now to gain just a touch of grit. Works well with the D-800+. Plus that amp is soooo easy to setup. Best amp I think I've ever owned. It's not going anywhere.

 

[wolffire99]

Sushi box more pedal will give you a tube pre that will work with the mesa amp pre.

 

[Grinderman]

The answer is whatever preamp that has the voicing the OP prefers.

 

[Clark W]

The answer is whatever preamp that has the voicing the OP prefers.

And that's where it gets crazy, so many voicings out there to choose from. I want something that will cover classic rock, blues rock, grunge, and some alternative.

 

[Gervais Cote]

Don't know if this can work but I would like to give a try to the Ashdown CMT 15 as an amp but also as a preamp for my Mesa head as well :

Ashdown Release - CTM-15

I'm 99% sure it will sound amazing !

 

[Grinderman]

And that's where it gets crazy, so many voicings out there to choose from. I want something that will cover classic rock, blues rock, grunge, and some alternative.

The answer is both simple and also complicated. You're spoiled for options to choose from that can do that, including what you already have.

If what you have isn't doing it for you then you need to narrow down the criteria for what you're seeking.

 

[five7]

The dark glass vmt got the closest for me. I have owned all the mesa heads and don't care for the tube tone of the wd or tt. I have a d 800 now and would like to try a space heater.

 

[Jesuguru]

If you're going through the effects return, you're bypassing the pre and just hitting the Class D power section, and they mostly sound similar - a clean blank canvas for your bass, preamp, effects etc.

I run a board into the effects return of a Rumble 500 combo, and can vouch the Nightowl Edison punches way above its price and small form factor for tube pre tone. Heard good things about Sushibox too, similar price/size. Worth a try, easy to flip them if not satisfied.

 

[g-dude]

Just curious to see what everyone thinks about which tube pre amp works best with a Mesa D-800+ head. And if you should run it in front of the amp or thru the FX loop.

Personally, looking for something simple, and good for rock n roll, from early ZZ Top to the latest Foo Fighters and everything in between.

Run it through the FX return - otherwise you're just stacking preamps.

That being said, maybe you should get a different Mesa - my TT-800 is great.

 

[KellyC]

Just curious to see what everyone thinks about which tube pre amp works best with a Mesa D-800+ head. And if you should run it in front of the amp or thru the FX loop.

Personally, looking for something simple, and good for rock n roll, from early ZZ Top to the latest Foo Fighters and everything in between.

I've run the Arkham Oracle and Jad Freer CAPO with mine. They both sound fantastic. If you asked 3mos ago I would have said I preferred the Oracle. Today, I am leaning towards the CAPO because I've found that it can make the perfect punchy/glassy vintage tube tone with my passive jbass, it sounds absolutely amazing (even though I'm a pbass guy 90% of the time). With a pbass, both of them can get as dirty or clean as you like without losing punch.

 

[bassbrad]

If you are wanting full tube character without any added saturation then IMHO it is hard to beat the Sushi Box FX More , you could run it in front of the amp or in the effects loop. For variable saturation then an Underground Accelerator with tone bypassed is a great sounding solution for bass.
You might also consider a Lightning Boy Audio transformer like the 23Fe in the effects loop to add some vintage warmth.

 

[gstaats]

I love the TT-800 - definitely worth checking out. I ditched my pedalboard after getting it. I keep the subway channel set to a "modern" bass tone and the boogie channel set to a more grindy/mid-forward w/ breakup tone. For live use, that is all I need. I do have a "micro" board with just a tuner and the mesa footswitch on it. Dunno. if it is your cup of tea or not, but worth a look.

 

[Clark W]

I love the TT-800 - definitely worth checking out. I ditched my pedalboard after getting it. I keep the subway channel set to a "modern" bass tone and the boogie channel set to a more grindy/mid-forward w/ breakup tone. For live use, that is all I need. I do have a "micro" board with just a tuner and the mesa footswitch on it. Dunno. if it is your cup of tea or not, but worth a look.

That definitely sounds more like what I would like to have. I've never been more impressed with an amp than my D-800+. And what's better than a Mesa amp? Two Mesa amps

 

[Clark W]

The answer is both simple and also complicated. You're spoiled for options to choose from that can do that, including what you already have.

If what you have isn't doing it for you then you need to narrow down the criteria for what you're seeking.

Oh it's working for me since the fall of 2022 when I bought the D-800+. But... like everything else, always looking for a little more, or a little different.

What I really need is to sit down and record myself and then go back and listen / watch it, that manages to stave off the gas for a little while. I was playing some Bad Company last year for an audition and recorded it. While playing it, I hit the notes, my playing was fine, the sound / tone, at the time, seemed passable.

But when I saw and listened to the video of it, I was like wow, that sounds great. I was using an American Performer P/J with Aguilar's P/J pup set and strung with D'Addario tapewounds. I didn't think the bass would sound vintage enough when actually it did just fine and that was through nothing but my D-800+ head and two Markbass 115 cabs and no pedals involved at all.

Last night, I played for two hours in a 4 piece at rehearsal, used my CIJ Geddy Lee, into a MXR-85 into my D-800+ and out to a NEO IV 212, and used my Shure wireless system so I could walk around and hear from different points in the room. The bass sounded great.

The truth is, most of us already have more than enough gear to get the job done and then some. I just want something with some tubes. They say variety is the spice of life, right?

 

[g-dude]

That definitely sounds more like what I would like to have. I've never been more impressed with an amp than my D-800+. And what's better than a Mesa amp? Two Mesa amps

Of course, another possibility is to get an Alembic F-1X or F-2B, BUT...those are going to be more expensive in all likelihood than just getting one of the tube driven Mesas!