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Boogie WD-800 vs Walkabout

#45
agedhorse said:
It drops the HP frequency down to where serves a protective function only. Tonally, it's effectively bypassed.
Click to expand...

Andy I hope I am not misunderstanding what you are saying here....... but I heard a clear difference in "focus" of the tone going from full counter clockwise to full clockwise. Counter sounded full, fat, and round, while clockwise sounded focused, clear, and tight. Or was I hallucinating?
 
#46
4stringmf said:
Andy I hope I am not misunderstanding what you are saying here....... but I heard a clear difference in "focus" of the tone going from full counter clockwise to full clockwise. Counter sounded full, fat, and round, while clockwise sounded focused, clear, and tight. Or was I hallucinating?
Click to expand...
Actually what you heard is exactly aligned with what Andy said. Fully CCW (like a zero position) takes the frequency down to the point where it is offering protection to your speakers, but what you hear is very fat and full. As you dial the HPF more clockwise you are increasing the frequency being affected which causes you to hear a tighter more focused bass sound (think about a sealed cab kind of low frequency roll off).
 
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#47
4stringmf said:
Andy I hope I am not misunderstanding what you are saying here....... but I heard a clear difference in "focus" of the tone going from full counter clockwise to full clockwise. Counter sounded full, fat, and round, while clockwise sounded focused, clear, and tight. Or was I hallucinating?
Click to expand...
See Al's response above.
 
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#49
Gut shots of #68 and final assembly tag. Andy, if you know these folks that did the assembly/ testing, kindly let them know that we truly appreciate the care and quality they put into the product. We know the design team hears us loud and clear! Thanks again for creating this little beast.
WD800 1.jpg
wd800-2.jpg
wd8003.jpg
 
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#52
JOE EDO said:
BTW... Did some tube rolling and ended up back where I started. The WD800 is truly perfect as it was designed and the stock tube sounded the best to me.
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I'm just guessing that Andy did more tube rolling, measuring, and calculating than most of us would have the time, skill, patience or budget for before he landed on the tube that's in there now. :)
 
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#53
#54
JOE EDO said:
Gut shots of #68 and final assembly tag. Andy, if you know these folks that did the assembly/ testing, kindly let them know that we truly appreciate the care and quality they put into the product. We know the design team hears us loud and clear! Thanks again for creating this little beast.
Click to expand...
I will let them know, Thanks.
 
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#56
I finally made it to Guitar Showcase this past week, and largely echo was 4stringmf said. My summary is this amp should be one of the top class D amps, hybrid or full SS, on everyone's list. It was the best amp at the store. The walkabout wasn't there or I missed it.

I was surprised at how responsive and touch sensitive the amp was. Kinda reminded me of playing the strat through the tube amps I had. I did contribute that to the 2x10 subway on top of a 1x15 subway cabinet. But, later when checking the speakon cabling in the back, I found only the 1x15 connected to the wd800. I'm not fond of 15" cabinets as I've found they tend to have a smaller window, volume-wise, to get the tone I like compared to 12". Not this one. It's something special. I had no problem with it in a lower volume practice setting and getting to rehearsal volume.

The parametric EQ for the mids was nice, but I'm more of a simplified knob kind of bass player. The one knob I could do without was the "Power Amp Damping" knob. I had no idea what it did, but thought it might be a power attenuator like a built-in hotplate. It clearly activated relays when switching modes on that knob. Came home and read the manual and found it to be something else, and something that I could probably do without to save a few bucks off the price.

Anyway, this is an amp that I can definitely practice, rehearse, and gig with. It's a real gem, more so than the D800s for me. Perhaps with two 1x15s. One for home and one to leave in the church, and just move the amp as part of the setup dance.
 
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#57
The damping feature isn't something that's "hit you over the head" obvious, it behaves differently with different cabinets, different rooms and especially louder volumes. It's something that you probably grow into, as experimentation in a variety of situations can impact the feel it imparts.
 
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#58
Yeah, but the extra dough left in my account will grow on me better. ;)

Found out through a search here on TB that Mesa's 1x15 subway cabinet has a regular Faital Pro 15PR400 speaker in it. What a great speaker. Don't know if it's all that great, or the matching of the crossover and tweeter, or both.

Checking out the DIY 2x15 thread and listening to the clips, I like it better than the Eminence.
 
#60
Thank you to all for this excellent thread. It has been very helpful in deciding if i want a 800+ or a WD-800.

I am leaning towards the WD-800 and I would either use it with my current 15" Powerhouse cab or grab a second Powerhouse 15 for what I hope would be a great sound.

(I have NO issues with the weight of the Powerhouse cabs by the way.)

Opinions?
 

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