I own a D and WD and not only because I'm too lazy to post something in the classifieds section. They are quite different in features and voicing. I really like the simplicity of the D and if you're okay with a slightly darker inherent tone and happy with less tone shaping flexibility, the D is a nice little head. The WD has a different sound and feel right off the bat (it is more open up top) and has tremendous flexibility for sculpting the specific tone and feel you want.
Both are nice and I can easily see a player preferring one over the other. However, if I could only choose one head to own, the WD would be it and wins on tonal versatility to meet varying style goals. I really like the damping control feature and on-board variable HPF as well.
THANK YOU for this perspective, Al! It is very helpful in understanding the difference between the two.
I did pull the trigger on the used Subway D 800 and the Powerhouse 115 form my local guy. The two items being available actually made it more difficult in a way, but ultimately, I think it was for the best. Here is my logic (I apologize for the temporary Thread Derailment):
I've been using a Fender Rumble 500 combo with my less-than-a-year-old Powerhouse 115 as the extension speaker but always wanted to go full Mesa-Boogie. The long-term plan was to get a MB amp (800+) first so I could sell the Fender. Then, I would eventually get an additional PH speaker so as to have a truly great combination. But then it was announced that the PH cabs were DQ'd which ramped up the urgency to either buy a one new or find a used one locally (a challenging proposition in my relatively small town) due to what shipping would cost for a used cab.
I always check the local ads on a daily basis and to my astonishment, on Tuesday I saw an ad for a used PH 115 for $400. Hard to pass up, right? I casually mentioned to the guy that I wanted to get a new WD-800 and he said, "whoa, I've got my D-800 for sale too ($400)."
Decision time. While the siren call of the WD-800 filled my ears (metaphorically), I just could not justify an extra $700 ($600 + $100 tax) for it though.
But I feel good about it. As you know, the reviews for the original D-800 are simply sterling. As a hobbyist multi-instrumentalist, I should be pretty darn happy with a D-800/PH115/PH115 combo. Perhaps in the future a WD might be the goal because I do like the concept of a wider tonal range and the additional features.
One quick question before I apologize again...so I now know (due to the very nice folks answering the phone at M-B) that there is no difference if I plug the two cabs into the two outputs on the 800 or if I use one Speak-on to the first cab and another cable from that cab to the 2nd cab. BUT, what I don't quite know is am I getting 800 watts or 400 watts that way? I did a bunch of research both in general and on the (excellent) M-B website and I think I could apply the formula (based on two 8 Ohm cabs) to know but the confusing thing for me is the switch on the back of the 800. It only has two options: 2 Ohms and 4/8 Ohms. Naturally, I have it set at 4/8 Ohms. But is it 4 or 8 with two cabs? So will I get 400 watts with the 2 cabs or 800?
Thank you for your indulgence. I am hoping that others that are wondering about the differences between the 800/800+ and the WD-800 will benefit from this off-topic post.
As always, thank you to Agedhorse, Al Craft, Chef, and all the M-B users on TB that make this such a helpful place. I cannot thank you all enough. M-B gear is...simply the best.
