Mesa WD800 or D800+ and Barefaced Big Twin II
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If you could only own one amp
- Thread starter Soberglitch
- Start date
I’m extremely happy with my Mesa D800+ head. I have a few other heads that I like a lot, but that one got most of the gig time - and will hopefully start getting more gig time soon 
as we come out of the pandemic. I’d have no problem with it being my only one. But, to be honest, I’d be perfectly happy if my G-K MB800 or my G-K 1001-RBII were my only amp as well. There’ll all just different flavors of awesome. But, since you talked about wanting a jack-of-all-trades amp, I find that this particular Mesa head is a fairly neutrally voiced amp, but also has an extensive but musical and effective feature set that enables you to sculpt your tone quite well. Given what you seem to be looking for, that would be my recommendation out of the heads I have.
Since you also need speaker cabinets to make sound, I’m also extremely pleased with my Barefaced Big Baby 2 cabinets and can recommend them HIGHLY. Like my Mesa head, these cabinets are very neutrally voiced so you get out of them what you put into them. Can’t deny that they’re extremely expensive, but they’re also extremely lightweight and can take ridiculous amounts of power. They’re actually neutral enough that I know of another TBer who sometimes uses his Big Baby 2’s as PA speakers.
I’d also suggest looking at the Genzler Magellan heads if you want a neutral head. I also have their 350 in my collection and love it, but I don’t take it out much because of its lower power output. But, based on my experience with it, I’d bet that the Magellan 800 is also a killer sounding, neutrally voiced amp you might want to consider.
as we come out of the pandemic. I’d have no problem with it being my only one. But, to be honest, I’d be perfectly happy if my G-K MB800 or my G-K 1001-RBII were my only amp as well. There’ll all just different flavors of awesome. But, since you talked about wanting a jack-of-all-trades amp, I find that this particular Mesa head is a fairly neutrally voiced amp, but also has an extensive but musical and effective feature set that enables you to sculpt your tone quite well. Given what you seem to be looking for, that would be my recommendation out of the heads I have.Since you also need speaker cabinets to make sound, I’m also extremely pleased with my Barefaced Big Baby 2 cabinets and can recommend them HIGHLY. Like my Mesa head, these cabinets are very neutrally voiced so you get out of them what you put into them. Can’t deny that they’re extremely expensive, but they’re also extremely lightweight and can take ridiculous amounts of power. They’re actually neutral enough that I know of another TBer who sometimes uses his Big Baby 2’s as PA speakers.
I’d also suggest looking at the Genzler Magellan heads if you want a neutral head. I also have their 350 in my collection and love it, but I don’t take it out much because of its lower power output. But, based on my experience with it, I’d bet that the Magellan 800 is also a killer sounding, neutrally voiced amp you might want to consider.
Mesa TT-800 w/ 215 (I only own the Subway 115) but in this hypothetical I'd go for 2.
Us TT800 guys are cheating. Its really 2 amps but counts as 1.
That’s a lot of votes for a Mesa head now.
I came into this comparing something like a Rumble 500 or other big combo amp to a Orange Terror Bass w/ a 210 or 212.
This thread seems like a great endorsement for Mesa, GK and Genzler so far. Definitely adding those to the list.
I came into this comparing something like a Rumble 500 or other big combo amp to a Orange Terror Bass w/ a 210 or 212.
This thread seems like a great endorsement for Mesa, GK and Genzler so far. Definitely adding those to the list.
I use a MarkBass ninja 10x2 500w
I love the combo for me:
I love the combo for me:
There is an endless number of amps and cabs that could easily fit this bill. I don’t believe there is a standard go to for a one cab to rule them, being that each builder/manufacturer offers a unique blend of color and feel.
I’ve tried essentially every major portable lightweight cab on the market and Mesa has thoroughly impressed me. The weight to size to headroom ratio is unreal.
That being said whatever you end up looking at I would think any form of 2x10, 2x12, or 2x15 cab/cabs driven by at least a 600 watt head should do it.
the rest would be dictated by your personal preferences
I’ve tried essentially every major portable lightweight cab on the market and Mesa has thoroughly impressed me. The weight to size to headroom ratio is unreal.
That being said whatever you end up looking at I would think any form of 2x10, 2x12, or 2x15 cab/cabs driven by at least a 600 watt head should do it.
the rest would be dictated by your personal preferences
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In low budget scenarios I would probably go with one of the Fender Rumble combos. I have the 40 and for what I am doing now it works for practice and modest acoustic gigs. They make bigger versions and one of those would work for most gigs, presuming you want it for yourself as a stage monitor, you have a separate PA, and you aren't trying to fill a club with it. That or a powered QSC speaker if I had more money to throw at it.
