Mesa amp users?

[NYgiant]

Was wondering if any of you guys who use Mesa amps could give me some info? Currently have a GK MB 500 and I’ve never really been too impressed with the tones I can get. Playing through it with a fender jazz passive, Ibanez active EQ with EMG’s. Most recently, bought the Duff McKagan model PJ, just so you have an idea what bass’s are being played.

I bought the Aguilar tone hammer preamp about two months ago. I’ve played around with the settings and have searched TB and come across a lot of info on it. Maybe it’s just me and I don’t know how to operate it or maybe it’s just not made for me. I’ve got a good tone for the fender, I can’t get good tones for my other bass guitars I mentioned no matter what what I do. Everything seems so “honky” and “middy” unless I just totally turned the mids off. Don’t think that’s too good of an idea because it would probably get buried in a mix.

Started looking at other preamp pedals and just said, this is getting ridiculous. Would it be better just to get a Mesa amp since I am so happy with my Mesa Subway 410? Like to play rock music, classic rock maybe some alternative, not much else. I like a good thick, heavy tone but also clear if that makes sense? I’ve considered the Mesa amp before but just never jumped on it. I think I had it narrowed down to the D 800 plus. But I’m open to any models depending on what info you all can give me here. Would that be the best throughout to go considering the info I’ve given?

 

[SJan3]

Although I don't own it, the D800+ is reputed to be a marvelous amp. I have the D-350 so I have a vague idea how the 800+ would sound. Best to seek out others in the Mesa thread who are owners of 800 series amps.
Also, read critical reviews and, if you can, try them out. But I'd be hard to go wrong with any Mesa amp, especially for rock.
P. S. GO BIG BLUE!!

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Was wondering if any of you guys who use Mesa amps could give me some info? Currently have a GK MB 500 and I’ve never really been too impressed with the tones I can get. Playing through it with a fender jazz passive, Ibanez active EQ with EMG’s. Most recently, bought the Duff McKagan model PJ, just so you have an idea what bass’s are being played.

I bought the Aguilar tone hammer preamp about two months ago. I’ve played around with the settings and have searched TB and come across a lot of info on it. Maybe it’s just me and I don’t know how to operate it or maybe it’s just not made for me. I’ve got a good tone for the fender, I can’t get good tones for my other bass guitars I mentioned no matter what what I do. Everything seems so “honky” and “middy” unless I just totally turned the mids off. Don’t think that’s too good of an idea because it would probably get buried in a mix.

Started looking at other preamp pedals and just said, this is getting ridiculous. Would it be better just to get a Mesa amp since I am so happy with my Mesa Subway 410? Like to play rock music, classic rock maybe some alternative, not much else. I like a good thick, heavy tone but also clear if that makes sense? I’ve considered the Mesa amp before but just never jumped on it. I think I had it narrowed down to the D 800 plus. But I’m open to any models depending on what info you all can give me here. Would that be the best throughout to go considering the info I’ve given?

Just a few of us : https://www.talkbass.com/threads/official-mesa-boogie-subway-series-club.1181245/

long time Mesa fan, top contender “IMHO” is the WD800. Fat, warm, touch sensitive, para 3band EQ. HPF. Dedicated mid bass treble .

 

[ihixulu]

I’ve been using the 800+ as my main head for almost 6 months now and I really like it. It is a bit dark out of the box but has plenty of room for tone sculpting. Very thick, tight low end that can easily fill a room. Absolutely not honky through the mids, especially with the voicing control engaged.

 

[BaltBass5]

I have owned the D800, D800+, WD800 and the TT. For ME the D800+ is the best of the bunch and in fact, one of the best heads I have owned in my 40 years of playing. It can do its own thing but it can also do a LOT of other amps as well. I went from an Ampeg V4B to an Ashdown ABM 500 to the D800+ and it can get pretty close to both the Ampeg and Ashdown tones as well as a LOT of other sonic territory. I don't think you'd regret it!

FWIW, I never like the Aguilar TH heads or preamps for the exact reason you mentioned.

 

[baxter_x]

Everything seems so “honky” and “middy” unless I just totally turned the mids off.

That is my experience with Aguilar amps. At the exception of the DB751.
I think you will find your tone with the new class D Mesa line.

 

[jeff62]

Mesa WD800 all day, for sure. But while I own one, I can also give a huge thumbs up to the GK Legacy 800 (which I also own) for classic GK tone. Another reason to go with either: both amps are stable at 2 ohms.

 

[75Ric]

I play classic rock with passive p and j basses. "... a good thick, heavy tone but also clear" is how I would describe the TT800. It has two channels. The Boogie channel has the heft and punch of a tube amp. It's pretty amazing. Deep and articulate. The Subway channel is also tube-driven, but has a more modern tone to it. I could live with either one, but the Boogie channel is on another level.

I had a few preamp pedals I was using, but one day I went to rehearsal with just the amp. It really opened my eyes, or more accurately, ears. I sold off all the pedals. This amp doesn't need any tone jewelry to get a great sound.

Everyone's ears are a little different. Many love the WD800. Many love the D800/800+. Try to play through each, if you can. The Subway line covers a lot of sonic ground. Whether it's the TT, the WD or the D, you ought to be able to find a great amp for your needs. Good luck with your search and enjoy the ride.

 

[Element Zero]

The D800+ and Subway 410 are an astounding pair. A tiny bit MID forward but not what I would call “middy”. With the EQ section/Voicing Filter/adjustable HPF/Bass and Treble boosts, you can dial in whatever you’re lookin for.

As with all rigs, bedroom tone means nothing compared to on the gig tone. That being said, the Mesa has the best bedroom tone I ever heard in an amp. I regularly use my 410 along with my 115 and 112 in my home office. Pure joy.

 

[akukulich]

I bought a Mesa D800+ as a backup for my 20-year-old Walter Woods Ultra. Instead, the Mesa became my primary amp and I use it for everything now.

 

[ajschnitzelbank]

These are always hard to give a definitive answer to because tone is so personal and there’s multiple other factors besides the amp.

THAT SAID, I had and ditched a GK MB500, and an Aguilar TH500, but absolutely love the Mesa D800.

If I were you I’d probably buy a used one from Guitar Center so I could try it for a week or two and not feel guilty returning it if I didn’t love it.

Good luck!

 

[mmbongo]

The D800+ was always my favorite in the lineup, mainly because of the 'voice' knob which it sounds like you would benefit from having.

 

[57pbass]

There’s a big difference between the D800 and the WD800. They are both great but the WD800 will grind if you drive the pre amp tube hard and can do the clean sound as well.
The D800/800+ are clean sounding and in my experience it does not break up or grind like the WD800.
Really depends on what your desired sound is.

 

[retroXvertigo]

The D800+ is perfection.

I can't speak to any of the other offerings.

 

[Kevorargh]

D800+ for the win. I have used it for years now and love it. The Voice knob helps sculpt the tone and the HP filter really helps clear up the tone in boomy rooms. I added a Two Note Tube preamp and it only sounds better (for my purposes anway).

 

[backin82]

Was wondering if any of you guys who use Mesa amps could give me some info? Currently have a GK MB 500 and I’ve never really been too impressed with the tones I can get. Playing through it with a fender jazz passive, Ibanez active EQ with EMG’s. Most recently, bought the Duff McKagan model PJ, just so you have an idea what bass’s are being played.

I bought the Aguilar tone hammer preamp about two months ago. I’ve played around with the settings and have searched TB and come across a lot of info on it. Maybe it’s just me and I don’t know how to operate it or maybe it’s just not made for me. I’ve got a good tone for the fender, I can’t get good tones for my other bass guitars I mentioned no matter what what I do. Everything seems so “honky” and “middy” unless I just totally turned the mids off. Don’t think that’s too good of an idea because it would probably get buried in a mix.

Started looking at other preamp pedals and just said, this is getting ridiculous. Would it be better just to get a Mesa amp since I am so happy with my Mesa Subway 410? Like to play rock music, classic rock maybe some alternative, not much else. I like a good thick, heavy tone but also clear if that makes sense? I’ve considered the Mesa amp before but just never jumped on it. I think I had it narrowed down to the D 800 plus. But I’m open to any models depending on what info you all can give me here. Would that be the best throughout to go considering the info I’ve given?

Food for thought...

The tone you get while playing alone in your bedroom is just one data point. Have you tried the same settings in a live mix? Because that's a separate data point, and worth having before you decide something.

The reason I bring this up is that I, like you, did not find some of the GK sounds particularly pleasing during practice (always sounds a bit harsh) in my bedroom, but it does VERY well in a live, full band setting. The P bass sound (honky, middy, quacky, whatever you wanna call it...) sounds horrible until you're in a band setting, then it sounds completely different.

 

[ihixulu]

There’s a big difference between the D800 and the WD800. They are both great but the WD800 will grind if you drive the pre amp tube hard and can do the clean sound as well.
The D800/800+ are clean sounding and in my experience it does not break up or grind like the WD800.
Really depends on what your desired sound is.

800+ can definitely grind. Push the gain (max it out for max fun) and PUSH THE EQ, there is a whole world of OD/distorted tones in there, from Jack Bruce farts to DG style snarl. You don't need a tube for grind...

Different flavor than the WD for sure but no less useful or pleasing.

 

[57pbass]

800+ can definitely grind. Push the gain (max it out for max fun) and PUSH THE EQ, there is a whole world of OD/distorted tones in there, from Jack Bruce farts to DG style snarl. You don't need a tube for grind...

Different flavor than the WD for sure but no less useful or pleasing.

I’ll have to check that out. I’ve never gone into that territory with the 800+

 

[NYgiant]

These are always hard to give a definitive answer to because tone is so personal and there’s multiple other factors besides the amp.

THAT SAID, I had and ditched a GK MB500, and an Aguilar TH500, but absolutely love the Mesa D800.

If I were you I’d probably buy a used one from Guitar Center so I could try it for a week or two and not feel guilty returning it if I didn’t love it.

Good luck!

very interesting… You had the same amp I have now and also a tone hammer which I have the preamp version of.

Sam had said try to play as many Mesa amps as possible before buying but that’s virtually impossible. Really, only a guitar Center around here and they don’t have anything but Mark Bass on display and maybe something else, but not mesa. That’s a great idea about trying to find and buy a used one at Guitar Center and then returning.

I’ll be honest, I think I’m looking for simple operation as far as features. Mesa has a lot to choose from. I guess it’s a matter of really becoming educated on how the EQ works on some of the models that have more features than others.

 

[NYgiant]

The D800+ was always my favorite in the lineup, mainly because of the 'voice' knob which it sounds like you would benefit from having.

What exactly does that voice knob do?

There’s a big difference between the D800 and the WD800. They are both great but the WD800 will grind if you drive the pre amp tube hard and can do the clean sound as well.
The D800/800+ are clean sounding and in my experience it does not break up or grind like the WD800.
Really depends on what your desired sound is.

Interesting….. I do like the option of getting a little grind. That’s really one of the only things I like about that tone hammer I have. You can add just enough but it doesn’t sound distorted, but there’s something there as well besides a clean sound.