Mesa/Boogie Content (read on...)

[dorej]

I'm contemplating buying either the MESA SUBWAY WD-800 or the MESA SUBWAY D-800+.

Does anyone have experience w/ both amps? I play hard rock that tip-toes into the metal realm and wondered which amp would suite me best?

I have a MESA Carbine 6 that I really love. The Carbine is such a huge sounding amp, though I would like to have another MESA option as a back-up should the Carbine fail.

Is there that big of a difference between the 2 amps to really concern myself with other than the $100 price difference?

Thank you. \../

 

[Amajew]

Best bet is to try them yourself. I have a D800 and recently tried out a 400+, WD800 a D800+.

I play the heavy stuff myself and either amp will do well IMO.

What basses, cabs and other effects do you use for starters? I can gage a better response knowing what other gear you have.

Case in point, my Warwick PNut sounds vastly different than my Mariuzczyk Hellwood 5A played in passive mode. I'm also using a B3k 100% of the time because the d800 sounds a bit dark to me. The WD and + make up that dark tone with sweet top end that just kicks ass through my Barefaced four10.

I also prefer the tone of the Barefaced vs my RevSound 215T. Granted the revsound is a sweet cabinet, I just prefer the colored tone of the barefaced.

 

[dorej]

Hey thanks for replying:

I have several different cab set ups.

1. Mesa 215 w/ a Mesa 210 (old school Mesa cabs w/ the black metal grills - probably 90's issued cabs)
2. Mesa Powerhouse 410 / 115
3. Ampeg 810
4. Ampeg Portaflex 410 & Portaflex 115

I prefer #1 over all the others just because the combination of amp & cabs sound massive. Not in the loud sense (yes it's loud) but in the tonal sense.

Bass Guitars: all 5-string basses - main bass guitars are a Dingwall NG-2 5, and a Dingwall Combustion 5. I'll bust out my Warwick Custom Shop Corvette from time to time, but I'm mainly playing the Dingwall's. They have such a nasty grunt & grind that I love.

Pedalboard: TU-3 > EHX Pitch Fork > Strymon El Capistan > Darkglass Alpha Omega.

I run everything through the loop of the Carbine 6. Darkglass is pretty much an "always on" pedal.

I was using a Darkglass MT900 (sold it last week) up until I got the Carbine 6 in a trade. The Carbine overtook the Darkglass and that's that. No going back. Mesa is where I've found what I've been looking for and has piqued my interest in the WD-800 or D-800+.

For reference my band: Monarchs to Oblivion, by Monarchs to Oblivion

Thanks!

 

[dorej]

I saw that, thanks. Trying to find what I need in 121 pages of responses isn't a good use of my time. My focus is very narrow so I created new post to hopefully hear from people with experience regarding both amps.

 

[Amajew]

In short I'd have to say 800+ will be an excellent backup amp for you. It's easier to dial in compared to all the knobs on the WD800. Your arsenal already produces awesome tone between your cabs and basses and pedals.

From what I've read on the mesa threads is the 800+ can get into carbine territory. I believe the wd can as well, it's just different.

The wd did have a specific "grind" to my ears that the 800+ didn't but seeming your dingwalls already have that it might be "too much" grind. Hard to say without plugging in

For reference I've played through an ampeg 810 with the classic tube head. A buddy had his X7 hooked up to it and I preferred the tone of the straight up amp, by far!!

I'd also like to see some pics of that custom shop corvette! I'm a big fan of Warwicks. I have an FNA myself.

Lastly sending a DM to Agedhorse, Andy wouldn't hurt to ask him some questions. Afterall, he designed the subway gear and is a huge presence on the site.

 

[two fingers]

@agedhorse should be able to help if you give him some details as to your tone/volume requirements. He did, after all, design them both.

 

[dbase]

I'm contemplating buying either the MESA SUBWAY WD-800 or the MESA SUBWAY D-800+.

Does anyone have experience w/ both amps? I play hard rock that tip-toes into the metal realm and wondered which amp would suite me best?

I have a MESA Carbine 6 that I really love. The Carbine is such a huge sounding amp, though I would like to have another MESA option as a back-up should the Carbine fail.

Is there that big of a difference between the 2 amps to really concern myself with other than the $100 price difference?

Thank you. \../

Here is the WD800 in action. I used it for the first time right out of the box when it came in the mail same day as my gig. My Hartke died b4 the gig so I'm glad I bought the Mesa along with me. Didn't get a chance to read the manual so I wasn't familiar with some of the controls but set them as best I could.
It's plugged into two Hartke Hydrives 1x12's and my band is loud.

 

[klejst]

Try yourself if you're able and go from there. Only you know what you like. However a lot of the people I have seen who own and use a D-800 love it to death!

 

[dorej]

Try yourself if you're able and go from there. Only you know what you like. However a lot of the people I have seen who own and use a D-800 love it to death!

I wish that were an option. Guitar Center no longer carries Mesa/Boogie gear and neither does Sam Ash. I don't really know how anyone could try any new Mesa gear living in the Midwest? The only way I'd be able to sample the amps would be to drive from Ohio to Indiana and spend a couple hours on the Sweetwater Campus! That sure sounds fun but really isn't practical.

 

[dorej]

In short I'd have to say 800+ will be an excellent backup amp for you. It's easier to dial in compared to all the knobs on the WD800. Your arsenal already produces awesome tone between your cabs and basses and pedals

I'm pretty convinced the D-800+ is the right choice. It'll get me close enough to where I want to be. I can always dial the Alpha Omega in to taste if I need some more grunt. I listened to a couple demos as well and there isn't a night & day difference between the two amps. Thanks for helping me out.

 

[Red Planet]

I'm contemplating buying either the MESA SUBWAY WD-800 or the MESA SUBWAY D-800+.

Does anyone have experience w/ both amps? I play hard rock that tip-toes into the metal realm and wondered which amp would suite me best?

I have a MESA Carbine 6 that I really love. The Carbine is such a huge sounding amp, though I would like to have another MESA option as a back-up should the Carbine fail.

Is there that big of a difference between the 2 amps to really concern myself with other than the $100 price difference?

Thank you. \../

I would wait for WD-1200++ first.

 

[dorej]

I would wait for WD-1200++ first.

Haha! Right? 800 watts isn't nearly enough power for Madison Square Basement!

 

[klejst]

I wish that were an option. Guitar Center no longer carries Mesa/Boogie gear and neither does Sam Ash. I don't really know how anyone could try any new Mesa gear living in the Midwest? The only way I'd be able to sample the amps would be to drive from Ohio to Indiana and spend a couple hours on the Sweetwater Campus! That sure sounds fun but really isn't practical.

Ah bummer then, guess check out sound clips and product vids? Word of mouth based off users here as it's a good site for information and trustworthy for the most part is the way it sounds like you'd have to go then. Kinda arms up in the air, but Mesa stuff does keep it's value as long as it's kept in decent shape of course if you find a reason to want to/need to offload it.

 

[Munjibunga]

I had a D800 and sold it to buy the D800+. I like having control over the mid frequencies. They're both similar in native tone, but the 800+ is more versatile. I'd spring for the extra hundred bucks and get the 800+.

 

[Amajew]

I had a D800 and sold it to buy the D800+. I like having control over the mid frequencies. They're both similar in native tone, but the 800+ is more versatile. I'd spring for the extra hundred bucks and get the 800+.

The HPF, sweepable mids and bright switch are worth way more than 100 bucks difference imo.

 

[dorej]

The HPF, sweepable mids and bright switch are worth way more than 100 bucks difference imo.

Agreed. The D-800 was never a consideration. WD-800 or the D-800+ were the 2 competing for my money. Ordered the 800+ this afternoon. \,,/

 

[Amajew]

Agreed. The D-800 was never a consideration. WD-800 or the D-800+ were the 2 competing for my money. Ordered the 800+ this afternoon. \,,/

Ha. That was quick. I believe you'll dig the +
I couldn't believe how much brighter and better sounding the + was compared to the non plus. My personal experience of course

 

[shoot-r]

As a M-6 Carbine owner myself (got two I gig with) I'd go 800+ as it's claimed to be the closest to coping the Carbine's solid/quick feel/bright sound.

Will it be exactly the same?

Probably not, the Carbines seem to be in a class all by themselves....

 

[dorej]

As a M-6 Carbine owner myself (got two I gig with) I'd go 800+ as it's claimed to be the closest to coping the Carbine's solid/quick feel/bright sound.

Will it be exactly the same?

Probably not....

I'm not worried about it sounding the same. I just wanted the same "bigness" of the Carbine 6. I picked up an old Mesa Basis M-2000 this past week too. Figured why not, $500 didn't seen to be too bad of a deal.

I now have 3 heads from different "eras" - got my basses covered.

 

[s_wood]

I had a Carbine M9... and I currently own a D800+ and a WD800. I completely agree with those who have said that these 2 amps both kick ass, but they sound different. Most folks, I think, would prefer one over he other. I honestly don’t think that either of them sound exactly like the Carbine. The WD800 is inherently brighter than the D800+ and I always thought that the Carbine was pretty bright. OTOH, the WD800 has a certain bit of tube sparkle but the Carbine was totally clean.

Maybe this will help: I used to use a Creation Electronics Grizzly Bass OD as an “always on” light overdrive with my D800+ when I wanted more than a clean sound. I don’t need to use it with the WD800. If you use light overdrive often, you might prefer the WD800. If you go for a totally clean tone, the D800+ might be the way to go. But these are both great amps.