• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Mesa Boogie Subway D-800

#21
Digits Molloy said:
I'm thinking of selling my Ampeg SVT 7-Pro. I'd like to get an amp that's even lighter than my 7-Pro which is 15.5 lbs plus the Gator soft rack case, so it's probably a total weight of around 25 lbs. Also, I like the idea of the Mesa Boogie Subway D-800 because it goes to 2ohms and I have two awesome cabs but they are 4ohms each. Has anyone here on TB heard this Mesa amp? Does it sound warm and have a nice tone? And/or any suggestions on a great sounding super light weight amp. Thanks.
Click to expand...

It's going to be a different amp to your Ampeg SVT. They are fairly differently voiced so if you are accustomed to your Ampeg and feel at home with it, you will notice the difference. I've got plenty of friends with Mesa gear, including the big block and the D800, but I was never really able to get rid of the rather nasal sounding upper mid section on those amps. YMMV of course but I'm staying loyal to my Ampegs and really the only other amp I found so far that comes close to that feeling is my MarkBass ninja in my signature but even then that's only because it has the LPF filter built in and I can make it sound darker. It also has this nasty upper mid voicing that I just simply dislike and would never use my MarkBass without some of that LPF-like filter on.

So if you're digging your Ampeg and like the tone, the better option for you to go even more lightweight than the 7Pro is the PF series.
 
#23
Got a D800, loved it, then got a WD800, and I love it even more! The WD800 is my main amp now, the D800 goes along behind the seat of my pickup as a backup, but I haven’t ever needed it. I have two Eden heads, a Thunderfunk 550B, a Genz-Benz, and a Fender Rumble, but when I load up for a gig, I always grab the Mesa!

PS: Thank you, Andy, for the best amp I’ve ever had!
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop, BOOG, agedhorse and 2 others
#25
The D-800 is my main amp. It has a warm, well rounded tone, no too "hi-fi".

I bought it used. If you spend a little more you can get one of the models with the HPF, which is the way I would go.
 
  • Like
Reactions: MCF
#27
I like the D-800, but Ampeg is not the first thing that comes to mind when I play it. The D-800 is a simple, straight-forward head that has a slightly warm sound right out of the box. The voicing control allows a good amount of tone shaping versatility and it feels strong/powerful even when pushing the volume.

I'll second earlier recommendations to look at the 800+ which for slightly more money provides a whole lot more features (should those be of value to you). To me the D-800 sounds great and the simplicity of the control set makes it easy to use in live performance.

Whether it will be close enough to what you like about the Ampeg sound is something only you can decide. However, I think you'll be impressed with it even if it's not exactly the voicing you're used to. It has a very full, rich sound and nice note to note articulation without sounding sterile.
 
  • Like
Reactions: waynobass, Rev_Slinky, TC.65 and 7 others
#28
Love my D-800 and have used with two 410 cabls, 2-112's and various other combinations with great tone and ample power for clubs and stages. FOH support for large stages and soundmen seem to like these amps as well. If I had to do over might get the plus, but I have a Broughton HPF which works great with this or any other rig. Lots you can do with any of the Subway amps.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Rev_Slinky, Al Kraft, agedhorse and 1 other person
#29
I know you're asking specifically about the D-800, but I have a D-800+ which is similar enough to offer a comparison. It is my #1 "grab and go" amp. I use it with Bergantino and Genzler cabs and it always delivers and sounds great in the context of a band. It sounds fantastic with Ampeg cabs, which I don't own but occasionally use. For lack of a better description, the D-800+ just always sounds like a "bass amp," not like a science project or some engineer's dream. I had a Magellan 800 for a while, and it was a fine amp, very powerful and intelligently designed but a little too lacking in personality for my taste. Lots of people find them to be great, which is not surprising.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Rev_Slinky, Al Kraft, DJ Bebop and 5 others
#30
I owned a D-800 but traded it for a D-800+ because I really wanted the variable HPF and the semi-parametric mids. I found that I sometimes use the Bright switch as well, but it's having it is a secondary benefit for me. The D-800 is a simply fantastic amp, with emphasis on simple. The feature set is somewhat basic, at least compared to other amps in the Subway series, but they work very well. You will not be "settling " with the D-800.

You also asked about Genzler amps. I also own the Magellan 350, which is another excellent amp. It has a simpler feature set than the Magellan 800, and obviously less power, but I suspect the Magellan 800 would be another excellent choice in that power range.

I'd say the Genzler is a little more transparent overall and the Mesa may be a little warmer overall. But both are very flexible and can give you a wide range of tones. Hard to go wrong with either.

However, you mentioned having two 4 ohm cabinets. The Mesa can do 2 ohms so you'd be able to use both of those cabinets. The Genzler is able to do 2.77 ohms, so you could run three 8 ohm cabinets, but it can't do a 2 ohm load. So that could be a deciding factor for you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Al Kraft, DJ Bebop, MaxSpinrun and 5 others
#31
Digits Molloy said:
I'm thinking of selling my Ampeg SVT 7-Pro. I'd like to get an amp that's even lighter than my 7-Pro which is 15.5 lbs plus the Gator soft rack case, so it's probably a total weight of around 25 lbs. Also, I like the idea of the Mesa Boogie Subway D-800 because it goes to 2ohms and I have two awesome cabs but they are 4ohms each. Has anyone here on TB heard this Mesa amp? Does it sound warm and have a nice tone? And/or any suggestions on a great sounding super light weight amp. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Nothing sounds like an SVT except an SVT. Not even Ampeg could replicate the SVT tone with their Class D line.

Having said that the Mesa Boogie WD-800 or TT-800 will offer the most tone-sculpting options.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 75Ric, Al Kraft, DJ Bebop and 2 others
#32
Buying new or used?
Digits Molloy said:
I'm thinking of selling my Ampeg SVT 7-Pro. I'd like to get an amp that's even lighter than my 7-Pro which is 15.5 lbs plus the Gator soft rack case, so it's probably a total weight of around 25 lbs. Also, I like the idea of the Mesa Boogie Subway D-800 because it goes to 2ohms and I have two awesome cabs but they are 4ohms each. Has anyone here on TB heard this Mesa amp? Does it sound warm and have a nice tone? And/or any suggestions on a great sounding super light weight amp. Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
#35
Digits Molloy said:
I'm thinking of selling my Ampeg SVT 7-Pro. I'd like to get an amp that's even lighter than my 7-Pro which is 15.5 lbs plus the Gator soft rack case, so it's probably a total weight of around 25 lbs. Also, I like the idea of the Mesa Boogie Subway D-800 because it goes to 2ohms and I have two awesome cabs but they are 4ohms each. Has anyone here on TB heard this Mesa amp? Does it sound warm and have a nice tone? And/or any suggestions on a great sounding super light weight amp. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I had a chance to play through one at a gig recently where a touring act let me use their backline. Everything about it felt really solid, I thought it did have some unique tonal coloration compared to my Ampeg though. Definitely warmer. It certainly was a nice amp but not quite the sound I am used to. I didn't do much in the way of knob fiddling as it was a borrowed amplifier so it's quite possible that there's a way to dial in a more familiar sound, but if you're after something warmer then this may actually be the ticket for you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Al Kraft and MCF
#36
Chuck M said:
I own a D-800, D-800+ and a WD-800 and want a TT-800. I guess that will tell you something.

They all sound great but my favorite is the WD-800.
Click to expand...
My sentiments exactly, Excuse me while I whip this out <Blazing Saddles> ;)
Mesa.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Al Rivera, lermgalieu, Al Kraft and 7 others
#38
Dubious Aa said:
I really like my 800+ and run it in 2ohm to drive a 4-10 and 15 and rarely push the main volume past 1/2. I don’t know about the regular 800 but I do know i pick my 800+ over my other amps(carvin, swr and GK).
Click to expand...
Sorry to all for the sidetrack.

Are you using the Subway 410 and 115 together? If so, I’d be really interested in hearing your thoughts about how this combination of cabs work together.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: dbase
#39
MCF said:
Sorry to all for the sidetrack.

Are you using the Subway 410 and 115 together? If so, I’d be really interested in hearing your thoughts about this combination of cabs work together.
Click to expand...
I just used this combination last Saturday and it was awesome. I've used 2x15 and it was loud but adding the 4x10+1x15 made a big difference in tone. This amp can run 3 8ohm cabs. I'm thinking of using 2x15+4x10 next gig to see how it sounds. I was very very skeptical about Class D heads after growing up on Tube and Solid State and I'm inpressed with this amp.. I too want a TT800 only because I cant plug in my instrument remote into the amp. The rack handle is in the way.
20220806_141147.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop, agedhorse and MCF

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back