MESA/BOOGIE TT-800 Questions

[Dom Amato]

Good morning everyone!

I think I decided to go with the mesa/boogie TT-800 head for my new bass rig. Now we go to cabinets!

I think to start, i’m gonna stick with their cabinets, seeing they are light weight and have alot of options.

My current rig is a Ampeg BA115v2 (150W). Its an okay amp for small venues and practice, but I want something that I can use for pretty much anything (along with spoiling myself), hence why I went with the TT-800. If anyone out there in TB world has one, please let me know your experience with it!

Id like to maybe start with a 2x12, but I want to run 2 cabinets, im just stumped as to which cabinets to get. What would be common 2 cabinet setups? Im after maximum versatility

Again if you reading this has any experience with Mesa/Boogie Amps and Cabinets please let me know! My favorite parts are the boogie and subway channels, the tube preamp and also, its a sweet looking head.


Looking forward to seeing all of the responses! I play rock mainly, but I also like to play some heavier stuff, blues, soft rock etc

 

[Nebadon2000]

First Great choice in Amp

You might want to give more info upfront

Are you going to be Gigging

If so what type and size Venues

Are you going to be getting FOH support
or mostly having to carry room with your Rig

Or do you want the most Badass Rig regardless even if only playing at Home

 

[Dom Amato]

First Great choice in Amp

You might want to give more info upfront

Are you going to be Gigging

If so what type and size Venues

Are you going to be getting FOH support
or mostly having to carry room with your Rig

Or do you want the most Badass Rig regardless even if only playing at Home

Im not currently gigging at the moment but Id love too. This is kinda getting me prepared too, plus I just want a badass rig lol. I figured after 11 years of playing thru 150 watt combos, id treat myself with a new amp

 

[agedhorse]

I would recommend starting with the 115, you may find that’s all you need.

 

[Dom Amato]

I would recommend starting with the 115, you may find that’s all you need.

Need is a relative term lol

 

[Rev_Slinky]

I think you're going to very happy with the TT-800. It's a great amp (or amps, as you can set each channel up for a completely different sound).

I've got the 115 and a 112, and it's a versatile combination. The 115 can carry a gig, no problem, and I like having the extra height and tone of the 112 stacked on top. They really sound amazing together!

 

[ole Jason]

I don't use Mesa amps but do use the Subway 115. I think you'll be surprised, and pleased, by how much mileage you can get out of using it alone.

 

[ImTheOnlyOne]

I think you're going to very happy with the TT-800. It's a great amp (or amps, as you can set each channel up for a completely different sound).

I've got the 115 and a 112, and it's a versatile combination. The 115 can carry a gig, no problem, and I like having the extra height and tone of the 112 stacked on top. They really sound amazing together!

Curious if you have scenarios where you'd use the 112 alone? Is the 115 that much better rounded as a single cab?

 

[Rev_Slinky]

Curious if you have scenarios where you'd use the 112 alone? Is the 115 that much better rounded as a single cab?

It's the same footprint for both cabs, the 112 is just a bit shorter, so I'll usually use the 115 if I'm going only use one of them. That said, I've used the 112 by itself for living room jams and it's been great. To my ears, the 115 gives you a bit more bottom, but the 112 doesn't lack for bass response. I love the two of them together.

 

[75Ric]

Great choice on the TT. I've had the TT-800 for a couple of years now. I just love the amp. I've paired it with two Subway 115s and really love the tone - so good, I've let go of all my preamp pedals. Frankly, for the vast majority of gigs, one cab is more than sufficient. The only time I use two is for outdoors. The Subway 115 is a terrific cab -- best 15" speaker I've ever played. It's not like the old 15s - there is no mud at all. Great depth and bottom with articulation, and glassy highs. I would start with one. It really about all you need. But if it's not enough, you can then add either another 115 or pair it with a 112 or 210.

 

[Dom Amato]

Great choice on the TT. I've had the TT-800 for a couple of years now. I just love the amp. I've paired it with two Subway 115s and really love the tone - so good, I've let go of all my preamp pedals. Frankly, for the vast majority of gigs, one cab is more than sufficient. The only time I use two is for outdoors. The Subway 115 is a terrific cab -- best 15" speaker I've ever played. It's not like the old 15s - there is no mud at all. Great depth and bottom with articulation, and glassy highs. I would start with one. It really about all you need. But if it's not enough, you can then add either another 115 or pair it with a 112 or 210.

I think I am gonna go with the 210/115 setup.

I was thinking of getting the sansamp preamp, but you make it sound like I dont necessarily need one. Id like to get a really nice clean tone and also have a dirty channel for a slight overdrive like for classic rock, or aggressive like a modern metal sound.

 

[dune]

Great choice on the TT. I've had the TT-800 for a couple of years now. I just love the amp. I've paired it with two Subway 115s and really love the tone - so good, I've let go of all my preamp pedals. Frankly, for the vast majority of gigs, one cab is more than sufficient. The only time I use two is for outdoors. The Subway 115 is a terrific cab -- best 15" speaker I've ever played. It's not like the old 15s - there is no mud at all. Great depth and bottom with articulation, and glassy highs. I would start with one. It really about all you need. But if it's not enough, you can then add either another 115 or pair it with a 112 or 210.

I've been jonesing for a TT-800 and a 115 (or maybe two) for a while now. Lately I've been using an HX Stomp through a QSC K12.2. I'm enjoying it (the Stomp more than the K12 if I'm honest) but I'm starting to think that it's just missing something. Like it sounds fine but doesn't really "feel" like a bass amp, if that makes any sense. The appearance of the Mesa gear fits my eye better than most as well.

 

[BobKos]

I think I am gonna go with the 210/115 setup.

I was thinking of getting the sansamp preamp, but you make it sound like I dont necessarily need one. Id like to get a really nice clean tone and also have a dirty channel for a slight overdrive like for classic rock, or aggressive like a modern metal sound.

I have a TT-800 with the 210 / 115 stack behind it. IMO and IME that is the better setup than either alone. But as always YMMV. The TT-800 makes it easy to have 2 distinct tones available at the flick of a switch. Speaking of which you can use a Carvin FS-22 on the subway heads to switch mute / channel. Thank you Andy for making a simple switching setup that can use commonly available hardware! Enjoy your Subway rig! It is great stuff!

 

[bherman]

Sounds like you're onboard with the modular approach - cabinets with one speaker that you can add as needed. Another voice of reason from me - especially if not gigging, you really only need one cabinet. I have 2 - 112 cabs and rarely do I need more than one, unless its a really large space. Even then, the only reason for two is a bit fatter sound. But for home use and/or jamming, one cab will more than cover your needs for sometime to come.

 

[kmon]

Subway 115. Close thread.

 

[Al Kraft]

It's the same footprint for both cabs, the 112 is just a bit shorter, so I'll usually use the 115 if I'm going only use one of them. That said, I've used the 112 by itself for living room jams and it's been great. To my ears, the 115 gives you a bit more bottom, but the 112 doesn't lack for bass response. I love the two of them together.

Exactly how I use my two cabs and precisely the kind of situations where even a SW 112 might be "more than enough bass" (e.g. living room jam, small coffee house/restaurant for just background music, monitor in a pit orchestral kind of situation, etc.). I also really like the modularity with a mix and match option included.

 

[Rev_Slinky]

Exactly how I use my two cabs and precisely the kind of situations where even a SW 112 might be "more than enough bass" (e.g. living room jam, small coffee house/restaurant for just background music, monitor in a pit orchestral kind of situation, etc.). I also really like the modularity with a mix and match option included.

I never thought of using the 112 for a monitor. That's a great idea! Thanks!

 

[Al Kraft]

I think I am gonna go with the 210/115 setup.

I was thinking of getting the sansamp preamp, but you make it sound like I don't necessarily need one. Id like to get a really nice clean tone and also have a dirty channel for a slight overdrive like for classic rock, or aggressive like a modern metal sound.

The 210/115 is a very nice combo. l own a SansAmp BDDI (both original and latest V2 version) and the head takes pedals very nicely. However, you might want to try the amp first before investing in those. The TT works fine for me without any pedals...although I am mainly a clean player and don't use many effects except occasional compression.

The BDDI gets a big thumbs up from me for instances where something happens to your rig and you need a gig saver solution that is a little more versatile than a DI box. FWIW I would put Tech 21 products up there with the best the industry has to offer.

 

[DuluthDank]

Personally , I'd start with one cab and see if it meets your volume needs. IMO a 210 cab is in the sweet spot of volume/weight/bulk. In the unlikely event that you need more, buy a nice set of earplugs and another cab then.

People often like to overestimate how much gear they need for gigging, in some part because gear aquisition is fun. In smaller venues though, having the stage volume up too loud actually interferes wtih the audience experience by over powering the venue's speakers. You will never hear a sound guy tell you to turn up your stage amp, but I've often heard them say to turn it down.

Personally, I've gigged in a loud power trio for years with nothing but a 112 combo amp, tilted up at my head. It's perfect for state monitoring, and the FOH takes care of the audience experience. It used to be a 212 mini stack, but I actually ditched the 112 extension cab because I found I just didn't need it for stage monitoring. But YYMV.

 

[75Ric]

... I was thinking of getting the sansamp preamp, but you make it sound like I dont necessarily need one. Id like to get a really nice clean tone and also have a dirty channel for a slight overdrive like for classic rock, or aggressive like a modern metal sound.

I had a sansamp and a few pres, including an Oracle. I just don't feel the need for any preamp. I get very close to the preamp tones that I was interested in with the TT. In fact, I ran the Oracle straight into the TT's power section, bypassing the two TT preamps. I still prefered the TT tone. It's a very special amp. I would try the amp first, then see if you need pedals.

I play mostly clean with my pbass into the Boogie channel and a jbass into the Subway. You can get some nice light drive off the TT, especially the Boogie channel, but if you want heavy OD, you will probably want a pedal. My band is six-piece: drums, keys, two guitars (e & a), bass, and sax. We play a lot of classic rock, some Motown & funk, a little rockabilly, along with an occasional country tune. This amp handles it all with no problem.