MESA/BOOGIE TT-800 Questions

[Count Bassie]

Doesn't make sense that it's the amp, is it possibly your ears struggling with reflections in a smaller, hard surfaced room?

I don't think it's the power.

You know, it's right in my face, kinda, the distortion... But it's a basement full of everything from tools to household ballast.
I'm bringing it to a band rehearsal tomorrow night, maybe that'll yield an answer.
And yeah it's a stone-rubble/mortar house.
Could be aliens. Lol.
Thanks for asking, I'll buzz in here again after I learn what I learn.

 

[Old Ozzie Guy]

Right, but this is something Ive been wanting to do haha

If you are 'hell bent' on trying an external pre amp into your TT, iI have, very successfully, ran a TwoNotes Revolt Bass, patched into the return of the subway channel . The Revolt is a dedicated line level pre amp, NOT an instrument level pedal..
I used that setup for 2 gigs that were outdoors , for 'motorcycle gentleman '.
They wanted Heavy, Loud, Rock..it worked really well for both shows, but I normally I prefer a few pedals before the amp

 

[Ross Davies]

If you are 'hell bent' on trying an external pre amp into your TT, iI have, very successfully, ran a TwoNotes Revolt Bass, patched into the return of the subway channel . The Revolt is a dedicated line level pre amp, NOT an instrument level pedal..
I used that setup for 2 gigs that were outdoors , for 'motorcycle gentleman '.
They wanted Heavy, Loud, Rock..it worked really well for both shows, but I normally I prefer a few pedals before the amp

Glad to hear it worked out well for you and you are 100% correct, the outputs on ReVolt are Line Level and we suggest running this into an FX return or 4-Cable Method-ing the device if integrating with a traditional amp!

 

[Count Bassie]

Took the TT-800 and Schroeder 1210 to rehearsal last night. There was still some low-level distortion/blur from the Schroeder. I also had a GK 200RB and old 8 ohm 15 in the space (that I usually use). I played a few notes through that trusty old booger, no speaker issue there. There is definitely *something* about that Schroeder that's bugging me. Maybe it's just the way it is?? But the guitarist noticed it too when I played solo, before we were all set up... Only in the low notes however.
I did rehearsal with the Mesa and the 1210.
I got a pretty good, beefy, very punchy tone that was approaching my sonic "neighborhood"from the Mesa, spent some time dealing with the inherent "boxiness" of the 1210 to some good effect. I stayed with the Boogie channel, only a 2 1/2 hour rehearsal and we're getting back into shape with our drummer who's been away a few months, so I was being simple and limited my scope with the amp.
I did get into the relationship between the Bass knob and the High-Pass Filter, which I think I basically understand. It seems like a good way to get a more midrange-focused tone ("punch") but still get the impression of some heft in the lows. Amirite?...
Our drummer noted that the presence of the bass was more consistent than with the GK, even more than with the Eden. I'm deciding whether I like that! It's very "class-D" sounding in that way- does that make sense? It seems like the way these Class-D amps work makes for a particular character, and it's not subtle. I gotta work with that. But I'm going to keep at it, I'm playing my regular Thursday night gig as the house bass player for a local open mic thing, I'll bring it along (usually it's a Hartke Kickback 12, with a replaced Hartke 'Neo' speaker).
I think the amp will be fine, I'm still not sure about the cab- because I notice things with an OCD kind of hyper-focus, and that distortion- for lack of a more concise word- looms large. But, when the band played I wasn't bothered...
Eh... I need to know what that is...

More after Thursday!

 

[Dom Amato]

Took the TT-800 and Schroeder 1210 to rehearsal last night. There was still some low-level distortion/blur from the Schroeder. I also had a GK 200RB and old 8 ohm 15 in the space that I usually use, and played a few notes through, no similar issue there. There is definitely *something* about that Schroeder. Maybe it's just the way it is??
I did rehearsal with the Mesa and the 1210.
I got a pretty good, beefy, very punchy tone that was approaching my sonic "neighborhood"from the Mesa, spent some time dealing with the inherent "boxiness" of the 1210 to some good effect. I stayed with the Boogie channel, only a 2 1/2 hour rehearsal and we're getting back into shape with our drummer who's been away a few months, so I was being simple and limited my scope with the amp.
I did get into the relationship between the Bass knob and the High-Pass Filter, which I think I basically understand. It seems like a good way to get a more midrange-focused tone ("punch") but still get the impression of some heft in the lows. Amirite?...
The presence of my sound was noticeably more consistent than with the GK, even more than with the Eden. I'm deciding if I like that! It's very "class-D" sounding in that way- does that make sense? It seems like the way these Class-D amps work makes for a particular character, and it's not subtle. I gotta work with that. But I'm going to keep at it, I'm playing Thursday night, as the house bass player for a local open mic thing.
I think the amp will be fine, I'm still not sure about the cab- because I notice things with an OCD kind of hyper-focus, and that distortion- for lack of a more concise word- looms large. But in actual use I wasn't bothered...
I need to know what that is...

More after Thursday!

In my short lived experience, the TT works great with Hartke cabs haha

 

[agedhorse]

Y

Took the TT-800 and Schroeder 1210 to rehearsal last night. There was still some low-level distortion/blur from the Schroeder. I also had a GK 200RB and old 8 ohm 15 in the space (that I usually use). I played a few notes through that trusty old booger, no speaker issue there. There is definitely *something* about that Schroeder that's bugging me. Maybe it's just the way it is?? But the guitarist noticed it too when I played solo, before we were all set up... Only in the low notes however.
I did rehearsal with the Mesa and the 1210.
I got a pretty good, beefy, very punchy tone that was approaching my sonic "neighborhood"from the Mesa, spent some time dealing with the inherent "boxiness" of the 1210 to some good effect. I stayed with the Boogie channel, only a 2 1/2 hour rehearsal and we're getting back into shape with our drummer who's been away a few months, so I was being simple and limited my scope with the amp.
I did get into the relationship between the Bass knob and the High-Pass Filter, which I think I basically understand. It seems like a good way to get a more midrange-focused tone ("punch") but still get the impression of some heft in the lows. Amirite?...
Our drummer noted that the presence of the bass was more consistent than with the GK, even more than with the Eden. I'm deciding whether I like that! It's very "class-D" sounding in that way- does that make sense? It seems like the way these Class-D amps work makes for a particular character, and it's not subtle. I gotta work with that. But I'm going to keep at it, I'm playing my regular Thursday night gig as the house bass player for a local open mic thing, I'll bring it along (usually it's a Hartke Kickback 12, with a replaced Hartke 'Neo' speaker).
I think the amp will be fine, I'm still not sure about the cab- because I notice things with an OCD kind of hyper-focus, and that distortion- for lack of a more concise word- looms large. But, when the band played I wasn't bothered...
Eh... I need to know what that is...

More after Thursday!

Your perception is entirely unrelated to the amp being class D IMO and IME.

 

[Count Bassie]

Y

Your perception is entirely unrelated to the amp being class D IMO and IME.

Fair enough, that's bound to be right. Lol, as I say at home, I'm as liable to be wrong! The TT is a different animal than what I'm used to though.
More manual time the next few days.

 

[agedhorse]

The TT is different for sure, there’s a lot of tonal options and feel differences by design, it’s also not an amp for everyone,

 

[Count Bassie]

The TT is different for sure, there’s a lot of tonal options and feel differences by design, it’s also not an amp for everyone,

I've found that it takes quite a while for me to get to know a piece of gear, especially an amplifier. I'm walking with it.

 

[Dom Amato]

I've found that it takes quite a while for me to get to know a piece of gear, especially an amplifier. I'm walking with it.

It took me a little while myself. Im still tweaking and learning but I am extremely happy where I am at.

 

[Al Kraft]

Our drummer noted that the presence of the bass was more consistent than with the GK, even more than with the Eden. I'm deciding whether I like that! It's very "class-D" sounding in that way- does that make sense? It seems like the way these Class-D amps work makes for a particular character, and it's not subtle.

I have used and currently own a lot of different types and brands of heads and IME what you are hearing is more about the voicing of the different heads and not class of amplifier.

If I were to take one of my Mesa Carbine heads and play it next to say my Aguilar TH500, I think most people would say the Aguilar sounds more like an old school class AB or even tube head and the Carbine sounds very SS is probably the class D one.

Design intent is a huge part of the sound and behavior of an amplifier IMO.

 

[Count Bassie]

I have used and currently own a lot of different types and brands of heads and IME what you are hearing is more about the voicing of the different heads and not class of amplifier.

If I were to take one of my Mesa Carbine heads and play it next to say my Aguilar TH500, I think most people would say the Aguilar sounds more like an old school class AB or even tube head and the Carbine sounds very SS is probably the class D one.

Design intent is a huge part of the sound and behavior of an amplifier IMO.

My personal experience with class-D is very limited, this is the first one I've spent significant time with. But since I commented on it I've recalled playing a Markbass a few times in a rehearsal space, and yes that's very different from the TT-800. So your, and @agedhorse's comments, are well taken.

 

[Old Ozzie Guy]

Glad to hear it worked out well for you and you are 100% correct, the outputs on ReVolt are Line Level and we suggest running this into an FX return or 4-Cable Method-ing the device if integrating with a traditional amp!

Iv also used the 4 cable patching, it works seamlessly, abiet, with a little extra time fiddling with leads.

 

[Count Bassie]

Well I think my distortion issue was an environmental one. Rehearsal last night went well, and a little while ago I hooked this up and put the Epi Classic Pro Thunderbird through it.

Wow. I'll say it backwards: Wow.
And the Schroeder seems to be fine.
Pictured are 2 Eminence Kappalite 3015s in an old Carvin215 cab. I love the sound that old beater puts out with those speakers.
Real world next. And now it's manual time.

 

[Al Kraft]

Well I think my distortion issue was an environmental one.

It happens more often than I would have ever imagined.

 

[agedhorse]

It happens more often than I would have ever imagined.

Probably more than half of the troubleshooting sessions end up with it being something other than the amp.

 

[Count Bassie]

Probably more than half of the troubleshooting sessions end up with it being something other than the amp.

I didn't think it was the amp- though I had to consider the possibility. I've had this happen before- but this time was really bad... Anyway I'm pretty sure it's worked out. Got other fires to put out...
Thanks everybody for throwing in!

 

[agedhorse]

Rattles and buzzes from objects in the film, and the structure itself are really common.

 

[Dom Amato]

Rattles and buzzes from objects in the film, and the structure itself are really common.

Also stuff in your room. I actually had to tie a shirt (first thing i grabbed lol) around my ibanez acoustic because of the amp haha. Still have some things buzzing in my room but the amp is FANTASTIC

 

[brianrost]

I've never spent $1,000 on a bass amp before. $1,000... Woah... (Edit) This brings the realization of the value, to me, of what I'm doing. It's worth throwing down serious bread for, I'm not 17 anymore, with my first bass and Peavey combo amp. And I'm not just settling for garage gear anymore, this is top-tier.
It was just an interesting and novel moment to have experienced. I'm still kinda taken back, but it's fine. It's just a new experience, no remorse.

Welcome to the club. It’s hard for me to get excited at low end gear after a few decades of using really good stuff. Sure, it was still expensive when I got it used…I could never have afford to buy any of it new. They have more than paid for themselves after hundreds of gigs.