MESA/BOOGIE TT-800 Questions

[Count Bassie]

Last night I played in the house band for an open mic. I had the bass running through my pedalboard, then the Mesa into the Schroeder 1210.
Distortion like you read about. I was devastated. All the pedals were turned off, bypassing everything.
After the first set I took the board out of the path, direct to the amp. Distortion was gone.
I did not expect that from a board with nothing on. It's been a little embarrassing frankly, chasing my tail with this whole speaker distortion thing, lol. I gotta bring my stress level down.
I'll be looking at using the effects loop, as well as trying one pedal at a time this weekend. A couple less pedals would be ok, and learning about the FX loop...
A new system sure enough puts me through it.

 

[agedhorse]

Just because pedals are bypassed doesn’t mean they are out of the circuit or signal path.

The effects loop is line level, some pedals can’t handle line level without distorting. Identify the offending pedal(s) and you will solve this mystery.

 

[Count Bassie]

Just because pedals are bypassed doesn’t mean they are out of the circuit or signal path.

The effects loop is line level, some pedals can’t handle line level without distorting. Identify the offending pedal(s) and you will solve this mystery.

Sorry- "... The offending pedal..." just sounds funny! But yes, I'll set aside an afternoon over the weekend and figure it out. Thanks!
The learning process here is presenting some scope, that's cool.

 

[Count Bassie]

The new shape of my gig life...

I'm working out my bugs, this is going to be great- a real notch up.

 

[Dom Amato]

Sorry- "... The offending pedal..." just sounds funny! But yes, I'll set aside an afternoon over the weekend and figure it out. Thanks!
The learning process here is presenting some scope, that's cool.

Which pedals are you using? I was planning on using a sansamp vt bass for an SVT style drive.

 

[Count Bassie]

Which pedals are you using? I was planning on using a sansamp vt bass for an SVT style drive.

 

[Count Bassie]

View attachment 7210876

In order of appearance in signal path:
Broughton HPF...
MXR Phase 90...
Electro-Harmonix Cockfight...
SansAmp Bass Fly Rig...
BBE Sonic Stomp...
Buffered Splitter... (I forget who makes it) for routing to a second amp. Never gets used, I've pulled it.
SansAmp Bass Fly Rig...
All powered from the Aetos power supply.
The Broughton has a wall wart, also powered by the Aetos, it's running 18v for better headroom. That's the one I've always had as an "always on" pedal, for the obvious reasons.

I've been using the SansAmp's DI, then routed on to my stage amplifier with the Sonic Stomp in the way. I didn't figure on needing it for sending to foh. Also the Bass Fly Rig has the VT circuit, not the traditional, original one.

 

[Count Bassie]

Just because pedals are bypassed doesn’t mean they are out of the circuit or signal path.

The effects loop is line level, some pedals can’t handle line level without distorting. Identify the offending pedal(s) and you will solve this mystery.

Just realized- I wasn't using the FX loop but running straight into the input, front panel. I was policing the input gain, had it at around 9-ish o'clock.

 

[agedhorse]

Just realized- I wasn't using the FX loop but running straight into the input, front panel. I was policing the input gain, had it at around 9-ish o'clock.

Be sure to set the input switch to low gain to account for the increase in level that some pedals do. Also, try to minimize and level increases through the pedal signal path where possible.

 

[Count Bassie]

Thanks for the switch reminder.
I generally look to set the pedal levels so I'm getting unity gain all around. But reminders are good! Not for nothing I acquired the Nick-name "Space" in high school...

 

[Lindsey Burke]

We have discussed this before on TB, the cost would be very high because the number of players looking for this is very small. IME, there are not many players looking for a $4k 810. There are other options that I have looked at several times over the past few years, but they haven't gained enough traction to pursue as of now.

It's surprising that there hasn't been a Subway version of the Walkabout Scout. I believe it would be a great option for many players, especially those of an advanced age with disposable income.

 

[dune]

It's surprising that there hasn't been a Subway version of the Walkabout Scout. I believe it would be a great option for many players, especially those of an advanced age with disposable income.

Given how easy it is to transport the existing Subway amps and cabs, perhaps it's thought that there's not going to be enough demand for a combo?

 

[Lindsey Burke]

Given how easy it is to transport the existing Subway amps and cabs, perhaps it's thought that there's not going to be enough demand for a combo?

That might be true. However, the same could be said for Markbass with respect to their cabinets yet they do a heck of a business with their combos.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

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.

If it were me I’d start with the formidable subway 115 for a couple of reasons. The first thought is it’s’ less expensive than the 212. Secondly you may want a second cab, but you may find that one is enough. And that being the case, you save even more some money.

Next, with an eye to a possible second cab, I would buy a 8 ohm cab. You probably would not miss the extra wattage using a 4 ohm cab as they aren’t as efficient. And to my ear, 8 ohm cabs just sound better.

The other point is there are a lot of situations where only need one cab so being modular has it’s advantages. That said I can’t imagine a situation where I would need more sound that those two cabs powered with 800 watts can create that I’d want to be apart of.

 

[dune]

That might be true. However, the same could be said for Markbass with respect to their cabinets yet they do a heck of a business with their combos.

Maybe there's one on the way.

 

[Nebadon2000]

Maybe there's one on the way.

Just need Andy to like your post and then yes 'Maybe' will be followed by Soon

 

[Count Bassie]

Is there a short list of favored cabs to use with the TT-800? I'll likely be spending since time on the used market, although having gone through the small morass with the cab I just got used, I might instead look for new. It'll hurt, but if I do it right it'll only hurt once.

 

[dune]

I did tons of research before finally pulling the trigger. The cabinet with the most "best bass cab I've ever heard" references - TB and online reviews elsewhere - was the Subway 115. Having said that, lots of support here for Barefaced (also a lot of "best cab ever" comments) and others and I have no doubt that they sound great, too. I'm a Garanimals, matchy-matchy kind of guy though, so I had to go with Mesa cabs under my TT (115 and 210).

 

[Count Bassie]

I like the matching things also at this point in my music-can-being life... But I also find that character crosses the lines of the conventional path. I definitely do that when I'm just going where I go, so I don't want to incur any more regrets... Taking my time with this.
Thanks @dune for the chime-in!

 

[Spacecoastbass]

I did tons of research before finally pulling the trigger. The cabinet with the most "best bass cab I've ever heard" references - TB and online reviews elsewhere - was the Subway 115. Having said that, lots of support here for Barefaced (also a lot of "best cab ever" comments) and others and I have no doubt that they sound great, too. I'm a Garanimals, matchy-matchy kind of guy though, so I had to go with Mesa cabs under my TT (115 and 210).

Same here in Florida for my taste and ear. 115 and the TT has it all in a small package. If I add another there's no question what brand but I'm still on the fence between another 115 or the 210. The versatility of having another "flavor" of Mesa cab appeals to my logic (and past experience w/10s) but the 115 does everything I need as of now. I would start with the 115 and build from there. There are quite a few folks that pair the 12 with the 115. It's all about what inspires you, the music and your ear. You definitely have the mindset for care and quality. I thought it would hurt since I'm a late bloomer on bass. Being a drummer for over 40 yr. and an audio geek since I was a kid (Thanks Dad!), I feel no pain. I'm having so much fun and don't regret anything. My wife is even studying bass because of the enthusiasm and some of that inspiration comes from great sound.