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Mesa Boogie vs Ampeg vs Markbass vs Others

#101
g-dude said:
I don’t necessarily equate China with cheap...I mean they definitely have some cheap products as well as some not cheap products.

My issue with Chinese products has more to do with how they treat people, their geopolitical goals, the low worker safety and environmental standards, and their behavior towards the USA.

Indonesia has its own issues. It’s better than China, I guess...but they also have a long way to go.
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Yes. Builders in China have been doing things long enough that poor quality isn't a given. Just look at the first run of Classic Vibe basses from China (the Indonesian ones are pretty good IMO too). But, if we're talking about countries with a bad history of human rights abuses, buying American becomes problematic. Ive "canceled several American companies for how they treat workers or issues (Keeley, JHS, Fulton to name a few).

I go with American companies whenever I can, knowing made in USA isn't always within reach. Thats why I jettisoned MONO, for instance.
 
#102
g-dude said:
I don’t necessarily equate China with cheap...I mean they definitely have some cheap products as well as some not cheap products.

My issue with Chinese products has more to do with how they treat people, their geopolitical goals, the low worker safety and environmental standards, and their behavior towards the USA.

Indonesia has its own issues. It’s better than China, I guess...but they also have a long way to go.
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing your issue, G.
 
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#105
g-dude said:
I don’t necessarily equate China with cheap...I mean they definitely have some cheap products as well as some not cheap products.

My issue with Chinese products has more to do with how they treat people, their geopolitical goals, the low worker safety and environmental standards, and their behavior towards the USA.

Indonesia has its own issues. It’s better than China, I guess...but they also have a long way to go.
Click to expand...

I generally equate China with coronavirus Bwahahahahahaha
 
#106
tarp21 said:
23 years in I’m ready to be done!
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I can’t help with your amp decision. I play Genz amps and Berg cabs. But, I just wanted to commend you on your service, especially during this pandemic. I was an EMT-B for 17 years, active on my local volunteer squad and was also captain of the volunteer EMS squad at work. I retired and let, my cert lapse two years ago. I thought about reactivating when the pandemic hit, but I’m in that older age group now, and my wife is immunocompromised. Good luck in your search and playing afterwards.
 
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#107
tarp21 said:
Haven’t made up my mind and yes I’m getting suggestions from strangers off the net from those that own or have played these amps and especially paying attention to those who play in my genres. I’m not knocking Markbass, just reflecting on what I’ve came across since I haven’t actually played one before. Money is no object for “one” amp purchase, I didn’t clarify.
Isn’t Markbass made in Italy? They used to be anyway. And if it broke where would you send your amp to be repaired? At least with Mesa it’s made in the USA and with repair shops. I’m looking at the total package and all options here
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I love my Markbass Compressore, but I'm on my second one. I was very unimpressed with service when the first one died after light use just outside warranty. Cost of a used one was same as the board that needed to be replaced, and I would have had to cover labor for installation, so for practical purposes it's just a dead pedal.

I had a Markbass Big Bang amp for a while and to me it was just a little too sterile. It was a fine amp but ultimately I couldn't coax enough warmth out of that amp to bond with it. No reliability issues but I was just playing at home when I had that one, so really light duty use.

I can't say enough good things about the WD-800 that replaced it. And Mesa customer support is outstanding. The WD leaves the house every 2 weeks and gets played most days, but I've never needed repairs. I have seen quite a few stories on TB from Mesa customers about impressive support.
 
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#108
biobass said:
I can’t help with your amp decision. I play Genz amps and Berg cabs. But, I just wanted to commend you on your service, especially during this pandemic. I was an EMT-B for 17 years, active on my local volunteer squad and was also captain of the volunteer EMS squad at work. I retired and let, my cert lapse two years ago. I thought about reactivating when the pandemic hit, but I’m in that older age group now, and my wife is immunocompromised. Good luck in your search and playing afterwards.
Click to expand...

Thank you sir and thank you for your service as well! Pandemic has been a nightmare, 9/10 patients with Covid. Hell I caught it and been off work two weeks with pay. It’s been a much needed “rest” from it all!
 
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#109
SLPimp said:
Yes. Builders in China have been doing things long enough that poor quality isn't a given. Just look at the first run of Classic Vibe basses from China (the Indonesian ones are pretty good IMO too). But, if we're talking about countries with a bad history of human rights abuses, buying American becomes problematic. Ive "canceled several American companies for how they treat workers or issues (Keeley, JHS, Fulton to name a few).

I go with American companies whenever I can, knowing made in USA isn't always within reach. Thats why I jettisoned MONO, for instance.
Click to expand...

Yes, nobody is perfect - unfortunately. For me, part of buying American is that I’d rather support jobs being kept here. The vast majority of people want to earn an honest living, and the best way I can support them is by doing my part to contribute to the demand for American made goods...or if not American made, at least made in a country that tries to have good standards around health/safety/etc. or that is working to get there that is friendly towards the US.

Much easier to avoid a specific company when you know who they are, as opposed to some random company that is doing work under someone else’s name. Of course, if you’re hiring some offshore company to do work in your name, then you share the blame for their wrongdoing (looking at you, Nike).
 
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#111
tarp21 said:
Thank you sir and thank you for your service as well! Pandemic has been a nightmare, 9/10 patients with Covid. Hell I caught it and been off work two weeks with pay. It’s been a much needed “rest” from it all!
Click to expand...
I'm currently Positive. It's been a nightmare at my age. Still very weak with lots of coughing. I had days where I really wondered if I'd be a statistic. Worst experience of my life!
 
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#117
It is not impossible to find someone who has tried Mesa gear and not liked it....just like it is not impossible to find someone who doesn't like puppies or ice cream or music. Almost everyone who has tried Mesa gear has been blown away by its performance. Mesa is the safest bet in professional bass gear right now. Mesa's main competition seems to be Mesa, and Mesa continues winning that battle. The D800+ and WD800 are renowned amps, and it looks like the TT800 is 'better,' though they are three different kinds of amps. The Subway 115 is dropping jaws everywhere.

Read up on the differences. I have a Walkabout. If I were to buy one of these three Mesa amps, I would be looking at TT800, WD800 and then D800+. In that order. But there ain't nuthin wrong with the D800+. Flip a coin and get a Mesa. You will likely be very pleased.
 
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#118
Old Fart said:
It is not impossible to find someone who has tried Mesa gear and not liked it....just like it is not impossible to find someone who doesn't like puppies or ice cream or music. Almost everyone who has tried Mesa gear has been blown away by its performance. Mesa is the safest bet in professional bass gear right now. Mesa's main competition seems to be Mesa, and Mesa continues winning that battle. The D800+ and WD800 are renowned amps, and it looks like the TT800 is 'better,' though they are three different kinds of amps. The Subway 115 is dropping jaws everywhere.

Read up on the differences. I have a Walkabout. If I were to buy one of these three Mesa amps, I would be looking at TT800, WD800 and then D800+. In that order. But there ain't nuthin wrong with the D800+. Flip a coin and get a Mesa. You will likely be very pleased.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info/opinion!
 
#119
Without trying, and much reading I have came to the conclusion to purchase the WD800. I believe it will have more tonal options than the D-800+. I also have demoed the Helix Native software. While it didn’t have the above amps it did have the Carbine and 400+ and I did enjoy those tones compared to the other amps in the software. And the WD800 should be similar in some form. Coupled with made in the USA and excellent warranty. I have a neo GK 4x10, 4 ohm at 800 watts to pair it with initially. I plan on eventually pairing it with a Mesa cab but that’s another decision down the road. Thanks everyone for the info, opinions, comments and suggestions!
 
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#120
tarp21 said:
Without trying, and much reading I have came to the conclusion to purchase the WD800.
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I'm positive my subtle hinting had nothing to do with this decision. :D

On a serious note, I strongly suggest that you spend the extra bucks to get the foot switch. I was pretty blown away by the tone that the amp produces when the parametric eq is switched out of the loop. Which is not to say that I play it that way very often, but for certain tunes it is really cool to have.
 
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