Mesa Boogie WD800, How Do They Do It

[DJ Bebop]

If you could find a Mesa DI+ into Aux on WD and damping set to high well........

Yep
The next dream step

 

[vlad335]

I picked up a WD-800 new and it is amazing. First thing that struck me is when I first hooked it up and plugged into it, I didnt feel like I needed to tweak a single EQ knob. Everything was set flat and it sounded great. That has never happened to me before!

Previously, had been wheeling and dealing and traded some gear for an Orange Terror bass head and two Orange OBC-112 cabs. The Mesa and the Orange cabs are great sounding! The Orange head is in no way bad, but the WD-800 is on another level.

We have no gigs over the Winter, so I am playing this in my dining room. You never know how a rig is until you get it out though.

 

[HowieD72]

I picked up a WD-800 new and it is amazing. First thing that struck me is when I first hooked it up and plugged into it, I didnt feel like I needed to tweak a single EQ knob. Everything was set flat and it sounded great. That has never happened to me before!

View attachment 7395872

That's the best experience ever! I love it when that happens.

I have the D800+ and it's a great head, but just not my flavour. I was looking at, listening to and reading rave reviews on the 800D (which sounds great!) and then comments on the WD-800 started popping up. Those comments from WD-800 owners make me believe that's the Mesa head that would be my go-to, if or when i change (not upgrade) from my Genz-Benz Streamliner 900 and Shuttlemax 9.2.

I think my D800+ might get sold or traded for a WD-800.

Thanks for your experience and comment!

 

[Wicked G]

That's the best experience ever! I love it when that happens.

I have the D800+ and it's a great head, but just not my flavour. I was looking at, listening to and reading rave reviews on the 800D (which sounds great!) and then comments on the WD-800 started popping up. Those comments from WD-800 owners make me believe that's the Mesa head that would be my go-to, if or when i change (not upgrade) from my Genz-Benz Streamliner 900 and Shuttlemax 9.2.

I think my D800+ might get sold or traded for a WD-800.

Thanks for your experience and comment!

I have both the Streamliner and the WD800. I hear you on the Streamliner, it's definitely a keeper amp. I just did a show last night with it and two Spectors and it sounded great.

But I also have to say that the WD800 can go to places where the Streamliner can't and the damping set to low really gives it a more tube like feel than the Streamliner which is pretty hard to imagine. The WD just might be your flavor.

 

[HowieD72]

I have both the Streamliner and the WD800. I hear you on the Streamliner, it's definitely a keeper amp. I just did a show last night with it and two Spectors and it sounded great.

But I also have to say that the WD800 can go to places where the Streamliner can't and the damping set to low really gives it a more tube like feel than the Streamliner which is pretty hard to imagine. The WD just might be your flavor.

You've spiked my interest again. The fact you run Spectors with a Streamliner and WD-800 really interests me as my Warwicks are active and both are very similar basses. And my Warwicks sound off the charts through the Streamliner. What cab/s do you use? I'll definitely read that manual and do some more thorough research on the WD-800.

So, the damping set to low gives it more tube like feel then the Streamliner? Wow! Hard to imagine is right, but you have both and experience with both, so I can't argue. That's great to know.

If i wasn't in NZ, I'd put a Trade offer in the classifieds, my mint D-800+ for your WD-800. I'm sure I'd get some takers!

Thanks @Wicked G !!

 

[Wicked G]

You've spiked my interest again. The fact you run Spectors with a Streamliner and WD-800 really interests me as my Warwicks are active and both are very similar basses. And my Warwicks sound off the charts through the Streamliner. What cab/s do you use? I'll definitely read that manual and do some more thorough research on the WD-800.

So, the damping set to low gives it more tube like feel then the Streamliner? Wow! Hard to imagine is right, but you have both and experience with both, so I can't argue. That's great to know.

If i wasn't in NZ, I'd put a Trade offer in the classifieds, my mint D-800+ for your WD-800. I'm sure I'd get some takers!

Thanks @Wicked G !!

You're welcome.

To answer your question I primarily use either a Genz Benz UBER QUAD and UBER 115t stack or two GK NEO 112's with the Streamliner and WD800. Last night I used the GK's and it was way more than enough. Excellent tone.

And here is the WD800 with the UBER's at another show.

 

[vlad335]

That's the best experience ever! I love it when that happens.

I have the D800+...

I think my D800+ might get sold or traded for a WD-800.

Thanks for your experience and comment!

IDK bout that. This is my first Mesa head and it's great. I heard tons of good stuff about the D800+ though. My reason for going with the WD- 800 was the power, the tube pre, and main reason of all, the high-pass.

 

[vlad335]

Ok. This is getting out of hand...

Found a used OB-112 on Ebay with a "make an offer" designation. I made what I thought was a ridiculous offer and the seller accepted. My thoughts at the time were, I could use three cabs in 2.67 ohms for big shows.

My wife wasnt too happy about this rig in the dining room before. Lucky she came home from work and went right up stairs. Lol.

 

[vlad335]

NOTE TO SELF: I have to get my Greenboy cabs out of storage and try them with this head.

I do have severe GAS for some Mesa subway cabs, but they are grotesquely expensive. The Orange cabs really sound great. Plus they weigh 25lbs each and can be carried one in each hand

 

[vlad335]

You're welcome.

To answer your question I primarily use either a Genz Benz UBER QUAD and UBER 115t stack or two GK NEO 112's with the Streamliner and WD800. Last night I used the GK's and it was way more than enough. Excellent tone.
View attachment 7397011

And here is the WD800 with the UBER's at another show.
View attachment 7397012

I love that light spotlighting your rig! What is that?

 

[Wicked G]

I love that light spotlighting your rig! What is that?

It's an American DJ light bar. Instead of mounting it I just put it in front of the cab facing up. I think it looks really cool.

 

[HowieD72]

Ok. This is getting out of hand...

Found a used OB-112 on Ebay with a "make an offer" designation. I made what I thought was a ridiculous offer and the seller accepted. My thoughts at the time were, I could use three cabs in 2.67 ohms for big shows.

My wife wasnt too happy about this rig in the dining room before. Lucky she came home from work and went right up stairs. Lol.


View attachment 7397135

Another good sign. A Warwick with a WD-800.

 

[HowieD72]

It's an American DJ light bar. Instead of mounting it I just put it in front of the cab facing up. I think it looks really cool.

Very cool indeed!

 

[HowieD72]

NOTE TO SELF: I have to get my Greenboy cabs out of storage and try them with this head.

I do have severe GAS for some Mesa subway cabs, but they are grotesquely expensive. The Orange cabs really sound great. Plus they weigh 25lbs each and can be carried one in each hand

If they really sound great, why change? Keep that good thing going!

 

[DJ Bebop]

I do have severe GAS for some Mesa subway cabs, but they are grotesquely expensive.

“Whatdayah trying to say?”

 

[HowieD72]

IDK bout that. This is my first Mesa head and it's great. I heard tons of good stuff about the D800+ though. My reason for going with the WD- 800 was the power, the tube pre, and main reason of all, the high-pass.

I'm in the same boat. This D-800+ is my first Mesa head. And I've heard tons of good stuff about it. And it is a very nice head, but just not what I'm looking for.

Now you've posted a picture of your Warwick bass (my Warwicks are my main basses) and a WD-800 together and commenting that "it's great" that helps me with a lot with choosing the right Mesa head. Thanks!

 

[Al Kraft]

Another good sign. A Warwick with a WD-800.

My Warwick basses sound the best they ever have with the SW heads and cabs. My EBMM Sterling sounds really good through the SW gear as well.

 

[vlad335]

It's an American DJ light bar. Instead of mounting it I just put it in front of the cab facing up. I think it looks really cool.

Why yes! Yes it does!

Looking into this now.

Another good sign. A Warwick with a WD-800.

My 90's Warwicks are amazing.

 

[HowieD72]

My Warwick basses sound the best they ever have with the SW heads and cabs. My EBMM Sterling sounds really good through the SW gear as well.

Oh no.....my Genz-Benz heads might be finally pushed aside

Which SW head are you specifically talking about? The WD-800? Or all of them? I've tried the D-800+ with my 215 SW cab and it's not quite what I'm looking for.

 

[HowieD72]

Why yes! Yes it does!

Looking into this now.

My 90's Warwicks are amazing.

German made My two are 1994 and 1995 Fortress Masterman basses. Love them!! The 94 has been modified though.