Mesa Boogie WD800, How Do They Do It

[rayzak]

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

I agree. They are expensive. But most cabs are these days. I will say, though…. I don’t feel ‘short changed’ buying a new Subway 115.

 

[HowieD72]

I agree. They are expensive. But most cabs are these days. I will say, though…. I don’t feel ‘short changed’ buying a new Subway 115.

Here in NZ, very expensive! Over $3500 NZD for a 215 SW cab and over $2500 NZD for a D-800+.

 

[vlad335]

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!

Don't go by me Sir...I haven't for a couple of years used my Warwick basses with gigs.

I have a Spector Euro LT that I bought used and it is the most amazing, responsive bass and I gig with it exclusively. I didn't try it yet with this rig because if the Warwick's fit the bill, the Spector will KILL. ( So... I guess that's moot)

I have three basses that are not of this planet. A 98 Warwick Thumb wenge neck, a 99 Warwick Thumb ovankol neck. and the aforementioned Spector. Out of a total of probably 15 guitars.

Anyway. Fighting the GAS to get some Mesa cabs. I have my Greenboy cabs in storage and these will probably kill all these offerings anyway.

 

[Al Kraft]

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

Which SW head works best for you with your Warwick basses? Tough question...if you could only have ONE?

First, both of my Warwick basses are German made...an early 1990's Fortress 1 and one of the last German made Corvette Standard basses. The groups I play with do a wide range of covers so I need a head that can span rock, country, folk, etc.

All the heads work beautifully, but if I could only keep one it would probably be the WD-800. IME that head has the most versatile/broadest range of voicing and tone shaping capabilities. I have also been a long time Walkabout user. The WD is everything I like about that head with added features/capabilities and none of the frustrating attributes of the WA.

The TT 800 (once again versatility) and then the Bass 800D (the king of SW heads but a bit more narrowly voiced than the other two) come in a close second.

My primary cabs for those heads are the SW 115's, SW 112, Berg CN 212 and AudioKinesis C112T. The WD is killer with all those cabs.

Any of the heads are excellent matches for the Warwick basses IMO. It really comes down to which head has the voice you like and versatility you need. The D-800+ you mentioned has the versatility, but not as much of the tube amp character and feel to the notes that you'll find in the WD, TT, and Bass 800D.

I hope that helps.

 

[HowieD72]

First, both of my Warwick basses are German made...an early 1990's Fortress 1 and one of the last German made Corvette Standard basses. The groups I paly with do a wide range of covers so I need a head that can span rock, country, folk, etc.

All the heads work beautifully, but if I could only keep one it would probably be the WD-800. IME that head has the most versatile/broadest range of voicing and tone shaping capabilities. I have also been a long time Walkabout user. The WD is everything I like about that head with added features/capabilities and none of the frustrating attributes of the WA.

The TT 800 (once again versatility) and then the Bass 800D (the king of SW heads but a bit more narrowly voiced than the other two) come in a close second.

My primary cabs for those heads are the SW 115's, SW 112, Berg CN 212 and AudioKinesis C112T. The WD is killer with all those cabs.

Any of the heads are excellent matches for the Warwick basses IMO. It really comes down to which head has the voice you like and versatility you need. The D-800+ you mentioned has the versatility, but not as much of the tube amp character and feel to the notes that you'll find in the WD, TT, and Bass 800D.

I hope that helps.

Now I've really got G.A.S.!! I think I better stay off Talkbass until 2026................

Thanks for your experience & advice @Al Kraft Greatly appreciated. The tube amp character is where it's at for me. So, the WD & TT is probably where I'll start. But don't worry Andy @agedhorse I promise I'll get the 800D sometime down the track!

 

[agedhorse]

Now I've really got G.A.S.!! I think I better stay off Talkbass until 2026................

Thanks for your experience & advice @Al Kraft Greatly appreciated. The tube amp character is where it's at for me. So, the WD & TT is probably where I'll start. But don't worry Andy @agedhorse I promise I'll get the 800D sometime down the track!

The Bass 800D probably has the most tube character of any of them, at least the tube character as represented by the original all tube Bass 400+. It is a closer representation than the TT, though the TT does a whole lot more.

 

[HowieD72]

though the TT does a whole lot more.

If only I could try the 800D, WD-800 or TT-800. Alas, no options here to try either. It's just buy, then try.

 

[HowieD72]

Here we go! Anyone keen??

For sale Mesa/Boogie Bass 800D

Fresh Mesa 800D ordered new from Sweetwater in the initial batch release a few months ago. Excellent condition. $900 Shipped CONUS in original packaging or local SoCal pickup for $850. Specs...

• JupiterEye (+36 /0 /-0)
• Dec 27, 2025
• Views: 495
• Reaction score: 12
• Comments: 2
• Category: For Sale: Amps, Preamps, and Cabinets

$900.00

1 watching

 

[rayzak]

Here in NZ, very expensive! Over $3500 NZD for a 215 SW cab and over $2500 NZD for a D-800+.

Ouch!! Where’s Gandolf when you need him?! I’m sorry, couldn’t resist! But, yeah. It’s certainly a commitment!! Even here, in Louisville, KY… nice gear is rare to be able to check out before buying. Our only reference is TB. Read enough, and generally, one can make an educated guess if something is worth it or not.

 

[HowieD72]

Ouch!! Where’s Gandolf when you need him?! I’m sorry, couldn’t resist! But, yeah. It’s certainly a commitment!! Even here, in Louisville, KY… nice gear is rare to be able to check out before buying. Our only reference is TB. Read enough, and generally, one can make an educated guess if something is worth it or not.

Blimmin Gandolf done a runner when I asked for a favour.

I actually scored a great deal on my Mesa rig. A friend sold me his mint D800+ head and Subway 215 cab for $1600 USD. I didn't want the head because I have several, but it was all or nothing. For that price, i couldn't say no.

 

[vlad335]

A bass that is priceless. 98 Warwick FNA with Duncan electronics and a wenge neck.

 

[HowieD72]

A bass that is priceless. 98 Warwick FNA with Duncan electronics and a wenge neck.

Looks identical to the FNA 4 i had...

 

[kiripunk]

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.View attachment 7395872

I wasn't able to try mine very soon so when I plugged it in for the 1st time on a nice Ampeg cab I was stunned. I did little to none adjust to the EQ. My 1st thought was, other than MAYBE a comp what do I do with my pedalboard now? xD

 

[Al Kraft]

Blimmin Gandolf done a runner when I asked for a favour.

I actually scored a great deal on my Mesa rig. A friend sold me his mint D800+ head and Subway 215 cab for $1600 USD. I didn't want the head because I have several, but it was all or nothing. For that price, i couldn't say no.

Good decision!!

I wish someone would offer me deals like that,...clearly I've got to find some new friends.

 

[vlad335]

Just bought these cabs from a TBer.

For sale Mesa Subway 1x12 & 1x15 cabs

Mesa Subway cabs 1x12 - $750 1x15 w/ locking casters - $850 $1500 for both Buyer pays shipping. Local pickup preferred. Located in central West Virginia. Would drive a little ways to meet someone. Trades for 5 or 6 strings, epifani cabs, upright basses considered.

• JohnInghram40hz (+12 /0 /-0)
• Dec 25, 2025
• Views: 412
• Reaction score: 3
• Comments: 2
• Category: For Sale: Amps, Preamps, and Cabinets

$1,500.00

1 watching

 

[TonH]

I have a question for WD800-owners.
Do you use a footswitch to bypass the parametric EQ?

I noticed that with the P-EQ all neutral there is a difference in sound when you switch between P-EQ bypassed and not bypassed.

To me the P-EQ bypassed makes it sound more like a tube preamp and the P-EQ not bypassed it sounds more solid state.

Both are usefull. It just depends on the bass and the music style if you want to bypass the P-EQ.

It is fun to experiment.

And as always read the manual. The factory sample settings show that you can bypass the P-EQ to create a certain sound:

 

[ErnieD]

I'd never owned a Mesa product before either. I was looking at a used GB Streamliner 900 locally. I should have never sold mine.

I started reading TB and found the new Mesa B800D thread. As I read more I found out about the WD 800. Never tried a WalkAbout but the specs and features I saw on the WD really caught my attention.

While I was waiting for my pre-ordered B800D, I bought a new WD 800. I just had to try this amp with those features it offered.
I was still learning to dial in the WD when my B800D arrived about 3 weeks after the WD came.
Of course, like many I found the new Mesa amp fairly easier to dial in my tone over the WD amp.

I first gigged the WD into a recently purchased, used BF Big Baby ll. Dialing in a new amp into a new bass cab at the gig is never ideal. I'd bought the BB ll that morning. But I got thru it ok.
I just used the B800D into my rarely now used, BF Big Twin-T this past Sat. It went very well as I sort of expected. Again, the B800D is pretty easy to dial in quickly.

Any of you that have a specialized boutique style cab, I recommend you try the new B800D. Or the WD, 800D, 800+ into those type of cabs. You should be in for a pleasant surprise.

 

[Nebadon2000]

I have a question for WD800-owners.
Do you use a footswitch to bypass the parametric EQ?

I noticed that with the P-EQ all neutral there is a difference in sound when you switch between P-EQ bypassed and not bypassed.


I Bypass ParaEq and use as 2nd Channel for overdrive setting

Not sure I hear Tube or SS difference but prefer bypassed when not needed: in general I believe less controls for signal to pass thru the better but I did develope that preference from my passion for Music and Home Audio Equipment playing it

 

[DJ Bebop]

I have a question for WD800-owners.
Do you use a footswitch to bypass the parametric EQ?

I noticed that with the P-EQ all neutral there is a difference in sound when you switch between P-EQ bypassed and not bypassed.

To me the P-EQ bypassed makes it sound more like a tube preamp and the P-EQ not bypassed it sounds more solid state.

Both are usefull. It just depends on the bass and the music style if you want to bypass the P-EQ.

It is fun to experiment.

And as always read the manual. The factory sample settings show that you can bypass the P-EQ to create a certain sound:

View attachment 7398072

Sometimes I thought I had heard a slight difference but chalked it up to maybe not having the para mids zeroed out exactly. Plus I do like using a foot switch as I too use the mids as sort of a second channel if you will. It makes it easier to just switch back and forth rather than reset from noon to a particular setting then back to noon for a more ‘flat’ response.

One of my wish list items would have been was a foot switchable Active/Passive control. I find that might have been nice for tone shaping ‘on the fly’ as sometimes I can set up a hot signal bass on Active with a higher gain setting then switch to
Passive for the grind.

Still, I find I might have to touch up the Master volume sometimes so I still have to visit the face of the amp anyway.

 

[Rev_Slinky]

Just bought these cabs from a TBer.

For sale Mesa Subway 1x12 & 1x15 cabs

Mesa Subway cabs 1x12 - $750 1x15 w/ locking casters - $850 $1500 for both Buyer pays shipping. Local pickup preferred. Located in central West Virginia. Would drive a little ways to meet someone. Trades for 5 or 6 strings, epifani cabs, upright basses considered.

• JohnInghram40hz (+12 /0 /-0)
• Dec 25, 2025
• Views: 412
• Reaction score: 3
• Comments: 2
• Category: For Sale: Amps, Preamps, and Cabinets

$1,500.00

1 watching

Congratulations! I love the combination of those two cabs. I think you're going to be very happy with that purchase.