Mesa D-800 vs Genzler Magellan 800

[Type-55]

I went with the Mesa D-800. The Genzler and Genz Benz stuff has always had a more complicated interface in my opinion. I like the simplicity and how easy it is to get a great sound out of the Mesa. I think the Magellan sounds good as well, just not my first choice.

I agree.

 

[groooooove]

bumping this thread, im interested in this comparison

i really love my magellan. it's such a great head. but, comparing to my old (markbass) head it doesn't seem to have as much "point" to the note - when playing alone it sounds amazingly warm and beautiful, but i just did a loud fusion gig tonight - one i've done with my MB heads before - and i had such a hard time hearing myself. that loss of "strength" in the mids is killing me - both have great lows and treble. i love that the magellan has built in overdrive, that even at max gain is suitable for "always on." 2.67 ohms is a great feature too, but the mesa goes to 2 ohms which is even cooler.

anyway, a few people have said the mesa is warmer - how so? specifically i'd like to hear peoples experiences with how you cut/sit in a mix with either amp.

 

[nostatic]

anyway, a few people have said the mesa is warmer - how so? specifically i'd like to hear peoples experiences with how you cut/sit in a mix with either amp.

One of the strengths of the D800 is how well it punches into and through a mix. I find it to be pretty mid-rich without being nasal, and it doesn't have a lot of bloat in the lows.

Running it with FEA Labs compressor is great as well - adds a bit of bounce to the feel.

 

[Justice Graves]

Sounds good. Thanks.
Anyone using the Mesa with a compressor?
If so which brand?

I use a Smoothie, a FEA and Diamond through my D-800 depending on which board I have with me. All different flavors of awesome, all sound great.

Those array cabs sure do look and sound awesome, may have to replace my Hydrive.

 

[groooooove]

One of the strengths of the D800 is how well it punches into and through a mix. I find it to be pretty mid-rich without being nasal, and it doesn't have a lot of bloat in the lows.

Running it with FEA Labs compressor is great as well - adds a bit of bounce to the feel.

thats good to hear. all the demos i found were with the mids cut a lot..... i feel like theres a war on mids in 2016... not that i ever want a nasal middy sound, and i do "get" that sweetness when they're scooped, but man... bridge pickup stuff on a fusion gig just doesn't work without them to punch through the mix. they also help retain presence when playing (again, bridge pickup) over the fingerboard in a straight ahead jazz context. it's surprisingly hard to find something with presence that cuts and sits simultaneously, but also has fat lows that shake the room even using a modest cabinet.

that was what i had with my MB for all those years. will probably end up just rapairing it (DI isin't working), but i like the idea of starting fresn with a new "up to date" head.

does GC sell the mesa head? i'd like to try one, but dont know where i can.

 

[John D Harris]

I think synergy would play a big part in how these 2 heads compare (your BG & cabs) (& what your tone goals are).
I'd love to compare the MG800 + a pair of BA12-3 to the D800 + Subway 112 over Subway 115.
I'm leaning Genzler, though.

 

[Mvilmany]

Mesa is darker. Genzler is clearer. Personally, I like the Genzler better.

 

[Type-55]

I use a Smoothie, a FEA and Diamond through my D-800 depending on which board I have with me. All different flavors of awesome, all sound great.

How would you compare the Smoothie and the Diamond?
Which is fatter and warmer?

 

[svtb15]

i've played the mesa 800.. great amp... I played the mesa 112 at guitar sanctuary.. Nice cab but it Nothing like the older PH112 that mesa had. similar but the PH just felt more full IMO. Others will disagree..

I dont gig in FW that often at this time. . When Rusty burns was alive i was out there with him often. im with lance lopez most times now and we are not local.. But if i have a gig in FW i should have yo come to a gig and see the magellan amp..

In a store setting the BA112 seems to have smoother mid transition than the subway cab and also seemed to go lower without getting muddy.. Not that the Mesa was muddy.. It was not.

10 years ago I wanted a 2Ω capable head for almost everything, and only a few folks made them. Now i only need that option occasionally.
The MG800's ability to do 2.67Ω does what i need it to do all the time ....so far....
That may not work for you and your situation though.

Both are great amps But i like the feature set on my magellan.. The thing that bugs me about the M800 is the limit light . .I see one of my friends using his and that light seems to be on most of the time.. Or at least flashing a lot. He is a slap gospel player. So maybe those peaks cause that. Im more if a finger player and occasionally slap and or pick..
I never thought that i would say this, but so far i have not run out of power with my MG800 when using my 210 Formfactor and 115 Uber at 2.67Ω . Its really LOUD and clean... That cab combo is a bit mid scooped when up close but seems better when 10 feet away.. ( maybe because of the cab combination) but i adjust the para mids on the MG800 and it's fixed..
Im glad i dont have the little limit light flashing making me think i'm out of headroom,,
Maybe the MG800 has a limit light?? If so i have not hit it yet

I think synergy would play a big part in how these 2 heads compare (your BG & cabs) (& what your tone goals are).
I'd love to compare the MG800 + a pair of BA12-3 to the D800 + Subway 112 over Subway 115.
I'm leaning Genzler, though.

 

[svtb15]

I Agree... The Mesa sounds great. But the Magellan is just so easy to get a usable sound.. Sits in a mix..
When the Mesa M800 came out ,myself and many others were hoping it would be a more powerful Walkabout.. But it is its own thing.. Thats OK...
I simply find the feature set of the MG800 more appealing for what i need and like.. Others milage will vary.. I can only give my opinions from my experience..

Mesa is darker. Genzler is clearer. Personally, I like the Genzler better.

 

[murphy]

I found the Magellan more fiddly to get my sound and after a few gigs I bought the Mesa and was instantly satisfied.

After I spent more time with the Magellan and did get a sound that I was more pleased with....and want to try it on a gig again.

I agree with the instant clarity of all notes with Mark Bass....and had some trouble with a wooliness to the Magellan sound.
I will further investigate...But my Demeter VTBP201 into Magellan poweramp.....Boom...It has got everything

 

[Matt Dean]

Sounds good. Thanks.
Anyone using the Mesa with a compressor?
If so which brand?

I use a cali76 compact bass compressor with my D800... sounds great.

 

[husky123]

had some trouble with a wooliness to the Magellan sound.

Hmmm, "wooliness" to the Magellan sound? On the dirty channel yes but wooliness is an adjective I'd never use to describe the Magellan's clean channel. To my ears it is a uber clear, transparent sound with massive amounts of headroom. Almost akin (clear, transparency) to a high grade studio DI. My 2.

 

[Bassworship1]

I have owned both the Mesa 800 and Genzler 800 2 different times. I have also owned the Mesa 112 lightweight and now own some Genzler Array 112's. The Mesa head was a great head and I enjoyed the Mesa Cabinet. However for me the Genzler Array cabinets are on another level for tone and output. My sound guy heard me use both rigs but he instantly came up to me the first time I used the Genzler 800 and Array. He commented on how it filled the room so much more and the tone was unbelievable. It is the best rig I've ever owned or heard in my years of regular gigging and recording. Now the Mesa 800 was more impressive to me than their cabs. But the combination the Genzler and the Arrays are magical.

 

[murphy]

Hmmm, "wooliness" to the Magellan sound? On the dirty channel yes but wooliness is an adjective I'd never use to describe the Magellan's clean channel. To my ears it is a uber clear, transparent sound with massive amounts of headroom. Almost akin (clear, transparency) to a high grade studio DI. My 2.

I know....and I think I have figured a way to get a cleaner clearer sound....but was not my first few gigs impression.
was not plug and play....and I was always relieved to plug back in markbass
But with the D-800 instant clarity and great sound

However I will try the Magellan again....but first gigs and rehearsals it had a congested sort of sound....always a bit of burr on the notes

 

[John D Harris]

I know....and I think I have figured a way to get a cleaner clearer sound....but was not my first few gigs impression.
was not plug and play....and I was always relieved to plug back in markbass
But with the D-800 instant clarity and great sound

However I will try the Magellan again....but first gigs and rehearsals it had a congested sort of sound....always a bit of burr on the notes

Odd, what cabs are you using with the Genzler?

 

[murphy]

Epifani UL310 and UL410
Ampeg SVT810
gallien Krueger 410RBH

 

[murphy]

Again though...I think I found a cleaner setting
But The Demeter into MG power......OMG

 

[John D Harris]

Again though...I think I found a cleaner setting
But The Demeter into MG power......OMG

LOVE the 201 1&1/2 rack!

 

[John D Harris]

Epifani UL310 and UL410
Ampeg SVT810
gallien Krueger 410RBH

The UL310 was blurry sounding, too?
Also, did you try it with some headphones?