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Mesa D-800 vs Genzler Magellan 800

Mesa D-800 or Genzler Magellan 800

  • Mesa D-800

    Votes: 92 47.7%

  • Genzler 800

    Votes: 104 53.9%
  • Total voters
    193
#41
Tough call, but to my ears I'm going to have to say the Smoothie is little fatter and warmer. But I am a total fan boy for this compressor so take that for what its worth.
Comparing the Diamond and the Smoothie, I find the Diamond to compress/limit a little more but part of that is a mix a fair amount of dry signal in with the Smoothie. If I want fat tone I go Smoothie, if I want just a touch of flavor I go with the Diamond. Hard to say either one is better than the other. The Diamond is pretty straight forward plug and play and the Smoothie has a little more tweakability. The Diamond is easier to use after dirt/od (if you are into that) whereas the Smoothie seems to play better before dirt. But I own both because they are both good, and I have a small addiction to compression. All of this is subjective and YMMV of course.
 
#43
I have a question for those who own both heads:

I am interested in the Genzler contour curve 'B' (the amber lighted 'vintage' tone control).
Can you get a comparable sound with the Mesa by using the D800 'scoop' voicing control and bumping up more low mids on the EQ to compensate?
 
#44
Fat Fingers said:
I have a question for those who own both heads:

I am interested in the Genzler contour curve 'B' (the amber lighted 'vintage' tone control).
Can you get a comparable sound with the Mesa by using the D800 'scoop' voicing control and bumping up more low mids on the EQ to compensate?
Click to expand...

To me that's where I liked the ability of the Genzler better compared to my Mesa-800. With the Contour A the Genzler seems clearer and a little more defined in the live band mix. When engaging the Contour B it gives you close to the Mesa 800 vibe. Both are really usable according to what venues you are playing. I loves the Mesa head but eventually sold it after comparing side by side for a while to my Genzler. To me there is a thickness to every note with the Genzler that the Mesa just didn't have.
 
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#45
The "B" contour does not really scoop your tone.... If you want to scoop on the Genzler you need to use the "A" Contour BLUE LED .. It's not a traditional type scoop It is actually very friendly and not a tone sucker.. .
The "B" AMBER LIGHT.. seems to roll off some lows and upper highs slightly....... On some gigs i will use the "B" contour to make my ported cabs sound closer to a sealed cab.. Teh "B" seems to sound traditional / oldschool.. ... The "A" Blue LED seems what many would call Modern

Fat Fingers said:
I have a question for those who own both heads:

I am interested in the Genzler contour curve 'B' (the amber lighted 'vintage' tone control).
Can you get a comparable sound with the Mesa by using the D800 'scoop' voicing control and bumping up more low mids on the EQ to compensate?
Click to expand...
 
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#48
Great thread!

I'm hunting for a high-ish powered class D head and the Mesa and Genzler were on my compare/contrast list. Sounds like either is a winner. The ability to have a modern or vintage contour at your fingertips make the Magellan a teensy bit more appealing to me.
 
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#50
Turn Em Loose said:
Great thread!

I'm hunting for a high-ish powered class D head and the Mesa and Genzler were on my compare/contrast list. Sounds like either is a winner. The ability to have a modern or vintage contour at your fingertips make the Magellan a teensy bit more appealing to me.
Click to expand...

I think both are fantastic. I narrowed it down to these two (I already have an Ampeg PF-800) myself and I'm sure I would have been happy with either but it just worked out that I got the Mesa via trade.

It seems the Genzler has the advantage if you need overdrive but don't want to use pedals.
The Mesa has the advantage of a 5 year warranty, 2 ohm stable, and made in the USA.

And trust me, the Ampeg PF-800 gives up nothing to the Mesa. It's just much bigger and heavier.
 
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#51
Fat Fingers said:
So the 'B' contour seems to trim the ends... I like it.

Thanks to the explanations!
Click to expand...
About the B contour. Along with a tapering of tje ultra lows and highs it also adds a broad 200 Hz bump that thickens the low and low mids. Some have commented that it gives the feel of a sealed cab response.....more vintage feeling when using the B contour than the A.
 
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#52
It's all i could think off. I was made a commercial user for some weird reason. And i dont sell, buy, rent advocate for anyone..One vendor did try to buy a dancing girl for me at NAMM, but i declined. So i don't think that counts as payment....
I only talk about what gear i have bought and what i use on a daily basis. So i have no idea what to put in that area.
The good folks at TB that wear the Tie and jacket (suits) to work don't realize that an endorsement deal is NOT what it used to be in the good ol' days unless you are on an"A" touring situation... I'd have to put the TAFEB ( the Artist Formerly Endorsed By) then a huge list. It didn't make sense to me.. so that is i have left..LOL

Turn Em Loose said:
BTW: @svtb15, I love your motto: "I play it all. Whatever works for the gig."

It's something I try to live by, musically, myself. Emphasis on "try".
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
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#53
svtb15 said:
It's all i could think off. I was made a commercial user for some weird reason. And i dont sell, buy, rent advocate for anyone..One vendor did try to buy a dancing girl for me at NAMM, but i declined. So i don't think that counts as payment....
I only talk about what gear i have bought and what i use on a daily basis. So i have no idea what to put in that area.
The good folks at TB that wear the Tie and jacket (suits) to work don't realize that an endorsement deal is NOT what it used to be in the good ol' days unless you are on an"A" touring situation... I'd have to put the TAFEB ( the Artist Formerly Endorsed By) then a huge list. It didn't make sense to me.. so that is i have left..LOL
Click to expand...


Oh. Duh. I get it now. I took the comment in a non-gear way. Like, "I play any style of music in a way that fits the music/gig to make it sound good."

But I still like it! And agree!!

Sorry for the derail. To get us back on topic: It's nice to see these new micro heads that go below 4 ohms. Really is a great idea and makes these types of class d heads a great starting point for flexible and modular rigs for guys that do a lot of different type of gigs, myself included.
 
#54
it also goes with what you thought.... So i agree with you 100%


Turn Em Loose said:
Oh. Duh. I get it now. I took the comment in a non-gear way. Like, "I play any style of music in a way that fits the music/gig to make it sound good."

But I still like it! And agree!!

Sorry for the derail. To get us back on topic: It's nice to see these new micro heads that go below 4 ohms. Really is a great idea and makes these types of class d heads a great starting point for flexible and modular rigs for guys that do a lot of different type of gigs, myself included.
Click to expand...
 
#55
Yeh... A modular rig is what I'm looking for. I play different styles, different intensities and always want the bass to shine through whether its a more subdued jazz setting or a raucous rock fest (and all the funk in between). I want to compare these two heads, but I going to have to drive two hours one-way to do so (not really that bad). If I couldn't afford the matching cabs, what would you all recommend as a versatile replacement that may sound good with either head?

Edit: new cabs
 
#56
Fat Fingers said:
Yeh... A modular rig is what I'm looking for. I play different styles, different intensities and always want the bass to shine through whether its a more subdued jazz setting or a raucous rock fest (and all the funk in between). I want to compare these two heads, but I going to have to drive two hours one-way to do so (not really that bad). If I couldn't afford the matching cabs, what would you all recommend as a versatile replacement that may sound good with either head?

Edit: new cabs
Click to expand...

I was using the TC RS212 and RS210 cabs with both my Mesa D-800 and Genzler 800 and loved the tone I got out of them. Lightweight and tight tone. Very good cabinets for the money.
212_1.jpg
 
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