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Mesa D800+ worth extra cost over D800?

#42
I personally think fewer controls the better. I would rather just let the amp designer pick frequencies for how they think everything works well together. I trust Mesa to make a great amp no matter what. I don't need to pick frequency centers and try to out-think the amp.

So yeah, I say D800+ isn't worth the added cost over D800. But this is because of a specific philosophy of mine. I'd rather have a cheaper and smaller amp over one that gives more granular control over things I don't need control over.
 
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#46
Fat Fingers said:
If you run the mid-frequency selectors 'flat' on the D800+, is it voiced the same as the D800?

Edit: I guess flat being high noon?
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The 800 and 800+ sound almost identical when set flat.
 
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#48
I was initially upset when I got the D800 only to find out that the D800+ was to come out a month or two later. I would have sprung for the + had I known. But at this time, I'm very satisfied with the simpler version and it works just fine for my needs.
 
#49
taylor16 said:
I was initially upset when I got the D800 only to find out that the D800+ was to come out a month or two later. I would have sprung for the + had I known. But at this time, I'm very satisfied with the simpler version and it works just fine for my needs.
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Had I been in the market for an amp when the D800 came I would have gotten it. But as luck would have it.....
 
#50
I think its a bit unfortunate that the two models are so similar that it makes choosing between them difficult. Would be better to have more differentiation like a a basic 300 watt version vs professional 800 watt with all the bells. Since the direct box is $230, Mesa could probably sell a subway 300 for around $450. That would be enough power for small gigs plus use on large gigs going direct to PA plus power a cab as a monitor.
 
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#51
eweise2 said:
I think its a bit unfortunate that the two models are so similar that it makes choosing between them difficult. Would be better to have more differentiation like a a basic 300 watt version vs professional 800 watt with all the bells. Since the direct box is $230, Mesa could probably sell a subway 300 for around $450. That would be enough power for small gigs plus use on large gigs going direct to PA plus power a cab as a monitor.
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Although, even sitting beside the 800+ version, the 800 offers a lot of value for professional players in ways that aren't measured in knobs, switches and extra jacks. Both are excellent, and both offer advantages depending on what a player values most.
 
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#53
jjmf said:
The extra voicing options makes it worth it to me
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This.

Al Kraft said:
Absolutely, in fact I think the extra features make it a bargain - the high quality built-in variable HPF alone makes it worth a $100 more in my mind. I bought the D-800 before the + was an option for me to consider. While I could easily afford the 800+, I've been very pleased with the 800 and appreciate its simplicity and smaller footprint.

The value play is the 800+ without question. If you can live with less flexibility and the basic voicing works for you, the D-800 is hard to beat for a small, simple powerhouse.
Click to expand...

And this.
 
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#54
I loved the D800 which I had bought used, it was my #1 gigging amp. But I sold it to fund a new D800+ which arrived yesterday, and after a half-hour of playing time at home I can say that I'm absoluteky thrilled with the new amp.

I liked the simplicity of the D800 and having never used a variable HPF or having a bass amp with variable mids, I was concerned that the 800+ would be too futzy or cumbersome and complicated. But I have to say that I absolutely love the additional tone options, and the knob twisting wasn't bad at all.

The HPF is awesome and will be very useful at some of my gigs to dial back boominess. And setting it between 1 and 3 o'clock with the Deep switch on and the bass eq at 1 o'clock could be very promising...can't wait to try it in the mix. And I'm sure I'll find other combinations that will be useful.

Most of the time the variable mid frequencies will likely be left at the D800 flat settings that Agedhorse indicated, but I can foresee them coming in handy at gigs to find and cut problem frequncies.

And I liked the Bright switch, especially with my P bass and flats, very easy and I think effective and useful way to add some sizzle as needed.

My only disappointment is purely cosmetic, as the edges of the faceplate don't quite line up flush with the sides. It is skewed a tad high and right, resulting a small lip on top and on the right side. Not terrible but a little surprising.

Regardless, this amp could be staying in the stable for a long time. Really fantastic amp.



Editors note....A Tad High And Right debuted at Coachella last week :bassist:
 
#55
I just ordered a D800. I seriously considered the D800+ but eventually decided against it, for the following reasons.

1. Lots of people raved about the HPF and that was almost a deal-maker for me on the +. But then I read the D800 specs and realised that the D800 does also have a HPF! But there's no knob for it, it's not adjustable. It is hard-wired internally for a 30Hz inflection point. I play 5-string, and a low B is 31Hz. So my D800+ would always be dialled-down to the 30Hz minimum anyhow. So I would never use the adjustable HPF cutoff -- the D800 is already configured to the one value I would ever use.

2. The extra mid control is nice and all, but I'm not a knob-twiddler. I tend to set everything flat and let the sound of the instrument and the sound of my fingers just come out of the cabinet. I also often swap between a fretless and a fretted depending on the song. That's two completely different sounds. So there's no point tuning the amp specifically for one guitar. If I really want to shape the sound, I'll need to put an EQ in my pedal array and do it there (or two EQ's, one per guitar).

3. I have a bunch of instrument-level pedals. I don't own any line-level rack FX so I don't need that feature.

4. Given all the above, I'd rather have the smaller amp that fits better in my bits-and-pieces backpack.

5. In New Zealand, pricing for D800+, 1 * 115, and 1* 112 is the same as D800 and 2 * 115. I'll take option b) instead!
 
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#58
I play 5s as well and there’s was some serious magic in the Deep Switch, HPF, and Voicing control. MOST of what you hear from the lower end of the spectrum is a bunch of other harmonics anyway. I have no doubt you’ll be happy with your new purchase though. Rock on!
 

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