Just curious. Of the four modern Class D Mesa heads, I wonder which is most preferred. It seems clear to me there is good reason to prefer any/each of them, and I think different players have different preferences. Tell me which one you like, which may also be a simple matter of which one you have. But some folks have tried more than one of these, and those perspectives would be even more informative, so please tell of your comparisons of Mesa heads you have used.
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Mesa Head Poll
- Thread starter Old Fart
- Start date
I am a long time Walkabout user and have also owned/gigged the Subway D800+ and WD800.
Because of my love of the Walkabout tone/flavor, I ultimately ended up with the WD800 and sold the D800+. The D800+ was a great amp, with a bunch of nice features, but it was way more Carbine voiced to my ear (never my favorite flavor of Mesa bass pre/amps), so it got sold.
The WD800 does a very good impression of the WA with much higher available power and clean headroom, along with more/updated features like 2ohm operation, 2ohm/4-8ohm switchable operation, pre/post DI and adjustable damping control that it was a no-brainer for me as a Walkabout fan.
I will also add that if the Walkabout fits the gig (mostly a total power/clean headroom decision), I will always try to use it, but when that's not the case, the WD800 fits in just fine.
Because of my love of the Walkabout tone/flavor, I ultimately ended up with the WD800 and sold the D800+. The D800+ was a great amp, with a bunch of nice features, but it was way more Carbine voiced to my ear (never my favorite flavor of Mesa bass pre/amps), so it got sold.
The WD800 does a very good impression of the WA with much higher available power and clean headroom, along with more/updated features like 2ohm operation, 2ohm/4-8ohm switchable operation, pre/post DI and adjustable damping control that it was a no-brainer for me as a Walkabout fan.
I will also add that if the Walkabout fits the gig (mostly a total power/clean headroom decision), I will always try to use it, but when that's not the case, the WD800 fits in just fine.
The TT800 is simply the most well thought out, well designed piece of gear I have ever owned. And I've been at this pushing 40 years.
I've only been playing half as of long as the 2 previous posters, but I echo their sentiments.
To be fair I also REALLY LOVE my Tone Hammer 500. I just get right to the sound and drive/breakup I want very quickly with the TH, and while it's not as transparent as the TT800, I just happen to enjoy the ever-lovin' crap out of what the TH does with every single one of my basses.
The TT800 is more versatile overall, so if I'm going to be playing a little of everything genre-wise one night, I'll use the TT800. If I'm just going for the old standbys/my favorite classic rock and roll stuff from the 60s to 90s, it's the TH500 and a P Bass or Stingray 5 aaalll nnniiiggghhhttt llloooooooonnnnngg!
I also want to try/buy a D800+. I think that might scratch an itch I didn't know I had, based on some reviews I've read here on TB.
Sorry for the non-Mesa focused content. Just want to be fair about my experiences.
To be fair I also REALLY LOVE my Tone Hammer 500. I just get right to the sound and drive/breakup I want very quickly with the TH, and while it's not as transparent as the TT800, I just happen to enjoy the ever-lovin' crap out of what the TH does with every single one of my basses.
The TT800 is more versatile overall, so if I'm going to be playing a little of everything genre-wise one night, I'll use the TT800. If I'm just going for the old standbys/my favorite classic rock and roll stuff from the 60s to 90s, it's the TH500 and a P Bass or Stingray 5 aaalll nnniiiggghhhttt llloooooooonnnnngg!
I also want to try/buy a D800+. I think that might scratch an itch I didn't know I had, based on some reviews I've read here on TB.
Sorry for the non-Mesa focused content. Just want to be fair about my experiences.
I have the D800+. I did not vote because that is the only one I have actually heard (not counting the interwebz videos), so I would not be objective. Now, I love my 800+. Great head.
Maybe it's obvious, or not...but one's preferences may have driven by the type of tone you like, as well as by the type of interface you like and how much you enjoy tweaking.
I have not tried any of them, and am not really in the market for a compact Class D. But I have done a fair amount of reading about the line. If I was in the market, the only one I would really take off the table is the D800. Why? My impression is the D800+ does everything the D800 does and more. People who chose the D800 tend to like the simpler user interface and also prefer a darker tone. The + has more controls/features, and can also be setup to sound brighter. I like the ability to teak and I like a brighter sound. I would definitely pay the small price premium for the extra features and ability to dial in the tone I prefer.
The user interface I find most intriguing is the WD800. I actually love to tweak and this amp gives you lot's of power and flexibility. I tried a Walkbout and found it too squishy and underpowered for my taste. The WD is supposed to overcome these perceived "limitations" with lot's of power, variable HPF, and the power amp damping control.
I am sort of luke warm on the TT800 conceptually, but I recently bought a D180 and I have had a surprisingly long honeymoon with it, so maybe I shouldn't be so quick to write off the Boogie channel.
Obviously the best thing would be to try all of them out for yourself; of course that's not always reasonable.
Good Luck!
I’m really on the same page with a lot of this. I’ve used a D800+ a fair bit, a friend has one in his studio and he likes to use it as a bass DI/room amp for a lot of situations. He also has a D180 which I surprisingly really enjoyed playing. My past experiences with the 400+ were fairly underwhelming so I didn’t expect to like the D180 as much as I did.
The few times I played the original walkabout I dug it, but the low power seemed limiting. The WD800 really caught my eye of all of these both for the WA preamp and the aforementioned HPF and damping controls. For something where you can really control and dial in the feel of the amp that would be the one I would get if I were in the market.
Played my 1st gig with my new Mesa 115, (tags still attached), cab I bought last year but never got to use until now and it sounded like cardboard, no bass, no power. What did I do wrong? The controls were set as I always had for playing my 2x12's or for a Peavey 115 cab and when using a Hartke 8x10 cab. What did I do wrong? I just want punchy, deep lows with some treble. I'm playing with the controls using the manual(which is well written by the way) and headphones(in condo, cant use cab at home) hoping to get a satisfying setting before the next gig. Just wondering why it sounded so flat with a Mesa 115, the perfect match. 
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Hey @dBASS, first off did you try turning some knobs? Turn the bass or vol. up?
If the cab is an 8 ohm cab (I’m guessing) the Amp is probably putting out half the total wattage. Plus in my experience, with one cab I’ll usually change up the eq to compensate for the lack of, another cab/more wattage/vol., in other words I frequently boost the bass and low or high mids. adding another cab and see if it doesn’t sound FAR louder. I’ve played a loud gig with one Berg EX112 and cut the gig.
Try playing around with it before you throw the baby out with the bath agua.
If the cab is an 8 ohm cab (I’m guessing) the Amp is probably putting out half the total wattage. Plus in my experience, with one cab I’ll usually change up the eq to compensate for the lack of, another cab/more wattage/vol., in other words I frequently boost the bass and low or high mids. adding another cab and see if it doesn’t sound FAR louder. I’ve played a loud gig with one Berg EX112 and cut the gig.
Try playing around with it before you throw the baby out with the bath agua.
I asked about these differences in these amps in another thread and most of the responses were along the lines of "well if you liked the Mesa X" then you would like the Mesa Class D "Y'.
I get the idea (and it makes sense) these models were aimed at reproducing the tone of specific Mesa amps of yore but for someone like me - my only extensive Mesa experience was spending some time with a 400+ tube Monster; telling me this one sounds like a Carbine and this one sounds like a Walkabout does not tell me a lot.
Having spent no real time in the Mesa universe it's all just unclear to me.
Other, more common gear that lots of people use, Ampegs/G-K/Hartke/SWR/Eden if you say "well this amp sounds like a cross between an Ampeg and a Hartke it makes some sense to me.
It's really hard for a lot of us to go into a shop that has the full Mesa line and check these things out in person.
It's my cross to bear, just saying for those of us who were never in the "Mesa Club" all I know is these heads all kinda look the same but are supposed to sound different.
Needless to say I did not vote in the poll because I really have no idea what these things actually sound like
Analogeezer
I get the idea (and it makes sense) these models were aimed at reproducing the tone of specific Mesa amps of yore but for someone like me - my only extensive Mesa experience was spending some time with a 400+ tube Monster; telling me this one sounds like a Carbine and this one sounds like a Walkabout does not tell me a lot.
Having spent no real time in the Mesa universe it's all just unclear to me.
Other, more common gear that lots of people use, Ampegs/G-K/Hartke/SWR/Eden if you say "well this amp sounds like a cross between an Ampeg and a Hartke it makes some sense to me.
It's really hard for a lot of us to go into a shop that has the full Mesa line and check these things out in person.
It's my cross to bear, just saying for those of us who were never in the "Mesa Club" all I know is these heads all kinda look the same but are supposed to sound different.
Needless to say I did not vote in the poll because I really have no idea what these things actually sound like
Analogeezer
There's a gazillion page subway club thread that I'll lurk on sometimes just in case I have 8 or 900 bucks to blow on one of them some day, instead of boring stuff like food and utility bills.
there's some good info in there if you can weed out and wade through the B.S. After a few pages, it becomes easier to tell who's opinions have merit, and, well, (cough) you get the idea. I think I'd be pretty happy with a D800+ just based on my tonal goals and the genres that I prefer - which doesn't really mean squat, I realize
there's some good info in there if you can weed out and wade through the B.S. After a few pages, it becomes easier to tell who's opinions have merit, and, well, (cough) you get the idea. I think I'd be pretty happy with a D800+ just based on my tonal goals and the genres that I prefer - which doesn't really mean squat, I realize
- Feb 12, 2006
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- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
The thing is that we have a variety of DIFFERENT products, they don't all sound the same because there would be no sense (in my opinion) offering 4 different amps that all sounded the same. There really is no "Mesa sound", it's a family of sounds based on 50 years of being in the bass amp business.
Tonal designs change, they evolve, they accommodate a variety of different needs and tastes. If you can't try them out, I would suggest that maybe choosing two from a shop with a good return policy and trying both to see which one suits your tastes. If that won't work, then it's likely that the product isn't a good fit for your situation.
You've pretty much repeated what I said.
All I would add is I like the idea of a variable semi-parametric midrange control (a true parametric would also have a Q control, but you know that of course), so that is what I would lean towards.
I really did like the 400+ I played through but I'm not sure which of the current Class D line would contain some of that 400+ mojo.
I don't need two channels, so the TT would be overkill.
As I said, G-K, Ampeg, I know those have played through them a lot but never any Mesa gear other than the 400+
I might email Chuck Levin's, they are about as close to a full line NYC music store you can find out of NYC (and I believe they are still a Mesa dealer) but like many brick and mortar retailers they started dialing back what they have on the showroom floor. So I'm not sure they would have all four models there or not.
Analogeezer
I don’t think Chuck’s is a Mesa dealer. I know I haven’t seen any Mesa products there. I only recall seeing Ampeg, Genzler, and Darkglass the last few times I’ve been in.
Al Kraft
Supporting Member
- May 2, 2016
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- Mesa Boogie beta product tester and player support
I voted for the WD and TT. I own an 800 as well and it's a great head, but had been hoping for an updated WA design for so long that the WD had to get my vote. The TT surprisingly won me over all on its own as I was never the biggest 400/400+ fan...and the TT made me wonder why not.
As the Subway line evolved I just think the WD and TT have taken class D to a new level and they offer an amazing ability to cover a broad variety of voicings. I have specific amps (e.g. SWR, GKs, Aguilar, and even Mesa WAs and Carbines) that do their thing very nicely, but I always feel like their swim lane is a narrow one. The TT and WD simply break out as both innovative and while voiced, still very shapeable tonally.
Perhaps the coolest thing about the SW line is that even when you own multiple heads, no matter which one you take to the gig they all put a smile on your face. Even my D-800 serves up great tone that I can shape a bit with the voicing control and offers the simplicity I find desirable in live music.
As the Subway line evolved I just think the WD and TT have taken class D to a new level and they offer an amazing ability to cover a broad variety of voicings. I have specific amps (e.g. SWR, GKs, Aguilar, and even Mesa WAs and Carbines) that do their thing very nicely, but I always feel like their swim lane is a narrow one. The TT and WD simply break out as both innovative and while voiced, still very shapeable tonally.
Perhaps the coolest thing about the SW line is that even when you own multiple heads, no matter which one you take to the gig they all put a smile on your face. Even my D-800 serves up great tone that I can shape a bit with the voicing control and offers the simplicity I find desirable in live music.
^ This... I own both the WD and the TT and they both put a smile on my face.
Hmmmm I would certainly call before I went then.
They used to have a LOT of Mesa stuff but that was back in the days of the road ready diesel cabs, the 400+ and when the Walkabout stuff first came out.
So yeah that makes finding a dealer within any reasonable distance a bit of a chore. Never seen a Mesa product at GC, not even a used one.
The Mesa website shows "MakNMusic" in Fredneck, MD as a dealer, do you know much about them?
They are actually fairly close to me (about 50 miles)
Analogeezer
