• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Mesa WD-800 vs. TT-800 tone differences

#161
s_wood said:
The feature sets of the WD-800 and the TT-800 can be easily compared. What’s harder to compare - and more important - are the tone differences between the two amps. The WD-800 will give you a tone that the TT-800 will not. And vice versa. It’s not my place to speak for Agedhorse, but it,s obvious that these two amps exist to serve different tone goals. Both amps are amazing, but I suspect that most of us would prefer one to the other because they sound different. Which is why I own both of them :)
Click to expand...
Correct. It goes back to the native voicing differences between the amps they originally derived from.
 
  • Like
Reactions: paytojt, pmad_bass, DJ Bebop and 1 other person
#163
pmad_bass said:
For the folks that went with the TT-800: Do you find yourselves (on a given night/gig) switching between/using both channels....or are you primarily finding you use one over the other?
Click to expand...
I have mine set up so that I mainly use the Boogie Channel and when I need more drive I switch to the Subway Channel. Boogie Channel about 90% of the time.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop, Al Kraft, pmad_bass and 1 other person
#164
Maybe another another way to ask...and possibly the wrong Amps to ask this about, but which of the two (WD or TT) would allow one to get a tighter Solid State-like response? i.e. sans Bloom when called for.


Maybe bout to pull the trigger on either the WD or TT...and pair it with a Ultra-Lite 1x15....though the 2x10 sounds good/different/different from what I'm getting from my Dually 2x15.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop
#165
pmad_bass said:
Maybe another another way to ask...and possibly the wrong Amps to ask this about, but which of the two (WD or TT) would allow one to get a tighter Solid State-like response? i.e. sans Bloom when called for.


Maybe bout to pull the trigger on either the WD or TT...and pair it with a Ultra-Lite 1x15....though the 2x10 sounds good/different/different from what I'm getting from my Dually 2x15.
Click to expand...
I'd say D800+ or Wd800 on high damping
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wicked G, DJ Bebop, agedhorse and 2 others
#166
Kinda my thought. When I tried the WD out (into a Berg Cab at low/in music store volume) it was hard to hear what the damping settings were doing. Sadly didn't get to check out a TT-800. Not super gaga about overdrive etc...nice to have for sure. Every time I think I'm sold on the TT, I go back to thinking WD may be the better fit.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop and agedhorse
#167
pmad_bass said:
Kinda my thought. When I tried the WD out (into a Berg Cab at low/in music store volume) it was hard to hear what the damping settings were doing. Sadly didn't get to check out a TT-800. Not super gaga about overdrive etc...nice to have for sure. Every time I think I'm sold on the TT, I go back to thinking WD may be the better fit.
Click to expand...
The damping factor difference IME is best heard on the lower notes at higher gain/volume settings and when running a lower impedance load (e.g. 2 or 4 Ohms as opposed to 8 Ohms). I actually used the TT last night at a rehearsal with my Audiokinesis C112T (8 Ohm) and decided I wanted to try out the SW channel for an evening's worth of playing (4+ hours).

The AK cabs sacrifice some sensitivity for other factors so it requires me to push the amp a little harder than I would my SW cabs to get the same volume. The tone was composed, clean, tight, and articulate. I did get a tad more dimension/harmonic depth to the notes than say an 800/800+, but I didn't notice a real difference between my WD-800 on high or medium damping and the TT's SW channel in terms of that aspect of the tone. That said, paytojt's answer above is a safe bet way to look at it IMO.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: jeff7bass, DJ Bebop, pmad_bass and 1 other person
#168
I go back and forth on this, because of lack of memory :)

When I got my WD, out of the box I thought it was too quick, less tubie then I thought it was going to be or I thought it should be. Then I got into the lower damping, 2 ohm thing. Nice and tubie with some hair. But after a while it seems too tubie."Why won't this thing clean up?" Then I remember, "oh wait, that low damping, 2 ohm thing"...

200 (9).gif


:)
At least, I can do both.

That WD is a hell of an amp!
hqdefault.jpg


:)
 
  • Like
Reactions: DrThumpenstein, PhatBottomBass1, RWDGuy and 5 others
#170
DJ Bebop said:
I go back and forth on this, because of lack of memory :)

When I got my WD, out of the box I thought it was too quick, less tubie then I thought it was going to be or I thought it should be. Then I got into the lower damping, 2 ohm thing. Nice and tubie with some hair. But after a while it seems too tubie."Why won't this thing clean up?" Then I remember, "oh wait, that low damping, 2 ohm thing"...

View attachment 4446938

:)
At least, I can do both.

That WD is a hell of an amp!
View attachment 4446942

:)
Click to expand...


Out of curiosity, what cab configuration were you running @ 2 ohms?

-PM
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop
#175
The WD arrive this AM...along with a Lakland DJ-5 I tried out. Liking the WD thus far a whole lot. Only have it at low/moderate volume into my MAS Crazy 8. May inspire me yo sell my Bamboo Jule Monique/Demeter Mini, as I just hadn't been using it that much. Keeping it nice as it is a pirdy thing.


EDIT: Opps, meant the WD.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: DrThumpenstein, Al Kraft and DJ Bebop
#176
pmad_bass said:
The TT arrive this AM...along with a Lakland DJ-5 I tried out. Liking the TT thus far a whole lot. Only have it at low/moderate volume into my MAS Crazy 8. May inspire me yo sell my Bamboo Jule Monique/Demeter Mini, as I just hadn't been using it that much. Keeping it nice as it is a pirdy thing.
Click to expand...
Just be careful of your speaker.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop and pmad_bass
#178
pmad_bass said:
Took my Greenboy Dually T (2x15 + tweet) outside and played the WD thru it. Moderate volume. Sounds great.
Click to expand...
Glad it's working out well for you! The coolest thing about that head is that with so much control over voicing and tone shaping you can move from cab to cab and venue to venue and almost always find the sound you're looking for. While it does require some driver skill, it's not a difficult head to learn to use to its full potential as it appears you're already discovering.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop
#180
pmad_bass said:
Pulled the trigger on a Ultra-lite 1x15. *Should arrive tomorrow. Hard to find. Was trying to get this first then maybe add a 2x10.
Click to expand...
Excellent choice as a starting point IMHO. Whatever you choose to do next, my guess is that the 115 will continue to be with you for a long time...it's that good!
 
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bebop

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back