Mesa WD800 The Ultimate Loud Portable Practice Amp!

[armyadarkness]

While interesting (cute even), it doesn’t give the V4B and SVT enough credit for the various sounds I can get from them.

More accurately, the Ampeg tubes heads are a 2-4 piece (with a couple exclusive knifes) vs the WD800 being a 5-6 piece (with 2-3 piece non-exclusive knifes found in a variety of top-notch hybrid heads) set.

I have the V4B and nothing sounds like it! It is truly a forever amp! The same can be argued for the WD800.

I'd should add that when I say versatility, I'm not simply referring to tone.

Like you, my V4B is my flagship, however, I found myself needing to travel, and of course, I wanted that "V4B Tone" with me. And while the V4B may be a portable alternative to a Heritage SVT, explaining that to an airline or a Uber driver with a Prius wouldn't get you far.

I needed:

• Something that I could throw in a back pack and walk around with for hours.
• That I could play through with just headphones... and no cab.
• That I could Record with and had plenty of inputs and outputs.
• Most importantly, something that had all of that, and still sounded as good (or close) to my V4B.

I didn't see a head in the Ampeg line that met half that criteria... Let alone all of it.

Plus... The Mesa is USA made, has better resale, the best warranty, and is cheaper than most of its foreign competition.

I wish that Ampeg would step up to the plate, but in my experience, they have not yet. Maybe Yamaha will change that, but considering that I've called Ampeg twice in the last 6 months, looking for current production parts, and they had no idea how to get them, I'm not expecting much.

Tonally, the Ampeg tube stuff may contain wonders, but they're just not back pack friendly. When they make a V4B that weighs 4lbs, comes in a handsome carrying case, and let's me play through headphones, I'll gladly pay full retail for it.

My experience is that Ampeg is pumping out stuff to make them money, and that Mesa is dreaming up stuff to satisfy bass players. I'm in no way knocking Ampeg, but I view them as "wanting" my money, and I view Mesa as trying to earn it.

 

[_Some Dude]

I'd should add that when I say versatility, I'm not simply referring to tone.

Like you, my V4B is my flagship, however, I found myself needing to travel, and of course, I wanted that "V4B Tone" with me. And while the V4B may be a portable alternative to a Heritage SVT, explaining that to an airline or a Uber driver with a Prius wouldn't get you far.

I needed:

• Something that I could throw in a back pack and walk around with for hours.
• That I could play through with just headphones... and no cab.
• That I could Record with and had plenty of inputs and outputs.
• Most importantly, something that had all of that, and still sounded as good (or close) to my V4B.

I didn't see a head in the Ampeg line that met half that criteria... Let alone all of it.

Plus... The Mesa is USA made, has better resale, the best warranty, and is cheaper than most of its foreign competition.

I wish that Ampeg would step up to the plate, but in my experience, they have not yet. Maybe Yamaha will change that, but considering that I've called Ampeg twice in the last 6 months, looking for current production parts, and they had no idea how to get them, I'm not expecting much.

Tonally, the Ampeg tube stuff may contain wonders, but they're just not back pack friendly. When they make a V4B that weighs 4lbs, comes in a handsome carrying case, and let's me play through headphones, I'll gladly pay full retail for it.

My experience is that Ampeg is pumping out stuff to make them money, and that Mesa is dreaming up stuff to satisfy bass players. I'm in no way knocking Ampeg, but I view them as "wanting" my money, and I view Mesa as trying to earn it.

IMO, while some companies have found their golden goose and demonstrate limited ability to progress beyond it, Mesa has never ceased to innovate and redefine themselves while keeping a pretty good finger on the pulse of the industry and where it’s headed.

 

[galore]

Being late to the game I now see WD 800 is basically evolved walkabout. @agedhorse any plans on going in the scout direction with WD 800, that is pairing it with a speaker in a combo?

 

[Geri O]

Being late to the game I now see WD 800 is basically evolved walkabout. @agedhorse any plans on going in the scout direction with WD 800, that is pairing it with a speaker in a combo?

That would be so cool, no doubt...

I actually looked at the Genz Benz ML200 210 Combo Kickback that I used to own and now see every couple of weeks when I see the friend that bought it. I was looking to see if the WD would fit in the cavity where the ML200 amplifier was mounted. I need to double-check to be sure, but I kinda don't think will.

Which is okay, that kickback is a great-sounding combo amp, just heavy as a load of bricks! Still a wonderful amp.

 

[agedhorse]

It may fit the ML-200 combo cutout.

No plans for a WD combo at this time, it would end up being quite expensive and the demand limited.

 

[DJ Bebop]

It may fit the ML-200 combo cutout.

No plans for a WD combo at this time, it would end up being quite expensive and the demand limited.

Talking for myself, other than the amphead itself not being a fixed to the speaker cabinet.
You eccenually have a combo amp with the WD 800 and a SW 1x12 or 1x15.
I'm using mine with a heavier Aguilar GS 112. I call it my immatation Walkabout Scout

 

[shadven]

I am ultra impressed!!

Super light, 40lbs with cables, 19" tall, 15″ wide, deep, punchy tone for days, 400 watts as it sits, 800 with more cabs (the ability to add 3 more cabs), the head happily pulls double duty for large gigs on top of my Mesa PH412’s, and it’s made in America!

I started out wanting the best sounding practice amp, in a very small light package.

• All-tube sound.
• Solid State for low maint/ high reliability.
• A head that could also be used for large gigs.

I can’t believe how good it sounds and how loud it is. As a player who normally runs all tubes (V4B, Heritage SVT, Strategy 88) through two Mesa PH412’s, my expectations for a practice/ coffee house amp were very low.

This has got to be as close as an Earthling could possibly get to the tone that I’m used to, while staying well within my parameters for weight and size.

This rig easily sounds better than a few full stacks that I've owned, and compared to a 30 watt combo of the same size... It's like comparing a Lamborghini to a Pontiac Fiero.

At 8 ohms, the Subway 112 is rated for 400 watts, which is what the WD800 puts out at 8ohms as well... It uses those 400 watts efficiently and extremely far beyond what I perceived to be possible.

It's loud! And to say that, I mean that it sounds good loud. Very good. I pushed it hard, and it remained tight and lush the entire time. I play punk and metal, and using a G&L LB100 (pbass type) I couldn't' turn the gain over 45% or the master over 70% without passing stage volume.

Yes... It costs 3 times what a Peavey combo costs, but when you consider that you could ditch all your other rigs, and that this will carry Mesa quality and resale, the value is a no brainer.

Nice job Mesa! [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

And the LPF is so awesome. It really solves the boomy bass issue that plagues us on big loud stages.

 

[uncle woody]

Late to the party, but did you just say 2 412's?
Like... you tried one and went like, this ain't loud enough son, I can barely hear that.

Kidding aside, I'm glad you like it and I agree with the awesomeness that is Mesa. Golden goose is a great way to describe that other and it's great to see that people are catching on.

 

[Raoul_Duke]

I would love to try the WD-800, but I’m so satisfied with my D800+ that I’d honestly be more likely to purchase a second one for backup. It is as close to a perfect amp as I’ve seen.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I would love to try the WD-800, but I’m so satisfied with my D800+ that I’d honestly be more likely to purchase a second one for backup. It is as close to a perfect amp as I’ve seen.

That's the beauty of choices, something for everybody!

 

[armyadarkness]

Late to the party, but did you just say 2 412's?
Like... you tried one and went like, this ain't loud enough son, I can barely hear that.

Kidding aside, I'm glad you like it and I agree with the awesomeness that is Mesa. Golden goose is a great way to describe that other and it's great to see that people are catching on.

I've been playing (poorly, and sounding even worse) for 35 years, and in my youth, I was stuck with cheap muddy 15's. So I joined the 10" bandwagon, as soon as I possibly could... Only to still feel like something was missing.

10 years later, I discovered the PH412 and it is easily, the best piece of bass gear that I've ever owned. Yes I show up with Heritage SVT's, $3000 USA basses, and a host of Mesa heads, but the one thing that consistently scares the Hell out of everyone in the room, is the PH412.

It's much smaller than an 810, but it's built like a tank and it sings like an angel. Easy to move around, versatile, what more could you want? Here's my detail on it.

MESA BOOGIE POWERHOUSE 412 MAYHEM one cab to raise the dead.

 

[sam91]

Out of curiosity, did anyone try the WD 800 with a darkglass cab ? @armyadarkness

 

[armyadarkness]

I've never tried Darkglass stuff.

 

[Al Kraft]

IME the Mesa SW heads seem to pair well with all the cabs I've tried them with (albeit I haven't used Darkglass). That's not a surprise since versatility to pair well with the owner's cab of choice was a design goal of all the SW heads.

Given the voicing flexibility of the WD, I find that it easily gets me in the zone as well or better than most heads I've owned over the years. As always, depending on your tone goals, YMMV.