Mesa WD800 vs Ampeg SVT

[Frankie Fender]

I know exactly what you mean , selling my 70s SVT is one of my biggest regrets.

I regret selling mine. Words like heft and girth come close to describing it, but it is more like a feeling of having insane horsepower at your fingertips on the edge of being out of control. It was almost scary. That was the only amp that gave me that feeling, and it was ONLY 300 watts.

 

[_Some Dude]

Lol .... I know that look.
So if you could only have one ... which one of the 2 would it be and why?

I’m currently in a 70s hard rock band. I started using an SVT to get a more authentic 70s rock tone.

 

[mobeme23]

+1 on the tube-like power from the Quilter BB800.
I run mine with a Mesa Subway preamp/DI and it provides all the power and shaping that i need.

 

[TubeDood]

I regret selling mine. Words like heft and girth come close to describing it, but it is more like a feeling of having insane horsepower at your fingertips on the edge of being out of control. It was almost scary. That was the only amp that gave me that feeling, and it was ONLY 300 watts.

I think it's those strong forward mids it has, cuz ya, mine was stupid loud

I’m currently in a 70s hard rock band. I started using an SVT to get a more authentic 70s rock tone.

Considering the context, it’s not really a fair fight.

I'm in a 90s- 2000s pop punk , hardcore punk band .
That SVT is hard to beat for that genre

 

[KaseOfBass]

The closest class D that I've found to an SVT is the Ampeg SVT-7 Pro. But, the 7 Pro is considerably larger than most class D amps out there now. I had a Mesa D-800 for awhile and it was a great amp, but if you're searching for the Ampeg tone like I ultimately was, I think Ampeg might be the only one that will do.

 

[TubeDood]

These are the 6 that I tried

Ampeg svt-7pro
GK MB500
Gk MB 800
GK MBF 800
TECH 21 VT 1000
TECH 21 Dug Amp

Not particular on Ampeg , but I love mids , girth , and that raspy " chingy" punk sound you can get from tubes.
It seems easiest to get with the Ampeg toobers

 

[_Some Dude]

I'm in a 90s- 2000s pop punk , hardcore punk band .
That SVT is hard to beat for that genre

True. But, that’s getting into territory where the mid curve on a Mesa starts to shine. High mids that cut through heavy guitars while leaving a notch for the rhythm guitars to sit in.

Scooping an SVT is pretty blunt force too. If you’re in a position where you need to do it to create clarity a Mesa will do it with more nuance than the Ultra-Lo is capable of.

That said, I don’t want to overstate anything or turn this into a amp vs amp argument. They’re both at the top of their game, but each uses a different means to achieve a similar end. At the end of the day both amps give me a hard on.

 

[agedhorse]

These are the 6 that I tried

Ampeg svt-7pro
GK MB500
Gk MB 800
GK MBF 800
TECH 21 VT 1000
TECH 21 Dug Amp

Not particular on Ampeg , but I love mids , girth , and that raspy " chingy" punk sound you can get from tubes.
It seems easiest to get with the Ampeg toobers

Of those 6 amps, 5 of them couldn't be more different than the SVT IMO. The SVT7Pro is going to be way closer than the others.

 

[agedhorse]

The closest class D that I've found to an SVT is the Ampeg SVT-7 Pro. But, the 7 Pro is considerably larger than most class D amps out there now. I had a Mesa D-800 for awhile and it was a great amp, but if you're searching for the Ampeg tone like I ultimately was, I think Ampeg might be the only one that will do.

To clarify, the WD-800 was never intended to go after the SVT tone or feel.

 

[High Camp]

You might want to try/check the Ampeg PF800 and Ampeg Pro7.
Both lightweight and have the Ampeg sound (and have loads of power/headroom).
Of course it's not exactly the same as an SVT, but's in the same ballpark, which would be fine for me, considering the purpose is backup.

That's my humble opinion at least...

 

[KaseOfBass]

To clarify, the WD-800 was never intended to go after the SVT tone or feel.

Werd, no doubt. I'd love to try a WD-800 out, but I know historically I always migrate back to Ampeg. The Mesa stuff I've played has been great and the support offered, especially with you being on TB, is among the best in the business.

 

[hennessybass]

+1 on the tube-like power from the Quilter BB800.

The quilter is a nice amp, no doubt. I've been playing one for a while, but I don't get a "tube" vibe from it. I think it has more of a classic SS bass head. My first impression was to compare it to a Thunderfunk... maybe the old Hartke HA3500 or something like that. Tight, controlled, but big and punchy w/ lots of headroom. I know we all hear things different and have different descriptor words, so just IMO.

A few weeks back I switched up to a Streamliner 900 (which I got for less than $500). I played a 70s Bassman 100 for a long time, and a Fender TBP1 w/power amp also. I was lookin for something to kind of do that thing in a small/ powerful package... more headroom than the Bassman, and smaller and lighter than the TBP1 rack (and Bassman), but with that "feel". The STL900 is a pretty cool amp, and I feel like I got it for a steal.

After a few weeks of practice with the STL900, I took the Quilter BB800 in for a A/B. The STL just killed it. Big, wide, full, fat, harmonically complex, 3D sound, etc...

Can't really comment on the SVT thing, but the STL900 is a pretty cool sounding amp. I think it behaves more like a tube amp than most any other Class D or non tube amps I've played.

 

[TheDirtyLowDown]

My $.02: I'm looking for a new amp, with similar concerns as the OP. If its weight (and to some extent price) allowed, I would live happily with the DB-751 from here on out. For me, it's the best of both worlds (tube sound with solid state horsepower). But my aging back loves the WD-800 weight and form factor. I still need to try them side-by-side and decide.

 

[Wasnex]

I think @nostatic did an excellent demo.

 

[socialleper]

My $.02: I'm looking for a new amp, with similar concerns as the OP. If its weight (and to some extent price) allowed, I would live happily with the DB-751 from here on out. For me, it's the best of both worlds (tube sound with solid state horsepower). But my aging back loves the WD-800 weight and form factor. I still need to try them side-by-side and decide.

If I was going to go with a "big" amp again, I would look for a DB-751. The one thing that disappoints me about its design is that it doesn't have the mid sweep that the Tone Hammer DI has.
Control of your mids is really what makes or breaks your tone.
The two mid controls on the D800 is really what makes it useful to me. I like the specs of the WD800 but I'm always dubious of "hybrid" class D. It might be all it says it is.

 

[diegom]

I'm surprised the OP did not test more Ampeg amps, since he wants that SVT sound...
Have you tried the PF-800???

 

[RickC]

Yeah. I mean, nothing but nothing will replace a real SVT, but the 7Pro and PFs are as close as I've found to being an acceptable substitute for *me*

Btw, I didn't get on with the Tech21 impersonations at all, but again that's just me

 

[Frankie Fender]

These are the 6 that I tried

Ampeg svt-7pro
GK MB500
Gk MB 800
GK MBF 800
TECH 21 VT 1000
TECH 21 Dug Amp

Not particular on Ampeg , but I love mids , girth , and that raspy " chingy" punk sound you can get from tubes.
It seems easiest to get with the Ampeg toobers

I'm surprised that you haven't tried a Tone Hammer yet. They definitely do the tube sound, although everyone has an opinion on what exactly that sounds like. You really should try one. They get me 90% there.

 

[TubeDood]

I think @nostatic did an excellent demo.

He did a great demo indeed! That's one of the videos that got me interested , plus Mesa put up a great one themselves.

If I was going to go with a "big" amp again, I would look for a DB-751. The one thing that disappoints me about its design is that it doesn't have the mid sweep that the Tone Hammer DI has.
Control of your mids is really what makes or breaks your tone.
The two mid controls on the D800 is really what makes it useful to me. I like the specs of the WD800 but I'm always dubious of "hybrid" class D. It might be all it says it is.

I'm with you , the mids are where the real tone shaping ability lays .... and -SomeDude has stated that the Mesa has some character there.

I'm surprised the OP did not test more Ampeg amps, since he wants that SVT sound...
Have you tried the PF-800???

Ya , as said before , I've tried that one , and yes it was close ,and sounded real good.
but wasnt impressed enough to replace my 2pro with it.

 

[RickC]

Ya , as said before , I've tried that one , and yes it was close ,and sounded real good.
but wasnt impressed enough to replace my 2pro with it.

I thought you were looking for a backup, not a replacement. 7Pro is pretty darned good