Mesa WD800 vs Ampeg SVT

[TubeDood]

Its sure feels as heavy as a dinosaur !
But also roars like one

I owned, played, and dragged around an SVT and an Ampeg 810 for years back in the 80’s. No, there’s nothing like it exactly. But I gotta say, the Mesa WD800 gets mighty close, especially if you put it through a couple of 410s, a 610, or other multiple speaker situations. But, IMHO, the reality of modern stages is that smaller rigs, with great fidelity & modern stage monitoring really make the SVT model somewhat of a dinosaur on all but maybe the biggest stages.

 

[RickC]

There's a "feel" thing playing through a full SVT that can't be matched

 

[nostatic]

There's a "feel" thing playing through a full SVT that can't be matched

It really depends on what sound and feel you're going for. I've had supplied backlines with an SVT and always found myself wishing I had my rig instead (heretic - burn him!).

An 8-10 does push a lot of air - that is a big part of the attraction I think. It does look cool as well

 

[TubeDood]

Maybe try the Mesa WD-800 the one with actual tubes in the preamp section?

I learned , after trying those few class Ds that I did , ( and after a lengthy discussion with my buddy who builds some incredibly great sounding Class D car stereo systems.) That the tube front end is essential to obtain a luscious harmonic complexity and content with a Class D power section ... otherwise its rather dry. That was most notable for me when I went from the GK MB 800 to the Fusion 800.

I have an SVT
I also have / have had a 7 Pro, Tone Hammer, 800 Fusion, and a Walkabout

Other than an Ampeg tube pre into a power amp, the closest thing to an SVT, by far, is the Walkabout
I would highly recommend you try a Walkabout before making a final decision

I liked the TH that I tried at GC once , but it seemed like a one trick pony ( granted that one trick was great! ) ... but i craved more versatility ( i do some slap solo pieces and breakdowns/interludes)

I found a WA for 500$ ... and I do like mosfet power sections ... but would that amp get loud enough and still sound great pushed?
You said yourself you sold it craving more power ( I have a GK neo 412 cab)

My past experience has led me to these requirements for needed juice:
Tube= 300w
Torodial SS = 500w
Class D= 800w

Cuz of my led handed drummer.

There's a "feel" thing playing through a full SVT that can't be matched

I "feel " this is very subjective and cab dependant .
Plus doesn't really translate through FOH .
I am more interested in the thickness of available girth and the mids.
I just sold my trusty GK 700rb because compared to the SVT ... when I'm in the pocket of a groove , or soloing on the upper register on my bass ... the GK was quite thin , and I feel this problem was related to the frequency response curve of the GK vs the SVT.
The GK is scooped at around 300hz , as the SVT has as mid bump around 400hz.
Which is why most people say these 2 are opposite , or " couldn't be more different"
I also think that relation is what's tied to the "feel" of them .



On that note .... @agedhorse ... do you have a frequency response curve for the Mesa WD800 you could show us!?

 

[Bassheart365]

Hey fellow bassers
I am looking to buy a Class D backup to my SVT ( 2pro) and I gave it a go with a few others on the market but couldn't find one that didnt sound thin compared to the thickness of a tube power section .

The one to come closest for me was the GK MBF800. But still .... in the end too thin of a sound, and when pushed , lost definition and sounded kind nasally.
But I feel that Class Ds do have enough " slam " and punch , so my concern is not in that area , tone wise.

And I pass the preamp when comparing, plugging into the effects return to hear only what the power section is doing.

Which brings me to the conclusion of looking at the WD800 because of its power amp dampening feature .
before when I was comparing class Ds , I tried 6 different ones , but none of those were the Mesa Class D's .... simply because I gave up at #6 and didnt order anything after that.

Can anyone that's been able to compare both give some insight to if the technology behind Cass Ds have finally caught up to match tube thickness and dynamics?

Cheers Mates!

I happen to really like tubes but am not willing to go the tube power amp route because I gig a lot and the severe weight penalty is not worth it. So my solution is a class D amp (Bergantino Forte) with a separate tube pre-amp (Noble). Best of both worlds.

 

[agedhorse]

I believe I posted some of that info previously and there's some in the manual also. I will see what else I can dig up.

 

[TubeDood]

I happen to really like tubes but am not willing to go the tube power amp route because I gig a lot and the severe weight penalty is not worth it. So my solution is a class D amp (Bergantino Forte) with a separate tube pre-amp (Noble). Best of both worlds.

I don't want to spend more than 1k$ on this

You hit it with the GK Fusion 800 (my current primary), and the Mesa Walkabout is close, but only 300 watts! While not class D, the Eden WT400 and 550 can also cop a big/thick somewhat tubey sound, and only 13 and 20 pounds respectively. I have had almost every class D you can think of, minus the new Mesa WD800, and the Fusion is the closest IMHO. Also had an SVT II (non pro) and Mesa 400+, and to me it is hard to get that sound without the weight. Good luck in your search, and let me know if you find something better than the the Fusion or Walkabout for landing that big/thick/warm vibe of an all-tube amp. Peace

The only reason the GK went back is because I already had a 700RB and couldn't justify upgrading my backup for just about the same tone, due to cost $
And I've tried Eden and Genz Benz ... both amazing amps but a bit to clean for me

I had good experience back in the day with a 400+ which is why the Mesa WD800 is on my list

 

[TubeDood]

Thank you for your time sir!

I believe I posted some of that info previously and there's some in the manual also. I will see what else I can dig up.

 

[TubeDood]

I found the 131 page ( and growing) Mesa subway thread .... should make for an interesting night cap

 

[TubeDood]

Welp.... that was quite the read!
And I've come to a totally different conclusion.

The WD800 must be a very versatile amp , capable of tone shaping to a great degree.
But from what I read it's not for me.
Because I know my SVT 2pro has a secret weapon , which is the Drive knob. It " cleans up " the mud, and sharpens the attack on the SVT. With all the access to the girth still on tap.
Which is why it's the most versatile of the family.
I've also done 3 gigs this year with no rig at at all, just my pedal board .
so instead of a backup/ travel gig amp , I will buy some good in ear monitors & use my DI box, and deal with the few times I do have to lug my rig.

I couldn't get the cab I wanted from Mesa anyway , which was frustrating , so I don't have any incentive to add a " matching" amp & make the switch. And I really wanted that teal 212 with the wicker grill.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions and input.

 

[Sparkl]

Hey fellow bassers
I am looking to buy a Class D backup to my SVT ( 2pro) and I gave it a go with a few others on the market but couldn't find one that didnt sound thin compared to the thickness of a tube power section .

The one to come closest for me was the GK MBF800. But still .... in the end too thin of a sound, and when pushed , lost definition and sounded kind nasally.
But I feel that Class Ds do have enough " slam " and punch , so my concern is not in that area , tone wise.

And I pass the preamp when comparing, plugging into the effects return to hear only what the power section is doing.

Which brings me to the conclusion of looking at the WD800 because of its power amp dampening feature .
before when I was comparing class Ds , I tried 6 different ones , but none of those were the Mesa Class D's .... simply because I gave up at #6 and didnt order anything after that.

Can anyone that's been able to compare both give some insight to if the technology behind Cass Ds have finally caught up to match tube thickness and dynamics?

Cheers Mates!

Well... I feel you man. Ever since I tried the SVT-CL everything else sounds lacking to my ears and feel. It's weight is obviously a major hassle though. I have found that out of all amps, the SVT3Pro is able to get reasonably close to the CL sound while in a much smaller and lighter package. Obviously it is no classD pocket amp but honestly, if you are ever thinking about getting close, do try the svt3pro. I have one and am super happy with it, you get all the ampeg goodness in a reasonable volume and weight package. Tubes will obviously outperform no doubt but it is the closest thing I've found so far.

 

[gelinas666]

I ran in to the same issues.. I own many AllTube Heads..I wanted something small and powerful for a backup amp that gave me a Full Tube sound.. I found one that works for me.. Bergantino B/Amp.. Great little head and with the built in overdrive,I can get the breakup of a Alltube Amp with plenty of headroom to boot.. I still use my AllTube heads but the Berg does see some shows!

 

[Wisebass]

Hi TubeDood

a Class D backup to my SVT

You are looking for a lighter version of your SVT?

looking at the WD800

A chameleon as a backup for your bullfrog? You must be kidding!

Not telling you, that you should not try the Mesa (it' s a high end "reptile"!!!!)

And it will be a great second amp. But it is not a backup!





Hi Andy

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

I hope so!

The day the Mesa management decides to build Ampegs, you better leave!


greetings

Wise(b)ass

 

[armyadarkness]

Hey fellow bassers
I am looking to buy a Class D backup to my SVT ( 2pro) and I gave it a go with a few others on the market but couldn't find one that didnt sound thin compared to the thickness of a tube power section .

The one to come closest for me was the GK MBF800. But still .... in the end too thin of a sound, and when pushed , lost definition and sounded kind nasally.
But I feel that Class Ds do have enough " slam " and punch , so my concern is not in that area , tone wise.

And I pass the preamp when comparing, plugging into the effects return to hear only what the power section is doing.

Which brings me to the conclusion of looking at the WD800 because of its power amp dampening feature .
before when I was comparing class Ds , I tried 6 different ones , but none of those were the Mesa Class D's .... simply because I gave up at #6 and didnt order anything after that.

Can anyone that's been able to compare both give some insight to if the technology behind Cass Ds have finally caught up to match tube thickness and dynamics?

Cheers Mates!

As a player who owns and plays through the amps that you like and are used to, I can tell you that I highly recommend the WD800! If you're looking for a Class D with the responsive touch and punch of tubes, it'll surely get you there!

Mesa Boogie Subway Wd800

 

[Jim C]

I found a WA for 500$ ... and I do like mosfet power sections ... but would that amp get loud enough and still sound great pushed?
You said yourself you sold it craving more power ( I have a GK neo 412 cab
My past experience has led me to these requirements for needed juice:
Tube= 300w
Torodial SS = 500w
Class D= 800w

I would think that a 4x12 GK would be very effecient unless you needed very high stage volumes.
At the same distortion figures, the type of amp has nothing to do with output power.
This idea of tube, class D, Torodial, Class AB, Class H, etc. needing to be of different output power for the same SPL, (assuming the same distortion figures) is absoultely untrue IMO.
The SVT and WA sounded neary indetical in SPL assuming similar EQ.

 

[Hamerguy]

I use an Ampeg V-4BH, but I want the WD-800. The YT clips Mesa had Bobby Vega play on sound great to me. I really love 60's and 70's music, but with gear I like it compact, as I mostly play small glub gigs anyway. There was a YT clip of a guy using the Mesa Subway preamp and a Mesa Flux Five for recording bass and it sounded good to me. As cabs I want to use the Subway 2x12" and the 2x15" Mesa Diesel stays at the rehearsal.

 

[oldskoolskatedad]

Coming out of left field here, but I recently picked up the new Darkglass Microtubes 900v2 as a back up for my Fender Super Bassman and for silent practice. I wasn't looking to find a class D that would sound like the SB but rather something that would be fun and interesting in it's own right. That being said I was pleasantly surprised that the M900v2 delivered many of the same qualities that I enjoy from the SB, namely a huge amount of clean headroom with a touch of crunch.

If/when someone discovers the holy grail of amplification that cops a 300 watt tube power section in a compact, lightweight form, we will all know about it and it will probably crash the TB servers from the tsunami of threads that will ensue.

 

[hennessybass]

And I've tried Eden and Genz Benz ... both amazing amps but a bit to clean for me

Agree about the Eden stuff.
And some of the Genz Benz stuff - but the Streamliner is not necessarily super clean. It can do big clean (think Alembic pre/power amp rig). But it can also do full on dirt. You can really dial in the break up.
There was a thread where some guys were running the Streamliner at 16ohms in order to effectively lower the wattage, and be able to push the output into the tube output emulation. Reports said it sounded pretty good.

 

[vivaknoxvegas]

@TubeDood pick any class D that you like (the WD-800 would be my choice) and see if you can find a Broughton SV-Pre pedal. It's the Ampeg sound in a stomp box. It's an amazing pedal.

https://www.broughtonaudio.com/product-page/sv-pre

 

[JimmyM]

Does it make you sound like Adam Clayton?

No but it will give you his money