Mesa WD800 vs Ampeg SVT

[slagheap]

You are not going to find anything that sounds like an SVT, I mean it's girth. As others will point out there are louder amps, there are more clear sounding amps etc etc but nothing will replace that big heavy boat anchor experience if that is what you're looking for except for maybe another tube amp and I haven't found a tube amp like that either except for maybe a Marshall Major. Now that being said I have not tried all class D amps and have not tried a Mesa either but i have never read anywhere from anyone that any class D amp can totally replace an SVT head. Also this is my subjective opinion although I think my opinion is widely shared by other SVT users.

i loved my magnavox era SVT & 8x10 cab ( paid $800 total in 1992, ) but a CA-9 is the girthiest thing on the planet.

 

[anthony w Jaber]

I’ve been trying to get the svt sound without having the svt problems here’s what I’ve found from trial and error. You can’t really get the svt full sound out of different amps. every amp has it own voicing. from that I’ve done the amp modeling into a power amp still can’t really nail the sound. I bought a Mesa walkabout about 7 months ago because some will say it’s real close to the sound of a svt. They are right about that part it’s not all the way to a svt but close. Considering the mid frequencies are a bit different on the amps I’ve found by adding 1.5k on a eq pedal and boost it about 8.5db you get the svt sound the best part of the walkabout is the eq section and shaping it to the needs of the player really gets you close. the gain knob is also awesome on getting that big fat sound and by going a bit over noon really gives it that gritty rock sound. as for volume it’s not even close. The head room still is a issue considering the svt as the amp that was made to rumble a stadium the Mesa will be loud enough for most cases but is not where near a svt. I rented a svt for about a week for recording and on off time I a/b the two to get as close as possible. As I said before by adding the eq it gets it so close you can’t really tell much of a difference and to be honest the last three songs recorded I used the Mesa because in the mix it was perfect and stood out a bit more than the svt cl. Also to be clear I don’t use the fridge amp I use a 2x12 Aguilar db so things could be different with different cabs

 

[Wasnex]

I’ve been trying to get the svt sound without having the svt problems here’s what I’ve found from trial and error. You can’t really get the svt full sound out of different amps. every amp has it own voicing. from that I’ve done the amp modeling into a power amp still can’t really nail the sound. I bought a Mesa walkabout about 7 months ago because some will say it’s real close to the sound of a svt. They are right about that part it’s not all the way to a svt but close. Considering the mid frequencies are a bit different on the amps I’ve found by adding 1.5k on a eq pedal and boost it about 8.5db you get the svt sound the best part of the walkabout is the eq section and shaping it to the needs of the player really gets you close. the gain knob is also awesome on getting that big fat sound and by going a bit over noon really gives it that gritty rock sound. as for volume it’s not even close. The head room still is a issue considering the svt as the amp that was made to rumble a stadium the Mesa will be loud enough for most cases but is not where near a svt. I rented a svt for about a week for recording and on off time I a/b the two to get as close as possible. As I said before by adding the eq it gets it so close you can’t really tell much of a difference and to be honest the last three songs recorded I used the Mesa because in the mix it was perfect and stood out a bit more than the svt cl. Also to be clear I don’t use the fridge amp I use a 2x12 Aguilar db so things could be different with different cabs

It depends on the specific sound you are trying to get out of your SVT. The defining qualities I hear in the SVT are sort of a gentle low mid push and a bit of grind in the mids. Also the SVT is sort of lean down low.

I have two other amps that have a similar sound and feel across the lows and lows mids. Believe it or not I think the Ashdown CTM300 gets very close across the low end, but you can't dial in the SVT grind into this amp. My Mesa Titan also has a very similar quality to the SVT down low, except it's sort of like an SVT on steroids. The Titan has a variable frequency mid control, that allows it to get a little closer to the SVT grind. But it's not exact.

I also own an SVT 8-Pro. This amp really nails the mids and highs, but I think the Titan and CTM300 are closer down low. If I could combine the qualities of the 8-Pro with the Titan, I think I could get the sound and feel very, very close.

If I want the sound of an SVT, I play an SVT.

I get the impression the Genz Benz Streamliner can get pretty close to an SVT sound. The company is gone, but I believe Agedhorse is still providing factory support at a very reasonable price.

 

[_Some Dude]

I have a WD800 and SVT.

The WD800 is thick, but it’s a different sort of thick. The midrange is sculpted different. The SVT midrange is sort of a blunt force instrument for cutting through, whereas the Mesa midrange is more surgical. It cuts where it needs to and doesn’t cut where it isn’t needed. This could be perceived as not being as thick, or it could be perceived as improved clarity.

Three years later and this is still my opinion.

I don’t think it should be underestimated how much of the “SVT” sound is the 810e.

 

[bobyoung53]

Three years later and this is still my opinion.

I don’t think it should be underestimated how much of the “SVT” sound is the 810e.

I regularly use SVT heads through 4 ohm Ampeg 15's and 4 ohm PR410-HLF's as well as SVT 810's, it still sounds like an SVT head, very big. I think that the SVT head sound will still be there with any cab that is capable of reproducing the sound it puts out. The 810 cabs do 'tailor' the sound though, tightens it up a little but I think these heads control speakers pretty well though.

 

[Jazzdogg]

i loved my magnavox era SVT & 8x10 cab ( paid $800 total in 1992, ) but a CA-9 is the girthiest thing on the planet.

I'm interested how each of you are defining "gearth." Do you associate girth with anything in specific, like frequency response, or tube compression?

I ask because I used to use tube gear years ago and loved the playing experience, but not the weight, and because I've never been able to emulate the responsiveness of a full-tube head; the feeling of push and pull between myself and the amplifier on the way to the speakers - under the best of circumstances, the sound was immersive, immediate, three dimensional, and as though, in addition to playing the bass, I was simultaneously playing with the dynamics of the amplifier as I modified my playing technique.

The enthusiasm I keep hearing in response to the new Mesa amps and cabs makes me think Mesa gear may finally scratch my itch.

 

[anthony w Jaber]

I'm interested how each of you are defining "gearth." Do you associate girth with anything in specific, like frequency response, or tube compression?

I ask because I used to use tube gear years ago and loved the playing experience, but not the weight, and because I've never been able to emulate the responsiveness of a full-tube head; the feeling of push and pull between myself and the amplifier on the way to the speakers - under the best of circumstances, the sound was immersive, immediate, three dimensional, and as though, in addition to playing the bass, I was simultaneously playing with the dynamics of the amplifier as I modified my playing technique.

The enthusiasm I keep hearing in response to the new Mesa amps and cabs makes me think Mesa gear may finally scratch my itch.

girth would be like the way the tubes compress and start to overdrive in a studio that’s fine with some headphones in live unless your playing a bigger gig you won’t ever be able to get to that point. In my little room of practice if I even go past 3 on that amp I’ll go deaf. This is where the Mesa stuff comes into play. I’ve modeled a few of the Mesa bass amps such as the m9 the 400+ and own the Mesa walkabout head. The walkabout is probably the only amp I’ve own where you can get that girth sound at a low volume the more you raise the volume the better the sound comes out. with it being a 300 watt hybrid amp it gets the sweet spot faster. weights about 13lbs if your in the market for a Mesa and don’t play huge gigs the walkabout is a good way to get into trying the Mesa amps out plus you can get them for a pretty cheap price. Never played the wd800 also which I believe shares the same dna

 

[bobyoung53]

I'm interested how each of you are defining "gearth." Do you associate girth with anything in specific, like frequency response, or tube compression?

I ask because I used to use tube gear years ago and loved the playing experience, but not the weight, and because I've never been able to emulate the responsiveness of a full-tube head; the feeling of push and pull between myself and the amplifier on the way to the speakers - under the best of circumstances, the sound was immersive, immediate, three dimensional, and as though, in addition to playing the bass, I was simultaneously playing with the dynamics of the amplifier as I modified my playing technique.

The enthusiasm I keep hearing in response to the new Mesa amps and cabs makes me think Mesa gear may finally scratch my itch.

I think I'm the first one that said "girth" here, when I said that I meant that SVT's have a big sound with a lot of bottom, I usually describe it as an all enveloping sound that you feel you can almost walk on. I do not play them loud enough to get anywhere near the distortion point, no tube compression etc, way too loud. They sound big at just about any volume, well mine do anyway. @DJ Bebop put in a video with a P bass through a Meda D-800 with a Mesa 12 (Again I think) and I thought it sounded very close, not quite as big but then again it was in a video.

 

[BruceG63]

If your going to go class d you are probably going have to make some changes in exactly what you want your tone to be because I dont think any of the new solid state/class d amps will sound just like your SVT but you may find something to suit you or something you might like even better.I think the Mesa WD 800 or TT800 would be a great sounding amp for you and be a tone/sound to suit you as well if not better.Listen with an open mind.

 

[Mastermold]

....
If I want the sound of an SVT, I play an SVT.

I get the impression the Genz Benz Streamliner can get pretty close to an SVT sound. The company is gone, but I believe Agedhorse is still providing factory support at a very reasonable price.

The amps I use are an SVT-CL and a Genz Benz Streamliner 900, and I use a Mesa WA when I'm going small. The Streamliner has been the closest "SVT Class D" I've found, but if I was shopping today for one I'd get the Mesa WD 800.

 

[denton57]

I want the SVT sound, so I just lug the beast to gigs. My main go to cabs for gigs are two DB 210’s, but I have the av212. Maybe it’s just playing tube only for 15 years, I just have to have it. I play my heritage 50th anniversary basically flat on channel 1. No need to find a sound by changing a bunch of knobs with this amp. I struggled using a TH700, especially with a P bass for some reason.

Granted, I don’t live in a big city and have to schlep it multiple blocks or upstairs or anything. I have a dolly and use it to move my cabs and head. Lifting is at a bare minimum and the tone is way worth it for me. I could totally make a class D work for me, but I just feel like I’m playing the bass and the SVT when paired together and it’s a beautiful thing IMO.

I heard “I’m a man” by Chicago the other day. I later went into my studio area and plugged my AO 60’s P with AO 50’s neck, Lollar and 3 year old Pyramids. I have THAT tone with my P into the SVT and 212av. Being a huge Cetera fan of that era and his tone, this is a great thing.

 

[BruceG63]

I want the SVT sound, so I just lug the beast to gigs. My main go to cabs for gigs are two DB 210’s, but I have the av212. Maybe it’s just playing tube only for 15 years, I just have to have it. I play my heritage 50th anniversary basically flat on channel 1. No need to find a sound by changing a bunch of knobs with this amp. I struggled using a TH700, especially with a P bass for some reason.

Granted, I don’t live in a big city and have to schlep it multiple blocks or upstairs or anything. I have a dolly and use it to move my cabs and head. Lifting is at a bare minimum and the tone is way worth it for me. I could totally make a class D work for me, but I just feel like I’m playing the bass and the SVT when paired together and it’s a beautiful thing IMO.

I heard “I’m a man” by Chicago the other day. I later went into my studio area and plugged my AO 60’s P with AO 50’s neck, Lollar and 3 year old Pyramids. I have THAT tone with my P into the SVT and 212av. Being a huge Cetera fan of that era and his tone, this is a great thing.

I know what you mean.I played thru a Mesa Bass 400+ for the the past 27 years and love that sound.The Boss Katana 210 has been the only combo ive heard so far that captures some of that tube tone.Play on.

 

[_Some Dude]

My preference is for all tube, but I have to admit that the WD-800 surprised me. It’s the only hybrid amp that I’ve jived with, and it has the feel down enough that I don’t miss tubes when I’m playing it.

The WD-800 has that something-something I associate with a good tube amp. When I push it, it pushes me back. It has dynamics and I can play the amp like a musical instrument.

 

[anthony w Jaber]

Yeah so after hearing the mixes back from the recording we did. I bought the svt vr time to start dead lifting again. Love my Mesa but it can stay as a back up. The ease of use of sounds is amazing. The Mesa used to stress me out bad. This on the other hand took me 15 seconds to dial in.

 

[squish]

I'm a believer now. My D-800+ and I were having a hard time getting a workable tone at high volume. But I recently scored a used WD-800 here on TB and A/B tested it with my SVT through an old SWR cab w a decent 15" EV 4ohm speaker. It sounded great and stood up well against the all-tube giant. It has a killer mid bass tone that I know is going to be enjoyable in my band's mix! And with the foot pedal switching from finger style to slap (settings in manual) is going to make it perfect. Very excited to be gigging this amp (with the SW212 and SW112) next weekend!
Now, what to do with my D800+...

 

[agedhorse]

Now, what to do with my D800+...

You won't have any trouble flipping it.