New MESA BOOGIE release - MESA/Boogie Bass 800D - 800W Bass Amp Head

[DJ Bebop]

Recording toans when solo'd....

View attachment 7369830

“Wait, what?”

 

[BrianVengeance]

“Wait, what?”

Lol, Jamerson I am not…

 

[USAJO]

Is this a good time for us to start placing our bets?

I’m gonna keep it a secret unless I’m so knocked out by it I can’t help myself.

Worst case scenario I’m pretty sure the SGTDI will probably work just as well as it did with the D800+.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Lol, Jamerson I am not…

His soloed recorded tone was pretty…

The note choices however were pretty…

 

[Nebadon2000]

I’m gonna keep it a secret unless I’m so knocked out by it I can’t help myself.

Worst case scenario I’m pretty sure the SGTDI will probably work just as well as it did with the D800+.

If you are still with Springsteen Tribute Band you all may become more popular after Movie is released

If SGTDI was working well with 800+ may even do better with B-800D since @agedhorse I believe did some more 'Tubey' things with power stage; he can correct me if I am wrong

You can also get this; After beginning listen to Fingerstyle before he clicks on pedal

 

[USAJO]

If you are still with Springsteen Tribute Band you all may become more popular after Movie is released

If SGTDI was working well with 800+ may even do better with B-800D since @agedhorse I believe did some more 'Tubey' things with power stage; he can correct me if I am wrong

You can also get this; After beginning listen to Fingerstyle before he clicks on pedal

I was the singer in the Springsteen Tribute. I shut that down after 15 years. Now I'm playing bass in a ZZ Top Tribute.

Way up in years so when it comes down to it this amp stressing is over the top. Lol

 

[Jeff Scott]

Way up in years so when it comes down to it this amp stressing is over the top. Lol

Nah, never!

 

[agedhorse]

If you are still with Springsteen Tribute Band you all may become more popular after Movie is released

If SGTDI was working well with 800+ may even do better with B-800D since @agedhorse I believe did some more 'Tubey' things with power stage; he can correct me if I am wrong

With the Eden not sounding particularly tubey, an amp, that was designed from the ground up to emulate our most popular tube bass amp in the company's history (Bass 400+) may not be the best choice IF trying to get an Eden tone.

 

[USAJO]

With the Eden not sounding particularly tubey, an amp, that was designed from the ground up to emulate our most popular tube bass amp in the company's history (Bass 400+) may not be the best choice IF trying to get an Eden tone.

No actually I’m trying to get closer to the SVT sound in a lightweight (this is critical) rig.

The Eden struck me as warmer but that was coming from previously owning a Hartke 5000 and then a GK400RB (not positive the model.)

The D800+ did not remind me of the Eden but then again my ears were younger.

 

[mikeswals]

The 400 character especially wasn't an SVT sound, at all.
I think you're chasing the wrong item.

I am happy so many seem to be excited for the new 800D, but *to me* it seems some are drawn to the shiny new thing syndrome.

 

[USAJO]

Ya

The 400 character especially wasn't an SVT sound, at all.
I think you're chasing the wrong item.

I am happy so many seem to be excited for the new 800D, but *to me* it seems some are drawn to the shiny new thing syndrome.

maybe. So what lightweight amp should I be chasing? I’m just in line and I bet I could change direction if I become convinced there’s a better choice for me.

I still think the tube pre in the 800D might do it layering in the SGTDI.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Ya

maybe. So what lightweight amp should I be chasing? I’m just in line and I bet I could change direction if I become convinced there’s a better choice for me.

I still think the tube pre in the 800D might do it layering in the SGTDI.

It could very well be. Maybe even without the SGTDI. It is something that needs to be experience. A good return policy would be helpful.

 

[BrianVengeance]

Ya

maybe. So what lightweight amp should I be chasing? I’m just in line and I bet I could change direction if I become convinced there’s a better choice for me.

I still think the tube pre in the 800D might do it layering in the SGTDI.

If you're going for the SVT thing, the 800D is probably going to take you a step further away than what you've got going on with your D800+ currently. Not to say it won't work, but there's a reasonable chance that you'll have to deal with some potential personality conflicts over the gain and in the mids. Could also turn out to be pretty rad.

On the up side, the D800+ is a killer pedal platform with near telepathic sledgehammer punch so it isn't like you've got a bad amp to start with.

 

[Jeff Scott]

In my mind (what's left of it) I would go into trying a new amp with no preconceived ideas. Just get it and play around with it and decide if you like it for what it gives. Or, not!

 

[Clark W]

On the up side, the D800+ is a killer pedal platform with near telepathic sledgehammer punch so it isn't like you've got a bad amp to start with.

Except he sold his D-800+ on Sweetwater and is using the sale of it applied to the 800D purchase, so he's ampless at the moment.

I learned during covid, DO NOT sell a rig until you have it's replacement. That's a whole other story for another post some day. I still have all the back and forth messages on cabs between myself and @agedhorse from Oct 2021 because of the pickle I put myself in with that move that left me scrambling to get cabs to go with the D-800+ head I got.

You're right, the D-800+ is a killer pedal platform. Put a two tube, gain only, Sushi Box "More" in front of it and it gets a warm vintage tubey sound if you dial in the voicing fully to the right. And the "More" really compliments the Gain section of the D-800+ too. For those who don't like using pedals, the D-800+ with some good pedals will change your religion.

Sidenote: Sushi Box FX also has the Grand Slampegg that uses a single 6SL7 tube and is based on the Ampeg B-15N and the SBVT II that uses three 12AX7 (ECC83) tubes and is equipped with an Unagi Magnets E4305 D.I. transformer. to get that Ampeg SVT sound. I suspect either of those pedals in conjunction with the Gain & Voicing of the D-800+ would be awesome and could easily get you a very Ampeg like tone.

The 800D definitely has that warm vintage tubey sound in it if you want it, but it leans more toward a Fender kind of sound than Ampeg for sure. I'm guessing the 400+ leaned that way too. And for me, I don't really care which way an amp leans in that respect as long as it's a vintage kind of tone. All I know is the 800D puts out a monstrous, in your face sound that is phenomenal, especially with the Gain switch flipped on High and the Gain knob on 5 or higher. For me, 7 is the real sweet spot there.

The thing about the whole Subway line is each head has it's own thing going on. When it comes to delivering a menu of masterful flavors, @agedhorse is an executive chef in the amp world with the resume to back it up.

 

[BrianVengeance]

Except he sold his D-800+ on Sweetwater and is using the sale of it applied to the 800D purchase, so he's ampless at the moment.

Ah... I think I remember reading that a few page back. Sad face.

The thing about the whole Subway line is each head has it's own thing going on. When it comes to delivering a menu of masterful flavors, @agedhorse is an executive chef in the amp world with the resume to back it up.

I keep going back and forth on whether or not I'll sell the D-800+ to help offset the 800D once it arrives, but I'm pretty sure that I'll end up keeping both. I'm big into redundancy though, so one will probably go towards becoming a backup for the other. Need to finish up some recording and then I'm going to do some pretty major surgery (pups and preamp) on my main bass too, so that will probably have me rethinking a lot of my signal chain in the next few weeks and months. Again. Because of course. >.<

 

[Clark W]

Ah... I think I remember reading that a few page back. Sad face.



I keep going back and forth on whether or not I'll sell the D-800+ to help offset the 800D once it arrives, but I'm pretty sure that I'll end up keeping both. I'm big into redundancy though, so one will probably go towards becoming a backup for the other. Need to finish up some recording and then I'm going to do some pretty major surgery (pups and preamp) on my main bass too, so that will probably have me rethinking a lot of my signal chain in the next few weeks and months. Again. Because of course. >.<

Two Friday nights ago, the first time I gigged the 800D, I carried the D-800+ as a back up. We're talking, two amps, less than 14 lbs combined. I have no excuse for not having a backup amp with me at all times now. I'm considering getting a new rack case with a shelf (for the D-800+) and putting both amps in the same rack case. Then, physically I'm only grabbing one piece of gear instead of two in their own separate gig bags.

I don't see my D-800+ going anywhere anytime soon. I haven't even thought about selling it. I've had that amp for 4 years and it's been a great one. Definitely a keeper.

 

[webmonster]

Yes, the TL type cabinet was in fact one of the test cabinets (loaded w/ EVM-15L. Worked fine.

These cabs were a classic pairing with the 400(+). I remember the ads and reviews, wishing I could have that rig

No, using the 8 ohm position won’t limit the power and will lower the damping to make things more sloppy feeling. This is not recommended.

You COULD use the 2 ohm position which will reduce the power to 600 watts into 4 ohms, but the damping would be higher and the amp may feel too tight/dry.

Thanks for your excellent feedback. Sounds like it would be best to run at 4 ohms and listen for obvious distress.
I've never blown a speaker, but then I've never considered an amp with considerably more power than my speakers can handle.

 

[Gervais Cote]

Ah... I think I remember reading that a few page back. Sad face.



I keep going back and forth on whether or not I'll sell the D-800+ to help offset the 800D once it arrives, but I'm pretty sure that I'll end up keeping both. I'm big into redundancy though, so one will probably go towards becoming a backup for the other. Need to finish up some recording and then I'm going to do some pretty major surgery (pups and preamp) on my main bass too, so that will probably have me rethinking a lot of my signal chain in the next few weeks and months. Again. Because of course. >.<

The more I read those lines, the more I get to the conclusion I will need a D-800+ AND a 800D !

 

[Collin Bass]

So I haven't done the D-800+ / 800D side x side comparison, yet. That's next on my "music" agenda

When I set up the my two 115/210 stacks I didn't run all the cables I needed to because I knew I was going to have drag the two 115 cabs out last night for a rehearsal / jam session for a few hours. I'll put them back and get everything hooked up tomorrow and do a comparison of the two heads over the next few days.
View attachment 7369230


Up until last night I had only ran the 800D through my GK Neo IV 212. Then last night I ran the 800D with my pedal board into my two Markbass Traveler 115 cabs. I don't care if I run the 800D into the GK 212 ever again, and it's a great cab, even a better quality cab than my Markbass cabs. But last night reminded me of just how good those rat fur covered, obnoxious yellow cones, really are. My D-800+ worked well with thoses cabs but the 800D takes those cabs to a whole other level. I ran most of the night using a Sushi Box Single Slice tube compressor, a Darkglass Microtubes B3K Overdrive, and a Sushi Box "More" two tube, single knob gain only preamp. I did bypass them on a few of the "cleaner" sounding songs like Wild Horses (Rolling Stones).

The settings I used on the 800D

Gain, Deep, & Bright switches - on

Gain - 7.5
HPF 4, did roll it up to 5 at one point too.
Bass - 5
Mid - 8
Treble - 6

I only thought the 800D was a great amp through my GK Neo IV 212, but it was absolutely monstrous last night through my two Markbass 151P cabs. It had a very Fender Twin Reverb tube kinda feel too it. If you've ever played through a Fender Twin Reverb then you know when you crank the gain up on those things that you won't be able to turn the master up very much at all because with the gain up things can get loud very quick with those amps. The Bass 800D is no different. I ran the Bass 800D like that with my board on and my board off. Now I had the level set on the board/pedals to be equal to that of the amp running solo. So if I turned my board off there was very little difference, if any, in volume levels. And to be honest, whereas the More two tube pre makes a big difference on the feel of the D-800+, it doesn't do a whole lot with the 800D. The single tube of the 800D sounds just as good if I'm running through the 3 tubes of my single tube compressor and two tube pre, as it does if I'm not running through them at all.

The past year I have spent a lot on getting my sound the way I want it, from a custom built Ferner Bass, to my board, and now the 800D. I was almost there with the D-800+ when using the Sushi Box More in front of it. Then the 800D came along and said hold my beer

I never thought I would relegate my D-800+ to backup duty, it's been a great amp for me for 4 yrs now. But after I played through the 800D the first time I knew that's what was going to happen, and last night sealed the deal for me. The 800D takes the top spot. I have about 10 hrs through the amp now.

I got my first bass at age 11 (1977), I've played through all kinds of amps & cabs over the years. But nothing I've had in the past can touch how my bass sounded last night.

For those of you having to wait it out on deliveries, all I can say is hang in there. You're not going to be disappointed.

View attachment 7369247

View attachment 7369248

Same here. I did not expect ever for my D800+ to become a BACKUP amp! I think I still do prefer it for some darker, heavier stuff where I like the colder, more immediate notes.... And also somehow the woody acoustic bass sounds cleaner through it as well... But for everything else the 800D is the clear winner!