New mesa subway amps and cabs!

[Cardiff Giant]

Maybe bump up the hpf a few hz and see if that makes a difference as well. I've used the hpf at 40-50 hz and had good results with tightening up the bas and gaining headroom

Yeah, I should mention I have the HPF set to about 10 o'clock, so it's pretty high

 

[JohnnyBottom]

Question for the technical pros:

I've been noticing a burning smell coming from either my amp or cabinets, not sure which. I'm using a WD-800 with two Subway 2x12 cabinets with the amp set to 2 ohms. I play really loud, hard rock with a lot of high gain pedals and other effects. My settings on the amp are the "rock/tube grind" EQ from the owners manual with the master volume at 1 o'clock, but I dial the input gain on the amp back to about 10 o'clock as I get most of my drive from the pedals. The OD light flashes often when I play, with the Limit LED lighting up about 25% of the time, which is supposed to be OK according to the manual. When the smell is present, the sound/tone aren't effected at all.

I got on the WD-800 and 2x12 train pretty early, but they're still only maybe two months old. Any opinions on if the smell is related to normal break in, or is it like a burning voice coil/something more concerning?

Seems unusual to 'me' that the OD light is going on when the Gain is at 10 oclock.
Input signal must be pretty hot, but idk if related. Just an observation.

 

[Al Kraft]

Maybe bump up the hpf a few hz and see if that makes a difference as well. I've used the hpf at 40-50 hz and had good results with tightening up the bas and gaining headroom

+1...I think that with so many years of FOH support and sound techs pumping our bass through massive subs many of us often think that our bass rigs should sound like that. Very few bass cabs are designed or meant to operate in that range, but I suspect many of us have that sub reinforced on-stage sound in our heads.

IME dialing up the HPF a bit will get you solid bass tones and offer some valuable headroom. This is especially significant when you are at or near max amp capacity and running right up to the thermal limits of your speakers. While pushing speakers that hard may be relatively safe (as long as mechanical limits aren't exceeded) you will frequently start to see that high thermal load reducing output. Push even further and you are in a death spiral relative to generating more heat and losing more volume...and then losing a speaker.

 

[tombowlus]

I can speak to this, though my experience with the WD was brief. The best by a mile was the +, the deep + bright and etc made it a much punchier more cutting amp than the D-800. Which itself was OK but lacking those tonal elements, despite being quick. And I know you may remember me saying I prefer a throatier grindier overdrive sound. The WD just did not have the bottom punch, and overall clarity I personally prefer. If the + was the size of the 800 I would have kept it for sure, but I’m happy to still own the D-800

I have not played the WD-800 yet, but I would agree that the D-800+ seems to be inherently more heavy/rock/metal friendly than the D-800. That being said, the D-800 does allow for a good bit of tone-shaping.

 

[agedhorse]

It's not uncommon for an amp to have some odor early on as small amounts of coatings outgass a bit. This should go away after a few sessions of playing.

There is more gain on tap with the WD-800, specifically to allow for more tube overdrive. This, combined with any gain provided by pedals could easily explain the 10:00 knob position you are using IME.

 

[Cardiff Giant]

It's not uncommon for an amp to have some odor early on as small amounts of coatings outgass a bit. This should go away after a few sessions of playing.

There is more gain on tap with the WD-800, specifically to allow for more tube overdrive. This, combined with any gain provided by pedals could easily explain the 10:00 knob position you are using IME.

Cool, thanks for answering!

 

[LeonD]

I'm looking to purchase either the WD-800 or D-800+ in the very near future. I'm trying to find a store near me that has both in stock but it looks doubtful. And even if I do, I find music stores tend to be the worst place to try music gear. Plus I've found that I need to live with gear for a while to determine if it's a keeper or not.

I've been reading user opinions here on the two amps. Helpful in some cases, more confusing in others.

My past history leads me towards tighter and brighter amps. I tend to prefer solid state over tube preamps; when I had a GB with both, I always used the SS side. I like the GK upper mid tone. One of my favorite amps ever was the Mesa M9/M6.

With the opinions here, the gist I'm getting is that the D-800+ leans more towards the "M9/M6" side of the spectrum while the WD-800 has more upper mids/bite (which to me, translates as clarity, maybe?), but is tube like and growly.

So based on the above, any opinions on which one I should start with?

 

[tombowlus]

I'm looking to purchase either the WD-800 or D-800+ in the very near future. I'm trying to find a store near me that has both in stock but it looks doubtful. And even if I do, I find music stores tend to be the worst place to try music gear. Plus I've found that I need to live with gear for a while to determine if it's a keeper or not.

I've been reading user opinions here on the two amps. Helpful in some cases, more confusing in others.

My past history leads me towards tighter and brighter amps. I tend to prefer solid state over tube preamps; when I had a GB with both, I always used the SS side. I like the GK upper mid tone. One of my favorite amps ever was the Mesa M9/M6.

With the opinions here, the gist I'm getting is that the D-800+ leans more towards the "M9/M6" side of the spectrum while the WD-800 has more upper mids/bite (which to me, translates as clarity, maybe?), but is tube like and growly.

So based on the above, any opinions on which one I should start with?

IME/IMHO, the D-800+ will hit closer to the mark fro what you are after.

 

[Calvin Maine]

Heya, So today I took my first steps into the world of Bass Amplification, I am pretty sure they weren’t baby steps either!
Further to my previous post weeks ago, I’ve been looking for a Bass Head and Cab that would give me a large spectrum of tonal options for the various styles I want to work in and I had my heart set on all valves but like most of you, I didn’t want to break my back transporting it. After a massive amount of consideration and research ie (Ampeg SVT-VR,
V-4B, Aguilar 751DB, Even some Orange stuff began getting thrown out there) and reading what y’all are using and/or want to be using and seeing y’all frothing on the D800+ and the WD800 as it’s just hit the shelves, Some of you have yours, some are waiting etc
I have been diligently searching for an all valve super monster to give me the hit I’m looking for and I’m so proud and grateful to be able to present to the family my Mesa Prodigy Four:88 and the 410 Powerhouse.

Today I realised a dream that one of the most legendary brands ever and the brand I’ve always dreamed of having but could never afford, became a part of my family, my life, my work, I’m so psyched!

 

[MyMusic]

Congratulations and welcome to the club. Looks like Mesa makes something for everybody. Enjoy your new rig.

 

[Calvin Maine]

Congratulations and welcome to the club. Looks like Mesa makes something for everybody. Enjoy your new rig.

Thank you. It’s amazing to be onboard. This thing is insane and the 410 holds it all together really nice and tightly. I was going to do the 215 thing but in the end, I didn’t want to risk a fluffy midrange even tho what I’ve heard about the 215 being very articulate throughout the freq spectrum, I just felt the 410 was going to give me the least drama in a possibly awful room.

 

[Amajew]

Thank you. It’s amazing to be onboard. This thing is insane and the 410 holds it all together really nice and tightly. I was going to do the 215 thing but in the end, I didn’t want to risk a fluffy midrange even tho what I’ve heard about the 215 being very articulate throughout the freq spectrum, I just felt the 410 was going to give me the least drama in a possibly awful room.

Sick rig. Been wanting to try the prodigy.
The modern 215's are anything but fluffy

 

[Calvin Maine]

Sick rig. Been wanting to try the prodigy.
The modern 215's are anything but fluffy

Thanks man, I’m so psyched.. Yeah I figured as much(215-everyone has said they’re superb) but maybe it was a cost thing in the end, they were another grand more and the Prodigy was (AUS)$4799 so I spanked some hard coin anyway but my god it’s got everything tonally and I am crazy about this gear..I’ll get plenty out of the 410, it’s the 4ohm cab so it will roar if we need it to.. Man I’d recommend trying a prodigy ASAP because I was told they have discontinued it. There’ll still be a few out there and at a great price I’d imagine.

 

[rodl2005]

Congrats on the rig @Calvin Maine

Yeah, Mesa gear IS super pricey out here in Australia! Very Sad. I've never had ANY new Mesa gear myself.
I had a couple of Walkabouts.. which were great at their thing, but I'm sure I would have had many Mesa products if they weren't so $$ here.
I only really got my Fender Super Bassman as it was such a great price, otherwise I'm sure I'd own an SVT-VR right now.
But, in 2012, the price was a grand cheaper for the Fender compared to the SVT-VR, and I'm VERY pleased that I did go the Fender route.
I'll just have to hope for a global recession, and the Aus $ to get back to how it was in C.2010-12 THEN I may be able to afford a new Mesa.... and the 215 would be top of my list at present.

 

[derlewine]

Hope this is the right thread to post this question to. I’m in the market for a new head and the WD800 is really looking good.

Current rig is a little mark 800 going into two older Powerhouse 112s. The little mark was always ok but not great sounding. So I invested in a Noble preamp to get some tube sound and that thing sounds AMAZING. And the combo of that going into the LM800 actually was pretty good.

What I’m wondering is, now would I be better off with the regular D800 and keep using the noble preamp (I really would like to keep that in the chain)? My concern is the tube preamp Noble going into the tube preamp of the WD800 seems redundant and like it might not get the best result.

Anyone else using a tube preamp into the WD 800 or is this a foolish idea?

 

[Jman2089]

It’s not a foolish idea. The noble is outstanding on its own. Going into. A tube amp you would really be able to drive it well. I used it going into a berg ip. I think the noble into the 800 or plus is going to be a super clean punchy tone! That’s got my vote. Without the noble I would do the WD.

 

[agedhorse]

You can also use the Noble preamp into either the effects return or the aux input, bypassing the WD-800 preamp.

 

[Calvin Maine]

Congrats on the rig @Calvin Maine

Yeah, Mesa gear IS super pricey out here in Australia! Very Sad. I've never had ANY new Mesa gear myself.
I had a couple of Walkabouts.. which were great at their thing, but I'm sure I would have had many Mesa products if they weren't so $$ here.
I only really got my Fender Super Bassman as it was such a great price, otherwise I'm sure I'd own an SVT-VR right now.
But, in 2012, the price was a grand cheaper for the Fender compared to the SVT-VR, and I'm VERY pleased that I did go the Fender route.
I'll just have to hope for a global recession, and the Aus $ to get back to how it was in C.2010-12 THEN I may be able to afford a new Mesa.... and the 215 would be top of my list at present.

Cheers Bro. Listen I totally get it. I’ve had to stare through the shop window on Mesa products for 20 years because of the price but it doesn’t just single out Mesa, all the classic brands coming out of the States or Britain, we get the ass end of the deal and it’s savage. I’m very fortunate that I’ve been able to finally have the thing I’ve always wanted because there were times when I was just going to settle for something else because the last bridge of Mesa seemed just that bit too far for me, I’m so happy I didn’t bottle it because playing this thing just now even at half power, was unbelievable and everything I envisaged it would be. I lost no tone at all and the tone spectrum is outrageous. There is nothing this rig won’t get for you, it’s a joke. You’ll get it man don’t worry, just think of it every day, that’s what I did.

 

[rodl2005]

Cheers Bro. Listen I totally get it. I’ve had to stare through the shop window on Mesa products for 20 years because of the price but it doesn’t just single out Mesa, all the classic brands coming out of the States or Britain, we get the ass end of the deal and it’s savage. I’m very fortunate that I’ve been able to finally have the thing I’ve always wanted because there were times when I was just going to settle for something else because the last bridge of Mesa seemed just that bit too far for me, I’m so happy I didn’t bottle it because playing this thing just now even at half power, was unbelievable and everything I envisaged it would be. I lost no tone at all and the tone spectrum is outrageous. There is nothing this rig won’t get for you, it’s a joke. You’ll get it man don’t worry, just think of it every day, that’s what I did.

I'm completely happy with my Super Bassman, but thanx anyway.

I use an Orange AD200B too. Love it also.

 

[MTN.bass72]

Hope this is the right thread to post this question to. I’m in the market for a new head and the WD800 is really looking good.

Current rig is a little mark 800 going into two older Powerhouse 112s. The little mark was always ok but not great sounding. So I invested in a Noble preamp to get some tube sound and that thing sounds AMAZING. And the combo of that going into the LM800 actually was pretty good.

What I’m wondering is, now would I be better off with the regular D800 and keep using the noble preamp (I really would like to keep that in the chain)? My concern is the tube preamp Noble going into the tube preamp of the WD800 seems redundant and like it might not get the best result.

Anyone else using a tube preamp into the WD 800 or is this a foolish idea?

I had two different Nobles... I ran them into the AUX in of the D800 and well, it was simply stunning Noble little box of magic sounding...
Also into the instrument input which gives you the D800 eq as well... but with the Noble, I felt I didn't need it, so the Aux in was fine....
Now I'm on my third D800... long story... I no longer have the Noble, do I miss it? Absolutely, BUT... The D800 doesn't in any way leave me wanting... I absolutely love it! That's why I'm on my third since having to sell my first two..
I'd love to try the WD800 some day, but I'm not in any rush because the D800 works so well for me.