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Mesa based on the reviews from trusted TBer's. Never seen one up close.
Riis
Riis
I have the Mesa. It's freaking awesome. The GK has also had great reviews. I'm sure the ampeg is great too. You're hard pressed to choose a bad option between the three.
If there were no hands on, touchy feely in choosing, I would go with Mesa hands down due to the respect given here. The response, even though a few have not been happy with their purchase, has been enormous and honestly valid in their reasoning.
The D-800 turned my MBF800 into a back-up amp.
I voted for the MB800, but I like a clean, modern sound. I like the Subway too, but it's more "voiced" than the MB800. Either one will serve you nicely. I don't know a danged thing about Ampeg, so I hate it.
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LOL Awesome response! Hang on . . . . I'm getting some popcorn.
Funny, I'm currently cross-shopping these 3 as well. Mesa seems to be the most highly regarded and has a great warranty (5 years) but I just can't get my hands on one to play it and I'm extremely leery about dropping a serious amount of coin on something I haven't played.
I don't think you can go wrong with any of them though. The Mesa and GK heads are made in America, Ampeg PF is made in China I believe. If that matters to you at all (it really doesn't to me!)
I don't think you can go wrong with any of them though. The Mesa and GK heads are made in America, Ampeg PF is made in China I believe. If that matters to you at all (it really doesn't to me!)
I voted Mesa.
I can't speak to the Ampeg PF-800 model, but I did have two Ampeg PF-500's burn out on me, so I'm not a fan of the PF series of heads.
Had a G.K. MB800 for alittle over a year, I was constantly trying to dial it in, never bonded with it.
Parted with the MB for a Mesa.....LOVE it!
I can't speak to the Ampeg PF-800 model, but I did have two Ampeg PF-500's burn out on me, so I'm not a fan of the PF series of heads.
Had a G.K. MB800 for alittle over a year, I was constantly trying to dial it in, never bonded with it.
Parted with the MB for a Mesa.....LOVE it!
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Wait a minute... you are carrying around an 8x10 cabinet?? And worrying about which tiny class D to use? Brother, just go for it. Ampeg SVT or at least a V4B. You are not going to get the weight from a class D that your 8x10 needs. At the very least, maybe a GK 800RB...
Can't go wrong with any of them. Those are three top notch amps. Add the Genzler Magellan 800 to the list, write them all on the wall then throw a dart at said wall. Buy whatever amp the dart hits.
But really, the Ampeg sounds like an Ampeg. The GK sounds like a GK. The Mesa can kinda do both with more of a clean, crisp sound. The Magellan can kinda get close to all of them.
If small and light is the most important, GK is the smallest followed by Mesa then Genzler then Ampeg.
Ampeg has an awesome compressor built in.
If made in the USA is important, Mesa and GK.
If two ohm stable is important, Mesa is your only pick.
Mesa has the best warranty.
But really, the Ampeg sounds like an Ampeg. The GK sounds like a GK. The Mesa can kinda do both with more of a clean, crisp sound. The Magellan can kinda get close to all of them.
If small and light is the most important, GK is the smallest followed by Mesa then Genzler then Ampeg.
Ampeg has an awesome compressor built in.
If made in the USA is important, Mesa and GK.
If two ohm stable is important, Mesa is your only pick.
Mesa has the best warranty.
I'd get a Carvin B2000 to go with an 810... Any 3 of these amps should be quite lovely, however.
gregbackstrom
These aren't stock curves--things move around!
I have an MB 800, an MB Fusion 800 and previously owned a Subway D800. If the 2 ohm capability isn't important to you, I'd go with the MB 800. BTW, I gave up the Subway for the Bergantino B|Amp. Expensive, but worth it! All of these amps are fabulous!!
Just rehearsed for 4 hours in a new location that had a Portaflex 500. It was my first time playing a portaflex for more than 20 minutes at GC. It's a better amp than I initially gave it credit for, but it's still just missing something tonally. GK and Mesa are both phenomenal amps. I'd take the Mesa over the regular MB800, but I'd take the MB800 fusion over any other class D head in production.
I hope that helps.
I hope that helps.
I was in a similar position a while ago, but with a TC head in the mix. GK is great and all, sounds like a typical GK, whereas my experience with the Ampeg PF stuff hasn't been good. Generally not too impressed with it.
I picked the Mesa for 4 reasons:
1) I already have a GK head, so getting another one seemed pointless, I like having variety
2) 800w into 2 ohms gives a LOT of flexibility
3) Build quality is beyond anything else out there IMO
4) Being a Mesa, it should hold its resale value extremely well (not that I have any intentions whatsoever to part with it for the conceivable future, just looking at it purely from an investment point of view)
I picked the Mesa for 4 reasons:
1) I already have a GK head, so getting another one seemed pointless, I like having variety
2) 800w into 2 ohms gives a LOT of flexibility
3) Build quality is beyond anything else out there IMO
4) Being a Mesa, it should hold its resale value extremely well (not that I have any intentions whatsoever to part with it for the conceivable future, just looking at it purely from an investment point of view)
Not to stir it up but I would also be considering the Peavey Mini-Mega 1000 amp. It does wonders with big cabs. Even with my small, single driver cabs. Lots of features, huge sound at a great price.
