Ordered a Mesa WD-800 before my Orange OB1-500 was delivered...

[HeavyGroove]

As a preface, these are both from MF/MF on Reverb so I do have the 45 day return policy.

To sum it up, my last two/current rigs are an all pedal setup into a Quilter BB800 and also a Peavey MiniMax v2 (GK RB gear before that). I got tired of knob fiddling so the MiniMax became my primary player. I still have both of these setups and while completely serviceable, once I changed my primary bass from a down-tuned 4 string (D and C) to a 5 string, I was only getting about 80% of the way there with my tone. I definitely still have a good time playing, but always feel like a little something is missing now.

Regardless of the amp I'm using, my tonal profile is usually boost at 100hz and 1khz, cut with the bass knob to around 10-11:00, boost mid knob(s) to 1-2:00 and treble to taste. The thing I always chase is a decent tight grit to my sound as well (Geddy, Squire etc). This is why I ordered the OB1-500 in the first place.

Based on all the sound samples I could find, it seemed like it would be a perfect fit - slamming clean power with dialing in grit to taste in a parallel application. The problem is between ordering it (it arrived yesterday evening so I haven't had time to play it yet) and it being delivered, all the limitations of the OB1-500 really started to stick out in my head. I read the manual before and even emailed Orange directly to make sure I had all the info right, so I knew about them and thought it would be ok.

-No effects loop/limited outs
-A modest 22lbs (not heavy but not class D weight)
-Kept reading about the baked in Orange tone (you love it or hate it)
-Limited EQ (they don't even list the EQ points)
-No mute
-4 ohm operation (my Peavey only does 4 so this was fine but 2 ohms prevents having to slave another amp to run another cab for me)

For whatever reason, I started reading about the Mesa Subway series on here and these limitations became even more pronounced.

-The WD-800 goes down to 2 ohms
-All the loops, line outs etc that you could ever need
-Plenty of EQ options with the WD-800
-More tonal controls in general
-Tube pre
-HPF
-Mute and all the other creature comforts you'd expect from a more expensive amp

I listened to @IvanBassist 's blind comparison between the 800+ and the WD-800 and the WD won out on 90% of the samples for me. While the Mesa wasn't an immediate "that's my tone!" I do like it and it seemed like I could find my tone in there (primarily a pick player).

Playing either before buying wasn't an option nor have I played Orange or Mesa in the past, so this was jumping in blind besides the sound samples. The WD-800 is a little more money, but at that price point a $100 here or there doesn't make a huge difference, so that's more or less a non-factor.

Tone is obviously the #1 priority but I was having buyer's remorse for not getting all of those features that come standard on other high end amps. Orange and Mesa do seem to differ a good amount tone wise, but I keep having a fear of encountering future issues of, "Oh yeah, I can't do that with the Orange..." even if I do like the tone.

Anyone else go through this sort of thing? Anyone else compare these two amps? The WD-800 will show up in the next few days, so I'll have some dedicated time with the OB1-500 before I'm able to A/B them.

 

[abarson]

I've nothing to offer, but thanks for creating a well thought-out post.
Keep us updated with your observations.

 

[IvanBassist]

As a preface, these are both from MF/MF on Reverb so I do have the 45 day return policy.

To sum it up, my last two/current rigs are an all pedal setup into a Quilter BB800 and also a Peavey MiniMax v2 (GK RB gear before that). I got tired of knob fiddling so the MiniMax became my primary player. I still have both of these setups and while completely serviceable, once I changed my primary bass from a down-tuned 4 string (D and C) to a 5 string, I was only getting about 80% of the way there with my tone. I definitely still have a good time playing, but always feel like a little something is missing now.

Regardless of the amp I'm using, my tonal profile is usually boost at 100hz and 1khz, cut with the bass knob to around 10-11:00, boost mid knob(s) to 1-2:00 and treble to taste. The thing I always chase is a decent tight grit to my sound as well (Geddy, Squire etc). This is why I ordered the OB1-500 in the first place.

Based on all the sound samples I could find, it seemed like it would be a perfect fit - slamming clean power with dialing in grit to taste in a parallel application. The problem is between ordering it (it arrived yesterday evening so I haven't had time to play it yet) and it being delivered, all the limitations of the OB1-500 really started to stick out in my head. I read the manual before and even emailed Orange directly to make sure I had all the info right, so I knew about them and thought it would be ok.

-No effects loop/limited outs
-A modest 22lbs (not heavy but not class D weight)
-Kept reading about the baked in Orange tone (you love it or hate it)
-Limited EQ (they don't even list the EQ points)
-No mute
-4 ohm operation (my Peavey only does 4 so this was fine but 2 ohms prevents having to slave another amp to run another cab for me)

For whatever reason, I started reading about the Mesa Subway series on here and these limitations became even more pronounced.

-The WD-800 goes down to 2 ohms
-All the loops, line outs etc that you could ever need
-Plenty of EQ options with the WD-800
-More tonal controls in general
-Tube pre
-Mute and all the other creature comforts you'd expect from a more expensive amp

I listened to @IvanBassist 's blind comparison between the 800+ and the WD-800 and the WD won out on 90% of the samples for me. While the Mesa wasn't an immediate "that's my tone!" I do like it and it seemed like I could find my tone in there (primarily a pick player).

Playing either before buying wasn't an option nor have I played Orange or Mesa in the past, so this was jumping in blind besides the sound samples. The WD-800 is a little more money, but at that price point a $100 here or there doesn't make a huge difference, so that's more or less a non-factor.

Tone is obviously the #1 priority but I was having buyer's remorse for not getting all of those features that come standard on other high end amps. Orange and Mesa do seem to differ a good amount tone wise, but I keep having a fear of encountering future issues of, "Oh yeah, I can't do that with the Orange..." even if I do like the tone.

Anyone else go through this sort of thing? Anyone else compare these two amps? The WD-800 will show up in the next few days, so I'll have some dedicated time with the OB1-500 before I'm able to A/B them.

Glad to hear the video was helpful!

 

[HeavyGroove]

Glad to hear the video was helpful!

I'll echo what others have said before - best gear demos out there!

 

[joel406]

As a preface, these are both from MF/MF on Reverb so I do have the 45 day return policy.

To sum it up, my last two/current rigs are an all pedal setup into a Quilter BB800 and also a Peavey MiniMax v2 (GK RB gear before that). I got tired of knob fiddling so the MiniMax became my primary player. I still have both of these setups and while completely serviceable, once I changed my primary bass from a down-tuned 4 string (D and C) to a 5 string, I was only getting about 80% of the way there with my tone. I definitely still have a good time playing, but always feel like a little something is missing now.

Regardless of the amp I'm using, my tonal profile is usually boost at 100hz and 1khz, cut with the bass knob to around 10-11:00, boost mid knob(s) to 1-2:00 and treble to taste. The thing I always chase is a decent tight grit to my sound as well (Geddy, Squire etc). This is why I ordered the OB1-500 in the first place.

Based on all the sound samples I could find, it seemed like it would be a perfect fit - slamming clean power with dialing in grit to taste in a parallel application. The problem is between ordering it (it arrived yesterday evening so I haven't had time to play it yet) and it being delivered, all the limitations of the OB1-500 really started to stick out in my head. I read the manual before and even emailed Orange directly to make sure I had all the info right, so I knew about them and thought it would be ok.

-No effects loop/limited outs
-A modest 22lbs (not heavy but not class D weight)
-Kept reading about the baked in Orange tone (you love it or hate it)
-Limited EQ (they don't even list the EQ points)
-No mute
-4 ohm operation (my Peavey only does 4 so this was fine but 2 ohms prevents having to slave another amp to run another cab for me)

For whatever reason, I started reading about the Mesa Subway series on here and these limitations became even more pronounced.

-The WD-800 goes down to 2 ohms
-All the loops, line outs etc that you could ever need
-Plenty of EQ options with the WD-800
-More tonal controls in general
-Tube pre
-Mute and all the other creature comforts you'd expect from a more expensive amp

I listened to @IvanBassist 's blind comparison between the 800+ and the WD-800 and the WD won out on 90% of the samples for me. While the Mesa wasn't an immediate "that's my tone!" I do like it and it seemed like I could find my tone in there (primarily a pick player).

Playing either before buying wasn't an option nor have I played Orange or Mesa in the past, so this was jumping in blind besides the sound samples. The WD-800 is a little more money, but at that price point a $100 here or there doesn't make a huge difference, so that's more or less a non-factor.

Tone is obviously the #1 priority but I was having buyer's remorse for not getting all of those features that come standard on other high end amps. Orange and Mesa do seem to differ a good amount tone wise, but I keep having a fear of encountering future issues of, "Oh yeah, I can't do that with the Orange..." even if I do like the tone.

Anyone else go through this sort of thing? Anyone else compare these two amps? The WD-800 will show up in the next few days, so I'll have some dedicated time with the OB1-500 before I'm able to A/B them.

Not sure but I may have nodded off reading this.

In the end keep the Mesa.

 

[starjag]

Please do tell us why so we could live vicariously.

Not sure but I may have nodded off reading this.

In the end keep the Mesa.

 

[starjag]

Just to add some context, I have been “this” close to pull the trigger on a WD. So maybe I’m looking for the final push to buy something I don’t really need

 

[HeavyGroove]

Just to add some context, I have been “this” close to pull the trigger on a WD. So maybe I’m looking for the final push to buy something I don’t really need

I'll see if I can help spend your money in a few days, ha!

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Re: WD-800 / D-800+ comparison video, is it this (below) and if so, isn't that effectively a bit of Mid boost on the WD? I thought "flat" was more around 10:00-2:00 because of the make up gain even though the control is passive. Not trying to be critical, but that jumped out at me when I was watching and I could be wrong.

 

[Zoffy]

My main amp is a WD-800. I've never had problems dialing in a great sound. The only amps that I now go back and forth on are my backup amps (currently, it's an Eden WTX 500). The Mesa, however, is a rock-solid keeper for me.

 

[HeavyGroove]

Re: WD-800 / D-800+ comparison video, is it this (below) and if so, isn't that effectively a bit of Mid boost on the WD? I thought "flat" was more around 10:00-2:00 because of the make up gain even though the control is passive. Not trying to be critical, but that jumped out at me when I was watching and I could be wrong.

No, it's actually this one that I was referencing:


But I agree, per the manual, you are correct about the passive mids knob.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

No, it's actually this one that I was referencing:


But I agree, per the manual, you are correct about the passive mids knob.

Before I get to the end of the video, I own a D-800+ and I think I slightly prefer amp A. Back to the video....

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Before I get to the end of the video, I own a D-800+ and I think I slightly prefer amp A. Back to the video....

Spoiler alert:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Yay!!! I like the amp I have.

 

[coreyfyfe]

I briefly owned an OB1-500. I got it in trade for a tube amp I was selling and had zero intentions of keeping the amp. It was simply a smaller/lighter piece of gear of equivalent value, which meant I could sell it online and it would be less hassle to ship.

So that bias stated up front, my assessment of the amp was that it was entirely unremarkable. The cons you listed up top are all true, and in comparison to similarly priced amps it is severely lacking in features. The drive on the amp wasn’t my style, so for me it was more useful as a clean amp with drive coming from my pedals. As a clean amp alone it was larger and heavier than anything comparable with - as mentioned- far fewer features for the price point. I didn’t intend to keep the amp, and spending time playing it through my cabs with my basses didn’t do anything to change my mind.

I haven’t played a WD-800 but have played the D800+. Very solid amp. If you want the walkabout preamp I don’t think you’d be disappointed, and the damping control really interests me.

 

[Matty Koff]

As a preface, these are both from MF/MF on Reverb so I do have the 45 day return policy.

To sum it up, my last two/current rigs are an all pedal setup into a Quilter BB800 and also a Peavey MiniMax v2 (GK RB gear before that). I got tired of knob fiddling so the MiniMax became my primary player. I still have both of these setups and while completely serviceable, once I changed my primary bass from a down-tuned 4 string (D and C) to a 5 string, I was only getting about 80% of the way there with my tone. I definitely still have a good time playing, but always feel like a little something is missing now.

Regardless of the amp I'm using, my tonal profile is usually boost at 100hz and 1khz, cut with the bass knob to around 10-11:00, boost mid knob(s) to 1-2:00 and treble to taste. The thing I always chase is a decent tight grit to my sound as well (Geddy, Squire etc). This is why I ordered the OB1-500 in the first place.

Based on all the sound samples I could find, it seemed like it would be a perfect fit - slamming clean power with dialing in grit to taste in a parallel application. The problem is between ordering it (it arrived yesterday evening so I haven't had time to play it yet) and it being delivered, all the limitations of the OB1-500 really started to stick out in my head. I read the manual before and even emailed Orange directly to make sure I had all the info right, so I knew about them and thought it would be ok.

-No effects loop/limited outs
-A modest 22lbs (not heavy but not class D weight)
-Kept reading about the baked in Orange tone (you love it or hate it)
-Limited EQ (they don't even list the EQ points)
-No mute
-4 ohm operation (my Peavey only does 4 so this was fine but 2 ohms prevents having to slave another amp to run another cab for me)

For whatever reason, I started reading about the Mesa Subway series on here and these limitations became even more pronounced.

-The WD-800 goes down to 2 ohms
-All the loops, line outs etc that you could ever need
-Plenty of EQ options with the WD-800
-More tonal controls in general
-Tube pre
-HPF
-Mute and all the other creature comforts you'd expect from a more expensive amp

I listened to @IvanBassist 's blind comparison between the 800+ and the WD-800 and the WD won out on 90% of the samples for me. While the Mesa wasn't an immediate "that's my tone!" I do like it and it seemed like I could find my tone in there (primarily a pick player).

Playing either before buying wasn't an option nor have I played Orange or Mesa in the past, so this was jumping in blind besides the sound samples. The WD-800 is a little more money, but at that price point a $100 here or there doesn't make a huge difference, so that's more or less a non-factor.

Tone is obviously the #1 priority but I was having buyer's remorse for not getting all of those features that come standard on other high end amps. Orange and Mesa do seem to differ a good amount tone wise, but I keep having a fear of encountering future issues of, "Oh yeah, I can't do that with the Orange..." even if I do like the tone.

Anyone else go through this sort of thing? Anyone else compare these two amps? The WD-800 will show up in the next few days, so I'll have some dedicated time with the OB1-500 before I'm able to A/B them.

Can't speak for the orange but when Sweetwater called me to ask how I was liking my WD-800 I told them they weren't getting it back.

 

[HeavyGroove]

It's always nice when that happens, ha! The WD-800 just had a slightly more airy tone with a tiny bit of clank that I like as well. If the WD didn't exist, I'm sure the 800+ would make me happy.

 

[HeavyGroove]

I briefly owned an OB1-500. I got it in trade for a tube amp I was selling and had zero intentions of keeping the amp. It was simply a smaller/lighter piece of gear of equivalent value, which meant I could sell it online and it would be less hassle to ship.

So that bias stated up front, my assessment of the amp was that it was entirely unremarkable. The cons you listed up top are all true, and in comparison to similarly priced amps it is severely lacking in features. The drive on the amp wasn’t my style, so for me it was more useful as a clean amp with drive coming from my pedals. As a clean amp alone it was larger and heavier than anything comparable with - as mentioned- far fewer features for the price point. I didn’t intend to keep the amp, and spending time playing it through my cabs with my basses didn’t do anything to change my mind.

I haven’t played a WD-800 but have played the D800+. Very solid amp. If you want the walkabout preamp I don’t think you’d be disappointed, and the damping control really interests me.

Thank you for confirming my previous hands-off evaluations. I'll be giving the OB1-500 a run through tonight.

 

[Jackcrow]

I used to have a D-800 and now have the WD-800. It does absolutely everything I want it to. As simple or complex as you want it to be. Plenty of power. Built in HPF. I’d stick with the Mesa.

 

[murphy]

A modest 22lbs (not heavy but not class D weight)

I am interested in how you feel about the bottom end feel between the two amps...when you get them

 

[dbsfgyd1]

As a preface, these are both from MF/MF on Reverb so I do have the 45 day return policy.

To sum it up, my last two/current rigs are an all pedal setup into a Quilter BB800 and also a Peavey MiniMax v2 (GK RB gear before that). I got tired of knob fiddling so the MiniMax became my primary player. I still have both of these setups and while completely serviceable, once I changed my primary bass from a down-tuned 4 string (D and C) to a 5 string, I was only getting about 80% of the way there with my tone. I definitely still have a good time playing, but always feel like a little something is missing now.

Regardless of the amp I'm using, my tonal profile is usually boost at 100hz and 1khz, cut with the bass knob to around 10-11:00, boost mid knob(s) to 1-2:00 and treble to taste. The thing I always chase is a decent tight grit to my sound as well (Geddy, Squire etc). This is why I ordered the OB1-500 in the first place.

Based on all the sound samples I could find, it seemed like it would be a perfect fit - slamming clean power with dialing in grit to taste in a parallel application. The problem is between ordering it (it arrived yesterday evening so I haven't had time to play it yet) and it being delivered, all the limitations of the OB1-500 really started to stick out in my head. I read the manual before and even emailed Orange directly to make sure I had all the info right, so I knew about them and thought it would be ok.

-No effects loop/limited outs
-A modest 22lbs (not heavy but not class D weight)
-Kept reading about the baked in Orange tone (you love it or hate it)
-Limited EQ (they don't even list the EQ points)
-No mute
-4 ohm operation (my Peavey only does 4 so this was fine but 2 ohms prevents having to slave another amp to run another cab for me)

For whatever reason, I started reading about the Mesa Subway series on here and these limitations became even more pronounced.

-The WD-800 goes down to 2 ohms
-All the loops, line outs etc that you could ever need
-Plenty of EQ options with the WD-800
-More tonal controls in general
-Tube pre
-HPF
-Mute and all the other creature comforts you'd expect from a more expensive amp

I listened to @IvanBassist 's blind comparison between the 800+ and the WD-800 and the WD won out on 90% of the samples for me. While the Mesa wasn't an immediate "that's my tone!" I do like it and it seemed like I could find my tone in there (primarily a pick player).

Playing either before buying wasn't an option nor have I played Orange or Mesa in the past, so this was jumping in blind besides the sound samples. The WD-800 is a little more money, but at that price point a $100 here or there doesn't make a huge difference, so that's more or less a non-factor.

Tone is obviously the #1 priority but I was having buyer's remorse for not getting all of those features that come standard on other high end amps. Orange and Mesa do seem to differ a good amount tone wise, but I keep having a fear of encountering future issues of, "Oh yeah, I can't do that with the Orange..." even if I do like the tone.

Anyone else go through this sort of thing? Anyone else compare these two amps? The WD-800 will show up in the next few days, so I'll have some dedicated time with the OB1-500 before I'm able to A/B them.

If I was buying an integrated amp to day, it would be the WD-800. Unfortunately, I have a lot of Eden gear that needs to quit working first, and I have a lifetime supply….