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WD800 vs Bass-800D
- Thread starter 4stringmf
- Start date
140 pages, I think you might find a verdict in there somewhere
This deserves it’s own thread.. Looks really nice !
I tried going through it.....too many rabbit holes. Just trying to zero in and keep it simple in this thread..... hopefully140 pages, I think you might find a verdict in there somewhere
This deserves it’s own thread.. Looks really nice !
Oh I get it. When I saw your post I tried a search on that thread with the key words WD 800, it narrowed it down some, but not enough, I gave up
From my experience in that thread, while there are a bunch of us that own the 800D AND own either a D-800+, TT-800 or WD-800, none of us are willing to let go of our amps even though the general consensus is the 800D is now going to be our go to amp.
For me, I have owned the D-800+ for 4 years now, but for the last year I have been running a "More" by Sushi Box FX, two tube preamp pedal in front of it. That combination has served me well. And although the 800D, IMO, is better, my D-800+/More pedal combination is close enough to be a great backup while still offering something different if I need it to be.
As spectacular as the 800D is, I just don't see a lot of Mesa owners giving up their other Mesa amps either.
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This could make for an interesting poll, say, a year from now:
Did you sell off your other Subway amps after acquiring your Bass 800D?
Not having owned any of the other Mesa amps, what I can say is I prefer the 800D over my first gen Bergantino Forte HP. As I wrote in the big thread, the simplicity, and authoritative sound, of the 800D makes it a no brainer for me. It's a velvet hammer.
I already have an M-pulse 360, Walkabout, and a WD. Having both a PH 2x12 and 4x12, I don't really need any more power, of that of the WD..... So I'm just wondering If I should explore the Bass 800. My thinking is that since I already have the older models, with no plans to get rid of them....I was thinking perhaps having the WD, may be a bit redundant. I certainly do love it though.
You'll never know until you try a Bass 800D.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,024
- 5
- 220,888
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Agreed, it’s a quite different amp than the WD because it was modeled after a very different amp.You'll never know until you try a Bass 800D.
A more 400+ focused amp, over the Boogie channel on the TT?
If I understood correctly the 800D is more comparable to the Boogie channel of the TT800, both being based on the 400+?
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,024
- 5
- 220,888
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Correct, the TT has to balance the performance of the Boogie channel against the performance of the Subway channel so that channel switching was useable to more players. The Boogie channel is heavily flavored by the Bass 400 but the BD is even more Bass 400 focused, including more of the output section flavor & feel,
That is correct. I’ve never owned a 400+ so really have nothing to compare it to, but from everything i’ve read on here the 800D sounds very close to it.
I had a WD800 when I bought the 800D and in my opinion they are quite different.
While the WD800 has a bit of that “tube” aura and is kind of a “smooth” amp, the 800D has a lot more of that “Vintage” tube sound and is ”in your face”. This amp sounds “BIG” and punchy. It sounds a lot bigger than the WD800.
I currently have a TT800 as a backup, but that will soon be another 800D.
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- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,024
- 5
- 220,888
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
The WD is based on the Walkabout, which is a very different platform with a very different voicing and feel.
The Walkabout was Mesa’s best selling bass amp until successful class D amps made the Walkabout less desirable. There are also enough on the used market to make them easy to buy used.
A big part of the decision to discontinue the Walkabout, aside from slowing sales, was our inability to reliably source the MOSFETS in the correct Vgs ranges in production quantities.
The WD was very much a collaborative project, I asked what players here might want in a reimagined Walkabout and to share their thoughts about its strengths and weaknesses. I received a lot of very good information and ideas which resulted in the WD.
The Walkabout was Mesa’s best selling bass amp until successful class D amps made the Walkabout less desirable. There are also enough on the used market to make them easy to buy used.
A big part of the decision to discontinue the Walkabout, aside from slowing sales, was our inability to reliably source the MOSFETS in the correct Vgs ranges in production quantities.
The WD was very much a collaborative project, I asked what players here might want in a reimagined Walkabout and to share their thoughts about its strengths and weaknesses. I received a lot of very good information and ideas which resulted in the WD.
What are you looking for?
That is the issue, your perspective on your needs. Have you played any of these new Mesa Subway heads? Each one is different and has their own sounds. To even suggest one over the other we would have to know where you are coming from, what music you are into.
I have the WD but couldn't suggest that to you not knowing what's up on your style. For me, I am keeping my WD because it suits me and my thing. The BD 800 might fit what I do as well but I would have to try one before I could make that decision or tell folks I am into old Motown, Reggae, Art Noise… So someone would have to know the dealio
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I mentioned that I have a WD earlier in the thread....just curious what others who have played both ,felt about them compared to each other. I play hard metal, doom metal, rock, and mess with funk.What are you looking for?
That is the issue, your perspective on your needs. Have you played any of these new Mesa Subway heads? Each one is different and has their own sounds. To even suggest one over the other we would have to know where you are coming from, what music you are into.
I have the WD but couldn't suggest that to you not knowing what's up on your style. For me, I am keeping my WD because it suits me and my thing. The BD 800 might fit what I do as well but I would have to try one before I could make that decision or tell folks I am into old Motown, Reggae, Art Noise… So someone would have to know the dealio
I run both the WD800 and the Bass-800D. They are pretty different. The 800D seems to sound a little more present and maybe forward, not sure if that's a good description or not. I love both equally, it's not a one or the other type thing for me. Really it's a flavor difference, and they have a different feel while playing them too. I think you'd have to try both to know what I mean. Not a metal player, I usually get a round punchy type vibe.
Sorry, missed that
Well, I'd do the BD800, based on what I have heard tell on the BD and what I know from my WD. Both glorious amps but the BD might be the one for you
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- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,024
- 5
- 220,888
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
I would agree with this description.
