This is me exactly. When I decided on the D800+, the only thing I wished it had that it didn't was a tube in the pre. Now that wd800 is out, I am considering selling the + to get the wd. That doesn't diminish the + at all, in my mind.
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Well the old Mesa's must have become junk...
- Thread starter Jim C
- Start date
I'll add my count as someone who considered the D-800, but decided against it because it didn't have enough "voicing" to catch my interest, although it seemed like a heck of an amp in every other regard. If I was still amp shopping, the WD would probably win my dollars. Had I gone with the D-800, I probably would have given serious consideration to selling it and getting the WD. Just different preferences.
I get the impression they are different enough to justify owning both.
OLD MESA's!!????
I'LL show you an "old Mesa"!
There's my old Mesa, and you won't find it in the classifieds!
WD-800
Subway D-800;
Schmuble-you-D-800 (phew!)
Shmubway D-800
There is plenty of gear that I buy without getting to try - custom instruments for one. In that case you are in fact going off the reputation of the builder and your experience with previous examples. I have a Fodera 6-string on order. While I have played Fodera 6-strings, not one with the same spec and setup that I ordered. I am plunking down my money on faith.
I've publicly reviewed the Subway stuff and find it quite good for what I want out of a gigging amp. That doesn't prevent me from trying other stuff, and I usually have a one-in, one-out rule that helps take some of the sting out of purchases. But I've also worked my butt off to be in a position where I can afford to do the experimentation. Everyone has priorities, music is my main one outside of family responsibilities.
Given that I have liked what Andy has done in the past, the early feedback was enough to prompt me to get a WD800. I actually could have plugged into it at the Mesa store and tried it first (most don't have that luxury), but I passed and just paid for it and strapped it to the back of the motorcycle. Given the combination of past performance and current description (mostly that it is brighter than the D800/+), I happily bought blind. I also knew if I really didn't dig it, I could flip it and not lose much money since it will remain hot for awhile.
I think you got some negative reactions because your initial post came off as kinda bitter and snarky. May not have been intended that way, but I'm sure some read it that way. Such is the interwebs...
I should be able to shoot a video review this weekend, but I have two gigs and that may crimp my style. Will try to do some audio clips tonight though, comparing D800, Forte, and WD800.
Will try to do some audio clips tonight though, comparing D800, Forte, and WD800.
That would be great! I also have a D-800 and a Forte, so I eagerly await your findings.
That would be great! I also have a D-800 and a Forte, so I eagerly await your findings.
No biggie-you can call it a blip or a bump if you like. My point was simply that there's clearly a group wanting to get in on the WD800 and converting their 800/+ models into liquid to do so. That is all.
Will try to do some audio clips tonight though, comparing D800, Forte, and WD800.
That would be great! I also have a D-800 and a Forte, so I eagerly await your findings.
Here is a quick and dirty. Zoom H6, left channel is the xy mic about a foot away from a Hathor C1203T cabinet, right channel is DI.
Note - dead strings (especially E) on my YYD, running on the P pickup. I'm going to put a fresh set on tonight.
A couple of other notes/observations. I tend to try and hit the front end of my amps fairly close to the start of clipping, and my basses are fairly hot (active). I usually don't engage a pad, preferring to just run the input a bit lower but find the WD800 seems to "sit" better with the pad engaged. The DI out of the D800 seems to be a bit hotter than both (I turned down the input gain on the Zoom), and I do have a limiter on the Zoom, but I wasn't any higher than about -10db so it shouldn't be a factor. I also am not running a compressor.
When I do the video I'll loop a baseline (I played for each of the three) as that ends up controlling at least one variable.
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No bandwagon-jumping here! I'm just gonna wait patiently for the next iteration (hopefully that will be the nice Über-portable class-D Mesa that features the return of their lovely onboard compressor...)
I think I will wait for the TD-1800
.
Well, whoever buys it better drink a protein shake first- Despite the pull-out/built-in handle & wheels, that amp is heavy (90 lbs) and the wedge shape makes it cumbersome when it is lifted on-stage (by 2 people or else).
BUT- I think it is a stellar amp- A tube combo can ya believe it. It has a depth and presence and "bark" that I don't get from anything else I own, including 2 other tube heads and a nice array of fine micro-heads.
Shows me that Mesa-Boogie has always been thinking of building what will work best for bass guitar.
Doug Parent
Supporting Member
I would be more than happy to have the original Mesa D800 back in my arsenal. I like the fact that it's smaller than the newer models. I would use the 800+ pre-amp with 1500 watts of Crown power on other gigs. I'll get the WD800 eventually, but I'm in no hurry to get there.
That preamp midrange control stack is a killer. Not many amps on the market today have a 3 Band parametric EQ. Add in the built in HPF, at a grand? If I wasn't such a tightwad, I'd be owning one myself.
Hey JimC, I am not at all angry ... but are you ? .. kinda sounds like your digging for something negative here. I don't want to seem like I am going after you in return but ......
"Perhaps there is more expendable household income in the US than I realize (although the stock market and 401K's don't show this)"
"Maybe some day I can drop a couple K without a second thought." well, not everyone has the same financial situation.
"The idea that more than 5% of these amps being sold are backups is not something I believe." .. why do you need to believe anything here ?
"It strikes me odd that many of these amps have been sold sight unseen and without trying them." why does this bother you ?
"I don't believe that the new WD800 is going to get you any more work than the 800 or the 800+" sure, but again .. why does it matter to you ? .. you already said that new gear can inspire us to play better.
"I think Andy is one of the most talented and knowledgeable amp designers on the planet ..... (sic) ... But, I don't care if the guy walks on water, his say so on an amp (or paint brush) is not enough for me to immediately buy an amp without trying." I don't think anyone who is buying a WD800 is doing because Andy said so .. they are responding to a long well known discussion about a more powerful Walkabout and about the features of the WD800 that are also common to the D800/800+ (HPF, multiple EQ options, headphone out, aux in etc..) that are appealing to them. Andy worked this process very above board by asking TB about desirable features for a new Mesa amp, and he pretty much totally delivered on what those at TB asked for - why wouldn't people jump on it ?
And, of course, if you DON'T want to buy a WD800, sight unseen or otherwise, no one is making you.
I am still trying to understand why you care so much about what other bass players do with their money or their gear that you would kick off a thread like this that felt pretty negative/snarky to start with, and continues to feel kind of negative with your additional post above (#59). Let people have their happy new gear moments ... this is TB after all.
congrats on getting your daughter through school so successfully. My two went to UC back-to-back right out of my wallet and when they finished, our household budget got a real nice uptick.
peace
No, I'm fine.
Thanks for asking.
Thanks for asking.
Hey JimC, I am not at all angry ... but are you ? .. kinda sounds like your digging for something negative here. I don't want to seem like I am going after you in return but ......
"Perhaps there is more expendable household income in the US than I realize (although the stock market and 401K's don't show this)"
"Maybe some day I can drop a couple K without a second thought." well, not everyone has the same financial situation.
"The idea that more than 5% of these amps being sold are backups is not something I believe." .. why do you need to believe anything here ?
"It strikes me odd that many of these amps have been sold sight unseen and without trying them." why does this bother you ?
"I don't believe that the new WD800 is going to get you any more work than the 800 or the 800+" sure, but again .. why does it matter to you ? .. you already said that new gear can inspire us to play better.
"I think Andy is one of the most talented and knowledgeable amp designers on the planet ..... (sic) ... But, I don't care if the guy walks on water, his say so on an amp (or paint brush) is not enough for me to immediately buy an amp without trying." I don't think anyone who is buying a WD800 is doing because Andy said so .. they are responding to a long well known discussion about a more powerful Walkabout and about the features of the WD800 that are also common to the D800/800+ (HPF, multiple EQ options, headphone out, aux in etc..) that are appealing to them. Andy worked this process very above board by asking TB about desirable features for a new Mesa amp, and he pretty much totally delivered on what those at TB asked for - why wouldn't people jump on it ?
And, of course, if you DON'T want to buy a WD800, sight unseen or otherwise, no one is making you.
I am still trying to understand why you care so much about what other bass players do with their money or their gear that you would kick off a thread like this that felt pretty negative/snarky to start with, and continues to feel kind of negative with your additional post above (#59). Let people have their happy new gear moments ... this is TB after all.
congrats on getting your daughter through school so successfully. My two went to UC back-to-back right out of my wallet and when they finished, our household budget got a real nice uptick.
peace
One reason I can afford gear is my son got into the university I work for so tuition was free. Since I had been paying into a 529 from right after he was born, his room and board was covered as well. The day he got his acceptance letter, I told him that was a $200K+ letter. Has one semester left...
