I bought both the WD-800 and the D-800+ a month-and-a-half ago. In my living room the WD-800 wins but on my regular restaurant gig I've been favouring the D-800+ - but only slighty. Both fantastic amps that make playing more fun.
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What's your favourite Mesa Subway Head?
- Thread starter esoxhntr
- Start date
My wd800 is a Swiss army knife best amp I've ever owned by far
I play metal primarily but I play all kinds of other genres frequently. I'm currently running the subway di+ thru a two notes torpedo cab m+ for cab impulses and it's tube power amp simulation and a JT amps alpha tube di
I like your concept, and at some point I'd like to have a fly rig based around a Mesa preamp pedal. But I ended up taking another route, and pulled the trigger on the TT. It's going to be a better match for my tonal goals than the 800+ pedal. I haven't changed my vote on favorite amp yet, and I think it's gonna end up being like when someone asks you which is your favorite kid!
I'm still honeymooning with the TT so even if it does end up being my favorite, I need to take it to some gigs and go back-and-forth a bit between the WD and the TT before I can really know. I'm really liking the Boogie channel, and the Subway channel, which should be closer to copping the tones I was going to go for with the 800+ preamp, is more to my liking than I expected. I've always been a bigger fan of warmer, richer tube tones, and I was pleasantly surprised when I put the Subway channel on high gain and cranked the gain past 2 o'clock or so. The Boogie channel was the target of that acquisition; I expected the Subway channel to be a "bonus" that might see occasional use, but with the limited time I've spent on the Subway channel, I can see it fitting into the rotation.
Still, I can see a place for a Subway DI pedal when our band doesn't have to cover FOH. There's always speculation among us about what @agedhorse might have up his sleeve, but I have to think that, given the general trend toward in-ears and going direct to board that Mesa will have something available to meet that need. I was looking for that 800+DI for a month or three and couldn't find one anywhere. There were a few of the 800s but I never did come across an 800+ DI. They may or may not resume production, according to the best we can gather
.I'd never wanna play poker with @agedhorse. (and it's not because I think he has "something up his sleeve"
) I have joked around many times about him working on a Boogie channel preamp pedal at my behest, and he's liked each post, but he can be generous that way. I don't know if he likes it as an endorsement of the concept/project, if he's just amused by the speculation, or what. They sold out of the 800+ and it's good practice for a business to invest in their successful products. But Mesa is innovative, they haven't done a tube-based preamp pedal for bass, the 400+ was such a popular amp and the TT is moving, so I could certainly see them producing such a pedal. I'd say that the market would support them making some more DI pedals, whether it's another production run of the 800+ or something new. Clearly, there is unmet demand if you look at the market.
the subway di+ handles my iem feed and I got the wd800 to handle quick jams where bringing the iem rack and my pedal board isn't a feasible option. I'm very happy with it but a boogie or WD pre would potentially be very cool to add the tube warmth without having to use my alpha tube di on the board that said I have no way of knowing if it would sound as good.
I threw my vote to the TT because I just picked it up but I have loved my WD for over a year now. You can't go wrong with either if you're a tube amp guy.
Which MESA Subway head can cop the Ampeg Tube sound the best? I had a WD-800 and I just couldn't bond with it. It always sounded too modern and I sold it (perhaps too quickly
. I gig with an Ampeg V4B and occasionally a SVT VR, home use is a Ampeg B-18 or SB-12. I would like to gig with a lighter head, I was hoping a Subway would fit the bill. Maybe the D-800+? I really did like the built-in HPF for loud stages.
. I gig with an Ampeg V4B and occasionally a SVT VR, home use is a Ampeg B-18 or SB-12. I would like to gig with a lighter head, I was hoping a Subway would fit the bill. Maybe the D-800+? I really did like the built-in HPF for loud stages.
If you think the WD too modern, the D+ might be going in the wrong direction.Which MESA Subway head can cop the Ampeg Tube sound the best? I had a WD-800 and I just couldn't bond with it. It always sounded too modern and I sold it (perhaps too quickly
I got rid of a B-15 after I got my WD.
I found I could the same things I liked of the B-15 out of the WD with just the cabs I had. I do have an SW 115 coming, I'll see if that remains true.
I found the HPF got me close to the sound of a flip-top cab, either the SB or B-15. The damping helped to get the feel. The tube gets enough harmonic content for me as I was never the high-drive tone god.
But again, that's just me and my humble opinion. YMMV, objects in mirror are closer than they appear, this is not a step, close cover before striking.
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Which MESA Subway head can cop the Ampeg Tube sound the best? I had a WD-800 and I just couldn't bond with it. It always sounded too modern and I sold it (perhaps too quickly
I have (for now) and SVT and had a V4B. I think the TT is a good choice. The boogie channel isn't ampeg but its an amazing toob vibe
I agree. The TT will get you the close to the Ampeg vibe. Honestly, just put an Ampeg SCR-DI in front or thru the effects loop of the TT and you're even closer.
