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You can choose only one

Which would you choose to keep?

  • Mesa Subway D800+

    Votes: 60 38.0%

  • Mesa Subway TT800

    Votes: 76 48.1%

  • Ampeg PF 50t

    Votes: 22 13.9%
  • Total voters
    158
hopwheels

hopwheels

Dec 11, 2015
545
1,213
Atlanta, GA
#1
I need to pare down my gear. Pretty simple. I have a Mesa D800+, TT800, and an Ampeg PF 50t. Each has served a purpose but it’s time to pull a “there can be only one,” Highlander deal. Off with two heads, so to speak.

Rehearsal is fully in ears, but I keep an amp there (TT800) for the odd full volume jams. Practice at home is often through my Zoom B3 and headphones. We’re getting ready to play out, and I’m pretty sure I’d be okay with any of them through one or both of my Mesa Powerhouse 210s.

Anyway, I’m wanting to keep only one. Which would you keep?
 
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#4
SJan3 said:
I'll answer your question with a question.
Why do you keep the TT800 at rehearsal and not the others? Unbeknownst to you, you've already made your choice.
Click to expand...
That may be the case, and I’m kind of leaning that way, but am curious what others think. The TT800 ended up there mainly because it was my newest acquisition and I really wanted to get to know it. But we play “out loud” so rarely now it’s kind of overkill.
 
#5
I’d keep the PF50T. It will serve you perfectly for your rehearsals. The only time it won’t be adequate is a situation where you need to carry the room without PA support. Cheaper class D can be had and your PF50 could feed the effects return and save the day.

Also you will get a better sale price out of the 2 Mesa amps. You might take a bit of a bath on the PF50T or it could sit unsold for a while. Those Mesa heads are flying off the used shelves, and if you regret your sale you can likely find one for close to your sale price. They have been the easiest amps to own and move, with the only loss being from the original retail purchase.
 
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#6
hopwheels said:
That may be the case, and I’m kind of leaning that way, but am curious what others think. The TT800 ended up there mainly because it was my newest acquisition and I really wanted to get to know it. But we play “out loud” so rarely now it’s kind of overkill.
Click to expand...
I'd never base my decision upon what others think. It's all about what you like. They're all excellent amps. Which do YOU prefer and why?
 
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#8
SJan3 said:
I'd never base my decision upon what others think. It's all about what you like. They're all excellent amps. Which do YOU prefer and why?
Click to expand...
Well, I like them all for different reasons. I’ve justified keeping them for quite a while but can’t any longer. Wish finances were such that superfluous gear was a non issue. I appreciate the input. I’m going through similar mental shenanigans with my bass collection.
 
#10
hopwheels said:
Well, I like them all for different reasons. I’ve justified keeping them for quite a while but can’t any longer. Wish finances were such that superfluous gear was a non issue. I appreciate the input. I’m going through similar mental shenanigans with my bass collection.
Click to expand...
Well, I hope you make a choice you can live with. If it were me, I'd keep the TT800 for it's versatility. Sort of like 2 amps in one. Can't imagine what it wouldn't cover.
 
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#11
Gotta go with the TT.

1) Versatility- Two independent channels for two completely different tones with the flip of a switch.

2) Reliability- As cool as the PF50T is, and as much as I love my Ashdown LB30, it's nice to not worry about power tubes. According to @agedhorse the pre tubes in the TT can last a very long time. So that's one less thing to worry about.

3) Tone vs weight - The TT can get VERY "old school". Does it sound identical to an all-tube amp? Maybe not. But it's ridiculously close. And to get that tone in such a tiny package is a win win. The PF50T isn't huge or crazy heavy. But it's bigger and heavier than the TT for sure.

4) Headroom- 800W with both of your cabs will net you a great deal of volume with gas pedal to spare. Too much is never a problem. Not enough, however, is.

5) No load operation- I believe the PF20T can be run with no load. If I recall correctly, the PF50T must have a speaker load. So, the TT can be run (with handy aux in and headphone out) as a ridiculously nice home silent practice rig. Also, it can be used as an incredibly nice DI box if no stage volume is required.

6) Tone - The dang thing just sounds fantastic, regardless of the other reasons.

TT for the win.

(In my humble opinion, of course.)
 
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#12
two fingers said:
Gotta go with the TT.

1) Versatility- Two independent channels for two completely different tones with the flip of a switch.

2) Reliability- As cool as the PF50T is, and as much as I love my Ashdown LB30, it's nice to not worry about power tubes. According to @agedhorse the pre tubes in the TT can last a very long time. So that's one less thing to worry about.

3) Tone vs weight - The TT can get VERY "old school". Does it sound identical to an all-tube amp? Maybe not. But it's ridiculously close. And to get that tone in such a tiny package is a win win. The PF50T isn't huge or crazy heavy. But it's bigger and heavier than the TT for sure.

4) Headroom- 800W with both of your cabs will net you a great deal of volume with gas pedal to spare. Too much is never a problem. Not enough, however, is.

5) No load operation- I believe the PF20T can be run with no load. If I recall correctly, the PF50T must have a speaker load. So, the TT can be run (with handy aux in and headphone out) as a ridiculously nice home silent practice rig. Also, it can be used as an incredibly nice DI box if no stage volume is required.

6) Tone - The dang thing just sounds fantastic, regardless of the other reasons.

TT for the win.

(In my humble opinion, of course.)
Click to expand...
Well said and much appreciated.
 
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#13
When people post these things (usually some form of "you only get to have n basses, what are they"). I balk, as the whole premise is silly for some of us. But in this case, it's easy - all my gigs are ampless, and I practice in headphones at home, so limiting myself to 1 amp is easy. As to which one I don't care - I won't use it anyway, so.....(flips a 3 sided coin), It's the first one.

In reality, I'd spend the money on a preamp.
 
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#16
two fingers said:
Gotta go with the TT.

1) Versatility- Two independent channels for two completely different tones with the flip of a switch.

2) Reliability- As cool as the PF50T is, and as much as I love my Ashdown LB30, it's nice to not worry about power tubes. According to @agedhorse the pre tubes in the TT can last a very long time. So that's one less thing to worry about.

3) Tone vs weight - The TT can get VERY "old school". Does it sound identical to an all-tube amp? Maybe not. But it's ridiculously close. And to get that tone in such a tiny package is a win win. The PF50T isn't huge or crazy heavy. But it's bigger and heavier than the TT for sure.

4) Headroom- 800W with both of your cabs will net you a great deal of volume with gas pedal to spare. Too much is never a problem. Not enough, however, is.

5) No load operation- I believe the PF20T can be run with no load. If I recall correctly, the PF50T must have a speaker load. So, the TT can be run (with handy aux in and headphone out) as a ridiculously nice home silent practice rig. Also, it can be used as an incredibly nice DI box if no stage volume is required.

6) Tone - The dang thing just sounds fantastic, regardless of the other reasons.

TT for the win.

(In my humble opinion, of course.)
Click to expand...

Out of the choices, I agree, the Mesa head wins hands down.

On a side bar, I really think the Mid EQ on the WD-800 makes it preferable to the TT if you’re not into old school grit. No slam meant on the TT intended as it’s one heck of a head as well.

Sadly, I’ve enough Eden gear to last me a lifetime so it’s not likely I’ll have to struggle with that decision.
 
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#17
If I can only have one out of that group it would be the TT. SJan3 gave the same reason I will, it has the broadest voicing versatility and the overall kind of richness and dimensionality to the tone that I like. However, the only choice and rationale that matters in this case is yours....good luck with this First World problem. :)
 
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