Mesa Boogie Bass 800D

[Beedster]

5 minutes ago, agedhorse said:

....and personally it's something that I would like to do... in part to honor my dad's memory since he started his engineering career during the (all) tube era designing servo amplifiers (which are similar to audio amplifiers). He then went on to handle spacecraft attitude control on the Mariner Mars project which allowed him to step away from strictly hardware design and into the control systems side of servo theory. My dad passed away 2 years ago at the age of 90, this was the last amp that he provided his insight on (he remained interested in engineering and math until his death). It's also why I followed in his engineering footsteps at university.

 

Thanks for that Andy, a really nice story. I'd guess that the success of the Ampeg small format all-tube models from the PF-20 through the 50 and up to the V4B suggests that there is a market for all tube heads below the more usual 300w plus, in part perhaps because for example the post power stage DI on some of the models makes them a far simpler gigging and recording proposition? I have to say I'm currently looking down the back of the sofa to see if I can scrape the cash for the 800D, had it been the all-tube model I initially thought it was, I'd be parked outside Anderton's already    

[Obrienp]

Is the EQ section passive? The way the numbers are arranged on the controls would suggest it is. 

[agedhorse]

1 hour ago, Obrienp said:

Is the EQ section passive? The way the numbers are arranged on the controls would suggest it is. 

Yes, it's based on a modification of the Fender tonestack but it also has make-up gain within the circuit so it behaves a little more predictably, with less interaction.

[Sean]

Well, I've learned a lot. I didn't know the WD-800 is based on the Walkabout.  I've got one (a WA) and it's one of my favourites. It's currently waiting to be picked up from The Amp Hospital after having some TLC. When I pick it up I'll be dropping off my 400+ for investigation. Now, the Amp Hospital is about a mile or so from Andertons and with a following wind they'll probably have an 800D there by the time I go. 

You can see where this is going...

 

A question (or 2) for @agedhorse if I may. BD-800 or 800D? What do the letters stand for? D, BD, TT, WD? 

 

Edited 13 hours ago by Sean

[chris_b]

3 hours ago, Sean said:

. . . .  the Amp Hospital is about a mile or so from Andertons. . . .

 

 

That was a new one on me, but they are also called Surrey Amps.

[Sean]

29 minutes ago, chris_b said:

 

That was a new one on me, but they are also called Surrey Amps.

I think it must be a 'trading as' situation

https://amphospital.co.uk/

 

Anyway, they are authorised repairers of many leading brands, have an excellent reputation with lots of touring bands and since MJW Amplification ceased trading (retired), it's the only place I trust with my Mesa amps. Dennis the Legend is just too far away for me although his reputation is on a par with Stan. 

[ossyrocks]

11 minutes ago, Sean said:

I think it must be a 'trading as' situation

https://amphospital.co.uk/

 

Anyway, they are authorised repairers of many leading brands, have an excellent reputation with lots of touring bands and since MJW Amplification ceased trading (retired), it's the only place I trust with my Mesa amps. Dennis the Legend is just too far away for me although his reputation is on a par with Stan. 

I have an old GK amp which needs looking at. Surrey Amps have been recommended, but they are very far away from me. Who is Dennis the Legend?

[Sean]

28 minutes ago, ossyrocks said:

I have an old GK amp which needs looking at. Surrey Amps have been recommended, but they are very far away from me. Who is Dennis the Legend?

dennismarshall.co.uk 

 

He was the official Mesa service technician in the UK for years and is renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge and ability to fix even the most desperate amps. He's in Dunfermline. 

[ossyrocks]

1 hour ago, Sean said:

dennismarshall.co.uk 

 

He was the official Mesa service technician in the UK for years and is renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge and ability to fix even the most desperate amps. He's in Dunfermline. 

Thanks for the info, unfortunately he's also a very long way away, just in the opposite direction!

 

[agedhorse]

3 hours ago, Sean said:

I think it must be a 'trading as' situation

https://amphospital.co.uk/

 

Anyway, they are authorised repairers of many leading brands, have an excellent reputation with lots of touring bands and since MJW Amplification ceased trading (retired), it's the only place I trust with my Mesa amps. Dennis the Legend is just too far away for me although his reputation is on a par with Stan. 

I have known Stan for years, he’s one of the best service engineers in the UK and maybe all of Europe IME. 

[agedhorse]

7 hours ago, Sean said:

Well, I've learned a lot. I didn't know the WD-800 is based on the Walkabout.  I've got one (a WA) and it's one of my favourites. It's currently waiting to be picked up from The Amp Hospital after having some TLC. When I pick it up I'll be dropping off my 400+ for investigation. Now, the Amp Hospital is about a mile or so from Andertons and with a following wind they'll probably have an 800D there by the time I go. 

You can see where this is going...

 

A question (or 2) for @agedhorse if I may. BD-800 or 800D? What do the letters stand for? D, BD, TT, WD? 

 

D is the original solid state preamp, compact chassis. 350W or 800W

 

WD is Walkabout, class D, 800W

BD is Bass 400, class D, 800W

TT is Tri-Tube Topology, class D, 800W (I wanted to name it TD, but that name is already trademarked by Lab Gruupen, used in class TD) 😥

[Mudpup]

Does the amp use an Icepower module or is it a proprietary design?

[Russ]

Just saw this. As someone who owned a Bass 400+ back in the day (probably the best-sounding bass head I ever owned), I love the look of it and I'm looking forward to trying one out. 

 

Now, how can I persuade them to make a lightweight version of the old 1516 cab?