Mesa/Boogie Subway WD-800 Hybrid Bass Guitar Amplifier Head (800 Watts)

Mesa/Boogie Subway WD-800 Hybrid Bass Guitar Amplifier Head (800 Watts), New, Action Position Back

zZounds Gear Experts Say...

Get the best of both worlds with the WD-800. This hybrid bass head's tube preamp feeds silky smooth tone into an 800-watt, Class D solid state power amp.

Overview

Tube Warmth, Tunable Power & Perfect Portability:

You spoke, Mesa listened. In direct response to player feedback and the longstanding demand for a more powerful version of the WalkAbout Bass Head, Mesa created the Subway bass amp line, the WD-800 Head. This head combines the warm, soulful sounding magic of the WalkAbout tube preamp section with the musical Class D Output Power used in the Subway Line (D-800(TM) and D-800+(TM)), to create the ultimate lightweight hybrid bass amp.

As in the original, the inspiring round, fat WalkAbout tone is joined by comprehensive rotary shelving tone controls and a semi-parametric EQ, giving you total shaping authority in the preamp. The WD-800 also features the Subway D800 Plus's highly effective HIGH PASS FILTER and a power amp damping control, which allow tuning of the sub-low frequencies and power response options respectively. The power damping choices enable you to tailor the tracking and feel of the power amp. The low setting produces a looser, more relaxed and blooming character reminiscent of tube power. High tightens the low end, adding punch and accuracy in tracking, while Medium provides a blend of these opposite ends of the power response spectrum.

The WD-800 can perform as a stand-alone head or be mounted in 2 spaces within standard 19" racks by attaching the optional rack ears (not included). Whether you're looking for a lightweight main rig to replace your heavy linear amp with a bigger, wider sound and more complex harmonic… read more content than the lightweight options you've tried, or just a compact, portable head for everyday gigging and recording that will fill the room with luscious tone, the WD-800 covers bases with power and versatility to spare. Not exactly a WalkAbout or a Subway, but rather everything great about both combined in a super-responsive compact, lightweight, big-power platform, just as you ordered!

Specs

- Build Location: Petaluma, CA USA with the World's Finest Materials
- Wattage: 800 Watts @ 4 or 2 Ohms / 400 Watts @ 8 Ohms
- Power Amp Type: Light-Weight Class D Power Amp & 8/4 or 2 Ohm Impedance Switch & Variable Damping Control
- Preamp: 2-Stage Class A Vacuum Tube Preamp w/ 1x Mesa 12AT7
- EQ / Dynamics Control: Variable High-Pass Filter (25Hz-125Hz), Fully Active 5-Band EQ (+/- 12dB) featuring Bass, Treble and a selectable/bypassable 3-Band Semi-Parametric EQ Sweepable from 80Hz-1KHz, 150Hz-2.5KHz & 300Hz-5KHz respectively, and a Passive Mid Control
- Footswitchable Functions: External Switching Jack for Parametric EQ & Mute (Footswitch Sold Separately)
- Weight: 7 Lbs.
- Dimensions: 4" H x 12" W x 11.375" D
- Available Formats: (Metal) Head
- Amp Type: Tube Preamp & Class D Power Amp
- Chassis Material: Aluminum
- Preamp Tubes: 1x Mesa 12AT7
- Power Amp Power Devices: Class D Power Amp
- Wattage(s) Quick Reference: 800 Watts @ 4 or 2 Ohms / 400 Watts @ 8 Ohms
- Power Amp Details: Light-Weight, Compact Class D Power Amp with Variable Damping Control, Protection, Limit & 2-Ohm Load LED Indicators
- Convection or Fan Cooling: Fan Cooled
- Instrument Input Options: 1x 1/4" with Active/Passive Switch
- Preamp Details: 2-Stage Class-A Preamp featuring Input Gain with Clip Indicator (O/D LED), Variable High-Pass Filter (25Hz-125Hz), Fully Active 5-Band EQ (+/- 12dB) featuring Bass, Treble and a selectable/bypassable 3-Band Semi-Parametric EQ Sweepable from 80Hz-1KHz, 150Hz-2.5KHz & 300Hz-5KHz respectively, Passive Mid Control & Master Volume
- Effects Loop: Fully Buffered Series FX Loop
- Solo Level Control: n/a
- Direct Line Output (DI): Balanced XLR Out with Pre/Post, Line/Mic & Ground Lift Switches
- Tuner Output / Mute: Tuner Output (back panel) with Play/Mute Switch (front panel) and External Mute Switching Jack (back panel) - See "Footswitch" in the Accessories Section for additional options
- External Switching Jack Options: External Switching Jack for Parametric EQ & Mute (Footswitch Sold Separately)
- Speaker Outputs: 2 - Speakon Output Jacks (no 1/4" speaker jacks) - 8, 4 or 2 Ohms
- Headphone Output: Yes
- Slave Output: n/a

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Base Item: Shipping Weight: 12.5 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 22 x 15 x 11 in; Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 6.WD8

Documents and Manuals

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 707-789-3348
Web: https://www.mesaboogie.com/support/index.html

Reviews

(1 ratings)

Submitted May 1, 2025 by Son Vo in Santa Monica, CA

"Versatile, Reliable, Perfect for Touring Bassists"

Overall:

(see rating details)

Verified Purchaser zZounds has verified that this reviewer purchased this specific product from us.

I initially bought this powered bass amp to replace my Eden WT Navigator and a separate power amp (1200 watts per side @8ohms - very powerful). It's a tough preamp to beat because of the full parametric eq (3 midrange frequency ranges). No other company could match Eden's midrange versatility except this head by Mesa Boogie. But not only did they match it, they upped the game with a passive mid knob, a powr amp damping knob, and most important, a high-pass filter. I know, it seems like an oxymoron to have a hi-pass on a bass amp, but wait until you play in a venue where the stage floor shakes at 80hz, and the drummer is being overwhelmed, until you dial in your hi-pass knob. It's a godsend, believe me! I actually leave mine on at around the 9 'oclock position, unless I'm playing my 5-string, which I'll bring down to about 8'o'clock.And the passive mid is very interesting - subtle, but useful. Once you have your midrange where you want it, you can futz with this knob. It's a set and forget knob for me, just like the Power Amp Damping knob, which I leave on med. It's something I haven't really played with much but a few times. I seem to like it on that med. position and leave it there.The only complaint I have is the power isn't quite enough for me. I miss having gobs of headroom and have my master gain at around 11 to 12 positions. It's now at the 1:30-2 o'clock position, which I don't really like. Sometimes even the 3 'o'clock for outdoor stages. The cool thing though is input… read more knob will give you some natural saturation, which some bassists will not like, but I've grown to appreciate. It adds tone and helps you cut through a mix in a subtle way. I don't like cranking it, but it's there to use if you dig that overdrive effect. I prefer a cleaner level, so I leave mine at about 9-10 o'clock. The only other small complaint I have is that active/passive switch. I wish it was another even just a 1/2" away from the mute switch. There's been about 3-4 times I've switched it to the up position after muting the amp between songs to drink some water, etc., and suddenly, my volume goes down about 10-15dB (I forget what it's rated when this is switched up), so I'm fiddling with my main volume in the middle of a song, only to realize that switch was accidently turned up. Those are minor complaints, mind you. My band now use IEM's and the volume from the bass amp on stage matters much less now. I've also learned to look to see if I've turned on that active switch when muting the amp. :-) Ha! For the touring bassist, a bassist who wants an alternative to Eden's WT series, or a bassist who's wants to level up to a pro-grade bass amp, I highly support your decision to get this amp. I've owned it for almost two years, and its toured with me on about 125 shows now without one issue. I absolutely love the tone it gives me. Oh, and a huge component that makes this amp great is the direct out XLR. Sound men love its quality and versatility. It's known in soundguy circles that the direct out is very clean and pro level, a HUGE reason why I got this instead of an Eden WT800 (plus they have a lot of mixed reviews due to QC). Eden's direct outs have a lot of noise, which means you'll have to spend good money on a Radial direct box (or some other quality company). Not this Mesa WD-800 - clean sound to the board and to the audience. So important.And yes, I bought mine right here. Thank goodness for their 12-month payment plan. I paid it off early, but to have that option helped tremendously in purchasing this.

Musical Background:
Touring musician, producer, songwriter, minxing engineer

Musical Style:
All kinds: rock, country, jazz, Latin, pop, blues, reggae, acoustic.

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