Mesa/Boogie D-180

I am lucky enough to own # 13 mesa D 180. I've tried many amps and can guarintee this amp is as good as the very best of them. I get great sound,power tone everything.If you are lucky enough to own one great if not too bad.I read in some of the comments about the power well let me tell you wow.Some say 200 watts,well how much do you need. I've jammed with guitar players that have double marshall 8 4 12 cabs and its funny, My mitchell folded 15 and my 4 10 mitchell cab sits with the most powerful of them.The nicest thing is it is so clean. I only use one effect and that is boss chorus .Great great sound

1982 model. All tube but half the power tubes of the 400+, hence a lower maintenance cost albeit with reduced volume and headroom. I wish the eq was a bit more intuitive/flexible as it does take a while to get the sound just right. Visually it's plain jane.

The BEST feature this particular amp has is the unique way in which the master volume works, this can yield some nice warm tube overdrive/fur at any volume. You can also cascade the 2 channels, but so far I haven't found a good use for that. Channel 1 is primarily for gtr, 2 is for bass. Simple bass/mid/treble eq though there is a 6 band graphic if needed plus push/pull options on a few knobs. For bass, the bass control is best set 'out' and channel 2 is best. (It's a dual purpose amp).

Fan is dual speed or off. That's a good option in a studio.

Normally, you would give this amp a low rating on features but with that master volume trick I'm gonna give it a 9.

My main bass is Precision. Precisions sound great with tube amps. I also have an Ampeg V4BH and at lower practice volumes, the Mesa sounds better and more alive. I mainly play at studio volumes now so this was important to me. I didn't want an amp I had to crank too loud to get a decent tone.

It sounds all tube. The graphic is good for adding some lower mids and cutting the treble. By default I find the amp a bit toppy. You do have to dial in your sound. Usefull settings of the master tend to be between 10 and 8.5, though Mesa advise keeping the master at 10 for bass. Backing off slightly introduces a bit of fur which I like.

It's the best sounding amp I own and I own a few including some high end pre amps. It definitely takes me a step closer to the holy grail sound that I seek, which is rather plainly described as 'just a good tube sound' - warm, harmonically rich and punchy with some growl when you dig in. It sounds more tubey than my Ampeg. I don't know how it would compare to a vintage Ampeg - I suspect Ampeg would have the edge there but who knows.

It sounds musically warm and full. My other fav amp at the moment is my Trace Elliot pre, though it's apples and oranges. Maybe tomorrow I'll run that pre through the Mesa's effects return and see what I get.

It's an old tube amp. It still works. I'd be a bit dubious gigging without a backup but then, I guess you could say that about most tube amps. It's well made.

No idea. Haven't tried to contact Mesa.

I wish it had better eq and I wish I didn't have to be quite so precise with the controls. Getting the sound and tubeyness I need is a delicate balance. However, at least you can get it.

It's my fav amp that I have right now. Others have more bells and whistles and 'mojo' but for sound, it's hard to beat. It's a reassuringly real amp as opposed to some of the modern stuff, and at the price I paid for such a well made all tube amp - it's an absolute bargain.

There are a few good all tube heads out today though they are expensive. I bet they don't sound 7 times as good as the D-180. I like the fact that I discovered a great amp that is relatively low key. I read that about 800 of these were made.

You can even warm your hands round the back - that's what real bass amps should be like :-)

my d-180 is one of the first, I use it for a back-up for my 1974 ampeg svt.Took me a while to figure that channel 2 is where to plug in to to get a straight tone.Amp is my fav besides the svt

I use a fender p bass,so the amp kiks pretty good ass, not as ballsy as the svt, but it can get low and mean if u want it to.If you play bass solos this is the amp for that vibe.I never messed with the channel 1 or tried to dial in any distortion since the band Im gigging with has enough of that shit already

Its always there, never have changed the original tubes, its dusty as hell in there, but im afraid to take it in to get cleaned(when i took the big T in it cost me $650 for all new tubes and a few of dis and dat)

support was cool they sent me a manual for free

been playing for 32 yrs, I would snatch 1 up again if I needed it

From the information I've been able to gather, there were only around 800 of these made between 1982 and 1985. Mine was manufactured in June of 1984.
The precursor to the Mesa 400 and 400+. 40 pounds, rack-mountable, 200 watts, six 6L6's, four 12AX7's, one 12AT7, two inputs, Channel 1 gain, Channel 2 gain with pull bright, (if you plug into channel 1, it cascades into channel 2 giving you an absolutely AMAZING variety of overdrive,) Master Volume (this control is unique in the fact that as you turn it down, it reduces the voltage going to the driver section without reducing the gain, allowing it to be overdriven VERY easily, normal playing position is at max,)Treble with pull switch to change the frequency it controls, Bass, also with pull switch to change freqency to super low, Midrange, 6-band footswitchable graphic EQ.

I'm a Fender man and play a Precision and a Jazz Deluxe. I play a lot of styles but mainly BLues and Rock. Regardless of which bass I plug into this amp it is absolutely vicious!! TONS of punch, warm, fat bass without mud, and great cutting mids without being harsh. Plug into input 2 and you are running clean, which is a beautiful warm sound with what guitarists call "chime." Plug into input 1 and you better be wearing a cup because this amp will kick you in the balls!! Think Dual Recto on gallons of steroids and you get the idea. I've never liked super distorted bass but this is different. You can go from totally clean, to just a little fur on the sound, to all out rampaging Wooly Mammoth with rabies! The overdrive is just sooooooo smooooth. If you've ever wanted to be able to get false harmonics from your bass, or have never ending sustain, or have your bass feedback with total control like a lead guitar, find one of these amps! The overdrive can get totally over the top but it NEVER, EVER loses it's definition.
I usually play a mid-80's Ampeg SVT II, so I have a little experience with great tube amp sounds. This won't replace the SVT II but I will say it's right up there with it. Two different sounds, apples and oranges...you get the picture.

So to put it mildly, this amp sounds good.

I've not owned the amp for long but hey, it's 21 years old and going strong so I'd say it's pretty damn reliable. Mesa is known for it's quality construction and having been inside this amp (I had to replace a fuse holder broken in-transit) I can say that this is probably the best constructed amp I've ever seen. The quality of the construction is amazing, the interior is truly a thing of beauty. I have no doubt that with proper care, this amp will outlast me.

I've had the pleasure of dealing with Mesa in the past (this is not the only Mesa amp I own) and while sometimes difficult to get in touch with, they are ALWAYS helpful and go above and beyond when providing customer service.

Oh my God, I've been playing bass for 30 years! I've owned Peavey, Hartke, Kustom, Traynor, Eden, SWR, Ampegs, and who knows what else. I've been an amp tech for 15 years and been a die-hard Ampeg users for longer than that. I can truly say that you owe it to your tone to try out one of these amps, if you can find one (they are pretty rare.) The variety of sounds you can get is truly impressive. If you can't find a D-180, try the 400, or 400+ (both descended from the D-180.) I think you'll be amazed at the quality of construction and tone. I'll probably be buried with my SVT but I'm beginning to think they may have to make room for this amp as well! Gee, I hope I have strong Pall-bearers!

two channel with a direct out, graphic EQ and Low mid high controls on front panel. Power tubes were changed to 6550 by Lord Valve aka Fat Willie at NBS sound in Denver- Awesome amp with TONS of POWER. slight changes in the controls makes huge difference in tone

I use every friggin thing- from a very old Hofner to a six string fretless Lofquist ( Surine) with active bartolini's. everyone who has ever used this amp wants to buy it. Master Volume has to stay on 10 or it distorts - I am told this is common- who cares that is where I would leave it anyway. Dead quiet 1X15, 4X10 or 2X10 it sounds great

had a problem with a wire off a capacitor when I bought it so I'll drop the rating a point - Ive used it on the road for 8 years and it has never broken since

never needed it

Playing bass for 35 years and this is just too cool to let go-small gigs I just take in a two 10" cab and this thing still sounds huge.

Changes on the controlls bring you extreme differences of sounds. It needs time till you get it!

It's an alltube amp so you'll get all sounds you want out of it. Very very warm sounds, funky sounds, heavy and hard sounds. But the best thing is...if you need real tube-distortion this amp is gonna make it.

You can use it every day on stage, studio or rehearsals...there's no need for any backup.

Didn't need yet!

I play metal since a long time and I try get many different sounds. I use it with an Esh Stinger 5-string and for really dirty sounds I take my Rickenbacker 4003. I also use some distortions beside like SansAmp and ElectroHarmonix and of course my Morley Wah.
I've tried many amps like Gallien Krueger, SWR, Hartke, Peavey, Hughes&Kettner and of course Ampeg (I've owned the SVP-Pro TubePreAmp - but it got stolen) but this one is really the best amp I've every used!

Built in early 80s, all tube (3 12AX7, 1 12AT7, 6 6L6/5881). Two channels (one with overdrive!!!), footswitchable graphic EQ (factory option), three band rotary EQ, effects loop, XLR line out, "slave" out for driving other amps, 4 or 8 ohm speaker outputs, two speed fan, rack mountable (four spaces). Rated by Mesa at 200 watts RMS, but they are either pushing the tubes very, very hard or it's really more like 150 watts. Pretty heavy, about 40 pounds unracked; still lighter than an SVT.

I use it for electric bass, mainly a Fender Jazz and a Steinberger L2, both stock. The cabinet I use it with is a 1-15" loaded with an EVM speaker. It is a very loud and "present" amp. Tonal control is OK but tricky to use, the rotary controls are very interactive, small tweaks cna make large changes in the sound. I avoid using the graphic except in emergencies (it is actually a solid state circuit, but can be bypassed). The amp brings out the character of each bass very well. Intense dynamic range, the amp never feels compressed; in fact sloppy playing dynamics masked by other amps will be totally exposed with this one. The two channels are like those in Mesa guitar amps, channel 2 (the "clean" channel uses volume 2 and master knobs to adjust volume (for maximum clean, the master is on 10). Channel 1 uses volume 1, volume 2 and the master and you can dial in brutally overdriven sounds easily. In fact, it can be used a guitar amp if you want, instant Santana tones. Note: the later Mesa Bass 400 heads have two independent channels and do no offer the cacaded gain overdrive feature. The amp is quiet until you really crank it (have not yet, no need). There is definitely some coloration to the tone compared to the solid state amps I use, I find it unsuitable for upright bass because of this. Overall, sound like a VERY BIG Fender amp.

I have not owned it long enough to comment on long term reliability, only can say that I bought it used, the amp is already 15 years old and still running. Like all tube amps, it is inherently unreliable since tubes can go at any time. So far I have avoided bringing spares to gigs (too much $$) but probably should. I have opened it up to clean it out (amps with fans get very dusty inside over time) and construction is a mixture of PC board and hand wiring, seems very well constructed.

I bought the amp used, then called Mesa about schematics and instruction manuals which they sent out free of charge. Have not had other need to contact them about service.

I have been playing bass over twenty years. This is my first high powered tube amp (other tube amps I have used never topped 60 watts, but I have been using 400 watt solid state rigs for years). I can see why people love these big monsters but I also do not like the bulk. It is just a pain to move this amp around. It does however, sound incredible. While I have some solid state amps I also gig with and like, this amp has a very unique FEEL. Perhaps better for more retro tones than modern "hi-fi" sounds. The cascaded gain feature is a real sleeper, anyone who likes to have overdriven bass tones will find this amp delivers them in spades, way better than any fuzz box I have ever used with bass.