Warwick Bass MS 800 - Multi Stage 800W

The Double Stage Series: The DS Flagship for Modern Bass

With the DS 800 Double Stage, Warwick clearly targets bassists who want a powerful, reliable, and easy-to-transport head without sacrificing "on-the-road" features. In the DS range, the DS 800 is the most robust version: a platform designed to handle various contexts (rehearsal, gig, session) while maintaining immediate ergonomics, thanks to its stacked controls and integrated functions (tuner, compressor, cab sim).

Who is it for? Rehearsal, stage, studio, and silent practice

The DS 800 is aimed at intermediate to professional bassists who need headroom and versatility: rock/metal, pop, funk, gospel, reggae bands, or any style requiring a solid foundation and clear attacks. Its power reserve is perfectly suited for 4-ohm cabinets (or two speakers in parallel), while remaining comfortable at 8 ohms for lighter setups.

In the studio, the balanced DI output and USB simplify recording, while the headphone output, AUX input, and Bluetooth turn the head into a complete working tool: convenient for metronome use, playbacks, and precise adjustments without occupying a large setup. On stage, the mute, tuner, and LED indicators make operation safer and faster between songs.

Two channels, advanced EQ, compressor, and connectivity: a true control center

The DS 800's logic is clear: two channels with immediately accessible settings. The front stacked 2-channel controls allow separate adjustment of drive, gain, bass, low mids, high mids, treble, and volume for each channel, with a channel selector on the front panel. Dedicated frequency selectors for low mids and high mids help position the bass precisely in the mix (avoiding muddiness in the low mids, emphasizing pick attack, taming resonance, etc.).

The built-in compressor (controls for amount and level, plus switch) smooths dynamics or thickens the sound without an external pedal. On the routing side, there is an effects loop with separate level controls, a line output with a fullrange/bi-amp switch, and a balanced XLR DI output with pre/post EQ switch and ground lift. Finally, the cabinet simulator (off + 3 modes) is perfect for sending a more "cab" tone via DI or for more natural headphone monitoring.

Tone and response: semiconductor precision, dual channel versatility

Designed with semiconductors and Class D amplification, the DS 800 emphasizes attack speed, low-end control, and clean reproduction, ideal for both active and passive basses. In clean mode, expect a direct, solid, and clear sound with headroom before saturation: perfect for funk lines, modern slap tones, or setups with pedals (octaver, envelope, fuzz) where definition is key.

The overdrive section and separate drive controls for each channel allow building a second, more aggressive sound (rock grit, modern growl, slight saturation to "sit" in the mix), while keeping a cleaner channel for verses or clean passages. With the 4-band EQ and its mid presets, you can go from a rounded "old school" low end to a highly articulated sound ready to cut through a wall of guitars.

Technical specifications

Effects	Bass, Compressor, Overdrive, Bass Preamp / DI Box	Number of channels	2
Category	Bass amp head	EQ	4 channels
Technology	Solid state	Headphone output	Mini jack, Yes
Effects loop	Yes	Color	Grey
Category	Amplifier	Power output	800 W

Power at 8 ohms	480 W	USB connectivity	yes
Equalizer	4-band with midrange presets	Bluetooth switch	on front panel
Compressor	control included	Tuner switch	on front panel
Drive control	separate for each channel	Mute switch	on front panel
Front-panel controls	stacked 2-channel controls for drive, gain, bass, low mids, high mids, treble, volume	Jack inputs	2, 6.35 mm, mono, on front panel
Frequency selectors	low mids and high mids, on front panel	Power switch	on the rear panel
Channel selector	on front panel	Aux input	3.5 mm, stereo, on the rear panel
Compressor controls	quantity / level, on front panel	Effect loop	6.35 mm mono jack inputs and outputs, on the rear panel, with separate level controls
Compressor switch	on front panel	DI output	balanced XLR, on the rear panel, with pre/post EQ switch and ground lift switch
Drive switches	one for each channel, on front panel	Cabinet simulator selector	off + 3 modes, on the rear panel
Clipping indicator	LED, on front panel	Loudspeaker outputs	2 Speaker Twist, on the rear panel
Channel indicator	LED, on front panel	Line output	6.35 mm mono jack, with full-range/bi-amp switch, on the rear panel
Tuner indicator	on front panel	USB port	USB-B, on the rear panel
Tuner	built-in	Footswitch connection	channel and compressor, on the rear panel
Cabinet simulator	yes	Mains connection	IEC, on the rear panel
Bluetooth connectivity	yes