It’s time for a new Amp

[rooth5th]

Well…… I have an SWR 350x that I’m tired of fixing. The input just broke again for the 4th time in 2years and I have decided not to fix it anymore.
I brought this amp and a 4x10
Goliath III cab(which still sounds great) when I was 18 in high school working at McDonalds. I still remember saving every check just get exactly what I wanted. I’m 41 now it’s time for a something new.

I have taking a liking to the Mesa Subway D800 plus. I really like that bright/deep switch and high pass filter.

The issue……. I am not able to try this amp 1st. Sam Ash closed down. And, Guitar Center inventory on bass amps is not great.

The question….. need some advice if this amp can work with a Goliath III cab. Also I am thinking of getting that Subway 1x15 maybe next year. Should I have concerns running both cabs with this amp.

I play mostly gospel, funk, and smooth jazz btw.

 

[agedhorse]

The Subway amps will work fine with the Goliath III cabinets if you have reasonable expectations.

There's something wrong with either the replacement parts or how the repair is being done on your amp, they shouldn't break like that.

 

[Adjectives]

That's the 700w 4ohm cab model right? Should work fine with the D800+. You could pair it with another 4 or 8 ohm cab down the road and it should play nice as most of the Mesa class D amps do 2ohm I believe. (dbl check me please)

I would definitely recommend trying to find one to demo. It's tricky buying an amp before hearing it with your gear. I bought my Magellan800 from my bass instructor, so I'd heard it and was impressed with the tone from that experience. I had not even heard of Genzler before then. Huge fan now!

Those Goliath 3's are awesome cabs for their time! A buddy of mine has one and plays an Ampeg SVT4-pro out of it. Massive!

 

[DuluthDank]

Guitar centers return policy is generous. Really you get 45 days to demo what you buy.

 

[HolmeBass]

I think the Mesa amp will sound good with that cabinet.

I can’t say the Subway 115 will sound good with your 410 - it might, might not.

 

[MegaSwing]

Go for the Mesa head. You’ll wish you’d done it sooner. Your Goliath 4x10 (not to mention your bandmates) will love you for it.

IMO, the SWR 350 series amps were bland as could be.

 

[LowActionHero]

Guitar centers return policy is generous. Really you get 45 days to demo what you buy.

Including used, though you may have to pay shipping if it's returned without a decent reason (which probably includes "didn't like it")

 

[bherman]

In my experience, the D800+ would be a great amp for your needs. I used one extensively for blues, rock, and jazz, with either a singe or pair of 12" cabs. Its extremely versatile and can cover a wide range of tonal options, between the eq section, voicing, low/high switches, and hpf. And can go down to 2 ohms. Disclosure -I recently sold mine and replaced it with the new Mesa Subway 800D, only because I preferred its simpler control set. I fully expected that the 800+ would be my amp for life (and would have been if @agedhorse didn't keep designing new amps ). I can't imagine that you'd need more than one speaker cab for the type of music that you are doing, but if it were me, I'd be looking hard at replacing the Goliath with the Subway 115 sooner than later. IF Irecall, the Goliath is almost 90 lbs and the 115 is 39#. And I would bet that the Subway sounds better and is louder.

 

[DeepHz]

The Subway 115 is amazing!

 

[rooth5th]

The Subway amps will work fine with the Goliath III cabinets if you have reasonable expectations.

There's something wrong with either the replacement parts or how the repair is being done on your amp, they shouldn't break like that.

I figured it was a part or repair error. But truthfully I have been wanting to upgrade for sometime now. I like some of the new gear that’s out. I think my expectations are reasonable.

Do you see any concerns running both the 4x10 and the 1x15 with the d800 plus?

 

[rooth5th]

In my experience, the D800+ would be a great amp for your needs. I used one extensively for blues, rock, and jazz, with either a singe or pair of 12" cabs. Its extremely versatile and can cover a wide range of tonal options, between the eq section, voicing, low/high switches, and hpf. And can go down to 2 ohms. Disclosure -I recently sold mine and replaced it with the new Mesa Subway 800D, only because I preferred its simpler control set. I fully expected that the 800+ would be my amp for life (and would have been if @agedhorse didn't keep designing new amps ). I can't imagine that you'd need more than one speaker cab for the type of music that you are doing, but if it were me, I'd be looking hard at replacing the Goliath with the Subway 115 sooner than later. IF Irecall, the Goliath is almost 90 lbs and the 115 is 39#. And I would bet that the Subway sounds better and is louder.

Yeah the Goliath is around 90lbs. That’s why I am looking to upgrade. The new technology is lighter and louder which is great for my back. Ultimately my future rig will be the D800+ with a 1x15 and 2x10. Appreciate the feedback back.

 

[agedhorse]

I figured it was a part or repair error. But truthfully I have been wanting to upgrade for sometime now. I like some of the new gear that’s out. I think my expectations are reasonable.

Do you see any concerns running both the 4x10 and the 1x15 with the d800 plus?

No, but set the amp to 2 ohm mode.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

The input just broke again for the 4th time in 2years

What cables are you using?

Something is not right and we do not want you to continue damaging another amp's input.

Large plugs can damage jacks. Are you moving a lot?

 

[Pep]

If you’re going to buy a Mesa Subway I would suggest the new 800D. It’s the best sounding amp I’ve ever used. It has a tube preamp and rich, warm, thick tone, clear mids and highs and very punchy. It should be all you ever need and if you’re buying new it’s the least expensive of all the Subways.
Might be hard to find but definitely worth the wait.

 

[coy garcia]

I haven't ever played a boogie amp i didn't love so i think you're on a good path

 

[Nebadon2000]

If you’re going to buy a Mesa Subway I would suggest the new 800D. It’s the best sounding amp I’ve ever used. It has a tube preamp and rich, warm, thick tone, clear mids and highs and very punchy. It should be all you ever need and if you’re buying new it’s the least expensive of all the Subways.
Might be hard to find but definitely worth the wait.

Even though you did a "I don't mean any disrespect: BUT" type comparison to WD800 which I own
I am impressed with your passion and Joy with 800D and wanting to share with all here
Happy for you 'Keep on Rocking'

 

[Pep]

Even though you did a "I don't mean any disrespect: BUT" type comparison to WD800 which I own
I am impressed with your passion and Joy with 800D and wanting to share with all here
Happy for you 'Keep on Rocking'

Thanks abd yes, I meant no respect. My only reason for recommendation is that I own them both and did a comparison. I orobably should have said from my assessment . . . . . .

 

[rooth5th]

What cables are you using?

Something is not right and we do not want you to continue damaging another amp's input.

Large plugs can damage jacks. Are you moving a lot?

Monster cables. I have had these cables for almost 10 years with this amp. Same cables with my mark bass and other amps I have plugged into.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Monster cables. I have had these cables for almost 10 years with this amp. Same cables with my mark bass and other amps I have plugged into.

Monster Cables have been known to break jacks with the stress caused by the size and weight of their plugs and clearly you are breaking jacks.
I would use different cables to prevent future possible damage.

 

[MegaSwing]

Yeah the Goliath is around 90lbs. That’s why I am looking to upgrade. The new technology is lighter and louder which is great for my back. Ultimately my future rig will be the D800+ with a 1x15 and 2x10. Appreciate the feedback back.

The Goliath is a perfect rehearsal space piece.