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Mesa Boogie D-350 vs Magellan 350

gluewithuhu

gluewithuhu

Supporting Member
Oct 20, 2022
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Hiroshima
#1
Hi everyone,

I just sold my trusty Magellan 350 to a friend and am now in the market for a replacement. I’ve been eyeing the Mesa Boogie D-350, and I’m curious to hear from anyone who’s used it.

For context, I enjoyed the Magellan 350; it had great clarity, punch, and versatility across different styles but does not find that it has its own signature sound. It handled everything from smooth, clean tones to growlier sounds effortlessly, and the dual contour EQ was a feature I really appreciated.

For those who have experience with the Mesa Boogie D-350:

• How does it compare in terms of tone, flexibility, and overall performance?

• Is it as portable and reliable as the Magellan 350?

• Does it excel in any particular genres or settings?

Would love to hear your thoughts, especially if you’ve owned or tried both amps.

Thanks in advance!
 
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#2
Yes, yes and yes. Seriously, I owned the Magellan 350 and now own the Subway D-350. Both excellent amps! I sold the Magellan only because the feature set didn't work for me. I'm a "set it and forget it" guy and the Mesa allows that more easily, IMHO. I find it easier to dial in the tone I want on the Mesa. Just turn Voicing to personal taste and fine tune with very reactive 4 band EQ, if even necessary. That's it! I also like the way the Mesa rewards you with some grit/grunt when you push the preamp.
Objectively, these amps are on par with each other. Subjectively, I prefer the Mesa.
 
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#3
I use the Magellan Bass preamp and previously owned several Mesa Subway amps. The Genzler vibe is more "center" or less voiced in my opinion. The Mesa is more focused bass tone in a very good way. If I had the need for owning several different bass amps a Genzler / Mesa / GK would be my first choices.
 
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#7
logdrum said:
How do you carry your bass guitar in that Harley or is that what the band van is for?
Click to expand...
Like this. 🤘

IMG_20230414_200436.jpg
 
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#8
gluewithuhu said:
Hi everyone,

I just sold my trusty Magellan 350 to a friend and am now in the market for a replacement. I’ve been eyeing the Mesa Boogie D-350, and I’m curious to hear from anyone who’s used it.
...
Would love to hear your thoughts, especially if you’ve owned or tried both amps.
Click to expand...
I have both heads. I don't hear a lot of difference in them when set flat with no contouring/voicing.

The Magellan can do 2.67 ohms, the Mesa 4 ohms. The Mesa does not have a fan, and the Magellan a very quiet one.

The Mesa voicing control is similar to the Magellan's A (blue) modern contour. Both are essentially a variable mid-scoop. The Magellan B (orange) vintage contour is a modified treble rolloff.

Both have headphone jacks on the back, but the Mesa has a USB power out as well.

The Mesa has a bright switch on the front panel, which is a nice touch. (Thanks, Chef!)

Otherwise, they are at a similar price point, size, weight and either is a very good choice. Since you sold the Magellan, if you don't need 2.67 ohm operation, get the Mesa, and you will like it very much.
 
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#9
Michael Vee said:
The Mesa has a bright switch on the front panel, which is a nice touch. (Thanks, Chef!)
Click to expand...
Yes, that was Alan's final contribution to the D-350 before his passing, he nailed that one for sure.
 
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#13
Chuck M said:
I owned the Magellan 350 and found it to be a great head for upright bass because it is so neutral sounding. I now own the D-350 and it also sounds wonderful with upright bass but it sounds amazing with electric bass. I prefer the Mesa.
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Similar thoughts here! Having owned the Magellan 350 for almost a year and (very) recently switching to the D350, I prefer the Mesa too. It provides was looking for in an amp. It has that character and soul that I was looking for.

That said, the Magellan is a fantastic bit of kit and if I was going for transparent and clean, I would give the nod to it.
 
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#14
Hot Rats said:
I have no experience with the Genzler but as far as reliable and robust, I carry my Mesa 350 in my Harley's saddle bag to gigs, and it is still functions fine and dandy after several years. So, it's got that going for it. I carried the D800 that way for years also.
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Oh. My Harley saddle bags were full of ice and cold beers 🍻 😋 😂

Sorry to derail the thread...I couldn't help myself.
 
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#15
I play URB about 1/3 of the time, otherwise electric bass. I’m looking for an amp for the times that I’m not doubling, and playing only URB (Upton Bohemian with Yamahiko piezo and Krivo magnetic or Yamaha Silent Bass). If you were choosing one of these two amps strictly for URB, which would you choose and why? Thanks!
 
#17
I have the Magellan 350 but previously had the Mesa D350, both are really nice amps. I wish the Magellan had the bright switch and I wish the Mesa would do 2.67 ohms. I've actually used four 8 ohm cabs with both my MG350 and Kinetix, a 2 ohm load with no issues. The Mesa doesn't have a fan but honesty I'm not heard a fan in either the MG350 or Kinetix. The only reason I parted with the Mesa D350 was because I was getting a hum whenever I used it with my passive P bass in my home. It probably would have been fine anywhere else but for some reason in my home, the house wiring or whatever it hummed but only with my P bass. I've been wanting to try another to make sure because I really did like it otherwise. I still wouldn't sell my MG350 though even if I had another Mesa D350.
 
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