• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Mesa Boogie subway 4x10 VS Darkglass 4x10

kev451

kev451

Supporting Member
Feb 23, 2014
1,853
3,411
New Jersey
#1
Good evening Talkbass fam, I’m going to be purchasing a 4x10 bass cab. I’ve boiled it down to the 4x10 Mesa Boogie Subway and the Darkglass 4x10. I want a good punchy live sound with good warm crisp low end.

The bass would be a Fender Roadworn/Spector NS2A/Fender PJ/Fender MIJ Jaguar. Bass head is Darkglass 500V2 and Darkglass microtubes 900V2. Pedals are Sans Amp bass driver, DG B7 pedal, Pigtronix philosophers Tone micro.
music style punk and hardcore (think Sick of it All) describe the sound as how it sounded to you.

Anyone try these bass cabs and can let me know what they thought ?
Thanks !!!!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: sokolasty
#4
kev451 said:
Good evening Talkbass fam, I’m going to be purchasing a 4x10 bass cab. I’ve boiled it down to the 4x10 Mesa Boogie Subway and the Darkglass 4x10. I want a good punchy live sound with good warm crisp low end.

The bass would be a Fender Roadworn/Spector NS2A/Fender PJ/Fender MIJ Jaguar. Bass head is Darkglass 500V2 and Darkglass microtubes 900V2. Pedals are Sans Amp bass driver, DG B7 pedal, Pigtronix philosophers Tone micro.
music style punk and hardcore (think Sick of it All) describe the sound as how it sounded to you.

Anyone try these bass cabs and can let me know what they thought ?
Thanks !!!!
Click to expand...
Doesn't Craig just use an SVT 810? I would suggest that if you're playing hardcore you try out a few 810's at volume to determine if any of them will be adequate. Actually now that I think about it, I think I saw Craig post somewhere that he is using Darkglass now, so maybe that's the way to go. Craig's sound is pretty scooped.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kev451
#5
Also I'm facebook friends with Jonathan Buske now and I think he said he is using Darkglass stuff now as well. We're old CNY punk dudes. Jon is much younger than me and a great bass player and also played for SOIA and others.
 
#6
deff said:
Doesn't Craig just use an SVT 810? I would suggest that if you're playing hardcore you try out a few 810's at volume to determine if any of them will be adequate. Actually now that I think about it, I think I saw Craig post somewhere that he is using Darkglass now, so maybe that's the way to go. Craig's sound is pretty scooped.
Click to expand...
Yeah an 810 live would be good but I’m not lugging that around lol. Just wondering which of those two would give decent power and sound, for that style as we are in the same vein as SOIA. And you are right he’s been using the newer 900w version of their head.
 
#7
kev451 said:
Yeah an 810 live would be good but I’m not lugging that around lol. Just wondering which of those two would give decent power and sound, for that style as we are in the same vein as SOIA. And you are right he’s been using the newer 900w version of their head.
Click to expand...
If choosing between those two I'd likely go with the Mesa. I'm not sure why you're limiting yourself to two brands though. I'd go out and play through a few with my own stuff.
 
#8
deff said:
If choosing between those two I'd likely go with the Mesa. I'm not sure why you're limiting yourself to two brands though. I'd go out and play through a few with my own stuff.
Click to expand...
I’ve played through damned near everything. Either live or studio or music stores. But those two from videos I’ve seen seem to fit. Just wanted to know from people who’ve owned or played through them their thoughts.
 
#10
willsellout said:
Nothing wrong with the DG cabs, but I'd choose the Mesa if it were me. I was in Sweetwater yesterday and had a chance to play through the DG 410 and I don't think it is really voiced for what you are describing you want. Although this was with me playing through the DG AO head, so they are pretty particularly voiced as is.
Click to expand...

what did you think of the tone and sound overall of the cab ? Any pros and cons ?
 
#13
kev451 said:
what did you think of the tone and sound overall of the cab ? Any pros and cons ?
Click to expand...
It wasn't what I look for, but it sounded really good and handled the low B very well. Very articulate with a lot of snap and focused low mid kind of deal going on. It might be a completely different sound with another amp. Seemed really well build and I prefer the looks of it over the Mesa.
 
#14
Haven’t tried any DG gear but I have the Subway 410 and we’ll, in a word, perfection comes to mind. It’ll give you a punishing amount of low end if you really want it too but stays nice and tight as well. I REALLY like my SW115+SW112 stack, but LOVE the SW410. Metal, R&B, reggae, modern country, contemporary worship… it does it all for my needs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kev451, Aqualung60 and Rich67
#15
I love me some SOIA. I don’t think you can really go wrong with either cab. The Darkglass actually surprised me how good it is. With my all tube heads it sounds particularly good! I feel like a lot of people don’t try these cabs out because most people don’t think have cabs when they think Darkglass and I rarely see them in stores. Oh yeah… the Mesa is awesome also but everyone already talks about that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: kev451
#16
Curious to hear where you end up Kev, I am in a similar spot except for the genre.

I just bought an AO 500 (got a good deal so I jumped on it even though I didn’t get a cab yet)

I am looking between MESA, DG and Barefaced. Although I am leaning toward Mesa or Barefaced.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back