• 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 freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Mesa Subway Bass DI-Preamp

There's no problem with active basses, plenty of headroom, plenty of margin, and if it's a very hot active bass, and you play hard, there's also the active/passive switch.

Glad to hear about your bass upgrade, we strive to do whatever we can to improve your quality of life ;)
 
I purchased the Subway preamp-di about four months now, to run it through a backline combo amp (Yorkville TB100) that to my ears sounds barely tolerable without it.


The Mesa certainly solved that problem, works beautifully and the tone is like night and day – sounds great!


Also, I have running it through my Shuttle 6.2, and I have to say that as much as I like it, the Mesa bumps it up significantly.

Thanks, Andy!
 
Anybody have another idea what a bypass switch would do (that makes sense based on its evolution from the D-800 amp)?

I wonder if there is confusion because of where the thru output jack is located, opposite the instrument input, on the other side of the controls. On many units, the thru is next to the input jack and this might be the source of the confusion. Visually, some might see it implying that it's post preamp and want a bypass. The manual is clear how it works though. The topology allows he unit to be balanced, with the weight of an instrument cable on each side. A good thing.
 
  • Like
Reactions: agedhorse
The Mesa is a strong EQ. Backing off the bass knob a tiny, tiny bit and boosting the low mid just the same tightens up the phat B string and tames my "Reggae" split coil pickup so that both can be abused at will. No mud but much punch. In passive mode, my bass only has the balance and volume knobs in play. With the Mesa in line, I can use the full range with a nice clear tone.

Yes, it colors your tone. That's the point. It works better than a compressor at cleaning up a dark or boomy bass. I've run it into a GK, a Fender and a QSC; all different amps similar results. Mesa results. I hope that's what you're after because that's what you'll get. I'm totally down with the sound but I also take my raw pass through for one channel at times.
 
The Subway DI can drive every power amp on the market that I am aware of.

Can it drive any power amp if you... play so light you can run a D800 wfo and not see the front end light and you use a subtraction EQ far more than additive?

you really need to just go ahead and release the 800+ DI. My gig bag sans amp has been limping a lot longer than I tend to let something limp while I'm waiting over here....still waiting....
 
Can it drive any power amp if you... play so light you can run a D800 wfo and not see the front end light and you use a subtraction EQ far more than additive?

you really need to just go ahead and release the 800+ DI. My gig bag sans amp has been limping a lot longer than I tend to let something limp while I'm waiting over here....still waiting....

Yes, of course I forgot to include the disclaimer "within reason" ;)

I'm listening, how much interest do you think there would be for a "plus" style pedal?
 
Yes, of course I forgot to include the disclaimer "within reason" ;)

I'm listening, how much interest do you think there would be for a "plus" style pedal?

You want an elevator pitch?

How close are you to that Front end? I get the sense that maybe so close you may not know quite what you did. If I had to bet, I would say that would be a piece that will be legend.

I think.. a variable high pass filter is one of those things that, once you have one, you can't figure out how you ever got along with out.
Think that feature is valuable enough on big stage work that it could become an indispensable item. It is for me.

I think given what I know about where the mid EQ points are on the 800 They really aren't where a lot of bass players look for what they want. They work but, people want what people want and a different eq point is something I know you've heard before. I much prefer different EQ points than what was baked in to the 800.

I think it's reasonable to figure anyone with an interest in an active bass DI is probably a techy nerd gear head. The people that would buy something like that and then turn around and appreciate the simpler, quicker format of the 800 are probably in the minority.

The only downside of making an 800+ is that you are going to take heat and put your 800 out of business.

and I'll close with a little piece of wisdom I got from my grandfather, he told me, "Steve, if you ever want to get rich, all you have to do is find a need and fill it".

You're making the second best active bass DI on the market right now when you could be making the best.

40 seconds. How'd I do?
 
  • Like
Reactions: agedhorse
I should note that without a doubt the box would have to get a bit bigger to fit the added controls (and circuitry).
 
Yes, of course I forgot to include the disclaimer "within reason" ;)

I'm listening, how much interest do you think there would be for a "plus" style pedal?

I'd buy a D800+ DI depending on size and price. I already have a regular Subway DI and a separate HPF pedal so I could ditch the separate pedal. Before you ask, I only use the Subway DI pedal when I'm not using my Subway amp :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mr. Majestic

Latest posts