Mesa Subway D-350!

[Jim C]

What about going the other direction and developing a higher power amp (I guess 1200 is where some people are at)? Not so much for the added power/volume, but for added clean headroom?

For me there is a saturation point where more doesn't really much matter.
Assuming a reasonable stage volume for club work and FoH support for larger venues, I find 800 watts is more than enough.
I like ultra studio clean for some projects and my RB1001 (700 watts), MBF800, and 1500 watt pre / power rig all stay very clean. I really don't notice a difference in clean headroom despite a 2:1 margin.
I am not aware of any single cabinet that can handle anywhere close to this amount of power.

For that matter, my ancient SWR at approx. 500 watts gets the job done nicely for 90% of what I play too.

Since big power has become inexpensive, it is a great marketing factor.
Remember when a laptop with 5 GB was a huge deal?
Probably OK for many users but who wants more for just a few extra dollars?
.02

 

[pigpen1]

For me there is a saturation point where more doesn't really much matter.
Assuming a reasonable stage volume for club work and FoH support for larger venues, I find 800 watts is more than enough.
I like ultra studio clean for some projects and my RB1001 (700 watts), MBF800, and 1500 watt pre / power rig all stay very clean. I really don't notice a difference in clean headroom despite a 2:1 margin.
I am not aware of any single cabinet that can handle anywhere close to this amount of power.

For that matter, my ancient SWR at approx. 500 watts gets the job done nicely for 90% of what I play too.

Since big power has become inexpensive, it is a great marketing factor.
Remember when a laptop with 5 GB was a huge deal?
Probably OK for many users but who wants more for just a few extra dollars?
.02

I was just curious. I don't need more actual volume, but I'd like to stay out of the OD/noticeable tube emulation at the volume I usually play at.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Maybe... that's why I asked for your thoughts and comments.

Maybe something new to come?

 

[Ethereal Thorn]

I'd only be interested if it this was smaller and about half the cost or less preferably then of the d800 seeing I can one of those for $600 pretty easy im not willing to spend close to that or I'd just get a d800

 

[Downunderwonder]

What about going the other direction and developing a higher power amp (I guess 1200 is where some people are at)? Not so much for the added power/volume, but for added clean headroom?

You only get headroom if your cab/s can handle the extra and make extra clean noise. Precious few cabs get through 800w clean as it is.

 

[pigpen1]

You only get headroom if your cab/s can handle the extra and make extra clean noise. Precious few cabs get through 800w clean as it is.

I don't need to play any louder. I don't want to. Overall volume is fine. But I'm starting to hit overdrive sometimes or at least get into the tube emulation a little. If the amp were more powerful I'd probably never hit either at current volumes. Again not increasing volume at all. Cleaner at the same volume is my goal.

 

[Downunderwonder]

I don't need to play any louder. I don't want to. Overall volume is fine. But I'm starting to hit overdrive sometimes or at least get into the tube emulation a little. If the amp were more powerful I'd probably never hit either at current volumes. Again not increasing volume at all. Cleaner at the same volume is my goal.

What cab?

 

[pigpen1]

What cab?

Mesa subway 210 and 115.

Don't understand what difference it makes in my situation. I know I could add speakers and not run the amp as hard, but the cabs are more than capable of the handling the frequencies and spl levels I ask them to do. Just trying to stay out of the grit and do it with a head that I really do love.

 

[Downunderwonder]

Mesa subway 210 and 115.

Don't understand what difference it makes in my situation. I know I could add speakers and not run the amp as hard, but the cabs are more than capable of the handling the frequencies and spl levels I ask them to do. Just trying to stay out of the grit and do it with a head that I really do love.

The crickets are deafening. There must be dozens of TB members running either the same or two of either cab stacked under a D800.

 

[somebrains]

I played a 12 on top of a 15 thru a D800 and really liked it. Had something really cool together. Threw my old 400rb on it and the grit on rails was really good.

10s and 15s are something from the 80s that I never liked together. People keep trying with new cabs and speakers, just doesn't work for me.

 

[pigpen1]

The crickets are deafening. There must be dozens of TB members running either the same or two of either cab stacked under a D800.

That's fine. If the product is available one day I'd snatch it up. If not my world will continue. A couple people on this thread, for some reason, are questioning my preferences or intentions for some reason.

I can always run a d800+ pedal into a power amp if I really want a cleaner sound that bad. I think people around here sometimes get oddly personally invested if you even hint that you'd like to see something tweaked with a product they own. I love my Mesa rig, but since we have more or less direct access to Mesa here through agedhorse, I just thought I'd ask.

 

[pigpen1]

I played a 12 on top of a 15 thru a D800 and really liked it. Had something really cool together. Threw my old 400rb on it and the grit on rails was really good.

10s and 15s are something from the 80s that I never liked together. People keep trying with new cabs and speakers, just doesn't work for me.

I never liked it until this 210 and 115 combo I have right now. Other than that I always preferred 12's.

 

[agedhorse]

Since the D-350 concept is a smaller amp, lets stay on topic with this concept rather than debate more headroom than a D-800+.

I'm just trying to understand the needs of players with regard to smaller amps.

Regarding size, what if the amp was say 1/2" less tall, 1/2" less wide, and say 3" less deep compared with the D-800? Would this be enough to make a difference?

 

[Jim C]

Perhaps a poll?
I still think that price will be the deciding factor and saving a couple inches one way or the another is insignificant (for me).

 

[CaptObvious]

Since the D-350 concept is a smaller amp, lets stay on topic with this concept rather than debate more headroom than a D-800+.

I'm just trying to understand the needs of players with regard to smaller amps.

Regarding size, what if the amp was say 1/2" less tall, 1/2" less wide, and say 3" less deep compared with the D-800? Would this be enough to make a difference?

I think a common need/convenience for many (including me) would be the ability to put it in a gig bag. I had a TC Electronics BH250 that was perfect for this. The D800 is just a wee bit too big. I have a Gator gig bag, FWIW, but not sure how it compares to others (Mono, Fender, etc.)

But, to answer your question, I'll measure it out over the weekend and see if this form factor would work. Thanks so much for being so responsive and polling our interest/thoughts, Andy.

 

[pigpen1]

Since the D-350 concept is a smaller amp, lets stay on topic with this concept rather than debate more headroom than a D-800+.

I'm just trying to understand the needs of players with regard to smaller amps.

Regarding size, what if the amp was say 1/2" less tall, 1/2" less wide, and say 3" less deep compared with the D-800? Would this be enough to make a difference?

You're right my apologies for the thread highjack.

I think when we're talking about really small amps, for me it about if I can stuff it into a gigbag pocket.

 

[FatStringer52]

So that would make it approximately 2.5H x 10.25W x 8D. Probably not as small as I was hoping for. Kudos for knocking 3" off the depth. The change in width is pretty insignificant and still leaves the amp with a pretty wide (relatively speaking) footprint. And the height would be about the same as the 800+. That alone would probably move me to a wait and see posture. I know, we're a hard bunch to please!

 

[Downunderwonder]

Since the D-350 concept is a smaller amp, lets stay on topic with this concept rather than debate more headroom than a D-800+.

I'm just trying to understand the needs of players with regard to smaller amps.

Regarding size, what if the amp was say 1/2" less tall, 1/2" less wide, and say 3" less deep compared with the D-800? Would this be enough to make a difference?

Size alone is not focused enough.

Beginner Amp.
Backup Amp.
Or Main Amp, low power style.

Vs Cost.

 

[Mark Sacchetti]

I’ve been lusting after a WD 800 for a long time now. It’s a little bit of overkill for me I play with friends and at coffee houses. A high-quality amp by Mesa, a smaller version of the WD would be ideal for me. The high pass filter would be a necessity. I don’t know how many are out there like me and if it’s a viable niche market.

 

[agedhorse]

Size alone is not focused enough.

Beginner Amp.
Backup Amp.
Or Main Amp, low power style.

Vs Cost.

Right, I want to understand what players are interested in for all 3 of these uses.