Mesa Subway D-350!

[Jim C]

I don't see a market for a beginner or backup amp in the $500+ price range (assuming it would be close to this).
I always carry a backup amp but in over 40 years of playing bass, I thought I only needed it once; turned out to be a flaky cable in a pre/compressor/lead sled rig.

If it's for a beginner, they likely don't have a cabinet that could really benefit from a higher end amp.
Seems like Peavey and Hartke have had this lower price market covered since day one and TC and Ashdown are now contenders too.

It would be interesting to know what Mesa marketing has found in their study assuming this info is released.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

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

Beginner amp: The D-350 would be a great way to get loyalty from beginning players who could afford a MSRP of $499. Later as they became more successful and realize the quality of Mesa, they would move onto the higher end stuff.
Backup amp: Yes, yes, and yes. Especially if it was a bit smaller than the D-800. Everyone should always have a backup amp. This would be a very high end solution for backups.
Main amp: I know for most of my shows I could use this amp with my 112 cab or 2 x Eden EX110's. Also it could be used with one of the new Mesa cabs as a smaller but high quality system.
Cost: It seems a MSRP of $499 would be a sweet spot. That would put it inline with a lot of competitors offerings. Less bells and whistles might make this possible.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Beginner amp: I know there are older people starting bass, but this segment is not even worth investing in. It's going to be moms and dads buying the cheapest 8" amp because they know Johnny or Susie is only going to play with this for a month or so.

Backup amp: Size is probably the biggest factor in this scenario. Super reliability is less crucial because this is an occasional amp in this scenario. Also, fewer features are needed - DI, input, Bass, Treble and a Volume knob would get me out of trouble. But how many people want to pay $599-699 for a dumbed-down amp that is designed as a backup?

Main amp: For this, most will want a D-800 with 350 watts and $200 cheaper. Not sure if that's possible.

 

[Anachronism]

Beginner: I don't think there's much of a market for true beginners, but there could be one for this as someone's first "real" amp when they need something better than the cheap 1x8 combo.

For the other two, I'll answer per my situation. I currently have a Mesa Buster 15 and a WD-800. Both are great, but I prefer the sound of the former. However, I got the WD and a Subway 15 because moving the Buster can be unpleasant, even with the handle and wheels. I like the tone too much to get rid of it, but don't want to have to move it every time.

Backup: For me, a D350 doesn't make sense as a backup unless I get rid of one of my current amps or am playing out more. However, in those cases, it would be a great option.

Main amp: Both of my current amps are overkill for what I do. I'm probably not going to dump the WD for a 350 now, but had both been available when I got the WD I might have gone with the 350. Cheaper and smaller while still getting the job done would have appeal, especially as I would have the Buster if I needed more power.

 

[bass4more]

I recently bought a used Genzler Magellan 350 head for $300 because that is all the power I need these days and it's extremely portable. I'm not playing anywhere larger than the average neighborhood bar and I no longer play in very loud bands. I would definitely have been interested in this amp, were it available.

 

[Inara]

So that would make it approximately 2.5H x 10.25W x 8D.

Just for comparison, here are the dimensions of a couple of others that have been mentioned in the thread:
TC Electronic BH-250: 2.5H x 8.7W x 9.1D
Genzler Magellan 350: 2.6H x 9.0W x 9.8D

So both of those are narrower but deeper than what's being discussed for the Subway 350. Personally, since I gig with amps in this power range as my main amp, I'm not as concerned with fitting it into a bass gig bag, but I know this would be a backup amp for many others. The ~10 x ~8 rectangle size would be fine for me ... those who would want it in their gig bag might feel otherwise, of course.

 

[jibass]

I just tried to look up the old Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 size specs for comparison but apparently the website has been taken down. That was another great amp for us "small end of the spectrum" players. And no fan so it worked quite well for me in quiet house concert duo settings backing an unplugged acoustic guitarist/singer.

Mesa sound, power and reliability in the range that has been discussed, smaller size (though not necessarily gig bag size), basic 4-band EQ and no fan would certainly be a winner for me.

Just for comparison, here are the dimensions of a couple of others that have been mentioned in the thread:
TC Electronic BH-250: 2.5H x 8.7W x 9.1D
Genzler Magellan 350: 2.6H x 9.0W x 9.8D

So both of those are narrower but deeper than what's being discussed for the Subway 350. Personally, since I gig with amps in this power range as my main amp, I'm not as concerned with fitting it into a bass gig bag, but I know this would be a backup amp for many others. The ~10 x ~8 rectangle size would be fine for me ... those who would want it in their gig bag might feel otherwise, of course.

 

[Rich48]

The only place I play out is in my church worship band. I’m using a Rumble 100 with upgraded speaker and it’s plenty loud enough. I don’t want or need an amp with more then 400 Watts. For me it’s about getting a better sounding and higher quality amp. The only way I would step up to a Mesa rig is if they do come out with something like the 350. I would still prefer it in a combo so I have one less thing to carry. At a price of $500 or less I would definitely buy it.

 

[Inara]

I just tried to look up the old Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 size specs for comparison but apparently the website has been taken down. That was another great amp for us "small end of the spectrum" players. And no fan so it worked quite well for me in quiet house concert duo settings backing an unplugged acoustic guitarist/singer.

Mesa sound, power and reliability in the range that has been discussed, smaller size (though not necessarily gig bag size), basic 4-band EQ and no fan would certainly be a winner for me.

I played a lot of gigs on a shuttle 3.0 ... Loved that amp. I found a copy of the owner's manual online, and here are the dimensions: 2.35H x 8.5W x 9.25D.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I just tried to look up the old Genz Benz Shuttle 3.0 size specs for comparison but apparently the website has been taken down. That was another great amp for us "small end of the spectrum" players. And no fan so it worked quite well for me in quiet house concert duo settings backing an unplugged acoustic guitarist/singer.

Mesa sound, power and reliability in the range that has been discussed, smaller size (though not necessarily gig bag size), basic 4-band EQ and no fan would certainly be a winner for me.

Not to criticize but, is fan noise a real concern? I have a GK 1001 RB, Cavin BX 1500, and a Mesa WD 800 all with fans. The only time I ever noticed them is sitting right next to them in a room by myself not playing when they are on. I've heard the buzz from an Acoustic 360/361 amp louder than these fans Maybe because I'm an old guy and probably deaf and I don't seem to notice the fan noise. Another reason I like my 800 watt WD and not interested in a 350 watt Mesa amp

 

[Downunderwonder]

could be one for this as someone's first "real" amp when they need something better than the cheap 1x8 combo

exactly what was thinking of, first 'real' amp. Tough market to get into but brand caché might help there. Price and features then size.

Backup , features size price, pretty well equal considerations?

MiniMesa, features/price, then size?

Wattage is a given.

 

[jibass]

No critisism taken but yes, i have had loud fans in otherwise good sounding amps be quite unpleasantly audible in quiet settings, not to mention driving me nuts when solo practice. Different strokes...

edit: another thought, why put a fan in an amp that does not require it for cooling - just another component to possibly wear out and/or make noise.

Not to criticize but, is fan noise a real concern? I have a GK 1001 RB, Cavin BX 1500, and a Mesa WD 800 all with fans. The only time I ever noticed them is sitting right next to them in a room by myself not playing when they are on. I've heard the buzz from an Acoustic 360/361 amp louder than these fans

 

[DJ Bebop]

No critisism taken but yes, i have had loud fans in otherwise good sounding amps be quite unpleasantly audible in quiet settings, not to mention driving me nuts when solo practice. Different strokes...

edit: another thought, why put a fan in an amp that does not require it for cooling - just another component to possibly wear out and/or make noise.

I do solo practicing myself, no problem but, you can't drive someone nuts that are already nuts
Maybe my WD has a quite quality fan. I've used it with an unplugged guitarist at house parties and it's never destroyed the mood. But yes...

 

[jibass]

You da bomb!

I do solo practicing myself, no problem but, you can't drive someone nuts that are already nuts
Maybe my WD has a quite quality fan. I've used it with an unplugged guitarist at house parties and it's never destroyed the mood. But yes...
View attachment 3715893

 

[agedhorse]

To clarify, by beginner amp I would really consider this to be a step-up type amp, or an amp for somebody who may be a guitarist migrating over to bass and already has experienced the frustrations with lower quality gear.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Not to criticize but, is fan noise a real concern? I have a GK 1001 RB, Cavin BX 1500, and a Mesa WD 800 all with fans. The only time I ever noticed them is sitting right next to them in a room by myself not playing when they are on. I've heard the buzz from an Acoustic 360/361 amp louder than these fans Maybe because I'm an old guy and probably deaf and I don't seem to notice the fan noise. Another reason I like my 800 watt WD and not interested in a 350 watt Mesa amp

I have a couple GK's and both are dead silent, my MB500 has a fan and I can barely hear air moving. I imagine Mesa would use high quality enough parts that this wouldn't be a problem. I find that some companies use lower quality components and that gets them bad marks for noisy fans.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

To clarify, by beginner amp I would really consider this to be a step-up type amp, or an amp for somebody who may be a guitarist migrating over to bass and already has experienced the frustrations with lower quality gear.

Also for a bass player who's getting good enough to realize he needs a better amp but doesn't quite see himself with a D-800 just yet. And remember the prices drop a little when they are sold used, making them even more affordable and available to up and coming players.

 

[agedhorse]

Also for a bass player who's getting good enough to realize he needs a better amp but doesn't quite see himself with a D-800 just yet. And remember the prices drop a little when they are sold used, making them even more affordable and available to up and coming players.

There are also a lot of played who don't have and will never need a 400 watt RMS x 8 ohm cabinet, so I'm thinking it might be a better match for the guys playing with 200 watt RMS type cabinets.

 

[S-Bigbottom]

See, that's the thing. Some companies make stuff offshore, nothing wrong with that until, you get a bad one.
Then you have to deal with that situation and if that happens, what becomes of the companies reputation?

Again, think of companies that used to be made in the USA that might still make stuff here but, it's only their high dollar "heritage" lines and the rest or, all of it is made overseas. Think of companies that are headquartered in Germany or Italy or wherever that are designed at headquarters but are made overseas with little or no service support. How good is that?

Remember though, I really don't know what I'm talkin' about. I'm just talkin'

Sorry this is late from page 7, but...
In regards to the Genzler being made in Taiwan and the question of quality of product and or service because of country of manufacture some talked negatively about.

Remember that Mr. Genzler is the name sake of Genz-Benz and that Mr. Agedhorse worked for him making amps like the still loved Streamliner and Shuttle series.
Those amps were made in Taiwan back then and have a good reputation of quality. And service? Mr. Agedhorse and Mr. Genzler were on TalkBass back then helping out and if you were to call you would get Mr. Genzler on the phone.

Now with the company being called Genzler, as in the past if you call or email, you will get Mr. Genzler to answer you and he is still on TalkBass daily to respond to questions or concerns. And with the new amps he went even deeper into making them more reliable than ever.

Country of origin means nothing, it is the people running it that means something.

 

[pigpen1]

Sorry this is late from page 7, but...
In regards to the Genzler being made in Taiwan and the question of quality of product and or service because of country of manufacture some talked negatively about.

Remember that Mr. Genzler is the name sake of Genz-Benz and that Mr. Agedhorse worked for him making amps like the still loved Streamliner and Shuttle series.
Those amps were made in Taiwan back then and have a good reputation of quality. And service? Mr. Agedhorse and Mr. Genzler were on TalkBass back then helping out and if you were to call you would get Mr. Genzler on the phone.

Now with the company being called Genzler, as in the past if you call or email, you will get Mr. Genzler to answer you and he is still on TalkBass daily to respond to questions or concerns. And with the new amps he went even deeper into making them more reliable than ever.

Country of origin means nothing, it is the people running it that means something.

It a not that people doubt the quality of the products. I simply won't buy one for economic and as some would say political reasons. Obviously labor costs were a factor, and I think we're being dismissive if we don't admit to as much. The genzler amps are quite good, but at that price point others are manufacturing domestically.

If mesa were to move production overseas I would not buy those products.

Everyone can decide for themselves and vote with their wallets.