Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,043
- 45,900
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
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Mesa Subway D-350!
- Thread starter mmbongo
- Start date
I don't think asking folks why they'd choose this over the DI version is a derail but since nobody seems interested in answering the question, I'll just leave you all to your conversation and figure it out myself.
Speaking only for myself: Every gig I have ever played, and every recording studio I have ever been to, there has been a provided DI available for me to use. But on the other hand, in my experience, I cannot take for granted that the venue will supply a reliable bass head. Also the stakes are higher: Hypothetically if the DI is lost or broken, the sound guy can just put a mic on my cabinet, but if my head is lost or broken, then I can't hear myself on stage to give a good performance. So for me personally, a reliable backup head is a more practical "must have" item than a backup DI.
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,043
- 45,900
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
Just speaking for myself, I haven't had occasion to use a DI for a few years, and one of my own for maybe a decade. OTOH, I use an amp several times a week, and downsizing has been on my mind since I've retired from gigging.
@agedhorse have we got to the point of 'watch this space' yet?
It looks like there is ''some'' interest in a mini D800 from the three corners. The question becomes how many sales of big ones are lost.
And apparently you might cannibalize 1 sale of a Subway DI too. <cough>.
It looks like there is ''some'' interest in a mini D800 from the three corners. The question becomes how many sales of big ones are lost.
And apparently you might cannibalize 1 sale of a Subway DI too. <cough>.
This is to discuss a potential new product, watched closely by Mesa's lead magician, @agedhorse .
The guy who designed the preamp pedal you are currently in love with
The pedal pres exist to fill a need, the heads fulfill another.
D800, D800+, WD800 and now the potential of a new application of the basis of those preamps applied to a smaller lighter package with a lower power amp in the case.
Also a lower price point with all the Mesa goodness.
Mmmmm buttery.
Same as some of the others. Especially so if it was a combo. If I could have the amp in one hand and my bass in the other, I would only ever need one trip. For a lot of hired gun work I've almost never needed my big amps. I know there's options out there, but this kinda ticks the boxes.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,953
- 5
- 220,611
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Yes, the power amp in the package makes this a very different product.
Thank you.
Sometimes it really feels like asking questions around on talkbass is tantamount to making disparaging comments about someone mother. If you don't know, you're supposed to ask, right?
Speaking of power amp being special. I've got the WD. So I was using the DI out of the WD to drive my Carvin BX1500 which is a bi-ampable amp and I use to run bi-amped all the time, I missed that. So I was running the WD into the Carvin and into my cabs bi-amped, it sounded great but, I was missing that thing that happens in the WD power amp section that doesn't happen in the Carvin or any other amp for that matter. You know, that goofy thing Andy has goin' on in there with the power tube emulation. That's a real thing
Still, it does make the Carvin sound better than it ever did, on its own. So if I wanna run bi-amped, the WD as the front end to the Carvin will be the way.
Now if Andy came up with a dual power amped bi-ampable WD...
My experience...
When I was doing a ton of gigs, and rolling around in a van, I got a TH350 as my back up plan. I was using a Bassman 100 at the time (which has never given me one problem, BTW), and I got the 350, because it was small, and I could keep it in my case, just in case. I never actually pulled it out.
Then I did a couple gigs with it and liked it... so I upgraded to the 500w version... because if I'm gonna actually use the thing, the 500w version is hardly bigger, and hardly weighs more, and has more power (headroom) - especially at 8 ohms. I actually used to carry the 500 in the same case as my 350 and could fit all the same other stuff. The size difference was negligible, but the headroom difference was not.
For me, when talking about 1 inch smaller, and 2 pounds lighter, I just don't see a whole lot of plus side to getting the smaller amp. The TH500 or D800 (or whatever 500-800 amp) is already a small and light amp - and can handle anything. IME, as a player, it sucks to run out of headroom - 25% smaller than an already super light and super small amp is not worth it in a gigging situation if it means having to rely on poopy monitors because you run out of headroom.
My other experience with smaller amps is with a GK MB200 - I thought it would be a cool little rig with a 112. Tried that at a rehearsal and one gig, and that was it for me on that rig. I moved on pretty fast. The GK felt like a bit of a novelty to me.
Right now I'm putting my GB STL 900 in a backpack with all my other gig stuff. Bass in a gig bag, small board, and a 210 cab. My cabs match up well with my amps in terms of power. Everything is small and light and not out of place at the smallest / quietest gig, but can also hang at the biggest / loudest gig. Thats a pretty good place (for me), so I don't see trying to save an inch and a pound as any kind of benefit. The STL is probably considered big and heavy by today's standards - but like I said, it goes in my back pack.
I totally get that not all players have the same needs... some guys are home players, some guys use public transport where tiny is important, some guys play small gigs where 200w and 112 is all you would ever need. Just my perspective.
That is me. When I travel by car, size and weight is not that important...but when I travel by public trasportation, I need amp as tiny as possible...
Mesa D350 would not fit the bill for me, I am afraid...
This discussion started out about a low powered compact Mesa bass head. Nothing else.
No combo. No nothing else. Just THE HEAD PICTURED. Sometimes it seems like people don't think when they type.
I would love to own a Mesa Boogie D-350. I'm not playing bigger rooms anymore. If I ran this with my two cabs I would have a full 350 watts and I'm sure it would get plenty loud. What a lot of people are missing is the outstanding quality and tone of the product. We're not asking for upgrades and additions here folks. The question is would you buy this product? Yes or no? Carry on.
No combo. No nothing else. Just THE HEAD PICTURED. Sometimes it seems like people don't think when they type.
I would love to own a Mesa Boogie D-350. I'm not playing bigger rooms anymore. If I ran this with my two cabs I would have a full 350 watts and I'm sure it would get plenty loud. What a lot of people are missing is the outstanding quality and tone of the product. We're not asking for upgrades and additions here folks. The question is would you buy this product? Yes or no? Carry on.
Agedhorse set it on fire asking about product potential. The combo question is implied when you have such a little amp.
So, did the bean counters get a go at the numbers yet?
- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,953
- 5
- 220,611
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
I did discuss the thoughts of a combo, but the cost of a small combo would place it at the top of the market which might be a bigger challenge.
For example, how much would you consider too much for say a 12" combo, even if it was high performance?
I would easily shell out $1500-1700 for a Walkabout Scout v2.0, but I'm a 51 year old with a mortgage stuck in 1997 or so.
For Mesa quality and support, I don't think such a combo would be unreasable at $1199 MSRP. For that quality of a combo I would almost consider going for that first! Ohhh decisions decisions!
