Mesa Subway D-350!

[agedhorse]

Correct, the cabinet emulation is quite mild and somewhat Hi-Fi, in fact it’s fairly close to the Subway 115 with the tweeter all the way up (which is not super bright)

 

[musicman556]

Can confirm. The Subway 115 is actually a pretty good PA speaker, haha! Sometimes I just run music from my phone through my rig before/between sets. As far as lower-volume background music goes, hardly anyone would think that it wasn't just being fed through a regular ol' PA.

 

[BlueTalon]

Sorry about that, but you may thank me later.

I think you’ll like it. Really enjoy mine.

I'm actually quite confident I will like it a lot. I already like the D800 a lot. Having what is essentially a mini-D800 is quite appealing for smaller gigs. And really, most of my gigs are smaller gigs.

This will be the critical mass that will allow me to sell off a couple other amps.

 

[agedhorse]

Can confirm. The Subway 115 is actually a pretty good PA speaker, haha! Sometimes I just run music from my phone through my rig before/between sets. As far as lower-volume background music goes, hardly anyone would think that it wasn't just being fed through a regular ol' PA.

It's based on pro audio design metrics, with some mild bass voicing folded in for good measure.

 

[MarkA]

Thanks, Al and Andy.

Had a look at the signal-flow diagram (guess I should've scrolled farther - it was easier to follow than I thought it'd be). Looks like the D.I. comes before the Aux-In, which is summed to mono with the bass signal right after the EQ and before the cabinet emulation (which, as you said, goes to the headphones but not the cab(s)).

Appreciate the clarification.

 

[Moonskunk]

Well my Mesa D-350 showed up today, a few problems. First the actual Mesa box from Zzounds showed up with the security sealing tape broken all the way around and then retaped so that was a bit disturbing. When I opened the box and got to the actual amp there were smudges and finger prints all over the front black panel, so then I called Zzounds and explained to them that I believed that I had received an open box item. They were willing to take off $60 which I agreed to, however this was the clincher, after getting off the phone with them and feeling pretty good about saving $60 I began to test out and fiddle with the amp.That's when the bright toggle switch came off right in my hands, I was totally shocked. I tried to figure out how to put it back in for about 15 min with no luck and could not even believe it came off in the first place. Then while still trying to get it back on the actual thinner inner toggle fell out also so I just gave up and called Zzounds for a shipping return label. How dissappointing, I was always under the notion that Mesa was solid really dependable gear and then the toggle switch just falls out 5 mins after getting the amp. From what I did hear of the amp in the few short mins I was able to use it I was quite impresssed. Seemed like it had a lot of the nice crystalline top end of my GK MB200 without any of the muddy bottom end. However now my confidence in the reliability of the product is shot! Not sure if I want to try it again, I'm pretty happy with my Aguilar TH-350 which I never had such issues. I just wanted to see what I may be missing with the Mesa and what all the hype was about.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Well my Mesa D-350 showed up today, a few problems. First the actual Mesa box from Zzounds showed up with the security sealing tape broken all the way around and then retaped so that was a bit disturbing. When I opened the box and got to the actual amp there were smudges and finger prints all over the front black panel, so then I called Zzounds and explained to them that I believed that I had received an open box item. They were willing to take off $60 which I agreed to, however this was the clincher, after getting off the phone with them and feeling pretty good about saving $60 I began to test out and fiddle with the amp.That's when the bright toggle switch came off right in my hands, I was totally shocked. I tried to figure out how to put it back in for about 15 min with no luck and could not even believe it came off in the first place. Then while still trying to get it back on the actual thinner inner toggle fell out also so I just gave up and called Zzounds for a shipping return label. How dissappointing, I was always under the notion that Mesa was solid really dependable gear and then the toggle switch just falls out 5 mins after getting the amp. From what I did hear of the amp in the few short mins I was able to use it I was quite impresssed. Seemed like it had a lot of the nice crystalline top end of my GK MB200 without any of the muddy bottom end. However now my confidence in the reliability of the product is shot! Not sure if I want to try it again, I'm pretty happy with my Aguilar TH-350 which I never had such issues. I just wanted to see what I may be missing with the Mesa and what all the hype was about.

The hype is real!

The switch itself came off in your hands or the nut and washer?

I don't think this is a Mesa issue at all.

Open box in store? More like a middle-man issue. Maybe a demo they boxed up hoping any problems would be dealt with through warranty claims.

Just offering some conspiracies.

 

[ColdEye]

It's beacuse they sold you an open box that someone else fiddled with.

 

[BlueTalon]

I just bought a demo D350 from Sweetwater. Hopefully the people at Sweetwater have fingers that are less greasy and clumsy than those at Zzounds.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I just bought a demo D350 from Sweetwater. Hopefully the people at Sweetwater have fingers that are less greasy and clumsy than those at Zzounds.

I kinda think so

 

[Moonskunk]

The whole switch came out. Zzounds told me Mesa had probably reinspected the unit after it was ready to be shipped and they were the ones who had brocken the box seal. I said that makes no sense at all and if by some small chance they had they would have put a inspection note on the outer box. The thing that really bothers me is that the switch worked the first 3 or 4 times I used it, then it just came out. Even if this was open box or had previously been tried out by someone else toggle switches do not just fall out unless they were not correctly installed to begin with or they are secured by flawed design. The amp still works without the switch. It's stuck in non bright configuration I'm guessing since the bright switch light is not on. The amp sounds wonderful but like I said I've lost confidence in it.

 

[agedhorse]

Well my Mesa D-350 showed up today, a few problems. First the actual Mesa box from Zzounds showed up with the security sealing tape broken all the way around and then retaped so that was a bit disturbing. When I opened the box and got to the actual amp there were smudges and finger prints all over the front black panel, so then I called Zzounds and explained to them that I believed that I had received an open box item. They were willing to take off $60 which I agreed to, however this was the clincher, after getting off the phone with them and feeling pretty good about saving $60 I began to test out and fiddle with the amp.That's when the bright toggle switch came off right in my hands, I was totally shocked. I tried to figure out how to put it back in for about 15 min with no luck and could not even believe it came off in the first place. Then while still trying to get it back on the actual thinner inner toggle fell out also so I just gave up and called Zzounds for a shipping return label. How dissappointing, I was always under the notion that Mesa was solid really dependable gear and then the toggle switch just falls out 5 mins after getting the amp. From what I did hear of the amp in the few short mins I was able to use it I was quite impresssed. Seemed like it had a lot of the nice crystalline top end of my GK MB200 without any of the muddy bottom end. However now my confidence in the reliability of the product is shot! Not sure if I want to try it again, I'm pretty happy with my Aguilar TH-350 which I never had such issues. I just wanted to see what I may be missing with the Mesa and what all the hype was about.

It's entirely possible that the amp was damaged (shipping or it was previously sold and returned) and repackaged rather than defective. There should be no "fingerprints and smudges all over it".

Return it for an exchange. Don't mess with it or try to fix it yourself.

 

[DJ Bebop]

The whole switch came out. Zzounds told me Mesa had probably reinspected the unit after it was ready to be shipped and they were the ones who had brocken the box seal. I said that makes no sense at all and if by some small chance they had they would have put a inspection note on the outer box. The thing that really bothers me is that the switch worked the first 3 or 4 times I used it, then it just came out. Even if this was open box or had previously been tried out by someone else toggle switches do not just fall out unless they were not correctly installed to begin with. The amp still works without the switch. It's stuck in non bright configuration I'm guessing since the bright switch light is not on. The amp sounds wonderful but like I said I've lost confidence in it.

I'd lose confidence in that particular amp, not the brand. Again, I think the middle-man, in this case, is not being truthful or a shipping error.

 

[agedhorse]

The whole switch came out. Zzounds told me Mesa had probably reinspected the unit after it was ready to be shipped and they were the ones who had brocken the box seal. I said that makes no sense at all and if by some small chance they had they would have put a inspection note on the outer box. The thing that really bothers me is that the switch worked the first 3 or 4 times I used it, then it just came out. Even if this was open box or had previously been tried out by someone else toggle switches do not just fall out unless they were not correctly installed to begin with or they are secured by flawed design. The amp still works without the switch. It's stuck in non bright configuration I'm guessing since the bright switch light is not on. The amp sounds wonderful but like I said I've lost confidence in it.

That's not how it works, there's more going on than meets the eye.

Toggle switches and pots can certainly be damaged by careless handling, things get broken through no fault of the manufacturer. Give how the amp arrived to you, I'm quite sure that it was broken before it was even shipped to you.

If this single experience causes you a lack of confidence in a brand or line of bass amps, especially if it's out of that manufacturer's control, than I do encourage you to look at the many other offerings in the world of bass amps, perhaps you will be happier.

 

[Moonskunk]

It's entirely possible that the amp was damaged (shipping or it was previously sold and returned) and repackaged rather than defective. There should be no "fingerprints and smudges all over it".

Return it for an exchange. Don't mess with it or try to fix it yourself.

I've asked for a return shipping label. It was not damaged in shipping but was definitely opened and used by someone before I received it. Like I said, the switch worked perfectly for the first few times then just came unscrewed or something. It looked like I'd be able to just insert and screw it back it in but then the actual inner thinner switch fell out too. Love the amp otherwise.

 

[agedhorse]

I've asked for a return shipping label. It was not damaged in shipping but was definitely opened and used by someone before I received it. Like I said, the switch worked perfectly for the first few times then just came unscrewed or something. It looked like I'd be able to just insert and screw it back it in but then the actual inner thinner switch fell out too. Love the amp otherwise.

It could have been damaged in a previous shipping incident and was returned to the retailer and then reboxed and sold to you (not cool IMO).

It may have appeared to have "worked perfectly" the first few time, but surely it was already broken. You can't fix it the way you tried, not going to happen. That's not your fault or the amp's fault, just the way broken things typically work.

 

[Moonskunk]

That's not how it works, there's more going on than meets the eye.



If this single experience causes you a lack of confidence in a brand or line of bass amps, especially if it's out of that manufacturer's control, than I do encourage you to look at the many other offerings in the world of bass amps, perhaps you will be happier.

I already have several offerings in the world of bass that really I like but wanted to add Mesa to that list. Giving it another shot I ordered another D-350 hoping for a brighter outcome. No pun intended.

 

[MOSCOWBASS]

I have just received a new Mesa d350 today. I have noticed an issue and wonder if any of you guys could try this out? I have 3 active basses, a NYC Sadowsky jazz, a Warwick/Sadowsky pj and an Xotic jazz. All 3 basses can be switched to passive. When I do this, all 3 exhibit hum when I back the bass volume off. It goes from no hum at full volume, then hum increases as volume is backed off, then goes to no hum when volume is at zero, it peaks about 75% volume. This does not happen with my d800. All basses fine when switched to active mode on the bass. Active/passive switch on amp makes no difference.
If anyone can try this out if they have a Sadowsky, wondering if I have a faulty amp, or is it maybe an unseen issue on this new model?
Loving the amp otherwise!
Thanks
Iain Harkness

 

[lermgalieu]

Even if this was open box or had previously been tried out by someone else toggle switches do not just fall out unless they were not correctly installed to begin with or they are secured by flawed design.

I'm sorry, but this is patently false. It is entirely plausible, maybe even likely, that the amp had been used and physically damaged. You yourself note plenty of evidence that the amp was not really new. I have a D350 and I have had 2 D800s and a TT800 - been using these amps since 2015. They all use those toggle switches and I have NEVER had an issue with one.

 

[Moonskunk]

Well, other than some finger prints on the face plate there didn't appear to be any abuse or wear to the amp. I actually cleaned them off with some cotton and water and it looked like a brand new unit after that and I was going to keep it until the toggle switch fiasco. I would really like to know the story behind this particular amp. The Zzsounds representative trying to tell me that Mesa must have opened the box after it had already been sealed was just stupid on his part. Glad to know the toggles are normally reliable, looking forward to getting a new functional D-350. Meanwhile I've been comparing back and forth between my Aguilar TH-350 using a StingRay Special with an older Warwick 2x8 cab with Celestions and an identical 4x8 Warwick cab underneath it, using Rattle Snake guitar cord and speaker cables. Both amps sound great and at this point it's really hard to choose which one I like better. They both are in another league over either my GK MB200 or Trace Elliot Elf and those two aren't exactly shabby or I'd have parted with them by now. I guess the simplest comparison is the Aguilar sounds a little richer and tube like whereas the Mesa a little more solidstate, Hi Fi with a crystalline top end although the top end of the Aguilar is nice too maybe a little smoother. Think Conrad Johnson vs Krell in hi fi audio. Both have a wonderful deep articulate low end, no muddiness. Can't say which has more clean power because I haven't been able to really crank them open yet in the house but they seem quite similar. I guess I'd hate to part what either of them right now. Nice to be able to switch between amps for diversity.