Mesa Subway D-350!

[Wild Rice Chris]

I have a question but it has to do with aesthetics. I thought I have seen online photos and also seen on a Mesa U-Tube showing actual amps being assembled at the factory where the Mesa insignia on the top front panel looks 3D or to put another way it looks to be an actual metal or plastic plack on the front plate. On the D-350 I received it was painted on and it looks like it may also be painted on the D800 and D800+. Is this something that was once done in the past but no longer, or if you jump up to something like the WD 800 or above is it an actual plack? Thanks

Only the WD-800 has the raised logo.

 

[Moonskunk]

Only the WD-800 has the raised logo.

Thanks. I know I said here that I was going to replace my damaged D-350 that is being returned with a D800+ simply because it would make a bigger distinction between my Aguilar TH 350 but after hearing some clips on line comparing different Mesa amps I think I may have changed my mind. The WD-800 is the one that seems to be calling my name. The raised logo didn't make that decision for me, I really like what I am hearing from that amp but the raised logo is nice and classy too. I know this is a D-35O thread but if one were to pursue the WD-800 is there added maintenance with tube replacement or valve adjustment, biasing? I don't want to mess with any of that sort of thing.

 

[agedhorse]

I have a question but it has to do with aesthetics. I thought I have seen online photos and also seen on a Mesa U-Tube showing actual amps being assembled at the factory where the Mesa insignia on the top front panel looks 3D or to put another way it looks to be an actual metal or plastic plack on the front plate. On the D-350 I received it was painted on and it looks like it may also be painted on the D800 and D800+. Is this something that was once done in the past but no longer, or if you jump up to something like the WD 800 or above is it an actual plack? Thanks

The D-800, 800+ and WD-800 have the die cast metal logo, the TT-800 and D-350 have a silk screened logo because there's not enough room for the die cast version.

 

[MarkA]

...if one were to pursue the WD-800 is there added maintenance with tube replacement or valve adjustment, biasing? I don't want to mess with any of that sort of thing.

Typically, in a hybrid amp like this (tube pre, SS power), there won't be any controls for biasing or adjustments to be made in that regard.

It's conceivable that you might have to replace a preamp tube at some point, but they typically live easier lives than power tubes and last a long time. Also conceivable that you might like some tubes more than others in the pre, but I can't say how sensitive the WD-800 is to tube choice -- I've never played one. The old Mesa Walkabout I had could be tweaked a good deal that way, but this is a different amp and, I am sure, optimized for whatever modern tubes Mesa uses in it.

 

[Wild Rice Chris]

Oops, I forgot about the D-800 and D-800+ having the raised logo. I sold my D-800 a few years ago and never owned the D-800+.

I expect the tubes in my WD-800 and TT-800 to last for decades.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Thanks. I know I said here that I was going to replace my damaged D-350 that is being returned with a D800+ simply because it would make a bigger distinction between my Aguilar TH 350 but after hearing some clips on line comparing different Mesa amps I think I may have changed my mind. The WD-800 is the one that seems to be calling my name. The raised logo didn't make that decision for me, I really like what I am hearing from that amp but the raised logo is nice and classy too. I know this is a D-35O thread but if one were to pursue the WD-800 is there added maintenance with tube replacement or valve adjustment, biasing? I don't want to mess with any of that sort of thing.

Pre amp tubes live a different life than a power tube.

In your life time you might change it once, maybe, if it was defective.

 

[MOSCOWBASS]

Thank you, but the problem happens with 3 basses that all work fine with my D800? I think trying my d350 with a passive bass will be interesting. If hum happens on that it points to an amp problem.

Tried a Gibson jazz guitar, single pickup *humbucker passive with only one volume control at a gig today. When you back the guitar volume control off a bit hum appears, just the same as my basses switched to passive mode. Definitely looks like an amp issue

 

[MarkA]

Tried a Gibson jazz guitar, single pickup *humbucker passive with only one volume control at a gig today. When you back the guitar volume control off a bit hum appears, just the same as my basses switched to passive mode. Definitely looks like an amp issue

I am interested to learn what the cause of this might be and whether this is something that would happen with another D-350 or is specific to just your amp.

Just to rule out a couple of things:

You said that the hum appears with the D-350 but not with your D-800. Is it possible that the hum is present with the D-800, also, but less apparent because of some difference in EQ or voicing (the bright switch on the 350)?

Have you tried swapping power cords between the 800 and 350?

 

[MOSCOWBASS]

I am interested to learn what the cause of this might be and whether this is something that would happen with another D-350 or is specific to just your amp.

Just to rule out a couple of things:

You said that the hum appears with the D-350 but not with your D-800. Is it possible that the hum is present with the D-800, also, but less apparent because of some difference in EQ or voicing (the bright switch on the 350)?

Have you tried swapping power cords between the 800 and 350?

Definitely not on my d800...or my d800+ di pedal into the aux in on the d350. Using same power chord on both amps...not simultaneously obviously! Only difference with USA is 230v/50hz mains.

 

[MarkA]

...I am in the UK and bought my d350 from the USA...

Only difference with USA is 230v/50hz mains.

Okay, I went back and reviewed a few of your posts on this. I am under the impression that this amp uses a universal power supply that adapts itself to the voltage (and, I would presume, line frequency) of power available in different countries. If this is true, then, aside from maybe coming bundled with a different power cord, I shouldn't think an amp sold in the UK would differ physically from one sold in the US. (And, if it did, that you'd have issues regardless of what you were doing with your bass.)

I could be wrong about this or missing something. @agedhorse would be the one to confirm or correct these assumptions.

Definitely not on my d800...or my d800+ di pedal into the aux in on the d350. Using same power chord on both amps...not simultaneously obviously!

Interesting (suggestive) that you don't get the hum using the D.I. into the aux-in.

If everything is the same but the amp (or preamp), that would suggest that something in your D-350 is causing (or allowing) this to happen. The question, then, is whether this is unique to your amp or some inherent difference between the D-800, DI pedal, and D-350. (I could be missing something here, as well, but this is how it looks to me.)

Tried a Gibson jazz guitar, single pickup *humbucker passive with only one volume control at a gig today. When you back the guitar volume control off a bit hum appears, just the same as my basses switched to passive mode...

A further question would be whether there's some freak wiring issue in your home or rehearsal space causing some interaction with the amp, but your experiencing it at a gig, as well (and with a passive humbucker, noted), seems to make this less likely.

Can you get your hands on (or visit a store with) a second D-350 to try alongside yours?

I'm curious as to whether anyone else stateside or in the UK have experienced similar, and if it varies with location/voltage/line frequency, if so.

Hope you're able to get this sorted.

 

[agedhorse]

I have no idea what may be causing this. I can't duplicate it here on 230V/50hz.

 

[MOSCOWBASS]

That's good to know...thanks!

I have no idea what may be causing this. I can't duplicate it here on 230V/50hz.

 

[BlueTalon]

I got my D350 a couple of days ago, and I got to try it out last night. I spent zero time dialing it in. Didn't need to. I just set most of the knobs around the middle, and gave myself enough gain and volume to do the job. It sounded fine. I could probably spend a little time tweaking the tone when it's convenient, but it sounded fine as is. This amp has a LOT more power available to it than I actually used, which is very comforting. It renders two of my other amps expendable. Definite keeper.

 

[MOSCOWBASS]

Did two gigs today, big band this afternoon and jazz club tonight. D350 was brilliant....bass on active. Easily loud enough...more than loud enough!

 

[Moonskunk]

I got my D350 a couple of days ago, and I got to try it out last night. I spent zero time dialing it in. Didn't need to. I just set most of the knobs around the middle, and gave myself enough gain and volume to do the job. It sounded fine. I could probably spend a little time tweaking the tone when it's convenient, but it sounded fine as is. This amp has a LOT more power available to it than I actually used, which is very comforting. It renders two of my other amps expendable. Definite keeper.
View attachment 4788649

It's a nice thing when a new amp can render your other amps expendable. Helps pay for the new amp and you don't miss them.

 

[Moonskunk]

I would advise that you use caution and a heavy dose of “reasonable expectations”, s as long with the HPF set to around 80Hz.

The 800 series amps have the potential to damage your cabinets if driven hard at low frequencies.

You can also set the amp to 2 ohm mode while driving 4 ohms, which will reduce it’s rated power to 600 watts.

Well the D-350 that was received with the damaged bright switch was returned yesterday and I instantly missed it. However today I received a WD-800 that I thought would serve me better in the long run rather that getting another D-350. It sounds absolutely gorgeous, but it took me a bit of playing around with the knobs and reading the manual to get the sound I was after whereas the D-350 was pretty easy in this regard which much less to fiddle with. I am running it through a Warwick 2x8 8ohm cab rated at 400 watts and a Warwick 2x8 cab 8 ohm rated 300 watts. I am using it with the impedance switch at 2 ohm in the house right now and I understand it is delivering 600 watts this way, a little more speaker protection.
Question: If I only use one 8 ohm cab instead of both and am using just the 2x8 8ohm cab that is rated at 300 watts it is getting 400 watts from the amp this way but what happens (wattage wise) if I change the impedance on the amp to 2 ohm, or is this not advisable or benificial?

 

[Chuck M]

Question: If I only use one 8 ohm cab instead of both and am using just the 2x8 8ohm cab that is rated at 300 watts it is getting 400 watts from the amp this way but what happens (wattage wise) if I change the impedance on the amp to 2 ohm, or is this not advisable or benificial?

Setting the amp to 2 ohms and going into an 8 ohm load will hurt nothing. It will reduce the power going to the cabinet.

I am glad you got a WD-800 and are happy with it. I have one and, like you, did quite a bit of knob turning but did find the tone I wanted eventually. It is a fantastic amplifier.

I have a gig tomorrow night on electric bass and will use the WD-800 with my SW210 and SW112. I was hoping to use the SW115 I have on order but it is arriving late to the party. I'll report back here on how it goes.

 

[agedhorse]

The rated power into 8 ohms with the switch set to 4 ohms is 300 watts.

I would use 2 ohm mode with all of your cabinets.

Also, if the cabinets are the same series and use the same drivers, I would expect the 2 x 8 ohm power handling to be 1/2 of the 410's power handling. This is one reason why I recommend being careful.

 

[Moonskunk]

The rated power into 8 ohms with the switch set to 4 ohms is 300 watts.

I would use 2 ohm mode with all of your cabinets.

Also, if the cabinets are the same series and use the same drivers, I would expect the 2 x 8 ohm power handling to be 1/2 of the 410's power handling. This is one reason why I recommend being careful.

The cabs are the same series but the Warwick 2x8 cab uses Celestions which was an upgrade and the 4x8 uses the stock Warwick speakers what ever they are. If the 4x8 had Celestions in it as the 2x8 has it would have been rated at 600 watts instead of the 400 that it is. I guess I'm saying the their power handling used together is closer than it could have been, maybe a good thing. You're saying that with the amp impedance switch set to 2 ohm I'll be getting 300 watts with running either speaker individually?

 

[mikeswals]

Was the D350 supposed to include 1/4 to 1/8 headphone plugs?