Mesa Subway D-350!

[BlueTalon]

The head sounds great at 4 Ohms and will do that all night long at fairly high volume without even getting warm.

That's a mind-blowingly true statement. One would think that an amp -- which doesn't have a fan and therefore sheds all its heat through its skin -- producing as much sound as it does over the course of a gig, would generate some heat at least. But mine has yet to feel even a little bit warmer than room temperature at the end of the night.

I know better, but I still can't help thinking there were potions or talismans or crossroads involved in the design of that amp.

 

[MarkA]

...I still can't help thinking there were potions or talismans or crossroads involved in the design of that amp.

Potions and talismans (optional, with a carrying case) accomplish what you've already noted plus yield the user +5 hit points (much like a healing potion in Dungeons and Dragons); this can help get you through a long gig or keep you in-the-pocket after you've had one or two too many beers.

The Crossroads deal adds six-pack abs, fixes receding hairlines, and materializes enthusiastic groupies (who grow more so with bass solos) out of thin air. This doesn't come included with any amp of which I'm aware -- it's an aftermarket purchase, from a dubious vendor, with terms and conditions... and the price is rather high.
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Mwahahahaha!
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(Oh, you're still here? Ignore that last bit, okay?)

 

[agedhorse]

We (Jeff, Scott and I) learned a lot about this particular architecture used in the D-350 while developing products using it at Genz Benz. We used this basic (one generation earlier) architecture in the Shuttle 3.0 and some of the Shenandoah acoustic amps too. Collectively, we have many thousands of amps worth of experience using this architecture, and we share a patent on the technology too, so it shouldn't be a surprise that both the Magellan 350 and Subway D-350 have proven to be solid, reliable amps without the vaporware promises so common in this industry.

 

[squish]

For me, it’s the mids that cut through the mix. When I dial the Voicing control low, my PBass sings beautifully. I dial in the Bass control for the room and leave it there. Then I fine tune with the bass guitar’s tone knob for adjustments during the set. I do similarly with my WD-800, but with more attention to the Passive Mid control, which is kind of acts like the Voicing filter on the 350.
These two Mesa amps can handle any situation and I couldn’t be more happy with them. My SVT-II is feeling neglected.

 

[twspalm]

We (Jeff, Scott and I) learned a lot about this particular architecture used in the D-350 while developing products using it at Genz Benz. We used this basic (one generation earlier) architecture in the Shuttle 3.0 and some of the Shenandoah acoustic amps too. Collectively, we have many thousands of amps worth of experience using this architecture, and we share a patent on the technology too, so it shouldn't be a surprise that both the Magellan 350 and Subway D-350 have proven to be solid, reliable amps without the vaporware promises so common in this industry.

And thank you sir for putting together such a thorough and coherent Owner’s Manual. Especially interesting was the “DISCUSSION ABOUT SMPS & CLASS D FROM THE DESIGN TEAM” at the end of the manual.

 

[Heavy Blue]

The D-350 into the Subway 215 would simply dominate, you may not even be able to hear the PJB.

We did quite a bit of testing with the D-350 into the 215, it was quite a bit louder, deeper and tighter than a Walkabout 115 with a Scout 115 extension cabinet.

You aren't making the wait any better AH!

A D-350 into a Subway 215 is exactly what I want these days. Thinking about selling the OG Walkabout to help do so.

 

[bucephylus]

Out for Delivery.

 

[Michael Vee]

And thank you sir for putting together such a thorough and coherent Owner’s Manual. Especially interesting was the “DISCUSSION ABOUT SMPS & CLASS D FROM THE DESIGN TEAM” at the end of the manual.

I spent several minutes rereading that section just now. Although most of us don't fully understand that information, it's a good effort to explain the power amp and power supply technology used in both the D-350 and MG-350 heads. I imagine that few, if any, other product manuals were written this way. It inspires confidence in the product we purchased.

 

[Bleeder]

The manual is phenomenal. I read it cover to cover before ever turning my new amp on and refer back to it often. I was just re-reading about the Voicing knob last night as I was experimenting.

A huge shout-out to the amp designers, and TB’ers involved, for the D-350 and the manual.

 

[Lemur Bassman]

Hey there, sorry if the question has been asked before...I haven't got time to read all 53 pages yet...do you guys find the need of a HPF pedal in front of the D350? Or is there a fixed HPF (~30hz is that tru)? I have a D350 coming and I am super excited for it!!! Thank you!

How is your D350? Are you pleased with it? Can you give us a review of it (volume, tone options, gigging, etc)? Thanks in advance!
Bill

 

[twspalm]

Just wondering about a way to connect a tuner directly to the amp... has anyone tried an XLR to 1/4" connector between this amp and a tuner? Not sure if a TSR plug would work properly in a tuner.

 

[agedhorse]

Just wondering about a way to connect a tuner directly to the amp... has anyone tried an XLR to 1/4" connector between this amp and a tuner? Not sure if a TSR plug would work properly in a tuner.

Best way is to use the tuner in-line with the bass. Guaranteed to work, no need to reinvent the wheel.

 

[twspalm]

Best way is to use the tuner in-line with the bass. Guaranteed to work, no need to reinvent the wheel.

Yea, I know... like the old saying goes "If it ain't broke, keep fixing it until it is!" hahaha Thanks

 

[basscooker]

When are we getting the D-350 2x8 combo and 2x8 external cab?








Ok I made that up, but just sayin'

 

[SJan3]

When are we getting the D-350 2x8 combo and 2x8 external cab?








Ok I made that up, but just sayin'

Or a 2x8" with 1x12" ext cab that stacks properly.

 

[Michael Vee]

When are we getting the D-350 2x8 combo and 2x8 external cab?

I like the idea of a 2x8 cab a lot, especially since Mesa does not have a 1x10 in the Subway lineup.

It would be a nice way to differentiate a bit from the Genzler cab offerings. There are some strong 8" drivers out there.

 

[agedhorse]

I like the idea of a 2x8 cab a lot, especially since Mesa does not have a 1x10 in the Subway lineup.

It would be a nice way to differentiate a bit from the Genzler cab offerings. There are some strong 8" drivers out there.

We do have a 2x8 cabinet in the Rosette 300 combo amp line, it's a common choice for pro upright players though at $1500 it's admittedly and expensive solution for those with resources.

 

[bucephylus]

OK, this D-350 goes to 12 in such a variety of ways, that I’m forced to conclude that it is possibly the most intelligently designed piece of bass gear I have ever come across.

First, it has sufficient power for nearly any gig or stage I am likely to play on. It lights up a 112/115 stack without breaking a sweat.

Second, the tone is right there. I can and do get all syrupy over preamp tube stages; but, quite honestly this preamp a jump in both feet first kind of deal.

Third, the amp makes an outstanding silent practice tool.

I’m amazed.

Now, that said, the supplied bag is laughably too large; and all of my widget bags are either a little too small or too big. So, I still need to figure out a decent gig bag for it. Hmmm….

 

[Al Kraft]

OK, this D-350 goes to 12 in such a variety of ways, that I’m forced to conclude that it is possibly the most intelligently designed piece of bass gear I have ever come across.

First, it has sufficient power for nearly any gig or stage I am likely to play on. It lights up a 112/115 stack without breaking a sweat.

Second, the tone is right there. I can and do get all syrupy over preamp tube stages; but, quite honestly this preamp a jump in both feet first kind of deal.

Third, the amp makes an outstanding silent practice tool.

I’m amazed.

Now, that said, the supplied bag is laughably too large; and all of my widget bags are either a little too small or too big. So, I still need to figure out a decent gig bag for it. Hmmm….

Okay, so this will be total sacrilege to all my Mesa friends and colleagues, but when I was playing the prototype (prior to anybody even thinking about a bag or accessories) I used one of my GK MB200 bags (the original bag design that was narrow and long so that cables could be put next to the head). I think one of my Gator bags would have worked well too, but I like the padding in the GK bag, plus it sort of looks like a flute case which would be the exact opposite of what I've carried into gigs for years. It also disguised what I had when I was playing out with the prototype.

One last confession, and forgive me Andy, but I think if the D-350 had come out first the sale of D-800's might have been much less...the D-350 is that good IMO. I own both so it's not like I am trying to talk myself into liking what I have. When I want really deep bass at serious volume and/or 2 Ohm capability the D-800 is still a great choice to deliver the sound and leave me headroom.

 

[agedhorse]

The D-350 was designed by listening to what TalkBass players really asked for in a smaller amp.