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Mesa Subway D-350!

#1,201
Al Kraft said:
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.
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Hey Al, I ordered one of these:
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B093GC8LJ7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1
Will report back when it arrives. Dimensions look about right.
 
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#1,202
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#1,203
bucephylus said:
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.:thumbsdown: Hmmm….
Click to expand...

Love these apache cases...for the price and protection...This one might work...pistol not included...
Invalid Link Removed
 
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#1,204
bucephylus said:
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.:thumbsdown: Hmmm….
Click to expand...
I’m using a Pelican case. Fits nicely but a bit overkill.
 
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#1,207
Al Kraft said:
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.
Click to expand...
I bought a D-800, then a couple months later bought a D-350. I haven't used the D-800 since I got the D-350. Had I got the D-350 first, it might be the only Mesa product I own.

Not that I plan on getting rid of the D-800. I reserve the right to try pushing a load less than 4 ohms. Or I might someday try a stereo configuration, and I'll need two amps for that. (edit) ...But now that I think about it, I could do either of those things with two D-350s. Hmmm...
 
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#1,208
villegastx said:
Not sure how many people might look into a super compact cab, but a 2x8 sounds like a good idea.
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My Walkabout head is parked atop a PJB C4. The two pair exceptionally well together, forming a really compact stack. The red-faced head looks alright over the red tolex too.

Imagining a Mesa 2x8 for bass... maybe a 2x8 +5 (but skip the tweeter) like the SWR Natural Blonde?

That's not going to stop me from auditioning a D-350 again this weekend in NJ.
 
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#1,209
ImTheOnlyOne said:
My Walkabout head is parked atop a PJB C4. The two pair exceptionally well together, forming a really compact stack. The red-faced head looks alright over the red tolex too.

Imagining a Mesa 2x8 for bass... maybe a 2x8 +5 (but skip the tweeter) like the SWR Natural Blonde?

That's not going to stop me from auditioning a D-350 again this weekend in NJ.
Click to expand...
A red faced WA head? Do you have a pic of that? I don't think I've ever seen one.
 
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#1,210
Heavy Blue said:
A red faced WA head? Do you have a pic of that? I don't think I've ever seen one.
Click to expand...
It's labeled an M-Pulse. Pic of the stack somewhere in the PJ thread. M-Pulse Walkabouts may or may not have been fitted in the Scout combos- mine came Scout-less.

A lock/release mechanism for afixing lightweight heads on matching vendor's cabs would be nice, even just to prevent taking a spill over the edge.
 
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#1,212
ImTheOnlyOne said:
My Walkabout head is parked atop a PJB C4. The two pair exceptionally well together, forming a really compact stack. The red-faced head looks alright over the red tolex too.

Imagining a Mesa 2x8 for bass... maybe a 2x8 +5 (but skip the tweeter) like the SWR Natural Blonde?

That's not going to stop me from auditioning a D-350 again this weekend in NJ.
Click to expand...
My D-350 sits atop a PJB C8. I have yet to encounter anything that combination can't do.
 
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#1,213
Al Kraft said:
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.
Click to expand...
Does the D-350 sound "thin" compared to the 800-watt subways with the "Deep" switch? My biggest disappointment with the D-350 is that they added a "bright" switch but not a "Deep" switch. I run 2x15's and am very skeptical of purchasing the D-350 since my hunch is that it tends towards the bright/mid-ranging side of things. So, I am wondering if I would have to kick in another $250 for say a preamp to really get the sound I want? Please clarify. Peace!
Bill
 
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#1,214
Lemur Bassman said:
Does the D-350 sound "thin" compared to the 800-watt subways with the "Deep" switch? My biggest disappointment with the D-350 is that they added a "bright" switch but not a "Deep" switch. I run 2x15's and am very skeptical of purchasing the D-350 since my hunch is that it tends towards the bright/mid-ranging side of things. So, I am wondering if I would have to kick in another $250 for say a preamp to really get the sound I want? Please clarify. Peace!
Bill
Click to expand...
I don't think the D-350 sounds the least bit thin or wimpy in the lows and is not at all overly upper register focussed Bill. I'm a 4 string player and don't often use the deep switch on the D-800. However, if I were trying to get that island music/Reggae/Dub kinda feel going especially outdoors, I think the deep switch would be missed.

For most all the folks I've heard from who own or have played a D-350 the bottom end is very full and they appreciate what the bright switch brings in terms of subtly opening up the top end. Before I played the prototype head the first time I figured it was not going to be something I liked at all (for some of the same reasons you mentioned). I'm no fan of bright switches and certainly don't want a head voiced with a focus on mids and highs while short-changing the lows. The D-350 was a pleasant surprise.

I use the bright switch a lot and the low end is strong and punchy. Once again if you want to sound like you're playing with subwoofer support, one of the other SW heads might be a better choice. For a rich, full low end that will sound plenty fat and very loud through your two 115's I don't think you'll be the least bit disappointed in the D-350.

Hopefully others will share their experience (as I'm just one data point) and good luck with your decision. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you get some insight on.
 
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#1,215
For players looking for a very heavy low end, adding the deep switch also requires additional power to support the extra low end. This is why the deep function is included on the 800 watt models but not on the 350 watt model.

The D-350 low end is the same as the D-800 with the deep switch off.

Among test players of the D-350, the bright switch was preferred over the deep switch.
 
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#1,216
agedhorse said:
The D-350 low end is the same as the D-800 with the deep switch off.

Among test players of the D-350, the bright switch was preferred over the deep switch.
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...and you can still dial in more low end with the bass EQ as needed.

...I use the bright switch on the D-350 more than I use (or ever used) the deep switch on the D-800.
 
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#1,218
Lemur Bassman said:
Does the D-350 sound "thin" compared to the 800-watt subways with the "Deep" switch? My biggest disappointment with the D-350 is that they added a "bright" switch but not a "Deep" switch. I run 2x15's and am very skeptical of purchasing the D-350 since my hunch is that it tends towards the bright/mid-ranging side of things. So, I am wondering if I would have to kick in another $250 for say a preamp to really get the sound I want?
Click to expand...
I seriously doubt it. "Thin" is not a word I would use to describe the tone I get from the D-350, especially compared to the D-800. It's essentially the same tone.
 
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