I should not have checked this thread after thinking lugging a 22 lb. amp to practice yesterday was more effort than it was worth.
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Mesa Subway D-350!
- Thread starter mmbongo
- Start date
I should not have checked this thread after thinking lugging a 22 lb. amp to practice yesterday was more effort than it was worth.
That little amp would probably be more than sufficient for 90% of the average Talkbassers out there.
Actually, that seems like the perfect time to have checked it.
Considering I have yet to push the D-350 above 10 o'clock on the master volume, I agree.
Hopefully I'll be able to test out both the D-350 and GK Legacy "500"
locally. I know it's more challenging to find floor models these days, but hard to argue with the $150 price difference and 2 lbs. less of schlep weight.
Got the D-350 connected to a Subway 115 and 112 and it is great ! The tone this little wonder puts out is so good ! Plenty of power too. I also love the fact there is no cooling fan.
How's the "bass" tone on it? I know it only has a bright switch and no deep switch; having said that, without the deep switch how is the low end? Is it "thin" sounding? Very bright and trebly? Thanks! -Bill
Not at all thin and trebly. The bass pot has a lot of adjustment (+,- 14db) and it is set I believe at 40hz (Agedhorse pls correct me if wrong) so it can get very deep.
The treble boost switch is set at the perfect place to add a little sheen, not the harsh highs many other (different brands) amps have.
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- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,973
- 5
- 220,717
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
If you read through this thread, you will find your answer from a bunch of players.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 60,973
- 5
- 220,717
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
To clarify this so that it doesn't get taken out of context, the 40Hz spec is taken 1 octave from the knee at full boost/cut which presents a real world useful description. Since this is a first order filter, the 3dB point will be roughly 80-100Hz. Shelving bass/treble eq response is difficult to describe in useful terms because of how they work.
Here's an example (typical) of why... the -3dB point of a Baxandall TC filter varies with the amount of boost and cut, therefore the definition of the filter response varies as well.
I always thought this was a good usable tone setup with just two controls. You can get a variety of tone shaping just by cutting or boosting between the two.To clarify this so that it doesn't get taken out of context, the 40Hz spec is taken 1 octave from the knee at full boost/cut which presents a real world useful description. Since this is a first order filter, the 3dB point will be roughly 80-100Hz. Shelving bass/treble eq response is difficult to describe in useful terms because of how they work.
Here's an example (typical) of why... the -3dB point of a Baxandall TC filter varies with the amount of boost and cut, therefore the definition of the filter response varies as well.
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*re-post from another thread...
I had been thinking about adding a D350 to my quiver for many months, but couldn't quite pull the trigger. Pros were as a somewhat matching backup to my D800+, I kept reading glowing review after glowing review, and I'm old & tired & lazy, so even smaller & lighter appealed to me.
Cons were the cost and I avoid paying full price for anything whenever possible.
Then a few weeks ago I read about all the price increases... ouch! Went shopping again and found a very good deal on a "used like new" unit. Called the shop (who I had done business with in the past) and verified they had a few in stock, shop demo models. Discussed the situation with my wife and as usual she said "what are you waiting for, order it!"
So I've had it a few weeks and can say all the praise is confirmed. This thing punches way above it's weight... big time! I like simple-easy and this delivers. I'm sure it's just me but I like the tones from the 350 better than the 800+... they are almost identical but it seems there is a slight difference to my ears.
Ran it for the last couple of rehearsals and expected to be able to run the volume up higher than I did the 800, but I'm getting the same output with the knobs about the same... crazy!
I've been working in a trio that doing '90s hard rock/grunge songs for almost a year now and having a blast doing the rock n roll thing again, after a good 12 year layoff. We have a 3 hour set almost polished and our first gig lined up for early June and I'm excited!
I gotta say that whatever magical unicorn juice Agedhorse and his helpers have been putting in the subway series is just incredible and outstanding!!
I had been thinking about adding a D350 to my quiver for many months, but couldn't quite pull the trigger. Pros were as a somewhat matching backup to my D800+, I kept reading glowing review after glowing review, and I'm old & tired & lazy, so even smaller & lighter appealed to me.
Cons were the cost and I avoid paying full price for anything whenever possible.
Then a few weeks ago I read about all the price increases... ouch! Went shopping again and found a very good deal on a "used like new" unit. Called the shop (who I had done business with in the past) and verified they had a few in stock, shop demo models. Discussed the situation with my wife and as usual she said "what are you waiting for, order it!"
So I've had it a few weeks and can say all the praise is confirmed. This thing punches way above it's weight... big time! I like simple-easy and this delivers. I'm sure it's just me but I like the tones from the 350 better than the 800+... they are almost identical but it seems there is a slight difference to my ears.
Ran it for the last couple of rehearsals and expected to be able to run the volume up higher than I did the 800, but I'm getting the same output with the knobs about the same... crazy!
I've been working in a trio that doing '90s hard rock/grunge songs for almost a year now and having a blast doing the rock n roll thing again, after a good 12 year layoff. We have a 3 hour set almost polished and our first gig lined up for early June and I'm excited!
I gotta say that whatever magical unicorn juice Agedhorse and his helpers have been putting in the subway series is just incredible and outstanding!!
Outdoor gig at the county Fair about a week ago. The rig was sounding particularly sweet.
*re-post from another thread...
I had been thinking about adding a D350 to my quiver for many months, but couldn't quite pull the trigger. Pros were as a somewhat matching backup to my D800+, I kept reading glowing review after glowing review, and I'm old & tired & lazy, so even smaller & lighter appealed to me.
Cons were the cost and I avoid paying full price for anything whenever possible.
Then a few weeks ago I read about all the price increases... ouch! Went shopping again and found a very good deal on a "used like new" unit. Called the shop (who I had done business with in the past) and verified they had a few in stock, shop demo models. Discussed the situation with my wife and as usual she said "what are you waiting for, order it!"
So I've had it a few weeks and can say all the praise is confirmed. This thing punches way above it's weight... big time! I like simple-easy and this delivers. I'm sure it's just me but I like the tones from the 350 better than the 800+... they are almost identical but it seems there is a slight difference to my ears.
Ran it for the last couple of rehearsals and expected to be able to run the volume up higher than I did the 800, but I'm getting the same output with the knobs about the same... crazy!
I've been working in a trio that doing '90s hard rock/grunge songs for almost a year now and having a blast doing the rock n roll thing again, after a good 12 year layoff. We have a 3 hour set almost polished and our first gig lined up for early June and I'm excited!
I gotta say that whatever magical unicorn juice Agedhorse and his helpers have been putting in the subway series is just incredible and outstanding!!
Thanks for posting! It really helps! -Bill
Al Kraft
Supporting Member
- May 2, 2016
- 10,768
- 40,442
- Disclosures
- Mesa Boogie beta product tester and player support
This is what really surprised me when I first played the D-350. I kept bringing a higher powered back-up on gigs just in case, but never once needed it. I also felt like there was a richness to the tone I hadn't expected. I assumed it was going to be a slightly quieter, "thinner sounding" 800/800+. The D-350 definitely has its own tonal mojo going on that makes it one sweet sounding little head. I also like the way it stays nicely composed as you ask for more volume.
I've said this before but I think even for those who have needs and tone goals that are not in the D-350 swim lane, they still come away impressed with what a fun and capable head it is.
Welcome to the club!
If you want a real mind-bender, when you do your gig in June, feel how warm the amp doesn't get at the end of your gig. An amp without a fan or vents has to shed its heat through the skin, right? I have never felt my amp to be more than slightly above ambient, no matter how hard it's been working. "Magical unicorn juice" is right!
D350 pumping the bass at rehearsal last night. I'm super happy with this tiny box of joy!
*I'm able to keep my old GK 4x10 at our practice room, but I do bring the mesa cabs on occasion to exercise them...
*I'm able to keep my old GK 4x10 at our practice room, but I do bring the mesa cabs on occasion to exercise them...
I have not played this combination out, but at home, I like the combination of D-350 and my Genzler 10-2 Series 2 extension cab. It sounds very tight and detailed vs. the Genz M350 which seemingly has more warmth and mids, at least on first impressions. I'll probably have some occasions to play the Mesa/Genzler out, but willy use the Genzler combo most often since it's grab-and-go. Just wanted to mention that those two like each other.
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Mesa D-350 on a Genzler BA12-3 with a VT Bass DI perched on top (wider and marginally lighter than the amp itself
) Sounding great.The VT goes great into the D-350's preamp, producing a sound that blends exceptionally well in a mix. The VT also runs off 9v or amp provided USB, and includes an effects loop, where light compression can take the tone to the next level
D-350 pairing with a 600w PowerHouse cab was not all I'd like, and not my "mini rig" use case. Fine sound with a PJB C4 and a twist of the low mids.
Any other sub 40 lb. cabs cited as an especially optimal fit with the D-350? (aside from the obvious SW 115) Considering even as large as a NuClassic 212T. Curious about MAS cabs.
There are probably quite a few us mix-and-matching Genzler and Mesa heads and cabs.
