Mesa Subway D-350!

[DJ Bebop]

Thanks, I did see that when I checked out the manual online. I noticed with those settings, the Gain and the Master are both pretty close to 11 o'clock, in each one. Are you guys finding this to be true with other settings, that the Gain and the Master usually are at the same position with each other ?

It depends on the tone or effect you are trying for. If you like a little more character, a lower master and a little higher gain can bring a bit of harmonic content, or grit.
Higher master, lower gain brings more clarity at higher volumes. Sometimes depending on the EQ settings, if they are extreme, the gain and master will need to be adjusted to compensate. That sort of thing.

 

[xjbebop]

I posted this already on the Subway thread but since it involves my D-350 I will post it here too.

I seem to have found the perfect amplification for my upright. My bass has an older Underwood pickup and I use an old Fishman Model B preamp. Today I played through my D-350 and my PJ C4 cabinet. It was awesome. Sounded just like the bass. All controls centered on the D-350 except voicing was set at flat. It was just inspiring to hear the rig sound so
good.

Cow print piano FTW!!

 

[arepa_funk]

I usually have input around 9 or 10 o'clock and master north of noon. The higher the input will trigger the OD and I don't want those tones. Higher master than input gives me cleaner sounds. Ymmv, imo, etc.

 

[jnewmark]

I usually have input around 9 or 10 o'clock and master north of noon. The higher the input will trigger the OD and I don't want those tones. Higher master than input gives me cleaner sounds. Ymmv, imo, etc.

With my passive Jazz and Shuttle heads, I usually have Gain around 2 o'clock, before the little light starts blinking and the Master around 11 o'clock, for loud, clean tone. Seems like it might be the opposite on this head.

 

[Chuck M]

Cow print piano FTW!!

This is a strange gig in a shopping mall. I have done it for 3 years. The piano was provided by Chick-Fil-A and has their advertising on it.

 

[DJ Bebop]

With my passive Jazz and Shuttle heads, I usually have Gain around 2 o'clock, before the little light starts blinking and the Master around 11 o'clock, for loud, clean tone. Seems like it might be the opposite on this head.

Plus the pots on the Mesa are linear so they respond differently than non-linear or audio tapered pots that appears on most other amps. So a setting you are familiar with on another amp may not respond the same on the D-350 exactly. Some experimentation is in order.

 

[jnewmark]

Plus the pots on the Mesa are linear so they respond differently than non-linear or audio tapered pots that appears on most other amps. So a setting you are familiar with on another amp may not respond the same on the D-350 exactly. Some experimentation is in order.

Not sure about the Shuttle heads, but they were both designed by Agedhorse.

 

[agedhorse]

Thanks, I did see that when I checked out the manual online. I noticed with those settings, the Gain and the Master are both pretty close to 11 o'clock, in each one. Are you guys finding this to be true with other settings, that the Gain and the Master usually are at the same position with each other ?

It depends.

 

[agedhorse]

Not sure about the Shuttle heads, but they were both designed by Agedhorse.

They are a little different in this regard.

 

[jnewmark]

It depends.

I never want " grit " in my tone, just clean tone, kind of like round, bassy but articulate at the same time.

 

[agedhorse]

I never want " grit " in my tone, just clean tone, kind of like round, bassy but articulate at the same time.

Generally this will be the case with the gain and master around the same positions.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Generally this will be the case with the gain and master around the same positions.

I fiddle around with the gain and master, because I can, and because I go for different sounds for different types of music. But all in all, that is the best non-fiddling-around setting for a clean sound, bass output notwithstanding.

 

[lermgalieu]

I don't see the benefit of some kind of rule of thumb for gain and master. Just know the technique to get what you're looking for depending on the level of your bass.

 

[agedhorse]

I don't see the benefit of some kind of rule of thumb for gain and master. Just know the technique to get what you're looking for depending on the level of your bass.

Some players find this to be convenient and quick.

 

[MarshallAC50Stack]

I posted this already on the Subway thread but since it involves my D-350 I will post it here too.

I seem to have found the perfect amplification for my upright. My bass has an older Underwood pickup and I use an old Fishman Model B preamp. Today I played through my D-350 and my PJ C4 cabinet. It was awesome. Sounded just like the bass. All controls centered on the D-350 except voicing was set at flat. It was just inspiring to hear the rig sound so
good.

That's really good to hear, thanks for posting.

 

[xjbebop]

This is a strange gig in a shopping mall. I have done it for 3 years. The piano was provided by Chick-Fil-A and has their advertising on it.

That explains it... very cool! Love their ads & marketing!

 

[jnewmark]

First impressions, with my passive Jazz, 4 ohm, Schroder PL15. The "11/11" setting sounds nice, but not going to be enough in a band situation; maybe with a little Jazz trio. So I turned down the Master and cranked the Gain until the light started flashing, then backed off until it barely blinked. That wound up in almost the exact position, around 2 o'clock, that my Shuttle Max 12.2 is set. Then I started fooling around with the Voicing. Definitely like it all the way to the left, with no EQ, Master at about 1 o'clock. On the other hand, all the way to the right, with a tad of Low Mid and some more High Mid, a tad of Bass, Bright Switch on, gives me a very authoritative tone, Master set at about 1 o'clock. Everything in between on the Voicing, EQ or not, left me wanting something else. Of course, I won't be able to really tell until I get it on a gig, or rehearsal. I did have the 800 for awhile, so it is similar, from what I can remember. The Bright switch is interesting. I still have to back off the Tone control on my bass as it makes my G string just a tad too zingy. I have not found any reason to add more Treble at this point, its straight up 12.

 

[BBear]

Happy new year guys. Any news about getting mesa gear in Europe in 2024? I didn't see a single D-350 managing to make the trip accross the ocean.

 

[agedhorse]

Happy new year guys. Any news about getting mesa gear in Europe in 2024? I didn't see a single D-350 managing to make the trip accross the ocean.

They are on their way! They will be available at the same time as the opening of the Gibson Garage showroom in London. They will also be available to play at the garage.

 

[BBear]

They are on their way! They will be available at the same time as the opening of the Gibson Garage showroom in London. They will also be available to play at the garage.

That's great news and London's just 2 hours away for me! Is there an official date for the opening? I saw the news last summer, but couldn't find more info since then.