Mesa Subway D-800+

[Low Key]

Will do! It looks like my first opportunity will be more than a week out, but I'll let you know. From the standpoint of just playing at home, I do like how they sound. Two observations ... the Bags project pretty strong midrange and the Mesa really mates well with that. By putting the Voicing knob at 9:00 and bumping the low mids a bit, the notes just rang out very clearly. They weren't "cardboard" or "boxy" mids; they were more natural than what my other amps have produced (Carvin and GK). In addition, I am sensing much more fundamental lows out of the S15x/S15 stack than I am used to (a good thing). I haven't really done much with a S15 single cab yet, but I have previously needed to jack up the lows on most amps. When I go to a single cab, I might engage the Deep switch if there aren't enough lows.

Overall, I feel like the Mesa produces notes with more "meat on the bone" compared to my other amps. My GK sounds very trebly and scooped by comparison, while my Carvin produces a more "dull" midrange and rumbly lows through the Bags (instead of open and clear). Albeit, those can both be great amps - I'm being a little harsh in those descriptions to describe a difference. But the Mesa is easily a notch or two up for my tastes.

 

[dazmond]

Mr agedhorse, where is the hpf in the signal chain? Is it just before power section or does it affect the preamp as well? Like if someone had a lot of 40hz boost from their bass guitar, would the hpf buffer that out straight away?

 

[sstillwell]

Mr agedhorse, where is the hpf in the signal chain? Is it just before power section or does it affect the preamp as well? Like if someone had a lot of 40hz boost from their bass guitar, would the hpf buffer that out straight away?

I'm sure he'll respond, but if you download the manual from the website, there's a block diagram that shows the order of the various components within the amp. HPF is one of the first items in the chain if I'm remembering correctly.

 

[dazmond]

Ooh good idea! Haha I already have the classic so the thought never even crossed my mind to look through the new manual

 

[dazmond]

RTFM, me.

 

[tomydacat]

I seriously want the 2 10 Cab to go along with my 115 ..WOWSA....now to save save save ..WOOOO

 

[tomydacat]

anyway to do a video showing the 15 and 210 together ROCKING IT OUT?????

 

[DrumsAndBass]

I'd like to drive a bridged Crest ProLite 2.0 with this new Subway.
Will the Effects Send allow this ?
Which front panel knobs will still function with this configuration ?
I'd rather save the Direct Output port for the FOH.

 

[Lowendtech]

I'd like to drive a bridged Crest ProLite 2.0 with this new Subway.
Will the Effects Send allow this ?
Which front panel knobs will still function with this configuration ?
I'd rather save the Direct Output port for the FOH.

Yes.
I would think all but the master. Effects send is preamp out.
DI out to FOH as required.

 

[agedhorse]

Mr agedhorse, where is the hpf in the signal chain? Is it just before power section or does it affect the preamp as well? Like if someone had a lot of 40hz boost from their bass guitar, would the hpf buffer that out straight away?

It affects the preamp as well. The full block diagram is in the new manual which is available for download at our website.

 

[bass.slinger]

Sorry Tom, looks like I missed your post.

The Subway 210, like the other Subway cabinets as compared with the Powerhouse has a little bit more LF extension, a little tighter low end, and considerably lighter weight. Also, the mechanical power handling is a fair amount higher. The mid voicing, while still rock oriented, is more open and neutral than the Powerhouse.

Hey, what is the crossover frequency for the tweeter? Thanks.

 

[agedhorse]

I'd like to drive a bridged Crest ProLite 2.0 with this new Subway.
Will the Effects Send allow this ?
Which front panel knobs will still function with this configuration ?
I'd rather save the Direct Output port for the FOH.

Yes, use the effects send and the master volume control will now be your input sensitivity controls on your Crest amp, as the Subway's master volume control handles the effects return signal for when the Subway is used as a stand alone power amp.. I would always recommend being aware of the power limitations of your cabinets in this kind of configuration (for what should be obvious reasons).

There is a full block diagram available for the Subways on our website at the end of the owner's manual.

 

[agedhorse]

Hey, what is the crossover frequency for the tweeter? Thanks.

It is approximately 3.5-4kHz, mainly to allow for the mid/high-mid voicing of the woofer to dominate the response. The reason for this is that much of the character of the speaker is due to the use of a woofer with a "pretty" mid voice, one that has a user friendly character. The tweeter just extends the high harmonics of the upper register where the woofer begins to fall off.

 

[bass.slinger]

It is approximately 3.5-4kHz, mainly to allow for the mid/high-mid voicing of the woofer to dominate the response. The reason for this is that much of the character of the speaker is due to the use of a woofer with a "pretty" mid voice, one that has a user friendly character. The tweeter just extends the high harmonics of the upper register where the woofer begins to fall off.

Thanks!

 

[canvasoso]

Just got mine last night. I spent about an hour playing through it and finding my tone. So many combinations! It's hard to say which setting combination I like better. Still getting the hang of how every small tweak relates and affects the signal as a whole. All I can say is that it feels like the Swiss Army knife of amps. You can get any kind of sound you want out of it, without losing its own personality and Mesa-like tone.

As an early adopter (with a serial number that barely breaks 100), so far I'm loving it. I'll be using it tonight with the rest of the band so I can't wait to see how it sits in the mix. I just hope OCD doesn't kick in and I get too distracted on messing with all the dials. LOL

The only problem so far that I'm having with it, is that with so many knobs so close together, and the fonts barely visible, it's hard to see what knob I'm twisting in dim lighting when you quickly want to do a change while playing. I found myself rotating the sweep knob instead of the actual low-mid or high-mid knobs, or the Bass knob instead of Voicing Knob, etc. I'm sure as I memorize the layout of the knobs this would be less of an issue, but I would have made the knobs spaced differently grouped by frequency, or sized differently, one size for the actual sweep control, and one size for the boost/cut knob. etc. For now, I'm thinking of sourcing a couple of either white or red Jazz Bass small tone knobs that I may just replace the sweep knobs with. Looks like they would be the perfect fit.

 

[Ewo]

Whelp, it's not as if I don't have enough amps already, but I like my D-800 so much I went ahead and ordered the 800+ from Sweetwater. Yeah, it could be nice to fiddle around with semi-para mid EQ.

GAS is the gift that keeps on giving!

So...the 800+ will be my gig amp, and the 800 it replaces as gig amp will become my backup, and the GK MB fusion 800 that was my backup will become surplus...so I'll put it up for sale.

 

[Clouz]

I just ordered one from Sweetwater. I just couldn't stand it anymore. I am also ordering 2 X 115 Subway cabs after i get rid of my current rigs. Anyone interested in an Heritage SVT head and Matching 810 cabinet? I also have a PF-800 with a flip top 210 and a 115 extension cab. All for sale. I am going compact finally. I might regret doing this but I'll have some great stories to tell my grandchildren some day. Invalid Link Removed

 

[Ewo]

Hey, maybe I can somewhat allay your concern.

I've been running two or three of the Subway 1-15 cabs and a D-800 for several months on my regular gig at a rock club. They do a great job of asserting themselves in a loud stage mix with an aggressive guitarist.

A few weeks ago we played a set for a benefit show at the same venue, and I was backlined into a frig cab with an MB fusion 800 head. That rig was plenty loud, sure--but it wasn't as muscular on the bottom as my Subway rig. (And I'm familiar with the MB fusion 800 head, since I used that before I got the D-800. Actually, mine's for sale--linked in my sig.)

Just sayin' that I'm confident you're gonna like the Subway head, and doubt you'll miss the frig after you run a pair of the Subway 15 cabs. For extra gits 'n' shiggles, try three of them...

 

[Munjibunga]

I stumbled upon this while looking at D-800 demo videos. I guess it was just posted. Awesome!

Awesome unless you bought your D800 less than a year ago. I believe I (and others) predicted this in another thread. Anybody want to give me $500 for my D800 with case in mint condition? I didn't think so.

 

[Munjibunga]

I stumbled upon this while looking at D-800 demo videos. I guess it was just posted. Awesome!

I never considered the EQ centers to be "thoughtful" on the D800, with three octaves between the high mid and treble. The semi-para EQ on the mids will make this a much more versatile amp.

Anyway, I really like the playing samples on this video. Too often you get some impressive but ridiculous slapping intended by the player to show his prowess on the typewriter keyboard rather than to demonstrate the tone of the amp. Kudos to this player - great job.