- Feb 12, 2006
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- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Probably a bit too "adult"Post them on Youtube
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Mesa Subway D-800+
- Thread starter donahue
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- mesa mesa subway subway
Today I studied some Class D bass amps for a while, the Mesa Boogie Subway D-800 and D-800+ among them. As I compared the two Subway models, I realized that the D-800+ is smaller than the D-800. Then I searched TalkBass for any mention of this, but found none.
Here, then, are the numbers I saw:
Dimensions and weights, Subway D-800+ compared to Subway D-800
The D-800+ is
Did I get it right? If so, then:
For some players, the D-800's simpler package, smaller footprint, and lighter weight is just the ticket, of course.
But for players who really can use the added features in the D-800+, they should be impressed that Andy (@agedhorse) and team were able to technically design a smaller package to contain it all, while adding only 18% of weight and maintaining the reductive and rational industrial design language of the product line (Carbine onward, I guess, but definitely Subway).
Here, then, are the numbers I saw:
Dimensions and weights, Subway D-800+ compared to Subway D-800
The D-800+ is
- 18% heavier
- 12% bigger in footprint
- 1.5% smaller in volume (5 cubic inches smaller)
Did I get it right? If so, then:
For some players, the D-800's simpler package, smaller footprint, and lighter weight is just the ticket, of course.
But for players who really can use the added features in the D-800+, they should be impressed that Andy (@agedhorse) and team were able to technically design a smaller package to contain it all, while adding only 18% of weight and maintaining the reductive and rational industrial design language of the product line (Carbine onward, I guess, but definitely Subway).
I guess I've been lucky in that 2 out of 3 keyboard/piano players I've played with a really concious of their left hand. As a matter of fact I use to see one holding his beer in his left hand on many songs, until he had to solo.....Great player, and I was always fine buying him a beer or two.
And I don't have a subway, but I did pickup a Subway DI. Great cost effective tool for guys that go ampless......
I only play keys on my own demos, but my approach is that I get all the rhythm tracks down, and when it's time to track keys, I do just that - I put a beer in my left hand and play the parts RH only. Years of playing with a great keyboard player taught me that if you're gonna use your LH with a bassist, you better know what you're doing and have big ears (and I am a hack with only medium ears).
Even if your math turns out to be off (I haven't checked), you win an internet. Do you now have a big Excel spreadsheet full of all the stats of every class D bass amp you could think of...including calculated columns like cubic volume?
"Lies, damn lies, and Excel spreadsheets"...
LOL I was just going to reply that I am not going to check the math.Even if your math turns out to be off (I haven't checked), you win an internet. Do you now have a big Excel spreadsheet full of all the stats of every class D bass amp you could think of...including calculated columns like cubic volume?
"Lies, damn lies, and Excel spreadsheets"...
Even if your math turns out to be off (I haven't checked), you win an internet. Do you now have a big Excel spreadsheet full of all the stats of every class D bass amp you could think of...including calculated columns like cubic volume?
"Lies, damn lies, and Excel spreadsheets"...
Haha! Nope. I used a calculator.
Actually it started with intuition. In recent weeks, whenever I considered the D-800+ I would think "Well I wish it had a smaller footprint; but I'll be darned if it isn't smaller than the D-800 overall." Today I finally checked the numbers.
You meant the D-800+ is bigger, right?
No, volumetrically it is smaller.
I've already checked all the specs on these a while ago. The height of the 800+ is slightly smaller than the 800, but it's wider and deeper thus a bigger footprint. Remember though that "More Is More!"
Well I REALLY wanted to try out my new 800plus I received yesterday but my old POS Hartkey 4x10 doesn't have Speakon jacks. 
I've already checked all the specs on these a while ago. The height of the 800+ is slightly smaller than the 800, but it's wider and deeper thus a bigger footprint. Remember though that "More Is More!"
Right - that's what he said. Bigger footprint, but smaller volume.
I've already checked all the specs on these a while ago. The height of the 800+ is slightly smaller than the 800, but it's wider and deeper thus a bigger footprint. Remember though that "More Is More!"
PolkaHero, I'll show you mine if you show me yours.
What did you calculate?Thanks. I'm no mathematician by far. But logically, for example, in volume a bed sheet is smaller than a bread box, even though the footprint of the bed sheet is many times that of the bread box.
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I seriously considered the D800+, more or less solely to get the sweepable mids but, based on cost and on my (apparently wrong) impression of size, I went with the D800. To be honest, I am extremely happy with the amp and I've had little to no buyer's remorse over my decision.
..... until I read THAT!
But you do make a good point.
I seriously considered the D800+, more or less solely to get the sweepable mids but, based on cost and on my (apparently wrong) impression of size, I went with the D800. To be honest, I am extremely happy with the amp and I've had little to no buyer's remorse over my decision.
..... until I read THAT!
But you do make a good point.
D-800 still has the smaller footprint, and just from comparing them side by side, I think the D-800 still "feels" smaller (and it will fit into bags that D-800+ won't!). As an aside, I was at practice last night with my D-800, 12/15 stack, and my trusty P bass, and I was in tonal nirvana. STILL in the honeymoon. I wish I had this amp 20 years ago!
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I seriously considered the D800+, more or less solely to get the sweepable mids but, based on cost and on my (apparently wrong) impression of size, I went with the D800. To be honest, I am extremely happy with the amp and I've had little to no buyer's remorse over my decision.
..... until I read THAT!
But you do make a good point.
Hohoho!!
Sorry, man. I knew there was that risk.
Yep, agreed. The footprint and fitting it into a couple of the bags I have was what I was thinking of when I considered the size of the two rather than the overall volume of the heads. Although, lately I've tended to use an old laptop bag so I can also fit some other things in there at the same time, so that gives me more room than in a gig bag pocket and maybe the D800+ would now have less impact on my decision than it did at the time.
But mostly I was applauding snaxster's observation. Those were some interesting and valid points that I hadn't remembered seeing put that way before. And, in reality, I don't have buyer's remorse. My D800 is an absolutely wonderful amp.
But mostly I was applauding snaxster's observation. Those were some interesting and valid points that I hadn't remembered seeing put that way before. And, in reality, I don't have buyer's remorse. My D800 is an absolutely wonderful amp.
