Mesa Subway D-800+

[mmbongo]

There is tube overdrive emulation on the input gain stage, never intended to be a massive break-up or distortion effect but more for guys who are looking for some of the natural harmonics and compression that are inherent (or can be) when overdriving a typical tube front end.

For distortion, I would recommend finding one of the thousands of pedals that suits the player's preferences.

I love it. With my normal playing the sound is so thick and authoritative, then when I dig in it has a nice crunch. Of course my Roscoe basses help that a lot, but they don't crunch as nicely on other amps as they do my D800!

 

[lermgalieu]

There is tube overdrive emulation on the input gain stage, never intended to be a massive break-up or distortion effect but more for guys who are looking for some of the natural harmonics and compression that are inherent (or can be) when overdriving a typical tube front end.

For distortion, I would recommend finding one of the thousands of pedals that suits the player's preferences.

That's exactly what I'm looking for, and I have a Big Muff and a Vulcan XL to do the real dirty work ;-)

 

[agedhorse]

I found that maxing out the voicing control (or damn near) gets me into territory that used to be only found using a GK MB800. But I have not come across any other amp that gives you the kind of starting point when you start with the voicing control off. By itself it ain't pretty but in a loud dense mix onstage it gives you some unique cut-through and shaping control over the low end not found on another amp. It's why I came back to Mesa.

Yes, there's a wide range on the voicing control. Everything with it must be taken within the context of a mix. Solo bass is one thing, but not many folks play solo bass in practice (apologies to my friend Doug Johns, who in fact does, and in an awesome way as well. Doug Johns )

 

[Al Kraft]

I buy heads and cabs with the thoughts in mind how they'll slot into a busy mix. There is a sacrifice when playing/practicing alone in terms of the voicing not being "bedroom perfect", but in front of the audience is where it really counts for me.

 

[jnewmark]

I've had mine for a couple of weeks now. Dare I say that it sounds very similar to the Walkabout, before the WA starts to break up.

 

[Doug Parent]

Yes, there's a wide range on the voicing control. Everything with it must be taken within the context of a mix. Solo bass is one thing, but not many folks play solo bass in practice (apologies to my friend Doug Johns, who in fact does, and in an awesome way as well. Doug Johns )

Andy what is the center frequency of the voicing control? Just curious. Or is there one?

 

[agedhorse]

Andy what is the center frequency of the voicing control? Just curious. Or is there one?

There is no center frequency, there are multiple things that happen with multiple changing frequencies. Not easily described.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

There is no center frequency, there are multiple things that happen with multiple changing frequencies. Not easily described.

Yes it is.






Magic

 

[Doug Parent]

There is no center frequency, there are multiple things that happen with multiple changing frequencies. Not easily described.

it's so easy to get a chewy tone with adequate power on tap. Nice work as you know I am a fan. Cheers.

 

[jnewmark]

Here's a link to a rather long video, ( 7 minutes ), of a gig I did using the 800+ and my Schroeder 15PL cab. This is very close to " the sound in my head " when I perform with this group.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Nice work Johnny!

Hope that I 'm not being too forward but you guys would kill doing this song.




David

 

[jnewmark]

Nice work Johnny!

Hope that I 'm not being too forward but you guys would kill doing this song.




David

Thanks, Beans. I got hired to play bass on Bobby's new cd, and they kept me on as the regular bass player. Only got a few gigs under my belt, but it's fun so far. I really dig Otis Clay. His Live In Japan recording is one of my favorite of his.

 

[jnewmark]

BTW, Otis Clay does a great version of the Stones' " Wild Horses ". Check it out.

 

[beans-on-toast]

BTW, Otis Clay does a great version of the Stones' " Wild Horses ". Check it out.

Thanks for turning me on to that song. The emotion in his voice takes you to another place.

 

[mmbongo]

Yes it is.






Magic

This is a graphical representation how the voicing control works. Perhaps this makes it easier to understand.

 

[Lex P.]

Here's a link to a rather long video, ( 7 minutes ), of a gig I did using the 800+ and my Schroeder 15PL cab. This is very close to " the sound in my head " when I perform with this group.

Nice playing. Bass tone is killer. The sound of that Strat is just classic IMHO!

 

[jnewmark]

Nice playing. Bass tone is killer. The sound of that Strat is just classic IMHO!

Thanks. The guitar player prefers his Gibson 335, because it's easier to play, but I keep bugging him to bring the Strat.

 

[Eric_Allard]

Thanks for the reply. After reading up it, I think I'm going to be very happy with the Mesa. They're backordered from the distributor so hopefully I won't have to wait too long.

Almost two and a half months later and I'm still waiting... This is ridiculous. I'm told it should be in this week. Let's hope it was worth the wait.

 

[klejst]

Almost two and a half months later and I'm still waiting... This is ridiculous. I'm told it should be in this week. Let's hope it was worth the wait.

Of course your personal opinion may be different however everyone I know who owns one of these or the non plus model has said it's totally worth it all around.

 

[Sandman64]

Here's a link to a rather long video, ( 7 minutes ), of a gig I did using the 800+ and my Schroeder 15PL cab. This is very close to " the sound in my head " when I perform with this group.

Very nice! You seem to be only using one finger on your plucking hand for the most part. Is this something you do on a consistent basis? I've recently been trying that as much as possible and I'm finding it's giving me a more consistent sound/feel. Everyone always say two or three fingers is what you're suppose to do, but I'm not as convinced as I once was. lol