Mesa Subway Plus preamp

[scottm]

Sorry, I can not confirm or deny anything...

I just warned my wife about this possibility!
Watch out wallet!

-ScottM

 

[lomo]

.......I suspect a 112 combo would sell well.......

 

[Ken Morgan]

My D800+ preamp will be here tomorrow...likely outputting to a Straight Ahead power amp...no doubt it’ll be what I’m after.

 

[Ken Morgan]

After tweaking, knob twisting, experimenting, and general mayhem, I’m of the impression this preamp is the most versatile and pleasing bass device I’ve used, since, well, pretty much ever.

actually prefer this arrangement over what used to be my studio bass rig: API or Neve 1073 pre, LA4 compressor, A Designs EQ

 

[agedhorse]

After tweaking, knob twisting, experimenting, and general mayhem, I’m of the impression this preamp is the most versatile and pleasing bass device I’ve used, since, well, pretty much ever.

actually prefer this arrangement over what used to be my studio bass rig: API or Neve 1073 pre, LA4 compressor, A Designs EQ

It does come from a pro audio lineage rather than strictly a "bass amp product".

 

[bmoriarty]

I don’t know. Very limited product line non-tube amps marketed for those playing in subways. Seems to me Mesa is all but abandoning bass. Where are the 400+’s m9’s, and pulse monsters?
They are no more. They are gone with the wind.

 

[agedhorse]

I don’t know. Very limited product line non-tube amps marketed for those playing in subways. Seems to me Mesa is all but abandoning bass. Where are the 400+’s m9’s, and pulse monsters?
They are no more. They are gone with the wind.

Actually, players have asked for the new products. There are 3 models of amp, 3 models of preamp, and 6 models of speaker cabinets, how is this "very limited"?

When players stop buying the larger, heavier models, we listened and adjusted. For those who still want the older models, there are plenty available on the used market.

 

[bmoriarty]

Actually, players have asked for the new products

thanks For getting back to me Agedhorse
What I mean is you no longer have a “professorial” line for bass it seems. Even Smaller and lighter offerings like the walk about scout are gone. The scout cabinet is fantastic. Why discontinue that? I understand you’re trying to compete with companies like Mark Bass making class d amplifiers. I always thought Mesa, ”home of tone”
Was known for their fantastic tube amplifiers

 

[agedhorse]

Have you tried any of the new products or are you making your statement based on opinion without any experience?

 

[Ken Morgan]

Having either played through, heard live, or directly owned several Mesa bass products, I can say with utmost confidence the current lineup is the best sounding stuff they’ve ever offered. I guess it all depends on how one defines “pro”

 

[Chef]

I don’t know. Very limited product line non-tube amps marketed for those playing in subways. Seems to me Mesa is all but abandoning bass. Where are the 400+’s m9’s, and pulse monsters?
They are no more. They are gone with the wind.

Mesa, "abandoning bass?"
Jeez, that hardly seems to be the case to me.
It seems to me that they've done a larger and serious overhaul of their offerings, and seem more committed than ever.
YMMV, I guess....

 

[Avalon5]

I don’t know. Very limited product line non-tube amps marketed for those playing in subways. Seems to me Mesa is all but abandoning bass. Where are the 400+’s m9’s, and pulse monsters?
They are no more. They are gone with the wind.

I love my Mesa subway plus preamp. It has all the features I need to play amp less on stage. The WD-800 Always gets me compliments when I use it. I gave up the SVT in trade and I have not looked back. It is very easy to get scooped or vintage sound or anything in between. It’s also easier to carry than my M pulse 600.

 

[bmoriarty]

Have you tried any of the new products or are you making your statement based on opinion without any experience?

Hi agedhorse, no I Confess I have not heard these new amps, nor played them. nor do I have insight into your market research. My post strictly opinion. I’ve owned lots of Mesa Boogie products over the years I’ve loved the tone of all of them. I guess what I’m talking about is consistency. A lot of great amps have gone in and out of the product line over the years. It would be good to see a design continually perfected rather than swapped out entirely.

Also my bad for not realizing the WD 800 basically has the walkabout preamp driving into a class D power section. Walkabout is a great sounding amp.

also also, maybe I just don’t like the name. I don’t play in subways.

All that being said I admit I’m wrong for passing judgment with out having heard or played any of the new line.

 

[Blues Marvel]

thanks For getting back to me Agedhorse
What I mean is you no longer have a “professorial” line for bass it seems. Even Smaller and lighter offerings like the walk about scout are gone. The scout cabinet is fantastic. Why discontinue that? I understand you’re trying to compete with companies like Mark Bass making class d amplifiers. I always thought Mesa, ”home of tone”
Was known for their fantastic tube amplifiers

Its the me too world we live in. The days of pioneering are over.

 

[bmoriarty]

Its the me too world we live in. The days of pioneering are over.

Mesa were the pioneers. Randal Smith influenced an entire generation of musicians.

 

[agedhorse]

Mesa were the pioneers. Randal Smith influenced an entire generation of musicians.

The advancements and innovation continues. The Subway line is very much an evolution of the older products. We listened very closely to what bass players (including many TB members) were asking for.

 

[bmoriarty]

The advancements and innovation continues.

Well, I guess if Geddy Lee eventually played through washing machines I can try a subway haha. Why do they have t be so light weight though?

 

[agedhorse]

Well, I guess if Geddy Lee eventually played through washing machines I can try a subway haha. Why do they have t be so light weight though?

Good question... because this is what players have been emphatically requesting and they are doing so with their hard earned money.

There are many regions where public transportation is the norm, where vehicles are shrinking and where players are either aging or just don't want to hall large, heavy gear. With the advances in technology and design, we (as an entire industry) have developed light weight alternatives that do not (in many player's opinion) compromise tone. In fact, some manufacturers have used this opportunity to evolve their product's performance to where they wanted it to go, even before the technology became available.

If you prefer larger, heavier gear, there is absolutely no shortage on the used market and in many cases for 25 to 50 cents on the dollar too. It's a great time to be shopping for such gear IMO.

 

[Chef]

Its the me too world we live in. The days of pioneering are over.

What? Pioneering over?
If by that, you mean "innovation is dead," I couldn't disagree more.
The number of pioneering innovations that have changed bass amplification for the better in the last 5 years is pretty large, and have impacted me positively.

 

[Chef]

Why do they have t be so light weight though?

Because quality amplification doesn't have to be heavy anymore.
I, for one, don't miss moving a 100lb head, and two 150lb cabs even a tiny little bit.