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Mesa Subway Users

What Mesa Subway Head Are You Currently Using?

  • Total voters
    209
#61
Hey guys, I went to the “dark side”, but let me explain.

I’ve been playing a gig that is nearly weekly at a small pizza place. The set-up is really tight for 7 people with me sandwiched between the drummer and the keyboard player, nearly elbow to elbow. All three of us are up against a back wall, and to the left of the drummer and the right of the keyboard player is a wall so things are loud.
I tried playing this gig with a small 10” cab and a 200 watts head. It wasn’t quite enough, so I tried using a WD800 and a Hartke HD112 but the cab is “front firing” and it’s impossible to hear it clearly since it’s at my ankles with no room to tilt it back or place it on a stand.
I used a Greenboy F112 with my 800D and it sounded great but I really don’t want to haul in a cab, cable and a head. I ordered a Hartke KB15 and used it for several months. It was okay but it really didn’t punch so I sold it this past week. I ordered a Mark Bass CMD 102P Combo that can be used as a regular “upright” combo or a wedge. I thought about this long and hard because I’ve never been a MarkBass fan.

Today I visited GC with my MTD LK5 (5 string) with intentions of trying out some powered PA cabs. I’ve read on here where many guys have gone that way and are very happy with the results.
First up was the QSC CP12. It sounded pretty good but it didn’t have enough punch.
Second was a RCF ART 915A. I thought this with over 1000 watts and a 15” would be killer but it was no better than the CP12.
Next I tried the QSC K12.2 and it was flat awesome. Very loud, punchy and articulate. The best part was the uniform volume across the fretboard. Even the low B string at high volume didn’t breakup.

I ended up cancelling the Mark Bass CMD 102P and ordered the QSC K12.2. I’m pumped because I believe I finally found a great fit for this venue. Just add in the Pi Stomp with a cab sim and I’ll be good to go. 😀
 
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#62
Pep said:
Hey guys, I went to the “dark side”, but let me explain.

I’ve been playing a gig that is nearly weekly at a small pizza place. The set-up is really tight for 7 people with me sandwiched between the drummer and the keyboard player, nearly elbow to elbow. All three of us are up against a back wall, and to the left of the drummer and the right of the keyboard player is a wall so things are loud.
I tried playing this gig with a small 10” cab and a 200 watts head. It wasn’t quite enough, so I tried using a WD800 and a Hartke HD112 but the cab is “front firing” and it’s impossible to hear it clearly since it’s at my ankles with no room to tilt it back or place it on a stand.
I used a Greenboy F112 with my 800D and it sounded great but I really don’t want to haul in a cab, cable and a head. I ordered a Hartke KB15 and used it for several months. It was okay but it really didn’t punch so I sold it this past week. I ordered a Mark Bass CMD 102P Combo that can be used as a regular “upright” combo or a wedge. I thought about this long and hard because I’ve never been a MarkBass fan.

Today I visited GC with my MTD LK5 (5 string) with intentions of trying out some powered PA cabs. I’ve read on here where many guys have gone that way and are very happy with the results.
First up was the QSC CP12. It sounded pretty good but it didn’t have enough punch.
Second was a RCF ART 915A. I thought this with over 1000 watts and a 15” would be killer but it was no better than the CP12.
Next I tried the QSC K12.2 and it was flat awesome. Very loud, punchy and articulate. The best part was the uniform volume across the fretboard. Even the low B string at high volume didn’t breakup.

I ended up cancelling the Mark Bass CMD 102P and ordered the QSC K12.2. I’m pumped because I believe I finally found a great fit for this venue. Just add in the Pi Stomp with a cab sim and I’ll be good to go. 😀
Click to expand...
So, you never heard the MarkBass CMD102P?
 
#64
Voted WD800. Like an earlier poster, I'll alternate between it and a TT800.

The WD800 has its Low/Med/High damping switch.
My OE DCX, can switch eq Dark/Medium/Flat.
My Becos CompIQ Pro mini has its Fast/Slow and Feed fwd/back switches.

That small array of switches covers a lot of feels.
The interplay between WD800 Passive mid and the DCX drive knob is great too.
 
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#66
Pep said:
I understand and agree that the entire Mesa Subway line is “the best of the best”.
but please trust me. You DO NOT want to play through an 800D because one of two things will happen. You’ll either want to replace the 800+ or you’ll want both. 😀
Click to expand...
Ironically, I’ve owned the D800+, WD800, TT800 and 800D.
My main amp is the D800+ and the TT is my backup now. They are all great heads but the ONLY one I really didn’t gel with was the 800D.
 
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#67
BaltBass5 said:
Ironically, I’ve owned the D800+, WD800, TT800 and 800D.
My main amp is the D800+ and the TT is my backup now. They are all great heads but the ONLY one I really didn’t gel with was the 800D.
Click to expand...
This highlights something that I think is actually a notable strength of the SW amp line.

None of the heads are recycled versions of a previous model with simply new graphics or an extra feature or two. Every head is different and each one is designed to address specific player requests.

IME these differences in voicing and/or features are significant enough that many players will have a strong preference for one over another. That kind of variety enables the broadest range of players to potentially find what they are looking within the SW product line.
 
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#69
BaltBass5 said:
This isn’t blatant @$$ kissing, but it’s amazing that Mesa was able to not only create a killer option for modern bassists but to create MANY killer options. They haven’t had a lemon yet!

Crazy to think that some other manufacturers have a hard time getting 1 right yet alone 4-5!
Click to expand...
You are correct. These are without a doubt the best amps produced in the past 20 years with a flavor for everyone.

Thank you Mesa . . . . . and THANK YOU ANDY !!!
 
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#74
Nebadon2000 said:
Keyword being 'Really': I am guessing some 'Translation' of the
'Ask for' is needed🙂
Click to expand...
Good point! The other aspect is keeping things affordable while delivering as much of what players ask for or say they really want.

My dad used to call it having champagne taste on a beer budget. The perfect car is always a Bentley or Ferrari until you have to pay for it, and then a Toyota or Honda is a reasonable compromise from a value and affordability perspective.
 
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#78
BaltBass5 said:
Ironically, I’ve owned the D800+, WD800, TT800 and 800D.
My main amp is the D800+ and the TT is my backup now. They are all great heads but the ONLY one I really didn’t gel with was the 800D.
Click to expand...
I can only speak from my experience, first thing is you cannot judge the 800d or any mesa cab by sitting close up to it,you need to set the rig out in a larger area, you will get a fuller feel for this stuff, gigging musicians will understand this. I just picked up a 800d, I have 2 subway 115s, sitting on the couch,or in a small bedroom will not let you discover the real full tone, your to close to the system..I was in a small bedroom and had my ear within 5ft or less and didn't particularly like the low end at all,
but I knew that if I moved the rig into a bigger room I would get a real test, and of course the rig was fat, powerful and tons of bass..Take your rig into a larger area and back off 25ft 30ft and you will be surprised. 800d is a beast.
 
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#79
agedhorse said:
A big part of designing amps that players want to play is to listen to what players are really asking for.
Click to expand...

I don't get it. Is this some 'Alien Language' or something? I think I recognize some of the words, but they're put together in a way I've never seen before. 🤔
:roflmao:

That's not a sentence that ya hear very often from many companies. If ANY (ever).

"Listen to the players" he says. Good one. What about the shareholders? :meh:

Wait. What's that.. you say? If a company makes (Reliable) things that people Want, Like and Buy, THEY are happy AND the Company profits? So, It's some sort of a "Win/Win" is what you're saying?... Well, I'll BE.
:thumbsup:

:cigar:

D800+ User here. (with a SW 212 Cab). 👍

:bassist:


T$
 
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#80
grocker said:
I can only speak from my experience, first thing is you cannot judge the 800d or any mesa cab by sitting close up to it,you need to set the rig out in a larger area, you will get a fuller feel for this stuff, gigging musicians will understand this. I just picked up a 800d, I have 2 subway 115s, sitting on the couch,or in a small bedroom will not let you discover the real full tone, your to close to the system..I was in a small bedroom and had my ear within 5ft or less and didn't particularly like the low end at all,
but I knew that if I moved the rig into a bigger room I would get a real test, and of course the rig was fat, powerful and tons of bass..Take your rig into a larger area and back off 25ft 30ft and you will be surprised. 800d is a beast.
Click to expand...
I gig in 500-4000 Cap venues with large stages. Still didn't do it for me.
 
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