My 800+ has a friend

[shivers]

I wanted a Subway+ pedal, but didn't have the chance to get one before they went out of production. I figured it would be a perfect compliment to my 800+ and give me some options. One popped up for sale recently and that was that. The pedal is extremely clean and looks like it was barely used.

Maybe @agedhorse has an 800D pedal up his sleeve.

 

[bholder]

I had a friend once. Imaginary. He told me I was too boring and ran away.

Oh yeah, kewl score!

 

[DirtDog]

I read this as "my baloney has a first name…"

Cool score, I'd like to give one of those a whirl!

 

[gtirard]

I'm not sure I understand the complementarity between a preamp and an amp that has the same preamp section?

 

[shivers]

I'm not sure I understand the complementarity between a preamp and an amp that has the same preamp section?

When I don't need to bring my 800+ with me, I can take the preamp pedal and have "my amp" in an even smaller package.

 

[Ellery]

When I don't need to bring my 800+ with me, I can take the preamp pedal and have "my amp" in an even smaller package.

What is it you like about this preamp and what style(s) do you use it for? I already have Subway cabs and have been interested in a Subway amp, but do not have the opportunity to test it in person. I am looking for something capable of giving me a tube-like fatness, right now I have to use a Sansamp Bass Driver to achieve that (currently with a GB Shuttle or GK 1001RB). If I could ditch the pedal it would be worth it.

 

[Bighands Bill]

I could be wrong but I think the 800+ does not need a load on the speaker output. You could use the DI out to the PA.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

I get it! Awesome pre/ DI. I have the 800+ head and love it. Never got the chance to get the 800+ pedal, so I got the Genzler Magellan Pre/DI.
Great for times when I don't need to take my rig and can just plug into mixer/ PA. Nice score !

 

[shivers]

What is it you like about this preamp and what style(s) do you use it for? I already have Subway cabs and have been interested in a Subway amp, but do not have the opportunity to test it in person. I am looking for something capable of giving me a tube-like fatness, right now I have to use a Sansamp Bass Driver to achieve that (currently with a GB Shuttle or GK 1001RB). If I could ditch the pedal it would be worth it.

I like the preamp because it is the Subway 800+ minus the power amp. The 800/800+ sound full and smooth to me and have a lot of tone variation. They also play well with effects pedals. I started out with the WD800 and it's a fantastic amp, but it wasn't what I was hearing in my head. The band I'm playing with now does a lot of classic and southern rock (Allman Brothers, ZZ, Skynyrd, etc.) and it's doing great.

The 800/800+ definitely sound fat, but may not be "tubey" enough on their own if that's what you're after. You could always run pedals in front to get more tube flavor. Or you could try the WD, TT, or the new 800D. As Andy usually says, one amp is not better than the other because they are all different.

 

[michael_t]

About a month ago, I managed to snag the very last of these that Long & McQuade had left in stock across Canada...

Now I have one of these coming my way in the next week or two... (D350)

 

[S-Bigbottom]

I could be wrong but I think the 800+ does not need a load on the speaker output. You could use the DI out to the PA.

It does.

The advantage to the pedal preamp is its smaller form factor when not needing to power a cab. It can be carried in your gigbag or on a pedal board, less space on stage. It is nice to have a mini version of things.
Save some wear and tear on the amp head.

 

[ImTheOnlyOne]

I read this as "my baloney has a first name…"

Cool score, I'd like to give one of those a whirl!

The bass amp that I choose to play's an M and E and S and A

 

[Engle]

I could be wrong but I think the 800+ does not need a load on the speaker output. You could use the DI out to the PA.

You're correct. I have used it as a DI for recording. It does have a fan.

 

[Nuisance]

Be nice if these were made again. Seems like an odd choice for Mesa to discontinue a device that's becoming more and more prominent on stage. I guess they weren't selling enough? I thought I saw @agedhorse once say they weren't officially discontinued.......but that was a while ago.

 

[HelpImaRock]

I have a Tech 21 Para Driver to go with my Mesa D-350. For the way I run the amp, there's a lot of overlap with the pedal.

 

[Snake101st]

Now, if Mesa could just put out an 800D sushi box style tube powered preamp pedal, ideally with a footswitch to go between low and high gain or boost like the subway+ has, 400+ style graphic EQ, and cab sim/IR loading (maybe partnering with two notes to load in the subway and powerhouse cabs, like bad cat just did for their new lunchbox amp? Love my two notes Opus)

That'd be the be all end all ampless/IEM/direct preamp rig, I'd think. Especially if it comes with the vintage logo and "Mesa mushroom" colorway

 

[Swamp_Ronin]

I bet this thing is great but it's pretty much the same size as the amp.

 

[Lowbrow]

I bet this thing is great but it's pretty much the same size as the amp.

Bitchy but accurate.

 

[shivers]

I bet this thing is great but it's pretty much the same size as the amp.

Yeah, the size caught me off guard a bit when I opened the box.

 

[agedhorse]

Bitchy but accurate.

Not close.

Has to be big enough to fit all the controls and connectors.