NCD: Mesa Subway 212!

[agedhorse]

I have a subway 112 and plan on getting another one. I have owned 2x12 cabs in the past but find 2 112 cabs easier to move. I’m wondering does the subway 212 sound any different then two 112 subway cabs?

Not really, just a slight difference in high end due to the single teeeter, but with the tweeter located higher on the 212 the difference is not all that significant.

 

[koho]

Just got my new Mesa Subway Series 212 cabinet! I can't count how many times I've posted on TalkBass not so subtly hinting to @agedhorse that the bass world is waiting for some larger cabs to go with the superb D800 and 800+ heads. Well, Mesa came through in the biggest way possible. THIS CAB IS PERFECT. Sound is outstanding. Articulate, if I had to choose just one word. All the pristine volume you could hope for. Form factor is great. At only 55 lbs. this cab is going everywhere with me. I've played it at a single rehearsal so far but I'm positive this is the one. I can honestly say that this is the last head/cab I will ever buy.
Thank you and well done to the ElderEquine!
View attachment 3278542
Standard Precision leaning against it to give you an idea of the compact footprint and modest height.
View attachment 3278643
Guess some other folks were as anxious to get one as I was. 57 others, to be exact.
View attachment 3278543

I know this thread is old but can you share any differences from this mesa to a GK legacy? I'm stuck between the two thanks

 

[HMZ]

Not really, just a slight difference in high end due to the single teeeter, but with the tweeter located higher on the 212 the difference is not all that significant.

I have two Subway 112 now and it sounds amazing. I don't really use the tweeter any way. I figured its easier to move two 112 then one 212 cabinet.

 

[Rob Martini]

Here is a live shot from an outdoor show last night. The Subway 212 had a mic on it for a live stream recording, not for the front of the house.
Gives you a sense of its size and the gear the other guys use that it had to work with. Had the WD800 running at 12 gain and 12 master and it was plenty, even outside with no wall behind me.

i like to cop Walkabout tones, so I kept the high pass filter off and the damping set to low.

it sounds a lot like an 800 watt Walkabout.

 

[anthony w Jaber]

So I’m late to the game with this I’ve been a 6x10 user for about half of my life I love the huge amp feel with a p bass. Late last year I decided to move on i just got tired of lugging the huge amp around especially these days with no gigs so I made the decision to sell it and get a Mesa powerhouse 2x10 and 1x15 combo it was great and sounded good. It was just too much for me again now instead of one huge trip there was two trips. One day I said screw it. I took the cabs went to a Sam ash and said I want something different and they had the subway 2x12 they were really nice and let me use my own gear to test it out and I just fell in love with the 2x12 it was everything I loved in the 210 115 combo but had more clarity and played really good with a p bass. Not even a minute of playing I said I’ll take it I went to pick it up thinking it was going to be like the other Mesa cabs I have and almost fell over from it being as light as it is. They also included a dust cover with this last night I plugged this in for the first time and the band were amazed how good this sounded it’s a keeper and pairs really well with the darkglass 500 v2 head that I just got. I like the cab so much I downloaded the ir cab from choptones which is based off this cab. Never thought I get away from ampeg but hell they burned me way to many times Mesa, darkglass all the way

 

[JW56789]

Andy: While we're at it about elevating, angling cabinets to hear yourself better, while I'd agree the best cabinet riser is TWO cabinets, since single driver bins are lighter and smaller, you have any opinion about speaker stands, like the ones often sold for single-drive guitar amps ?

 

[agedhorse]

Andy: While we're at it about elevating, angling cabinets to hear yourself better, while I'd agree the best cabinet riser is TWO cabinets, since single driver bins are lighter and smaller, you have any opinion about speaker stands, like the ones often sold for single-drive guitar amps ?

Good question. It's really a personal taste sort of thing, but I like for the top of the top cabinet to be at least 30" off of the ground, or at least angled back say 15-20 degrees. Both ways have advantages and disadvantages but play into personal preferences more than anything else.

 

[JW56789]

Thanks !

 

[pfern]

Just got my new Mesa Subway Series 212 cabinet! I can't count how many times I've posted on TalkBass not so subtly hinting to @agedhorse that the bass world is waiting for some larger cabs to go with the superb D800 and 800+ heads. Well, Mesa came through in the biggest way possible. THIS CAB IS PERFECT. Sound is outstanding. Articulate, if I had to choose just one word. All the pristine volume you could hope for. Form factor is great. At only 55 lbs. this cab is going everywhere with me. I've played it at a single rehearsal so far but I'm positive this is the one. I can honestly say that this is the last head/cab I will ever buy.
Thank you and well done to the ElderEquine!
View attachment 3278542
Standard Precision leaning against it to give you an idea of the compact footprint and modest height.
View attachment 3278643
Guess some other folks were as anxious to get one as I was. 57 others, to be exact.
View attachment 3278543

An excellent cab. I installed a set of casters to mine, and it's the ultimate in sound and portability.

 

[Fingerz]

My old Epifani 3x10 has suffered some degredation to one speaker. Repaired for now (obsolete drivers), I went out looking at what would be a good cab to invest in. My sound goals now are very ampeg-esque. Big low end but warm and clear, kinda no frills bass tone, no huge peaks and troughs. After trying a bunch of stuff, that was all very impressive, nothing was giving me my sound and particularly in a 'one cab' solution. There was a subway 112 to try, and I fell in love with it. In just a few notes, I could just hear my bass, clear and warm. Slap, fingerstyle it just gave me my bass sound.
Here in the UK, it seems they changed distribution, then Gibson took them over, then covid happened. Nobody has ANYTHING, but I found one in stock. It doesn't look like there'll be anything available again for a while, so I just jumped on the 212, being shipped to me tomorrow!
I haven't physically tried this configuration yet as I'm just not able to, but that 112 made such an impression, and Mesa stuff seems so well made, I think it's gunna be a great investment.
Needless to say I'm VERY excited!

 

[pfern]

I love mine. Only recently I have played it out on gigs after quite a delay with COVID. It really projects well, much more than my prior Subway 115 and 210 stack. I added casters to the 212 and really appreciate that even though it’s lightweight. Enjoy!

 

[anthony w Jaber]

My old Epifani 3x10 has suffered some degredation to one speaker. Repaired for now (obsolete drivers), I went out looking at what would be a good cab to invest in. My sound goals now are very ampeg-esque. Big low end but warm and clear, kinda no frills bass tone, no huge peaks and troughs. After trying a bunch of stuff, that was all very impressive, nothing was giving me my sound and particularly in a 'one cab' solution. There was a subway 112 to try, and I fell in love with it. In just a few notes, I could just hear my bass, clear and warm. Slap, fingerstyle it just gave me my bass sound.
Here in the UK, it seems they changed distribution, then Gibson took them over, then covid happened. Nobody has ANYTHING, but I found one in stock. It doesn't look like there'll be anything available again for a while, so I just jumped on the 212, being shipped to me tomorrow!
I haven't physically tried this configuration yet as I'm just not able to, but that 112 made such an impression, and Mesa stuff seems so well made, I think it's gunna be a great investment.
Needless to say I'm VERY excited!

I used to never think about Mesa bass stuff Back in the day ever I was all in for ampeg after modeling became a thing that all changed. I started with a 212 cab ir for the hx stomp that’s been my go to for the last year. Needless to say now everything I own is Mesa. If you ever have the chance to try out a Mesa wd800 give it a good.

 

[Fingerz]

That's very exciting to know. I have a gig on saturday so fingers crossed it gets to me tomorrow but obvs no biggie other than my GAS peaking!
Their 15's and 12's really seem to have that big warm low end but without losing focus or having too much colour. I feel like I've not been hearing my tone well for years, this thing feels like it'll just push out the tone coming through it and get the job done. Fingers crossed!

 

[Wild Rice Chris]

I can't imagine you being unhappy with the 212. It's one helluva cabinet.
What amp are you using?

 

[Fingerz]

I can't imagine you being unhappy with the 212. It's one helluva cabinet.
What amp are you using?

View attachment 4445474

Wow!! Is this what happens when you can't make your mind up/fall in love with that tone?!

I am running a Thunderfunk TFB 550 head, which I've DI'd and recorded loads, and that 112 I got to try sounded JUST like the amp sounds when I take a line out of it.

 

[anthony w Jaber]

Wow!! Is this what happens when you can't make your mind up/fall in love with that tone?!

I am running a Thunderfunk TFB 550 head, which I've DI'd and recorded loads, and that 112 I got to try sounded JUST like the amp sounds when I take a line out of it.

that’s a awesome amp will work great with that 212 the best part is that the cab is light with big sound. You won’t be upset with the cab at all. If you want the cab ir for this chop tones has a package deal with this cab on board it’s outstanding and just sounds amazing I use this for everything I have I believe it’s the mesaboogie dyn210 cab ir

 

[Fingerz]

Arrived this afternoon, typically just as I had to go out. If I’m honest, I’m totally blown away by it so far. The tone is just all there, old school, full, detailed, wide and somehow focused too. Build quality exceptional.
Can’t wait for tomorrow’s gig, and also slightly nervous as always with that first trip out with something new.
Didn’t expect to get a cover too. Yes expensive but feels like there was no limit in designing and building it, so worth every penny. Positive vibes so far.

 

[Fingerz]

Incidentally, these are super rare over here, could it be one of the last pre ‘Gibson takeover’ subways?

no.000036 for fun btw!

 

[anthony w Jaber]

Arrived this afternoon, typically just as I had to go out. If I’m honest, I’m totally blown away by it so far. The tone is just all there, old school, full, detailed, wide and somehow focused too. Build quality exceptional.
Can’t wait for tomorrow’s gig, and also slightly nervous as always with that first trip out with something new.
Didn’t expect to get a cover too. Yes expensive but feels like there was no limit in designing and building it, so worth every penny. Positive vibes so far.

View attachment 4446951

Hopefully Gibson doesn’t destroy them Mesa bass stuff is best stuff going these days but since Gibson hates bass stuff who knows. Anyways there’s a reason why you don’t ever see someone sell Mesa cabs. There amazing. Light with big sound. I use a 2x12 on big gigs but use the Mesa walkabout combo 12 for everything else best part is the head on that combo comes off and can be used as a normal head. Mesa is far ahead of other brands they really got good things going. The combo I own weights 51lbs and when I use the 2x12 it’s not like I’m lifting a huge cab it’s amazing congratulations on your new cab and welcome to the club!

 

[Fingerz]

Yeh man I totally agree. It's even rarer over here new and used, but I have played ALL the big and small names and these cabs were the only ones that really stood out. So lucky I came across that 112 in the shop!

That sounds like a killer rig, I bet that is a killer tone regardless of the weight, win/win.

Very happy to be in the 'club', They do seem to have great things going on for us bass players, fingers crossed the gibson thing is good for them. If they've got this far they must be pig-headed enough to get through anything! Seem like they just do what they want, luckily for us.