New mesa subway amps and cabs!

[fig]

I really wanted them to, but these nicely-designed frequency compasses aren't working for me.

Very cool work! I'm glad you had the time, tools and knowledge to do this.

agedhorse had told me the freqs wouldn't be as I plotted them, but I didn't expect the non-linearity to be THAT far off LOL.

The marks are still on my amp (a toothpick dab of caulk). Just a quick visual reference for intermediate knob positions. Your results also show me why some small changes in rotation make a noticeable difference in tone.

Thanks for posting this.

 

[600 Ohms]

Very cool work! I'm glad you had the time, tools and knowledge to do this.

agedhorse had told me the freqs wouldn't be as I plotted them, but I didn't expect the non-linearity to be THAT far off LOL.

The marks are still on my amp (a toothpick dab of caulk). Just a quick visual reference for intermediate knob positions. Your results also show me why some small changes in rotation make a noticeable difference in tone.

Thanks for posting this.

Yeah, I noticed not a lot of change at the lower extremity, then it ramped up toward noon and seemed more linear from there. Like on the Low-Mid band, if 150 is fully counter-clockwise, and 700Hz is noon, it's unintuitive that 300 would be around 10:00.

Fact is, neither of us would have had to go to the trouble if they'd silk screened a few intermediate numbers on the damn faceplate! I understand space is limited, and there is never an excuse not to use the ears to set frequencies, but the circuits used on the D-800 Plus and the WD-800 have such wide, gentle Qs, sweeping them to highlight trouble spots is not always straightforward, as desirable frequencies get amplified with the undesirable. I have one bass in particular where I know that if I cut a tiny amount of 1k, it sounds right, so finding out where 1k truly is on the amp is a boon.

 

[fig]

Yeah, I noticed not a lot of change at the lower extremity, then it ramped up toward noon and seemed more linear from there. Like on the Low-Mid band, if 150 is fully counter-clockwise, and 700Hz is noon, it's unintuitive that 300 would be around 10:00.

To really see the difference of what I originally calculated as opposed to your measured positions, I pulled up my original work charts and selected two Low Mid freqs you measured. 300 hz and 700 hz.

In the following diagram, "Assumed" means where I originally calculated a certain freq should be assuming the knob travel was linear from one end to the other. "Measured" means where you measured the actual freq. Striking difference.

Two of your knob position pics are also included (recolored your print...green means GO! LOL):

Thanks, again, for posting your work, 600 Ohm. I've downloaded your pics for future reference.

 

[600 Ohms]

To really see the difference of what I originally calculated as opposed to your measured positions, I pulled up my original work charts and selected two Low Mid freqs you measured. 300 hz and 700 hz.

In the following diagram, "Assumed" means where I originally calculated a certain freq should be assuming the knob travel was linear from one end to the other. "Measured" means where you measured the actual freq. Striking difference.

Two of your knob position pics are also included (recolored your print...green means GO! LOL):
View attachment 3576960

Thanks, again, for posting your work, 600 Ohm. I've downloaded your pics for future reference.

It is interesting how the taper of these pots affects it, a bit logarithmic like a fader, I suspect. The space between 700 & 1k on the high band is a small range, but a big difference, as you mentioned. I would also guess, knowing @agedhorse's attention to detail, that these pots have pretty tight tolerances, so I would imagine they are pretty consistent from unit to unit. I might try to do some more frequencies, but for me, the spots I usually want control over are 300, 700, and 1k and let the rest fall where they may.

 

[fig]

...the spots I usually want control over are 300, 700, and 1k...

And 300 hz is one I like. Now I know where it really is LOL.

My standby amp has the vertical eq sliders. I sometimes swap settings between that and the Subway. The info/pics you posted just helped with swapping accuracy.

I might try to do some more frequencies...

It'd be cool if Mesa added select freqs and position info on their website, maybe in the form of an updated user's manual or just a separate document. I think a fair amount of folk would be interested.

 

[pfschim]

And 300 hz is one I like. Now I know where it really is LOL.

My standby amp has the vertical eq sliders. I sometimes swap settings between that and the Subway. The info/pics you posted just helped with swapping accuracy.



It'd be cool if Mesa added select freqs and position info on their website, maybe in the form of an updated user's manual or just a separate document. I think a fair amount of folk would be interested.

It's not a huge deal but I'd also be interested in tighter freq position info for the WD800 for all the same reasons.
very interesting to see the measured vs assumed pics above.

I do use my ears as much as possible when setting EQ on any amp, but I agree it would be cooler to have a bit more granular depiction avail .. particularly given how far off the assumed was vs measured.

 

[Al Kraft]

Maybe when Andy gets back we can ask him if he has some handy frequency sweeps he could share.

 

[pfschim]

looks as if we're down to just a few more days until the old pony can return if he wishes to do so. So maybe we will be able to get some more info on the EQ points/sweeps on the WD800.

 

[scottfeldstein]

I would definitely have me a pair of those 112 cabs. No. I think instead I would have three of them.

 

[Stevorebob]

I would definitely have me a pair of those 112 cabs. No. I think instead I would have three of them.

They are pretty special.

 

[Snackulus]

Is anyone using a WD-800 for reggae/soul? I have a passive P-bass with flats & am currently using a genz Benz streamliner 900. However, I’m building a modular rig & need something 2ohm capable. Having trouble finding which subway amp will get me closest to the streamliner. I’ve spent the last couple of weeks looking at videos & reading threads. Based on the videos I could find, the standard D-800 seems like a good candidate. But I realize that this could be due to how the amps were being demo’d in the videos. Also, I’m aware the WD-800 is the only one with a tube-pre. So, I’m a bit confused.
I would appreciate any insight.
A lot of the videos are a stretch from the sound I usually go for, so it’s challenging to compare this way.

 

[redstrand]

Is anyone using a WD-800 for reggae/soul? I have a passive P-bass with flats & am currently using a genz Benz streamliner 900. However, I’m building a modular rig & need something 2ohm capable. Having trouble finding which subway amp will get me closest to the streamliner. I’ve spent the last couple of weeks looking at videos & reading threads. Based on the videos I could find, the standard D-800 seems like a good candidate. But I realize that this could be due to how the amps were being demo’d in the videos. Also, I’m aware the WD-800 is the only one with a tube-pre. So, I’m a bit confused.
I would appreciate any insight.
A lot of the videos are a stretch from the sound I usually go for, so it’s challenging to compare this way.

I have four songs I have written that are soul related, the WD absolutely dials in for that. you can get a deep fat tone. love the parametric eq for that. This will fit most any genre, just take the time to get used to it and you'll be happy. And yes I play a P with flats through it, sounds glorious

 

[IvanBassist]

Is anyone using a WD-800 for reggae/soul? I have a passive P-bass with flats & am currently using a genz Benz streamliner 900. However, I’m building a modular rig & need something 2ohm capable. Having trouble finding which subway amp will get me closest to the streamliner. I’ve spent the last couple of weeks looking at videos & reading threads. Based on the videos I could find, the standard D-800 seems like a good candidate. But I realize that this could be due to how the amps were being demo’d in the videos. Also, I’m aware the WD-800 is the only one with a tube-pre. So, I’m a bit confused.
I would appreciate any insight.
A lot of the videos are a stretch from the sound I usually go for, so it’s challenging to compare this way.

I can try to get some samples recorded during the weekend using my P-bass

 

[staccatogrowl]

@agedhorse Andy! Welcome back

 

[chupacerveza]

@agedhorse Andy! Welcome back

Nice!

 

[Leo was right]

Welcome back Andy!

 

[Lowendtech]

Andy’s back? I got questions.

 

[kobass]

Welcome back Andy!

 

[mmbongo]

@agedhorse Andy! Welcome back

Let's hope!

 

[murphy]

RED Carpet fully unrolled.....

waiting for the limousine!

Welcome back Andy