New mesa subway amps and cabs!

[DJ Bebop]

hopefully not a fuzzy avatar...

Golden Age Pickups for Jazz Bass, Set of 2 | stewmac.com

 

[thumbs&fingers]

 

[Ler]

About to take the WD800 for a spin through a Subway 210..

 

[jjk2007]

About to take the WD800 for a spin through a Subway 210..

So what’s the first impressions like??

 

[murphy]

I've never heard so much string and fret noise in a product demo

 

[theophilus762]

Recently picked up a Fearless F212 for my D800+ Wondering how the SW 2x15 would compare...This is exciting stuff! The WD800 sounds like a great option...may need to pick one up eventually.

 

[callmejs]

I've never heard so much string and fret noise in a product demo

Yikes... What happened?

 

[McFarlin]

I've never heard so much string and fret noise in a product demo

Yikes... What happened?

Are you listening through a phone, tablet, or laptop speaker?

 

[callmejs]

Are you listening through a phone, tablet, or laptop speaker?

When I first saw the video a few days ago, yes I did. Didn't comment because, well that's to be expected with crappy laptop speakers... As I saw the video again in the thread this morning, thought I'd take the time to audit the demo with proper speakers. More bass, but so much string noise, fret buzz and etc. Strange.

 

[DJ Bebop]

When I first saw the video a few days ago, yes I did. Didn't comment because, well that's to be expected with crappy laptop speakers... As I saw the video again in the thread this morning, thought I'd take the time to audit the demo with proper speakers. More bass, but so much string noise, fret buzz and etc. Strange.

I think maybe the room mic is picking up the bass itself, acoustically in the room, maybe...

 

[funkyjudge]

Correct, even I recognize that RS-232 is in its final hours

Can't say quite the same thing about the slide rule however... I was having coffee with a group of engineers this morning and we were in fact discussing the slide rules we used at the beginning of our careers. Some of us still have ours!

As do I.

 

[agedhorse]

I think maybe the room mic is picking up the bass itself, acoustically in the room, maybe...

There may be some of this, I believe the video used mostly room mic to give a better impression of what it sounded in the room.

With some of the comments being made, and different player tastes combined with variables in the video delivery system keep any video demos from being "gospel". I'm staring to wonder if it's worth the considerable effort and time taken to put these videos together that show the amp's depth of features and the relative differences between cabinets. There's a lot of information being presented aside from anybody's personal tone preference or playing style. Are you critics so good of a player that you can't put personal bias aside and take this for what it is?

 

[12bass]

With some of the comments being made, and different player tastes combined with variables in the video delivery system keep any video demos from being "gospel". I'm staring to wonder if it's worth the considerable effort and time taken to put these videos together that show the amp's depth of features and the relative differences between cabinets. There's a lot of information being presented aside from anybody's personal tone preference or playing style. Are you critics so good of a player that you can't put personal bias aside and take this for what it is?

I don't think it is about who is a better player so much as whether or not the demo is sufficient to allow potential buyers to get a good sense of what the amp and cabinets sound like. IMO, the amp demo was fine but the muted playing style used in the cabinet demo was not helpful in being able to hear the nuances of the different cabinets (not a style most people use or can identify with when thinking of themselves playing through the cabinets); plus the muting leaves out a lot of the spectral content of a bass, so they all just sound sort of "thumpy". Also, I don't think the comments about the demos were meant to be taken personally... just people's opinion on the utility of the demos, not a slight on the products or designer.

 

[nostatic]

There may be some of this, I believe the video used mostly room mic to give a better impression of what it sounded in the room.

With some of the comments being made, and different player tastes combined with variables in the video delivery system keep any video demos from being "gospel". I'm staring to wonder if it's worth the considerable effort and time taken to put these videos together that show the amp's depth of features and the relative differences between cabinets. There's a lot of information being presented aside from anybody's personal tone preference or playing style. Are you critics so good of a player that you can't put personal bias aside and take this for what it is?

This was actually a motivation for me doing a couple of videos demonstrating the D800+ and DI pedal. The players in the Mesa official videos have a particular technique and approach, I have a very different one. The Mesa videos, particularly the newest ones, are *very* well done, and as you point out, there is a lot of information going along with the playing. My goal was to sonically walk through the amp capabilities (with a looped line playing). Much lower aesthetic value than the Mesa video, but presenting different information from a different perspective.

Unless you guys want to product a half dozen videos for each product, each with different players (which is $$$), then I think the current approach is appropriate - a relatively younger player and having a lot of details in the text throughout the video. Better than having the player yammer on about this and that. Youtube has plenty of people "reviewing" gear who mostly like hearing their own voice

 

[redstrand]

Unlike the poster that seemed to dwell on the fret noise(which was only at the end), I got the gist of this is capable of and I do invite fret noise, buzz and finger noise...we all do it and it shows what is sounds like. Only thing I would want is a fuller para eq part to get into it...hell who am I kidding? I know I'm ordering one after the first of the year and will enjoy it. Thank you Andy and Mesa

 

[57pbass]

I found the WD800 demonstration very helpful. I don’t use Mesa cabs ( yet ) and don’t play like the guy in the video so I focused on the amp features.
I was very interested in hearing the results of the different features being rolled in and out and this demonstration did a great job of that.

It would be great if there was an “industry standard” procedure but it’s probably impossible with so many variables.

I recently saw a demo of an Eden WTDI pedal that used a loop and each dial was operated.. it was well done and helpful.. I’m trying to find it but haven’t yet.

 

[Al Kraft]

I found the WD800 demonstration very helpful. I don’t use Mesa cabs ( yet ) and don’t play like the guy in the video so I focused on the amp features.
I was very interested in hearing the results of the different features being rolled in and out and this demonstration did a great job of that.

It would be great if there was an “industry standard” procedure but it’s probably impossible with so many variables.

I recently saw a demo of an Eden WTDI pedal that used a loop and each dial was operated.. it was well done and helpful.. I’m trying to find it but haven’t yet.

I had nothing to do with the video and I play a little different style (and not quite as well) as the gent doing it, but my feeling is that it really showcased a lot of the head's capability that I was able to discover firsthand while beta testing the prototype. I liked how the features were demonstrated and can honestly say it's an accurate representation of what I heard in my time playing it.

While I didn't get quite as much out of the new cab demo, I constantly have to remind myself that there are a lot of different styles and genres of music we bass players support, and as long as I can accurately hear what the product will deliver, that's all that counts. I appreciate the time taken to produce these videos and how they provide not just playing, but some explanation of the product design and features.

 

[Al Kraft]

There may be some of this, I believe the video used mostly room mic to give a better impression of what it sounded in the room.

With some of the comments being made, and different player tastes combined with variables in the video delivery system keep any video demos from being "gospel". I'm staring to wonder if it's worth the considerable effort and time taken to put these videos together that show the amp's depth of features and the relative differences between cabinets. There's a lot of information being presented aside from anybody's personal tone preference or playing style. Are you critics so good of a player that you can't put personal bias aside and take this for what it is?

I'll bet if you took a poll, the overwhelming majority would want you all to continue with these informative videos. Now if you asked what style of music they should feature, my guess is that it would be all over the map. IMO though, good musicians can listen through "style of playing" and learn something useful (albeit not everything) about the gear being played.

I liked the older PH cab videos (with Tien Lawrence and Al Kamai) and the Subway release videos even more. I think the WD-800 video is an accurate reflection of what that head has to offer and it would be very useful to me if I did not already know that head inside and out.

 

[57pbass]

I had nothing to do with the video and I play a little different style (and not quite as well) as the gent doing it, but my feeling is that it really showcased a lot of the head's capability that I was able to discover firsthand while beta testing the prototype. I liked how the features were demonstrated and can honestly say it's as an accurate representation of what I heard in my time playing it.

While I didn't get quite as much out of the new cab demo, I constantly have to remind myself that there are a lot of different styles and genres of music we bass players support, and as long as I can accurately hear what the product will deliver, that's all that counts. I appreciate the time taken to produce these videos and how they provide not just playing, but some explanation of the product s design and features.

Exactly Al.. It’s impossible to quantify sounds ( or talent ) since amps sound different from room to room and all of the other variables that go into the equation.

The great news is that my WD800 arrives tomorrow and I will road test it with my reference speaker - Bag End single 12.

 

[Al Kraft]

Exactly Al.. It’s impossible to quantify sounds ( or talent ) since amps sound different from room to room and all of the other variables that go into the equation.

The great news is that my WD800 arrives tomorrow and I will road test it with my reference speaker - Bag End single 12.

I hope you enjoy your first test drive with it it as much as I did and look forward to hearing your impressions.