New mesa subway amps and cabs!

[4stringmf]

View attachment 3247744

FRAJEEELAY

Must be Italian?

 

[thumbs&fingers]

Unit is way smaller and lighter than I realized. Technology has progressed insanely in the last 7-10 years

 

[amper]

I feel like I've said that to myself a few times before...

...and each time it probably felt as true as it will the next time.

This is of course, true. But, I don't really see bass amps getting smaller and lighter than these, or perhaps more to the point, I don't think I'd ever need a bass amp to be smaller or lighter, and cabs are cabs. The Mesa Subway series cabs are about as light as I can imagine a loudspeaker system could be and still be durable.

And as far as sound is concerned, well, amps haven't really gotten *better* sounding in the past 25 years. The Trace Elliot I bought 25 years ago was fantastic, and really not much heavier than my current 13 lb. Walkabout. If I'd never gone through several rounds of amp purchases, I'd still have a great-sounding Trace Elliot Series 6.

The reason I downsized from the Trace Elliot V-Type and two cabs to my current Walkabout Scout 12 is because I simply can't carry those beasts, any longer. I just turned 50, and 5 years ago, I permanently injured my right knee, plus I've got a permanently damaged lumbar disc that acts up from time to time. Carrying 200+ lbs. of bass guitars and gear to a gig can't happen for me, anymore.

But, a 7 lb Subway WD-800 and two 38 lb 1x15 cabs? That I can do, easily. Even the 60 lb 2x15 is lighter than my Mesa F-50 1x12 combo guitar amp, and only 5 lbs heavier than my Walkabout Scout 12 combo, which at 55 lbs including the head, I can pick up with one arm, even with my bad back and bad knee.

There is no gig I can imagine playing that would require me to have more than a WD-800 and two 1x15s or a 2x15. Frankly, at this point, there's really no gigs I'm playing that require more than my Scout 12, but if I do go back to playing in a loud rock band, the Scout 12 doesn't *quite* give me the oomph I want.

 

[Mastermold]

Tried one yesterday. Different animal. No voicing control but plenty of EQ control. I like the passive mid control more than I thought I would. Another fine way to skin a cat. Nice work Andy. Hard to say if this would directly replace my 800+ amp head however I do need the new 800+ preamp DI pedal for my rack rig and QSC cabs. hmmmmm. decisions decisions.

Where did you try one? Are they in stores now?

 

[hennessybass]

This is of course, true. But, I don't really see bass amps getting smaller and lighter than these, or perhaps more to the point, I don't think I'd ever need a bass amp to be smaller or lighter, and cabs are cabs. The Mesa Subway series cabs are about as light as I can imagine a loudspeaker system could be and still be durable.

And as far as sound is concerned, well, amps haven't really gotten *better* sounding in the past 25 years. The Trace Elliot I bought 25 years ago was fantastic, and really not much heavier than my current 13 lb. Walkabout. If I'd never gone through several rounds of amp purchases, I'd still have a great-sounding Trace Elliot Series 6.

The reason I downsized from the Trace Elliot V-Type and two cabs to my current Walkabout Scout 12 is because I simply can't carry those beasts, any longer. I just turned 50, and 5 years ago, I permanently injured my right knee, plus I've got a permanently damaged lumbar disc that acts up from time to time. Carrying 200+ lbs. of bass guitars and gear to a gig can't happen for me, anymore.

But, a 7 lb Subway WD-800 and two 38 lb 1x15 cabs? That I can do, easily. Even the 60 lb 2x15 is lighter than my Mesa F-50 1x12 combo guitar amp, and only 5 lbs heavier than my Walkabout Scout 12 combo, which at 55 lbs including the head, I can pick up with one arm, even with my bad back and bad knee.

There is no gig I can imagine playing that would require me to have more than a WD-800 and two 1x15s or a 2x15. Frankly, at this point, there's really no gigs I'm playing that require more than my Scout 12, but if I do go back to playing in a loud rock band, the Scout 12 doesn't *quite* give me the oomph I want.

I agree about not seeing bass amps getting smaller or lighter. The 800+ and WD800 are examples where they got a little bigger. I think the TH700 that just came out is a little bigger than the TH500. I think there is some kind of tipping point there involving power and features vs small and light. I think some of the really, really tiny stuff is a little gimmicky, IMO, and probably geared to a particular audience. I think most dudes don't mind an amp that is a little bigger and heavier... it's still not a 35 pound led sled or 80 pound big tube head.

I do have to disagree about bass amps not getting better sounding over the past 25 years. Sure, there are old classics that can't be beat and will always be classics, but I think there there have been improvements in other areas. Especially seen over the past decade with the Class D stuff. Think about the way that you can push a lot of amps into clipping now and it actually sounds good, and not like the amp is just clipping or like you are running some kind of wanna-be tube simulation. There are a few standouts in my mind that have made some big leaps forward.

What I do see getting better, smaller and lighter are PreAmp/DIs, like the 800+ DI, Noble, etc. And Powered cabs, like the QSC K stuff (which I think three guys in this thread have mentioned they are going to be using with a 800+ DI).

 

[Doug Parent]

Where did you try one? Are they in stores now?

Bass San Diego.

 

[agedhorse]

Regarding size, there is a practical minimum size that goes hand in hand with the space each feature, knob, switch and jack take up. I am very aware of the need to be able to operate the controls with normal size fingers. This is the only reason the D-800+ is larger than the D-800.

 

[nostatic]

Regarding size, there is a practical minimum size that goes hand in hand with the space each feature, knob, switch and jack take up. I am very aware of the need to be able to operate the controls with normal size fingers. This is the only reason the D-800+ is larger than the D-800.

Cell phone designers figured that out in the early 00's. Turns out ergonomics count.

 

[Lovep]

I just placed on order for the Subway+ preamp! I'm excited for its arrival. I guess I'm fully on the Subway train. I love the SW15 matched with my Darkglass MT900!

Looks like there is a pedal that matches both the D800 and D800+. Is there any future in a WD800 pedal (i.e. true tube preamp with Subway+ features)??

 

[Lowendtech]

. Is there any future in a WD800 pedal (i.e. true tube preamp with Subway+ features)??

My pants feel funny.

 

[agedhorse]

Looks like there is a pedal that matches both the D800 and D800+. Is there any future in a WD800 pedal (i.e. true tube preamp with Subway+ features)??

Not at this time, it would be an awfully large pedal and would probably not be a very good fit on a pedal board.

That said, I'm always listening to what you guys might be interested in. You saw what happened the last time I asked this

 

[Lovep]

Not at this time, it would be an awfully large pedal and would probably not be a very good fit on a pedal board.

That said, I'm always listening to what you guys might be interested in. You saw what happened the last time I asked this

Thanks for the quick response!

Two Notes Le Bass did it! Granted the pedal is huge. I could imagine the great minds at Mesa could do it and add all the features basses need (i.e. based on Subway+). Just dreaming...

 

[Lowendtech]

Not at this time, it would be an awfully large pedal and would probably not be a very good fit on a pedal board.

That said, I'm always listening to what you guys might be interested in. You saw what happened the last time I asked this

Double like

 

[sludgetail]

The new cabs all get me very excited... I've played through most all of 'em, and was one of the kids starving in high school saving my lunch money for a better rig... the D800+ and subway cabs are a dream come true to me. Can't get enough of 'em and haven't found 1 sound I can't dial-in.

Here's some #bassporn and #ampporn

 

[4stringmf]

Not at this time, it would be an awfully large pedal and would probably not be a very good fit on a pedal board.

That said, I'm always listening to what you guys might be interested in. You saw what happened the last time I asked this

I would have absolutely no problem with some in these sizes...or even bigger. Wouldn't care if it could fit on a board or not (most likely, on top of the cab)

I have this tube driver.....and I think the huge size of it gives it character

 

[Hot Rats]

View attachment 3247858

That is sick.

 

[sludgetail]

That is sick.

Thx brother!! Much love sent

 

[Wood and Wire]

Have you tried any different cabinets yet?

Apologies if you've been asked / answered this question, to the point of insanity :

As the designer of this new system, what is your stance on mixing the various cabinet types, available in your new range?

Any particular recommendations, in terms of what to strive for, and what to avoid?

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Not at this time, it would be an awfully large pedal and would probably not be a very good fit on a pedal board.

That said, I'm always listening to what you guys might be interested in. You saw what happened the last time I asked this

And the outcome of the previous " what do you want to see in a compact head" inquiry provided me with 3 years of tonal Bliss. Thanks Andy

 

[agedhorse]

Thanks for the quick response!

Two Notes Le Bass did it! Granted the pedal is huge. I could imagine the great minds at Mesa could do it and add all the features basses need (i.e. based on Subway+). Just dreaming...

Well yes, kinda-sorta, but it is quite large, and doesn't even come close to the number of controls and jacks on the WD-800. I'm afraid something larger would not fit most pedalboards.