New mesa subway amps and cabs!

[Jim C]

Interesting thought, as the WD800 does have a bit of what I consider "GK tone" in it compared to the D800/+. With the modern GK heads (I had an MB Fusion), in my hands I found I needed to cut the treble and high mid a fair amount to get my "starting tone". They are edgy to me set flat. By contrast the D800/+ is somewhat "laid back" (some say dark) to my ear. The WD800 sits in-between, and turns out for what I'm trying to get tonally at the moment, is pretty much a perfect fit.

+1 on on GK Fusion; it's way too bright for a pocket player with a P bass
I have the treble at about 8:00 and the high mids dialed back a bit; these amps could cut glass with the available high end
Not that this is a big problem but the control gets touchy when you are this far back in the range

 

[Jim C]

Maybe not a fair question:
Subway 800+ has 2 bands of quasi parametric EQ; the WD800 has 3 bands
The WD also has a passive mid control and the damping control
From what you guys have described, the inherent voicing has alot more to do with the differences than just the EQ shaping capabilites

My question is whether the above statement is true, and, assuming very similar EQ's, how would you describe those differnces with the baked in "voice" for these two?

 

[Doug Parent]

Maybe not a fair question:
Subway 800+ has 2 bands of quasi parametric EQ; the WD800 has 3 bands
The WD also has a passive mid control and the damping control
From what you guys have described, the inherent voicing has alot more to do with the differences than just the EQ shaping capabilites

My question is whether the above statement is true, and, assuming very similar EQ's, how would you describe those differnces with the baked in "voice" for these two?

The WD800 has more detail and texture and "graininess" (if needed) The D800+ is more like a quick dry somewhat pointed tone and wider low warmth by quick turn of the voicing control.

 

[detracti]

Well, I don't care what anyone says, WD-800 vs this, that the other.. this right here is a thing of utter and complete beauty. Sounds just perfect to my ears.

Now, if only I could find a rock n blues band to be in, so I could get playing out. That'd be just about perfect.

 

[NIN8185]

The manual for the WD800 says it's okay to have the "limiter" light on 25% of the time. What exactly constitutes 25%? Flashing two times every ten seconds? Or A steady 2.5 sec. solid flash?

The tone/volume I am looking for is right when the limiter starts flashing when i attack on the lower notes. Depending on the groove that could be alot or few flashes from the limiter. Manual states the soft clip can be desirable, which it is, but not quite sure how much is too much as 25% seems rather vague.

Is it safe to play a heavy section with multiple quick flashes as long as the limiter doesn't glow solid for a whole second. While it eases of in other song sections?

 

[agedhorse]

25% of the time means say 2.5 seconds on out of 10 seconds or 2.5 minutes on out of 10 minutes.

Add up the time of the flashing being on and you have the approximate on time.

 

[Leo was right]

The WD and new cabs look great! Looking forward to trying the WD and comparing to my BB750 (I assume less aggressive, but hopefully as warm sounding). Cabs are $$$, but that 2x15 is pretty tempting.

Hi, I didn't have the chance to try the WD800 but I have the bb750. Do you had the chance to compare yet? Impression?

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I have taken a liking to the clean / fat tone of the WD800 into my 112/115 Subway stack.
Sparkle with Cobalt flats
Settings:
Both tweeters nearly off.
2 Ohm setting,
Low damping
Master dimed.
Input volume for volume
HPF @ 9:00
Bass slightly bumped
Passive mids @2:00
Treble noon.
Crisp and articulate BIG, 3D.

 

[Gab124]

I have had several rehearsals now with the WD. The tone as others have said is very clear and depending on other gear also bright. I find it to have a pronounced higher-mid / mid-mid presence. I also find it very flexable as well. As mentioned, it doesn't have that "bedroom tone" as a signature sound, but could be tweaked out out of it. This weekend was first show with it. Went post DI without any crazy settings on it, no pedals. Sadowsky PJ5 with a very small bass boost, almost off, treble was off. Fantastic tone, wonderful through PA. Sound is hard to describe as all of us know. I won't use "cut" in mix, as it didn't cut so much as It sat in the mix with a full, textured tone that was articulate and warm. Very responsive to plucking and hand position. Very dynamic. I usually pan slightly to the bridge pup for clarity, but found I could go way over to the neck p-pup and maintain definition while getting all the benefits of that pickup. Very cool.
It has an aggressiveness to it that can be eq'ed out, or embraced if that is the goal. I like the versatility and am looking forward to more experiments, as it is a keeper for me.

 

[mesaplayer83]

This is why I think a lot of us who are drawn to Mesa products are also either current or former GK users. I own and enjoy GK gear for exactly the reasons you mentioned here about how it performs on stage at a gig. By sacrificing a little on the living room sound front, what you get in return is performance optimized for real work.

To me Mesa has always had a a lot of that same thinking designed in, but seemed to be a little less sterile sounding and had a voicing that was very appealing to me. The new Subway line offers that same optimized performance on a gig quality in multiple designs, voicings and features.

While the WD-800 isn't simply an 800 Watt WA as many had hoped for, I find it to be hitting the mark for me based on what I would have wanted a high powered WA to be able to do in mix. The trade off was giving up some of the compression and bloom and getting a little more clarity/definition to the notes. While that isn't going to give me the exact living room or small gig original WA sound, I feel like it does solve problems that kept my original WA's from being great performers on larger gigs.

I listen from a total mix perspective with an audience in mind when I buy gear and adjust to having a little more crispness/sterile focus on stage than I might otherwise like. I'm sure that approach doesn't work for everyone and that's just one more reason why it's great to have so many brands offering so many choices.

+1 on all of the above - my bass amp progression went from Peavey to G-K to Mesa and Genz-Benz... I also use the D800's Voicing knob the same way I used the Contour knob on my G-Ks - tweaked to sit in the mix the way I want it...

 

[Saluki]

25% of the time means say 2.5 seconds on out of 10 seconds or 2.5 minutes on out of 10 minutes.

Add up the time of the flashing being on and you have the approximate on time.

Sounds like math. So how many ands can I blink on the following and be safe? one and two and three and...or one e and a two e and a three e?

Remember, I can barely chew gum, count and play at the same time..

 

[agedhorse]

Don't worry so much about it. The light should be off more than it should be on.

 

[Wood and Wire]

Sounds like math. So how many ands can I blink on the following and be safe? one and two and three and...or one e and a two e and a three e?

Remember, I can barely chew gum, count and play at the same time..

Play sets of 12 songs - you can have the limiter lit up for 3 whole songs, but that's your limit!

 

[dukeorock]

Sheesh, I’m a Mesa endorser and just now noticed the WD800?!
To be fair, I’ve had such good luck with my D800 that I’ve not given amps much thought. Been my daily driver for a few trouble free years and probably at least 600-700 gigs. That said, I gotta try one of these WD’s

 

[agedhorse]

Sheesh, I’m a Mesa endorser and just now noticed the WD800?!
To be fair, I’ve had such good luck with my D800 that I’ve not given amps much thought. Been my daily driver for a few trouble free years and probably at least 600-700 gigs. That said, I gotta try one of these WD’s

So much for class D amps not being reliable, right?

 

[dukeorock]

So much for class D amps not being reliable, right?

I quickly burned up so many class D amps before getting my D800, I could have easily been of that opinion. My D800 has been an absolute stud, even after tons of van tours where gear ain’t exactly babied
I’ll be trying a WD800 ASAP. You know, I’ve been touring your designs for like 12 years or more now. I guess it goes without saying, I’m a fan

 

[agedhorse]

I quickly burned up so many class D amps before getting my D800, I could have easily been of that opinion. My D800 has been an absolute stud, even after tons of van tours where gear ain’t exactly babied
I’ll be trying a WD800 ASAP. You know, I’ve been touring your designs for like 12 years or more now. I guess it goes without saying, I’m a fan

I'm glad that you are dispelling the myth that "all" class D amps are wimpy and unreliable. Thanks!

 

[dukeorock]

I'm glad that you are dispelling the myth that "all" class D amps are wimpy and unreliable. Thanks!

Actually, you dispelled the myth with your designs. I’m just sharing my experience as a touring musician. Much love for your work!

 

[rodl2005]

I quickly burned up so many class D amps before getting my D800, I could have easily been of that opinion. My D800 has been an absolute stud, even after tons of van tours where gear ain’t exactly babied
I’ll be trying a WD800 ASAP. You know, I’ve been touring your designs for like 12 years or more now. I guess it goes without saying, I’m a fan

That's good, with class D amps, you need a fan!

 

[agedhorse]

That's good, with class D amps, you need a fan!

Class D topologies need a fan less than just about any other amp topology, but a properly placed fan with just the right amount of airflow (read as not too much) in the proper places is all it takes.