Official Mesa Boogie Subway Series Club

[Element Zero]

Thanks for sharing. Who, in their right mind, would trade this in?!!!

I think I may have an issue with my WD-800, a recent acquisition from Cream City Music that was a demo unit. I’ve done two gigs and multiple rehearsals with it and it seems to have a lower than normal volume output. At both gigs (same room) I had to run both the gain and master at about 3 o’clock to get barely enough usable volume. No amount of EQ/settings/knob tweaking seemed to help…and we are not a loud band.

In our 20 x 20 rehearsal space, I’m running both gain and master at about 1 o’clock to get to barely usable practice levels. Cabs in almost all cases are Subway 210 stacked on a Subway 115 (one time just the 115). Last night I busted out my yet-unused Orange Little Bass Thing (500 watts into 4 ohms) for rehearsal and I only needed the master on 9 o’clock to exceed what the WD-800 has been putting out. Other guys in the band were amazed at the difference and all stated that they always thought the Mesa sounded “muddy” and “flat”, but they absolutely love the Orange.

Any thoughts from any of you Mesa users? Something is definitely not right, and I really want to like the Mesa…

somethin ain’t right. Call customer service and they’ll help you get it sorted out, or take it back to where you bought it. Just as a side note too, you can’t compare knob positions with other amps.

 

[agedhorse]

somethin ain’t right. Call customer service and they’ll help you get it sorted out, or take it back to where you bought it. Just as a side note too, you can’t compare knob positions with other amps.

Agreed, something isn’t right.

Possible causes besides a problem with the amp are:

1. operating a lower output bass with the amp’s input set to active mode.

2. operating with a device in the effects loop that requires a gain reduction to prevent clipping the device but doesn’t have adequate makeup gain.

Give customer service a call on Monday (we are closed Fridays) and we will get it sorted out.

 

[Bergerman]

Agreed, something isn’t right.

Possible causes besides a problem with the amp are:

1. operating a lower output bass with the amp’s input set to active mode.

2. operating with a device in the effects loop that requires a gain reduction to prevent clipping the device but doesn’t have adequate makeup gain.

Give customer service a call on Monday (we are closed Fridays) and we will get it sorted out.

Thanks Andy…I’ll do just that. Neither 1 or 2 apply, so I’m afraid there may be a problem with the unit after all. I confident that Team Mesa can get it squared away, though!

 

[Chuck M]

This is most odd. I also have a D-800 and it would be over the top loud at the settings you are using. I just received a new D-800+ and it seems to be like what you are describing on your D-800. It sounds great, certainly not "muddy", but it takes a noticeably higher setting on the master to get the volume I get on my D-800.

I got mine sorted out. It was operator error. An adjustment of the voicing control took care of things for me. I hope you get your amp working properly. I also have a D-800 and it is a killer head. Mine is very loud and so easy to use. The Plus takes some getting use to as it has a much more detailed EQ system. The Plus is like the "Swiss Army Knife" of the Subway heads. I just needed to spend more time with it to get it dialed in. Funny thing....the manual tells you how to do that!

 

[smogg]

I got mine sorted out. It was operator error. An adjustment of the voicing control took care of things for me. I hope you get your amp working properly. I also have a D-800 and it is a killer head. Mine is very loud and so easy to use. The Plus takes some getting use to as it has a much more detailed EQ system. The Plus is like the "Swiss Army Knife" of the Subway heads. I just needed to spend more time with it to get it dialed in. Funny thing....the manual tells you how to do that!

What adjustment did you make to the voicing control? Was the voicing turned up too much scooping out too much mids? Curious minds want to know.

edit for spelling

 

[joel406]

I think I may have an issue with my WD-800, a recent acquisition from Cream City Music that was a demo unit. I’ve done two gigs and multiple rehearsals with it and it seems to have a lower than normal volume output. At both gigs (same room) I had to run both the gain and master at about 3 o’clock to get barely enough usable volume. No amount of EQ/settings/knob tweaking seemed to help…and we are not a loud band.

In our 20 x 20 rehearsal space, I’m running both gain and master at about 1 o’clock to get to barely usable practice levels. Cabs in almost all cases are Subway 210 stacked on a Subway 115 (one time just the 115). Last night I busted out my yet-unused Orange Little Bass Thing (500 watts into 4 ohms) for rehearsal and I only needed the master on 9 o’clock to exceed what the WD-800 has been putting out. Other guys in the band were amazed at the difference and all stated that they always thought the Mesa sounded “muddy” and “flat”, but they absolutely love the Orange.

Any thoughts from any of you Mesa users? Something is definitely not right, and I really want to like the Mesa…

Check the impedance switch on the back. Make sure it's set correctly. If you're running a 4 or 8 ohm load being set at 2ohms cuts your power back.

 

[Bergerman]

Check the impedance switch on the back. Make sure it's set correctly. If you're running a 4 or 8 ohm load being set at 2ohms cuts your power back.

Yep…checked that…switch is in the correct position. Wish that would have been it!

 

[benzoid77]

Hey,
Anyone running a Darkglass Harmonic Booster in front of their D-800+?

I'm trying to get a little fuller sound out of my Stingray Special 5. Just wondering if anyone uses one or if I can get the same type of sound from the amp if I dig a little deeper.

Thanks!

Not exactly: I used to play with the Harmonic Booster in front of my D-800. It gave me just an extra bit of EQ flexibility and I really liked the sound.

Then I sold my D-800 and upgraded to the D-800+. I found quickly that the Harmonic Booster wasn't necessary to get the sound I was looking for, so I took it off my board.

FWIW I'm playing 4-string. The Harmonic Booster is a great pedal, so I'm sure you'll have fun experimenting.

 

[Chuck M]

What adjustment did you make to the voicing control? Was the voicing turned up too much scooping out too much mids? Curious minds want to know.

edit for spelling

I needed to turn it up.

 

[murphy]

Not exactly: I used to play with the Harmonic Booster in front of my D-800. It gave me just an extra bit of EQ flexibility and I really liked the sound.

Then I sold my D-800 and upgraded to the D-800+. I found quickly that the Harmonic Booster wasn't necessary to get the sound I was looking for, so I took it off my board.

FWIW I'm playing 4-string. The Harmonic Booster is a great pedal, so I'm sure you'll have fun experimenting.

I am shocked..Music Man Bass boost...D-800 Deep switch and Bass control do not get enough Oomph!

I use a VTBass Di preamp pedal to get more out of my D-800....plus distortion
But not necessary in front of my D-800Plus...except for only distortion

 

[DJ Bebop]

Thanks Andy…I’ll do just that. Neither 1 or 2 apply, so I’m afraid there may be a problem with the unit after all. I confident that Team Mesa can get it squared away, though!

Tube?
I think gustobassman was having problems with his WD, tube i think. Lack of volume, tone.

Here and before:
Official Mesa Boogie Subway Series Club
Official Mesa Boogie Subway Series Club

 

[PhinDog]

I am shocked..Music Man Bass boost...D-800 Deep switch and Bass control do not get enough Oomph!

I use a VTBass Di preamp pedal to get more out of my D-800....plus distortion
But not necessary in front of my D-800Plus...except for only distortion

I got mine sorted out. It was operator error. An adjustment of the voicing control took care of things for me. I hope you get your amp working properly. I also have a D-800 and it is a killer head. Mine is very loud and so easy to use. The Plus takes some getting use to as it has a much more detailed EQ system. The Plus is like the "Swiss Army Knife" of the Subway heads. I just needed to spend more time with it to get it dialed in. Funny thing....the manual tells you how to do that!

So right! I just re-read the manual this week on the plus and @agedhorse and the Mesa team put it together really well and simple. I was adding the Voicing last instead of first. Made a big difference. I'm driving the input a little more at about 2:30 (not quite making the O/D light flicker but adding some smoothness), I haven't tried the "set the volume at 1:00 and using the gain as the master volume yet".

 

[PhinDog]

Not exactly: I used to play with the Harmonic Booster in front of my D-800. It gave me just an extra bit of EQ flexibility and I really liked the sound.

Then I sold my D-800 and upgraded to the D-800+. I found quickly that the Harmonic Booster wasn't necessary to get the sound I was looking for, so I took it off my board.

FWIW I'm playing 4-string. The Harmonic Booster is a great pedal, so I'm sure you'll have fun experimenting.

Thanks! Yeah I'll give it a go. The Empress Bass Compressor I had, added a little zest/sparkle to my passive basses, that I'm hoping to get from the HB , but I had to sell it to get the SRS5. Writing that, I should probably just save up a little more and get another Empress. But GAS is real and YouTube is the dealer these days.

 

[gustobassman]

I think I may have an issue with my WD-800, a recent acquisition from Cream City Music that was a demo unit. I’ve done two gigs and multiple rehearsals with it and it seems to have a lower than normal volume output. At both gigs (same room) I had to run both the gain and master at about 3 o’clock to get barely enough usable volume. No amount of EQ/settings/knob tweaking seemed to help…and we are not a loud band.

In our 20 x 20 rehearsal space, I’m running both gain and master at about 1 o’clock to get to barely usable practice levels. Cabs in almost all cases are Subway 210 stacked on a Subway 115 (one time just the 115). Last night I busted out my yet-unused Orange Little Bass Thing (500 watts into 4 ohms) for rehearsal and I only needed the master on 9 o’clock to exceed what the WD-800 has been putting out. Other guys in the band were amazed at the difference and all stated that they always thought the Mesa sounded “muddy” and “flat”, but they absolutely love the Orange.

Any thoughts from any of you Mesa users? Something is definitely not right, and I really want to like the Mesa…

Tube?
I think gustobassman was having problems with his WD, tube i think. Lack of volume, tone.

Here and before:
Official Mesa Boogie Subway Series Club
Official Mesa Boogie Subway Series Club

Do you have an extra tube handy? Made a world of difference in mine, but I have no idea if that will help you or not. @agedhorse will have the best answer, my technical advice doesn't come with an extended warranty

 

[agedhorse]

It possible that the tube is defective.

 

[2milehighspike]

Thanks! Yeah I'll give it a go. The Empress Bass Compressor I had, added a little zest/sparkle to my passive basses, that I'm hoping to get from the HB , but I had to sell it to get the SRS5. Writing that, I should probably just save up a little more and get another Empress. But GAS is real and YouTube is the dealer these days.

That Empress Bass Compressor is the shizzle!!! IT certainly isn't necessary, but it sure is noticeable when its not on. It just opens up the tone and added with the WD tone stack while being pushed by the Stingray it really is impressive.

 

[Addison]

@agedhorse - Question: I'm just curious as to whether any polling or marketing studies have been done to see how TT-800 owners use their heads.

Do they tend to stay in one channel over the other?

Do they like to switch back and forth?

You can probably already tell this is a loaded question, but I just have to tell you how much I love this amp and how many compliments I've received since I got it. But if I had the option to purchase an amp with only the BOOGIE® Channel, I would be ALL OVER THAT.

That channel is by far the sickest, phattest, stankiest Class D configuration I've ever had the joy of playing through.

I guess there's no harm in having that other channel - but I don't see myself ever using it for anything and it'd be interesting to know the user spread of who likes what channel and how often they switch, etc.

 

[spiritbass]

If I had the option to purchase an amp with only the BOOGIE® Channel, I would be ALL OVER THAT.

That channel is by far the sickest, phattest, stankiest Class D configuration I've ever had the joy of playing through.

Stirs your gravy, huh?

 

[roccobass]

@agedhorse - Question: I'm just curious as to whether any polling or marketing studies have been done to see how TT-800 owners use their heads.

Do they tend to stay in one channel over the other?

Do they like to switch back and forth?

You can probably already tell this is a loaded question, but I just have to tell you how much I love this amp and how many compliments I've received since I got it. But if I had the option to purchase an amp with only the BOOGIE® Channel, I would be ALL OVER THAT.

That channel is by far the sickest, phattest, stankiest Class D configuration I've ever had the joy of playing through.

I guess there's no harm in having that other channel - but I don't see myself ever using it for anything and it'd be interesting to know the user spread of who likes what channel and how often they switch, etc.

Stirs your gravy, huh?

Welcome aboard, my sons!

 

[spiritbass]

Welcome aboard, my sons!

View attachment 4650904

Excellent ripost!