• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Official Mesa Boogie Subway Series Club

The voicing control will scoop the mids and add a deep low end. Then you can start reducing the high end to start rounding off the tone.

Don't discount the passive controls on the bass. I use the tone control a lot, and not just full on or off. Gradations are IMO very noticable with a jazz through a d800+.

Other amps sound spectacular through subway cabs. IMO the cabs are the main, most important thing.
 
I guess in a nutshell I lean towards a warm mid scoop sound. It seems that’s always my default sound even when recording vocals.

Is the Mesa Subway D800+ just not the head for me? I figured even if the D800+ was a more sterile sound I could surely get close. Maybe not?

Not giving up yet.

what is it telling me if the amp sounds better to me with Jazz volumes and tone set at 3/4? Stock Jazz pups aren’t hot?
The 800+ is probably the most versatile of the subway heads.
If you used a WT Eden head in the past be aware that almost zero of that tone is from the tube. (I have detailed files). The Eden WT is a “warm” sounding preamp, almost to the point of being muffled compared to more accurate amps.

having said that, I have Zero problem with a J getting the same vibe from the D800+ (almost all of my basses are Jazzes these days).

read the manual, try the voicing knob (start at all the way off or to the left). I’m betting around 1:00 o clock with a slight bass boost gets you close.

it shouldn’t be necessary to have your volumes down on the bass, the tone knob is a different story.

the semi parametric midrange bands are very powerful and with some experimentation you should be able to find any areas you feel need to be boosted or cut.
 
I guess in a nutshell I lean towards a warm mid scoop sound. It seems that’s always my default sound even when recording vocals.

Is the Mesa Subway D800+ just not the head for me? I figured even if the D800+ was a more sterile sound I could surely get close. Maybe not?

Not giving up yet.

what is it telling me if the amp sounds better to me with Jazz volumes and tone set at 3/4? Stock Jazz pups aren’t hot?

With Jazz using both pickups wide open should give a somewhat natural mid scoop;
Tweet on Cab at -2db to off should allow you to have tone 100% along with volume[maybe tweeter on amp -2 also]
All tone controls to neutral and HPF approx 50hz Voicing off
set lo mid frequency to approx 350- 400hz and lo mid gain approx -2 to -4
See how that sounds if not warm enough turn Bass control up slightly and slowly and tweeter down the same
then use voicing to find other tones

You may have already been at setting I am giving you since you seem to have tried to get what you want

Also you may consider that previous setup your brain has adjusted it to be 'sound in your head'

Similar to someone who always puts Salt and Pepper on good properly spiced food and tries it without and hates it but after a few meals without then adds salt and pepper and noticed degradation of taste when added:)

The TT-800 suggestion gives you more options and something similar to 800+ with a Tube pre

I have a WD-800 and 1x15 and its great for me but I wouldn't call it mid scooped or warm and fuzzy
 
Mute isn't going to matter, as I said earlier.

The noise should be lower for the same settings on the Subway channel. Also, using the bright switch will add a little noise as well, as will boosting the treble controls.

I assume you mean 1:00 or 2:00? How loud is your bass at that level?
Yes 1or 2..Passive bass with high gain switch on(tt800) is a pretty good volume,(no bright) deep switch on... low gain amp setting the overall volume is not very loud overall.....yes subway master noise is a bit quieter
 
The 800+ is probably the most versatile of the subway heads.
If you used a WT Eden head in the past be aware that almost zero of that tone is from the tube. (I have detailed files). The Eden WT is a “warm” sounding preamp, almost to the point of being muffled compared to more accurate amps.

having said that, I have Zero problem with a J getting the same vibe from the D800+ (almost all of my basses are Jazzes these days).

read the manual, try the voicing knob (start at all the way off or to the left). I’m betting around 1:00 o clock with a slight bass boost gets you close.

it shouldn’t be necessary to have your volumes down on the bass, the tone knob is a different story.

the semi parametric midrange bands are very powerful and with some experimentation you should be able to find any areas you feel need to be boosted or cut.
I know you had a TT. I’ve watched the vids which were great. That being said, my experience with the TT is different. I have been able to get a vast variety of tones out of it. But it does take a lot of time to work through. I love it.

I also have a M6 Carbine. I found the perfect tone for my way too many Thunderbirds within a couple hours. The mids selector switch makes it simple.
 
As someone who stupidly sold their d800+ in a moment of reality induced poverty, what would you guys recommend as a replacement as I now have some spare funds.
Tt800 or wd800?
I liked the d800+ but I would like to try something different
Depends on your tone goals. To my understanding the TT is a modern take on the Mesa 400+ and the WD is a modern take of the Mesa Walkabout. IMHO neither sounds like the 800+. None are better or worse just different. No bad choices in the Subway line imo.
 
As someone who stupidly sold their d800+ in a moment of reality induced poverty, what would you guys recommend as a replacement as I now have some spare funds.
Tt800 or wd800?
I liked the d800+ but I would like to try something different

The WD-800 is more plug and play, the parametric mids section on the WD is similar to the D-800+ but with one additional band. The main difference is the passive mid control in place of the voicing control. The TT is kind of its own thing.

You might download the owner's manuals from the website and read through them, it might make the differences clearer.
 
As someone who stupidly sold their d800+ in a moment of reality induced poverty, what would you guys recommend as a replacement as I now have some spare funds.
Tt800 or wd800?
I liked the d800+ but I would like to try something different

I like my WD.

so-anyway (1).gif


:)
 
As someone who stupidly sold their d800+ in a moment of reality induced poverty, what would you guys recommend as a replacement as I now have some spare funds.
Tt800 or wd800?
I liked the d800+ but I would like to try something different

Can't speak to the WD as I own only the TT, but for me the TT is a fantastic amp. I pair it with one or sometimes two SW115s. I play passive p and j basses in a six-piece band (2 guitars, sax, keys, drums, bass). We play a range of 60s & 70s rock, Motown, some country, some rockabilly. The TT works great. It took me a while to learn how to use the amp. I wasn't familiar with the tone stack. It was a back-and-forth process of referring to the manual and trying different settings. I had used Markbass gear earlier, which is nice equipment, but I always fought the keys for sonic space. No problem with the TT - it sits nicely in the mix. Although it goes deep and there is plenty of bottom end, it is also highly articulate, which I love. Every note is clear. It did force me to clean up my technique, as everything comes through. That's been positive, too. It's the only amp I've ever played through that actually helped me improve. YMMV, of course, but the TT is an excellent amp.