What's your favourite Mesa Subway Head?

[esoxhntr]

Miracle Whip forever.

People like you need to be taken out back behind a Walmart and beaten with a burlap sack filled with car batteries.

In all seriousness, MW is good SOMETIMES…

I think Miracle whip is good for those times when you are making salad dressing from scratch. In most instances Hellman's rules. More importantly, I will make great use of that "taken out back behind a Walmart and beaten with a burlap sack filled with car batteries" line. It really made it worthwhile to start this thread.

 

[esoxhntr]

You missed one: D-350.

I didn't miss it... I left it out. I figured that if it was enough like the D-800, then there wasn't much point in trying to compare it differently. Also, if it wasn't the same, then it was likely because of the fact that it had less power, so again not much point in comparing it to a group of 800 watt amps.

I don't have a Subway head but I love my Walkabout to death.

Here's the funny thing. I had a Walkabout for a while. Never bonded with it. I like the WD-800 much better. I know the WD-800 is supposed to be a class D amp with a Walkabout flavour, but it doesn't sound or feel that way to me. Go figure. But then again, I prefer Hellman's, so...

 

[esoxhntr]

there are differences as well because the architecture is different by necessity

Speaking of that, the WD-800 has the dampening control. I can hear the tone changing when it's adjusted, and I think I know how I would use it in a playing situation, but what it actually going on when you turn that knob? ( I'm hoping for something that is a little more involved than "it adjusts the level of dampening"... which I know is the answer, but still...)

 

[lermgalieu]

I didn't miss it... I left it out. I figured that if it was enough like the D-800, then there wasn't much point in trying to compare it differently.

Hmm. The title of the thread is "What is your favourite Mesa Subway Head?" The D-350 is a Subway head. It has key differences with the D800 (I own both), including no deep switch and a bright switch. It can be used and pushed in different ways than the D800. You did not say this was a comparison of 800 watt Subway heads. For these reasons, it should have been included. I am not trying to cause any issues here, just saying I think it should have been on the list.

 

[esoxhntr]

I am not trying to cause any issues here,

Certainly you are!!!

But that's fine - you are more than welcome to defend your choice, since that's what the thread is about. I stand by my decision to leave it off of the poll because I am specifically interested 800 watt heads. I mean no disrespect to you, or to the D-350, but my interest is in the 800 watt models. My thread, my poll. If you would prefer, I could look into changing my thread title. Not sure if it's possible... but if I change it to "Favourite 800 watt Mesa Subway Head", your comments wouldn't be appropriate in this thread. I kind of want your comments here, because it leaves the opening of also discussing the D-350.

But please, if you want to make a case for the D-350 go ahead. I'm sure there will be interest in your perspective.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Miracle whip? Nah … I'd rather go for a nice crystal ball or a magic wand …

 

[lermgalieu]

Certainly you are!!!

But that's fine - you are more than welcome to defend your choice, since that's what the thread is about. I stand by my decision to leave it off of the poll because I am specifically interested 800 watt heads. I mean no disrespect to you, or to the D-350, but my interest is in the 800 watt models. My thread, my poll. If you would prefer, I could look into changing my thread title. Not sure if it's possible... but if I change it to "Favourite 800 watt Mesa Subway Head", your comments wouldn't be appropriate in this thread. I kind of want your comments here, because it leaves the opening of also discussing the D-350.

But please, if you want to make a case for the D-350 go ahead. I'm sure there will be interest in your perspective.

You are defending what you "meant," not what you posted. Based on the words on the page, it should be included. If it's not included, I will withhold my comments on the D350. If it is included, it should be in the list. Contrary to what you say, I am not "certainly" trying to cause issues. The issue existed by virtue of its exclusion. I just raised it.

 

[baileyboy]

Walkabout. Though I've never tried the Subway... yet!

 

[BobKos]

I have a WD and a TT. I like the TT for the quick & dirty channel switching. Otherwise I honestly can't tell THAT much of a difference personally. I admire those who can. To me they're all Mesa SW amps. Comparing either to my Markbass, Ampeg, etc is more of a decisive answer.

 

[BlueTalon]

I didn't miss it... I left it out. I figured that if it was enough like the D-800, then there wasn't much point in trying to compare it differently. Also, if it wasn't the same, then it was likely because of the fact that it had less power, so again not much point in comparing it to a group of 800 watt amps.

I bought a D-800 a few months ago. Then I found a demo D-350 at Sweetwater and bought that. It has a surprising amount of power. I basically haven't touched my D-800 since I got my D-350. And had I known then what I know now, I certainly would have started with the D-350, and my second Mesa amp purchase would probably have been the D-800+, assuming I still felt I needed a second Mesa amp at that point.

 

[sheltjo6]

Having owned two Walkabout heads, my vote is for the WD-800.

 

[agedhorse]

Maybe add the D-350 to the list?

That said, a limited number of players have them in their hands, so I wouldn't expect a lot of experience yet.

 

[Joebone]

Hellman's? Miracle Whip? Neither. Gotta get with Blue Plate - like they say on WWOZ: "a po' boy without Blue Plate is just a samwich..."

As for the Subway...I'd often taken the A train in my NYC years, but primarily used the IRT.

As for the Mesa Subway? I have the 800+ and the WD. Both of these feature that superlative HPF filter, but I'm particularly enjoying the WD -- EQ flex, the damping control (I usually have it in the middle, but will shift either way when I want to have a faster, drier sound, or conversely go old-school), and the useful grit and hair. Pretty much using the WD exclusively.

And echoing the shout-out for practice-friendly aux input, headphone output, and runnable without load - harkening back to the wonderful Genz-Benz shuttles...

 

[pfschim]

I voted WD800. I owned the D800+ just before the WD came out. I tried them side by side for a week and pretty much immediately put the D800+ up for sale.
I liked the D800+ fine. Lots of very nice features, but it brought to mind the earlier Walkabout vs Carbine compares I did when those amps were current. For me it was never even close, the Walkabout was exactly what I wanted in an amp as far as tone goes.

Even with the WD800, I remain a huge Walkabout fan to this day. If I can use my Walkabout on a gig I do, but more often the WD goes out because of its additional features, greater clean power on tap and its very close tone/feel relationship to the Walkabout.

In fairness, I never tried the TT. Just never felt the need with the Walkabout and WD800 in my amp locker.

 

[Element Zero]

I started with the D800+, went to the WD800 camp for a couple years, and went back to the D800+.

I'll always love the WD, but I'm IN LOVE with the D800+.

 

[Element Zero]

BTW, here in California we have Best Foods mayo. It's the exact same as Hellmans.

 

[esoxhntr]

You are defending what you "meant," not what you posted. Based on the words on the page, it should be included. If it's not included, I will withhold my comments on the D350. If it is included, it should be in the list. Contrary to what you say, I am not "certainly" trying to cause issues. The issue existed by virtue of its exclusion. I just raised it.

Noted counsellor... carry on.

 

[esoxhntr]

Maybe add the D-350 to the list?

I looked - I don't see an option to either change the title or alter the poll. If people want to chime in in favour of the D-350 I have zero objection, in fact I encourage it.

A question for you though Andy - is the D350 significantly different in terms of tonal profile, or is it simply a lower powered option for those who want the tone of the D-350 in a lower powered format?

 

[agedhorse]

I looked - I don't see an option to either change the title or alter the poll. If people want to chime in in favour of the D-350 I have zero objection, in fact I encourage it.

A question for you though Andy - is the D350 significantly different in terms of tonal profile, or is it simply a lower powered option for those who want the tone of the D-350 in a lower powered format?

It is similar, but incorporates a bright switch in place of the deep switch, this might appeal more to folks using compact cabinets and looking for a brighter GK or SWR oriented tone (this was our late TB member Chef's favorite feature, he insisted on the addition and he was absolutely right IMO)

 

[marchone]

I looked - I don't see an option to either change the title or alter the poll.

Use Thread Tools at the upper right of your opening post.