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What's your favourite Mesa Subway Head?

What is your favourite Mesa Subway Head?

  • D-800

    Votes: 22 11.8%

  • D-800+

    Votes: 50 26.7%

  • WD-800

    Votes: 57 30.5%

  • TT-800

    Votes: 36 19.3%

  • They all sound the same so I bought an Ampeg

    Votes: 7 3.7%

  • Hellman's > Miracle Whip

    Votes: 7 3.7%

  • Fire the drummer (I think it make a nice change from "carrots")

    Votes: 8 4.3%
  • Total voters
    187
#122
elkkid2 said:
Would the TT model have more warmth, and, have that control of the Bloom?
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The TT has nice tube warmth and none of the old WA bloom IME. However, the power amp damping factor is in the low to medium range (referenced to the WD) and IMO will not allow you to have a super sharp SS clean edge to your notes. It is a softer, smoother edge but with good note to note articulation - not at all sloppy. What I am describing is subtle, but if you want a more solid state, tight sound, the D-800+ is a good place to look first IMO.
 
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#123
Al Kraft said:
The TT has nice tube warmth and none of the old WA bloom IME. However, the power amp damping factor is in the low to medium range (referenced to the WD) and IMO will not allow you to have a super sharp SS clean edge to your notes. It is a softer, smoother edge but with good note to note articulation - not at all sloppy. What I am describing is subtle, but if you want a more solid state, tight sound, the D-800+ is a good place to look first IMO.
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Thanks! It seems--like Agedhorse said--I should go to Santa Rosa, or some place that has all those amps, and try them all! --If nothing else, it'll be FUN!
 
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#124
I just got the TT800. The plan is for my 23 year old WT400 will become my back up. But I am hopeful for a similar sound hence the tube choice. Plus... Since I play active Jazz and Aerodyne along with an Ibanez EUB I feel the need for two channels. I'm thinking of using the Boogie channel for the Jazz and the Subway channel for the EUB. Thoughts?
 
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#125
juancaminos said:
I just got the TT800. The plan is for my 23 year old WT400 will become my back up. But I am hopeful for a similar sound hence the tube choice. Plus... Since I play active Jazz and Aerodyne along with an Ibanez EUB I feel the need for two channels. I'm thinking of using the Boogie channel for the Jazz and the Subway channel for the EUB. Thoughts?
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You just have to try. That is a good starting place though. I think I read one cat liked it the other way as well.
 
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#128
Ethereal Thorn said:
I still need to get my mits on a tt800 to put it thru it's paces so far every subway amp I've tried has been amazing. I have a di+ on my main pedal board rig and a wd800 but Im still planning on nabbing a d350 as my travel/ quick grab rig.
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I'm thinking about getting that 800+ pedal to tide me over until @agedhorse releases the Boogie channel pedal. (Different things, I know) I have the WD also. If you don't mind me asking, what kind of music do you play, and when do you find yourself using that pedal?
 
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#129
DrThumpenstein said:
I'm thinking about getting that 800+ pedal to tide me over until @agedhorse releases the Boogie channel pedal. (Different things, I know) I have the WD also. If you don't mind me asking, what kind of music do you play, and when do you find yourself using that pedal?
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I'm looking for a Mesa Subway+ preamp/DI too. I just heard from a vendor in FL stating the earliest is in early 2023. Bummer...
 
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#132
I'm going to repeat my message to you for the benefit of others:

I don't know what you are hearing, maybe there is a problem with the amp, but there are plenty of demo videos where there is no distortion so I don't buy "everything on line shows this amp distorting on purpose".

Here are a couple of videos showing a variety of tones (clean and mildly overdriven):







I think this amp and it's voicing is just not a good match for your needs, and the D-800+ is a better choice for you.
 
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#133
patrick duff said:
I just got a TT800 and I can not get it to clean up. The distortion is very unnatural sounding on both channels but worse on Subway channel. My basses are active but even my passive p bass distorts.

my question is:
Is there always distortion present with the amp? No demo has the amp being played cleanly. I have a D800+ and it's stunningly good.
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A TT800 in good working order (i.e. with no problems, bad tubes, etc.) should be plenty capable of a clean tone with serious volume...I know mine is.
 
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#134
patrick duff said:
I just got a TT800 and I can not get it to clean up. The distortion is very unnatural sounding on both channels but worse on Subway channel. My basses are active but even my passive p bass distorts.

my question is:
Is there always distortion present with the amp? No demo has the amp being played cleanly. I have a D800+ and it's stunningly good.
Click to expand...
Does your amp sound like any in those videos posted?

If it is distorting at the settings you shared with me, it is either the amp or speaker cabinet.

Maybe a quick video of what is happening?
 
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#135
It does not.
I recorded an audio clip and sent it to MB customer service Tuesday night but still have never heard back. I understand that they; like everyone else is short handed so I called the original dealer. They're going to put it on their bench this week and try to confirm my issues, diagnose and perhaps even remedy the issue. I'm guessing it's going to go back to the factory and I'll end up waiting quite a while on a replacement. That's okay, just disappointed that I won't have it for a few local gigs I'm playing in the next few weeks.
I do have my D800+ and it's easily the best amp I've owned in quite awhile.
 
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#138
esoxhntr said:
Wow... I can't believe 6 weeks has gone by already. :wideyed: Anyhoo, 20 gigs in and still loving the WD-800. The mid EQ controls are terrific.
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I love my WD because of the mid EQs as I have been a knob twiddler from my youth. Lately though, I've been running the mid EQ off and just using what is left. Also great sounds to be had :thumbsup:

Also do this when doubling, I set my regular EQ for my solid body bass and add the mid EQs to work best with my upright and then switch back and forth.

:)
 
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#139
DrThumpenstein said:
That's a lot of gigs in six weeks! I'm interested in knowing what kind of places you're playing and what sort of music. And, of course, rig picks:smug:
Click to expand...

We consider ourselves fortunate to be busy, and we work pretty hard at trying to be suitable for diverse audiences. We play literally anywhere. Bars. Critter lodges. Legions. Old age homes. Weddings. Funerals (usually one or two a year). Birthday parties. Private stuff. Corporate stuff. Street Festivals. Pretty much any genre you can think of. Country. Western. Country and Western. Blues. R&B. Classic rock. Disco. Funk. Jazz standards. Show tunes. Mambos. Sambas.

No photos of the rig at the moment - but I'm running the WD-800 into a Bergantino HG410.
 
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