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Mesa Subway, Metal and Hard Rock players.....
- Thread starter 4stringmf
- Start date
WD800 set to low dampening and input gain just til the preamp dirt starts. EQ to taste with cabs.
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I do hard rock but no metal.
I use the Mesa Subway D350 with two GK Neo IV 112 cabs. My bass, mid and treble knobs on my amp are always flat. I went with these cabs for ease of handling and robustness more than anything else.
When I want a heavy and dirty sound, I take my bass as per my avatar picture that has some Nordstrand Power Blade pickups, turn the gain just before the yellow led flashes with the treble at 100% on my bass and and it sounds like a 400 pounds wild hog that screams and burps.
If I want more grind, I turn on the bright switch on my amp and the song The Eye of the Tiger becomes a heavy metal version.
If I was to dip my toes in metal, I would probably get a 5 string USA Spector bass.
I use the Mesa Subway D350 with two GK Neo IV 112 cabs. My bass, mid and treble knobs on my amp are always flat. I went with these cabs for ease of handling and robustness more than anything else.
When I want a heavy and dirty sound, I take my bass as per my avatar picture that has some Nordstrand Power Blade pickups, turn the gain just before the yellow led flashes with the treble at 100% on my bass and and it sounds like a 400 pounds wild hog that screams and burps.
If I want more grind, I turn on the bright switch on my amp and the song The Eye of the Tiger becomes a heavy metal version.
If I was to dip my toes in metal, I would probably get a 5 string USA Spector bass.
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This amp appeals a lot to me because of the damping option, but I have yet to hear a demo where it sounded like it could provide a solid tone. Mesa's own video was crap, but still the better one. Some other YouTube people with unconvincing sounding videos.
One thing that totally bothers me is that all the power ratings in the spec are with 10% THD which seems oddly high. As if it can't develop clean volume.
I know one of Mesa's engineers is on here and I hope my worries can be dispelled, especially because the amp is still made in the USA.
One thing that totally bothers me is that all the power ratings in the spec are with 10% THD which seems oddly high. As if it can't develop clean volume.
I know one of Mesa's engineers is on here and I hope my worries can be dispelled, especially because the amp is still made in the USA.
I use a D350 into a Schroeder 112 and GK 115. I like to get some grit from the amp. If I need more dirt, I use a Source Audio Multiwave or a Damnation Audio MBD3.
D800+ has worked in every scenario I’ve thrown at it. Grindy metal with a StingRay and a pick, punchy midrange with a fretless prog metal, classic rock with a Fodera… among everything else i’ve used it for, it’s been stellar. So was the WD800, but I prefer the +
- Feb 12, 2006
- 52,447
- 176,650
- 14,248
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
It shouldn't bother you, that's exactly how I designed it to be.
The spec is 10% at rated power because when a tube amp is driven hard, the THD numbers increase. Much of this is incorporated into the preamp section's tube emulation algorithms as well as part of the power amp, just like a tube amp (which has similar or greater amounts). When driven less hard, the THD is lower.
As an example, the Ampeg SVT at 300 watts is generally around 10% THD, and at say 250 watts it's closer to 5%. It's not an accident either, because this contributes to the tone and feel of the amp. Same applies to our Bass 400, Strategy and Prodigy.
I agree. The D800+ can work with any genre. I especially love how it works to get the tone I need with a fretless. Best amp I have used so far.
It shouldn't bother you, that's exactly how I designed it to be.
The spec is 10% at rated power because when a tube amp is driven hard, the THD numbers increase. Much of this is incorporated into the preamp section's tube emulation algorithms as well as part of the power amp, just like a tube amp (which has similar or greater amounts). When driven less hard, the THD is lower.
As an example, the Ampeg SVT at 300 watts is generally around 10% THD, and at say 250 watts it's closer to 5%. It's not an accident either, because this contributes to the tone and feel of the amp. Same applies to our Bass 400, Strategy and Prodigy.
Thanks for responding! I was just wondering, will it do relatively clean sounds at a high level (loud) as well? Or would it make sense to move to the D800? I'm looking for a little flexibility.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 52,447
- 176,650
- 14,248
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
That's about right on with what I do withy WD. I use a Powerhouse 4x12 with the damping switch in the middle.
I feel the same way about the mesa videos on their bass amps. The sound sample always sound sterile and it's always jazzy/funky bass lines all of the time. Pretty much the same with individuals posting their sound samples as well.
That’s the problem I had. I wanted to buy a Mesa but I couldn’t find any examples playing classic rock on the harder side of things. I ended up buying GK’s Legacy 800. I happy with it. Completely. I do still monitor threads like this hoping to find examples.
I use the Subway DI into a rack power amp. Works great for me. My stock tone is fairly clean and full range so most settings are pretty much standard, and then I kick in some drive from pedals when needed.