Somebody talk me out of a Mesa Subway

i_must_destroy

i_must_destroy

Apr 16, 2019
15
29
4,551
Indianapolis, IN
#1
Hello! This is my first post here. I've been playing bass for about a year and a half. I have an Orange Crush 50 for practice but am looking for a rehearsal/gig set up for the future. I have spent countless hours researching the right amp/cab for me and am leaning towards the Mesa Subway TT-800 with either the 1x15 or 2x15 cab.

I mainly play heavy music (but might play different styles in the future) and have a couple Darkglass preamp pedals. So I guess I am just looking for a solid, reliable, somewhat clean amp. People seem to love the Subway series here so I was just wondering if there are any other amps I should be looking into? Budget isn't really an issue.
 
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#4
Nope. I'm going to do the opposite. I'm going to link you to a lengthy thread here regarding how outstanding the TT is. It also dives pretty deep into discussing their cabs. A bonus is that Andy (username @agedhorse here) actually DESIGNED the dang amp. Yep. He works for Mesa and swings by here quite often to field questions regarding his amps and others.

NEW MESA TT 800 AMP. OH. MY. GOD.

Welcome to TalkBass!!!

You won't get much help AVOIDING gear purchases here. ;)
 
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#6
I will try to talk you out of it. (Nothing against the Mesa).
Don’t buy - until you have had the chance to try some other amps you may not have considered.
If you can go out (during this quarantine) try some others first. Music shops, pawn shops, new and used. I play metal also, but use vintage Marshall Bass amps and cabs. They sound like nothing else!
If you want to develop your own ‘sound’ go try some amps you never even thought of. Out of left field, “oddball” choices, too. It will be experience for you, at the least.
Check out a lot of different kinds on YouTube videos if you can’t go out. ‘Cause, once you’ve bought the Mesa, it’s too late to change your mind.
Hows that for trying to talk you out of it? Or, at least put the decision off a little while?
 
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#9
I am an official Mesa fan....have been for years (ever since my 1st Walkabout)......currently own and am deliriously happy with a WD800......but..... If all you want is a "clean amp" which will allow you to mold your tone with pedals, then why not go with a Quilter Bass Block 800 (available used for 450 ish) or BB802 (699 new)-same power as the TT800-smaller/lighter/fits in a gig bag pocket...can be used as an excellent clean head on its' own........is an optimal platform for piping a pedal preamp through.....you'll save enough to get a ('nother) Darkglass, Orange or other high end preamp pedal and have more tonal options. You could even buy it with a Subway Plus preamp stomp box, so you'd have a killer, clean Mesa tone machine including the high pass filter (once I used/got comfy with an HPF, it became a must for me). You wouldn't have 2 Ohm capability, or the Mesa 5 year warranty, or the resale ease/value. I own a Quilter BB802 as a backup...have used it with a Mesa Plus Preamp and they make a superb combination. As far as cabs go, the Subway 115 is a delcious box o' sonic chocolate.....I have 2X SW 15s.....a few more shekels, but more modular then the larger 215 box. There are many great alternatives to these as well (Barefaced, Bergantino and fEarless come to mind). Buy once/cry once :)
 
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#10
i_must_destroy said:
Hello! This is my first post here. I've been playing bass for about a year and a half. I have an Orange Crush 50 for practice but am looking for a rehearsal/gig set up for the future. I have spent countless hours researching the right amp/cab for me and am leaning towards the Mesa Subway TT-800 with either the 1x15 or 2x15 cab.

I mainly play heavy music (but might play different styles in the future) and have a couple Darkglass preamp pedals. So I guess I am just looking for a solid, reliable, somewhat clean amp. People seem to love the Subway series here so I was just wondering if there are any other amps I should be looking into? Budget isn't really an issue.
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Why? Just buy it. Get the 800TT. Its twice the amp for a little more money.
 
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#14
i_must_destroy said:
I'm not sure. I obsess about things and just wanted to make sure I got the right set up.
Click to expand...

If you're prone to overthinking stuff, the tone quest can easily become a bottomless rabbit hole that swallows so much time and $$ that your actual music (and possibly bank balance) suffer. Don't do that "-) Marcus Miller once wisely said something along the lines of (paraphrased).... gear is important, but get it figured out reasonably quickly and get on with actually playing. No matter what your rig currently is, there's always new glittering stuff out there imploring you to keep your gear carousel spinning.

I love tweaking my gear, and admittedly waste a lot of time and $$ doing so. I am well aware that I do it for its' own sake/ enjoyment, and that I sound best/ suck less when spending as much time making music as I can (which is never enough).
 
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#16
Don't get one. They are terrible. Poorly thought out and designed, under-powered, poorly supported and the warranty is a joke.

Mesa is a company that knows nothing about bass and they have no history making great bass amps.

Hope this is what you were looking for.
 
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#18
i_must_destroy said:
I'm not sure. I obsess about things and just wanted to make sure I got the right set up.
Click to expand...
OMG I'm the EXACT same way. I obsess about / over things, too. If I'm in the market for something, I'll be thinking about it for 3 or 4 days, watch a MILLION Youtube videos on it, Google the heck out of it, and so on.

BUT, I've learned over time (still doesn't keep me from obsessing !) that watching a million Youtube videos and Google reviews only does so much. It usually just ADDS to the desire, which creates more obsession. The only thing to really do is to try it. Craigslist is a good alternative to stores, because the rules regarding masks, etc can be less strict, unless you're dealing with a COVID Nazi who freaks out at, well, everything. SO annoying !!

Try to play the Mesa. Also, It sounds like budget is not the issue with you, but a 212 is SO much more versatile than a 112. A 212 is like a compact version of a 410/115 stack.

PS - Welcome to Talkbass !!! There's endless knowledge and experience around here. :)
 
#19
Don't know about the TT-800, but the WD-800 is a great amp. Better than the previous Subway amps according to my ears and taste. The Subway cabs are great, and the 15" cab is fantastic. Probably built with magic pixie dust.
 
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