Somebody talk me out of a Mesa Subway

#23
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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Don't buy a Subway amp or you will never stop buying Mesa gear!

@agedhorse here on TB designed the Mesa Subway cabs and later Mesa amps, as well as the Genz Benz gear before that. He designs great stuff. I use Eden and DNA (David's new company after he sold Eden) myself and have for years. I really love the sound I produce with that gear. If I wasn't already using Eden/DNA gear, I'd probably be using @agedhorse's Mesa gear too. He makes great bass gear. I won't try to talk you our of it...you might hate me if I did.
 
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#25
Don't do it!!!:
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#26
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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well just get it!! lol
 
#29
Addressing the OP's concern about his type of music, the question of how this line of amps works with heavier, harder genres of music comes up fairly often (and typically with some odd responses). Here's an example of an "acid metal" player touring with a D-800 in Europe. This is a post DI into the PA sort of things, amp belongs to the player but the cabinet is a back lined piece. The band is Sabïre, based in Australia, this is a show from Hamburg Germany. I recall the player being a TB member also, but can't remember his handle.

 
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#31
9Thumbs said:
Bass amps are stupid, That electric bass is annoying even before you plug it in. Why don't you buy some nice clean T-Shirts instead, and not black ones with the name of an antisocial bunch of Rock n Rollers on it.

Edit: and never listen to the poster above. What does he know?
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Good start, but you forgot "Don't you boys know any nice music?" :cool:
 
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#32
lomo said:
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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Thank you. That is some great advice.
 
#38
Like many folks here on Talkbass I’ve been using MESA gear for a very long time. My favorite head is their Original Walkabout head. The new Subway line of heads offer great power with lightweight and great MESA reliability.
I recently acquired the TT800 and as amazing as it is, I sold it since I prefer the simplicity of their other heads.

My favorite in the Subway Series is the WD800...
My MESA SUBWAY cabinet is the 2x12 that I’m very happy with.

Spend some time on YouTube with headphones and listen to the different models.. good luck with your search.
 
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#40
i_must_destroy said:
Good point. I mainly meant someone sell me on a better amp if it exists, but it appears not to be the case. I'm sold!
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You can easily find different and in many cases high quality products to offer excellent options. However, if the Mesa tone works for you (and the TT offers a 2 for 1 deal in that regard), IME the Mesa SW line is top tier.

FWIW, IMO the TT head and 15" loaded cabs are about as good as it gets in the SW line, or in any other line for that matter. The only suggestion I would have is to consider the SW210 as well either in addition to the 115 or on its own. For harder, more aggressive styles of music I think the 210 may bring some additional voicing options to the party that might be worth at least auditioning.
 
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