Anyone using a MESA Subway D-350?

[Blue_floyd20]

Hi, I've been gigging for a few years with an Ashdown OriginAL HD1 300w. For the most part it's been brilliant, small and more than powerful enough for 90% of the gigs I play. The band is becoming more successful, bigger stages with higher expectations! Of course the bigger gigs is through PA and amp is jsut for monitoring. I wondered if the Mesa is going to be that extra little bump I need for those 10% of the middle ground. I like the idea of something nice and small, low maintenance and reliable. I play through either a single RM 112 (small venues) or RM 115 + 210 Large venues - all 300w 8ohm cabs.

[Mudpup]

Plenty of small, reliable and powerful amps around nowadays so you'll have loads of choice 

 

But I would be looking for something more powerful than 350w personally. Mainly because I would rather have the headroom and not need it than need it and not have it and especially if the band is picking up and you're getting into some bigger venues.

 

I would be looking at 500w heads at least.

 

[Blue_floyd20]

Yeah, I was looking at the Ashdown RM 500 EVO III but wondered if the Mesa is on-brand and punches above the 350w rating on an ear test.

[Mudpup]

14 minutes ago, Blue_floyd20 said:

Yeah, I was looking at the Ashdown RM 500 EVO III but wondered if the Mesa is on-brand and punches above the 350w rating on an ear test.

I had the Mesa Subway D800 and it didn't seem particularly oomphy compared with my Quilter and a Magellan 800 that I had at the time. I found it a bit dark and flubby sounding. Gigged it twice and moved it on. But everyone's ears are different 🙂

[BassAdder60]

There is a nice Ashdown RM500 EVO III that would make a great gigging amp and plenty of power 

 

One for sale on here ( not me ) 

 

 

[Chienmortbb]

50 minutes ago, Mudpup said:

I had the Mesa Subway D800 and it didn't seem particularly oomphy compared with my Quilter and a Magellan 800 that I had at the time. I found it a bit dark and flubby sounding. Gigged it twice and moved it on. But everyone's ears are different 🙂

I had the Subway D800 for a few months. I already had a Bugera Veyron 1001M and an Ashdown Retroglide, but was curious about the Mesa. I loved it at home, the Voicing control was great, and the Deep switch was warm without being boomy. First time on stage, I had to turn both off as they did not suit me on stage. I was effectively running flat, something I could do with both my other amps. Of course, as our US friends would say, Your Mileage May Vary.

 

The Ashdown (uses the same ICEPower module as the Mesa, although the MESA will drive 2 ohms) and the Veyron both meet my needs and although the build quality of the Mesa was great, it cost twice what the other two amps did so it was sold. 

[Ed_S]

I also have a D800 but I've only recently put it to any use. I actually bought it in January 2016 according to a quick search through my email, but I took it to a rehearsal and was underwhelmed so I put it in a cupboard in case I needed a 2R capable head at some point. I didn't, so it stayed there until earlier this year when my rehearsal studio amp went on the blink and I needed another sacrificial head to keep down there. It had the distinct advantage of me already owning it, it's loud enough, sounds acceptable, and if it's built as well as people suggest then it should hopefully cope with living in a flight-case in a gear-store with all the climate control of a garden shed.

 

1 hour ago, Mudpup said:

I had the Mesa Subway D800 and it didn't seem particularly oomphy compared with my Quilter and a Magellan 800

 

Same, but for me it'd be Markbass LM800, Ashdown RM800, Ampeg PF800.

 

59 minutes ago, Chienmortbb said:

I was effectively running flat

 

Same - seems to be how it works best for me in our rehearsal room.