Mesa/Boogie Subway WD-800
Product information "Mesa/Boogie Subway WD-800"
The Mesa Boogie Subway WD-800 already has what it takes to become a modern classic. Following the resounding success of the Subway series in the mid-2010s, this bass amplifier is the logical next step in its evolution, without forgetting its heritage. Now, the legendary Walkabout preamp has been integrated and upgraded with a 12AT7 preamp to bring the traditional Mesa sound into the 21st century and offer bassists even more versatility. The rear panel offers numerous options, such as a sophisticated DI box with Level Line/Mic option or a USB port for powering a smartphone or tablet connected to the AUX input for playback on the amp.
- AUX IN Jack/MP3: yes
- Channels: 1
- Connections: Speakon
- Country of Origin: USA
- DI-Out: yes
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 30,5 x 8,8 x 25,8 cm
- Distortion Section: yes
- Enclosure: Metal
- Fan: yes
- Headphone Jack: yes
- Housing size: Compact
- Impedance: 2/4/8 ohms
- Includes: Bag
- Inserts: Series
- Power Range: 501 - 1000 W
- Power at 4 ohms: 800 W
- Power at 8 ohms: 400 W
- Power to 2 ohms: 800 W
- Pre Amp Valves: 1x 12AT7
- Switch Line Out Pre/Post EQ: yes
- Technology: Class D
- Tuner output: yes
- USB-Port: yes
- Weight: 3,2 kg
- footswitch: Yes, not included
In the late 1960s Randall Smith, one of the most famous amp repairers in the San Francisco Bay Area, was inspired to build his own amplifiers after developing a fondness for the tweed circuits of the 1950s. He loved their organic sound, the effective controls and the way the tone gently moved from clean to distortion and back again when the gain control was used.
To push forward with his own amplifier designs and concepts, he settled in Pentaluma, California in 1969 and worked on further developing his amps.
The characteristic, heavily distorted sound of his Mesa/Boogie amplifiers was initially the result of an electrically mis‑dimensioned preamp. Founder Randall Smith wasn’t sure whether the preamp’s output would be enough to drive the power amp, and he built it with four twin triodes, of which the first seven triodes are still used today to amplify the input signal.
Many years later Mesa/Boogie has grown into one of the major global players in the market for high‑end guitar and bass amplifiers and is a leader in the development of modern amp designs and circuits. The American company also holds several patents on special features and circuits, such as Multi‑Watt™, Dyna‑Watt™ and the Mesa CabClone™ cab simulator, which you’ll certainly come across when browsing our selection of Mesa/Boogie products.
Of course, a maker of such innovative and high‑quality products has by now also gathered a large fanbase among professional musicians who got hooked on Mesa/Boogie amps. The best known users of Mesa/Boogie amps include the already mentioned Carlos Santana, Larry Carlton, Angus Young, Robben Ford, Eric Johnson, Keith Richards, Pete Townshend, Adam Jones, Mark Tremonti and Dave Grohl. Of course these aren’t the only famous Mesa/Boogie users, and Mesa/Boogie also boasts a large and steadily growing following among studio musicians and hobby guitarists. Maybe you’ll soon be part of the next generation of the Mesa/Boogie fan community?
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