Mesa Subway Blues... anyone with experience
- Thread starter Matt42
- Start date
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Mesa Subway Blues... anyone with experience
They're not bad, and the build quality is fine. However, you'll notice that the Mesa blues tone is warmer and spongier than the Fender blues tone. By that, I'm comparing amps like the Subway and Blue Angel to all the common Fenders. Mesa's seem to have a looser bottom end, thick mids, and rounded off highs. It's kind of like the difference between Alnico II and Alnico 5 pickups.
For me, I like the punch and snap of Fender amps. I'd rather have a Blues Jr, Supersonic 22, or Deluxe Reverb. I don't hate Mesa amps, but they aren't for me.
They're not bad, and the build quality is fine. However, you'll notice that the Mesa blues tone is warmer and spongier than the Fender blues tone. By that, I'm comparing amps like the Subway and Blue Angel to all the common Fenders. Mesa's seem to have a looser bottom end, thick mids, and rounded off highs. It's kind of like the difference between Alnico II and Alnico 5 pickups.
For me, I like the punch and snap of Fender amps. I'd rather have a Blues Jr, Supersonic 22, or Deluxe Reverb. I don't hate Mesa amps, but they aren't for me.
Re: Mesa Subway Blues... anyone with experience
I have a Blue Angel, and you are right. Lots of mids, which I like. Definitely a Custom Custom to the Fender's Custom 5. I love it though, but I have always liked mids. I have tried the Subway Blues before, and liked it a lot.
I have a Blue Angel, and you are right. Lots of mids, which I like. Definitely a Custom Custom to the Fender's Custom 5. I love it though, but I have always liked mids. I have tried the Subway Blues before, and liked it a lot.
Laughing Kookaburra
Active member
Re: Mesa Subway Blues... anyone with experience
Interesting, as I have had thoughts similar to the OP. Good analogies, I get the picture.
Interesting, as I have had thoughts similar to the OP. Good analogies, I get the picture.
Matt42
New member
Re: Mesa Subway Blues... anyone with experience
I like a warm spongy tone!
I like Fender, but I'm a big fan of Mesa also. My dream amp is a BFDR, but that's a bit out of my price range at the moment. A Subway Blues I could definitely afford.
I've been kicking around what to buy for a almost a year. A DRRI, SFDR, SS22, Blues Junior and Mesa Lonestar Special are all amps that have crossed my mind before I thought about one of these. I've tried the DRRI and SS22 in shops a few times, and every time was disappointed in the sound. I've gigged with a Blues Junior, and while I liked it, I wasn't super in love with the tone. I'd call it good, but not great. I tried a late 70's SFDR at a pawn shop and really liked that, but something like that would likely stretch my budget. I recorded with a Lonestar Special (and used to own an original issue Lonestar, the 100w/50w version of the current Lonestar Classic), and I really like that amp, but again, it's a bit of a stretch on my budget (unless I get super lucky).
The Subway Blues fits my budget (I'd like to keep it under $700), fits my wattage needs (15w-30w), and allegedly takes pedals well (very necessary since I get most of my overdrive from pedals).
It's definitely been placed near the top of my list of amps to consider.
I like a warm spongy tone!
I like Fender, but I'm a big fan of Mesa also. My dream amp is a BFDR, but that's a bit out of my price range at the moment. A Subway Blues I could definitely afford.
I've been kicking around what to buy for a almost a year. A DRRI, SFDR, SS22, Blues Junior and Mesa Lonestar Special are all amps that have crossed my mind before I thought about one of these. I've tried the DRRI and SS22 in shops a few times, and every time was disappointed in the sound. I've gigged with a Blues Junior, and while I liked it, I wasn't super in love with the tone. I'd call it good, but not great. I tried a late 70's SFDR at a pawn shop and really liked that, but something like that would likely stretch my budget. I recorded with a Lonestar Special (and used to own an original issue Lonestar, the 100w/50w version of the current Lonestar Classic), and I really like that amp, but again, it's a bit of a stretch on my budget (unless I get super lucky).
The Subway Blues fits my budget (I'd like to keep it under $700), fits my wattage needs (15w-30w), and allegedly takes pedals well (very necessary since I get most of my overdrive from pedals).
It's definitely been placed near the top of my list of amps to consider.
Matt42
New member
Re: Mesa Subway Blues... anyone with experience
I hadn't looked at the Blue Angel. It's a bit bigger and more expensive than I'd like, but does look interesting with the 6v6s and EL84s. I think I'd rather hunt for a good deal on a Lonestar Special or an Express 5:25 +, though, if I were going to be spending north of $700.
I hadn't looked at the Blue Angel. It's a bit bigger and more expensive than I'd like, but does look interesting with the 6v6s and EL84s. I think I'd rather hunt for a good deal on a Lonestar Special or an Express 5:25 +, though, if I were going to be spending north of $700.
Ascension
Well-known member
Re: Mesa Subway Blues... anyone with experience
I owned a Mesa Subway Rocket for a while and trust me the Zinky Velvet buried it!!
If you want a killer in that wattage range look for a Zinky 25 watt blue Velvet from time to time you will see nice examples in the $700-800 range on ebay.
I owned a Mesa Subway Rocket for a while and trust me the Zinky Velvet buried it!!
Matt42
New member
Re: Mesa Subway Blues... anyone with experience
I have considered converting it to a head if I get one since I've read that comment a lot while researching this amp.
I'll have to look into that. I'm not really looking for a two channel amp necessarily, and I've not really liked any of the Dr Z amps I've tried, (I'm assuming Zinky is associated with Dr Z, correct me if I'm wrong).
I have considered converting it to a head if I get one since I've read that comment a lot while researching this amp.
I'll have to look into that. I'm not really looking for a two channel amp necessarily, and I've not really liked any of the Dr Z amps I've tried, (I'm assuming Zinky is associated with Dr Z, correct me if I'm wrong).
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Mesa Subway Blues... anyone with experience
Matt, the Subways Blues and the Subway Rocket are totally professional amps in small packages. They have a very different character, but both are great little amps.
I would also suggest that you look into a few other Mesa amps that you can find used, and usually for not a lot more than a Subway. These all have 12s and independent tone controls for each channel. The F-30 is twin EL84s and the F-Series clean channel was the best Mesa had to offer back then. The Mesa DC-2 is a forerunner of the F-30 and has the lead channel of the original Dual Recto and the clean channel lifted from the Mark IV. The DC-3s add two more power tubes and a switchable GEQ. I have one and I love it. The Nomad 45 was the next iteration, and these have a third Crunch channel.
I would also recommend a Maverick 112, if you can find one. These are a 4xEL84 Class A power supply section, but it will probably be out of your price range. I have the 212 combo and it is a sweet amp, very different than my other Mesas.
You can download the Owners Manuals for any of these amps at the Mesa website.
Little more bang for your buck with these amps, and the build quality is so much better than anything Fender is offering these days.
Good luck...I hope this is helpful.
Bill
Matt, the Subways Blues and the Subway Rocket are totally professional amps in small packages. They have a very different character, but both are great little amps.
I would also suggest that you look into a few other Mesa amps that you can find used, and usually for not a lot more than a Subway. These all have 12s and independent tone controls for each channel. The F-30 is twin EL84s and the F-Series clean channel was the best Mesa had to offer back then. The Mesa DC-2 is a forerunner of the F-30 and has the lead channel of the original Dual Recto and the clean channel lifted from the Mark IV. The DC-3s add two more power tubes and a switchable GEQ. I have one and I love it. The Nomad 45 was the next iteration, and these have a third Crunch channel.
I would also recommend a Maverick 112, if you can find one. These are a 4xEL84 Class A power supply section, but it will probably be out of your price range. I have the 212 combo and it is a sweet amp, very different than my other Mesas.
You can download the Owners Manuals for any of these amps at the Mesa website.
Little more bang for your buck with these amps, and the build quality is so much better than anything Fender is offering these days.
Good luck...I hope this is helpful.
Bill
Last edited:
Matt42
New member
Re: Mesa Subway Blues... anyone with experience
This is right on from my perspective. I like a lot of the modern Fender amps, but Mesa's are far better built.
I was considering an F50 when they were the hot new thing. An F-30 would be right up my alley. I was using a DC-5 for a while, but it belonged to my g/f and we just sold it to the lead singer of my band. It was far more power than I've never needed, but I really did dig the tone. A DC2 or DC3 would probably be right up my alley. I liked the Nomads too, but I think 45 watts is overkill for my situation.
Thanks for the suggestions! I had totally forgotten about the F series and hadn't thought about the lower powered DC's. I'll be looking for those as well as the Subway Blues.
This is right on from my perspective. I like a lot of the modern Fender amps, but Mesa's are far better built.
I was considering an F50 when they were the hot new thing. An F-30 would be right up my alley. I was using a DC-5 for a while, but it belonged to my g/f and we just sold it to the lead singer of my band. It was far more power than I've never needed, but I really did dig the tone. A DC2 or DC3 would probably be right up my alley. I liked the Nomads too, but I think 45 watts is overkill for my situation.
Thanks for the suggestions! I had totally forgotten about the F series and hadn't thought about the lower powered DC's. I'll be looking for those as well as the Subway Blues.
Ascension
Well-known member
Re: Mesa Subway Blues... anyone with experience
Quote from Bruce
Dr. Z and Bruce Zinky are in no way connected.
Bruce Zinky was at one time the head designer for the Fender Custom Shop.
Quote from Bruce
He also owns the SUPRO name and has resurrected the brand with fresh designs.
Dr. Z and Bruce Zinky are in no way connected.
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Mesa Subway Blues... anyone with experience
My understanding is that the Nomad 45 uses the same power section as the DC-3. It's their Dyna-Watt system, so it's really only about 35 watts, but it is very dynamic and can compete with much bigger amps. The good news is that the DC-3 and the Nomad 45 are warm, rich and full--even at lower volumes.
Bill
My understanding is that the Nomad 45 uses the same power section as the DC-3. It's their Dyna-Watt system, so it's really only about 35 watts, but it is very dynamic and can compete with much bigger amps. The good news is that the DC-3 and the Nomad 45 are warm, rich and full--even at lower volumes.
Bill
Matt42
New member
Re: Mesa Subway Blues... anyone with experience
That shows what I know... I've always thought Dr. Z was Bruce Zinky.
Learn something new every day.
That shows what I know... I've always thought Dr. Z was Bruce Zinky.
Learn something new every day.
regan
New member
Re: Mesa Subway Blues... anyone with experience
Time to resurrect this thread
I got a subway rocket reverb last year, & I've seen a subway blues for sale,
could they be used in a clean dirty a/b rig (or doesn't the blues have the headroom)
Can you get a good psuedo blackface reverb sound out of them? (yes I know they're el84 amps)
What would be a good price for the non 1/2 power version?
Thanks in advance
Time to resurrect this thread
I got a subway rocket reverb last year, & I've seen a subway blues for sale,
could they be used in a clean dirty a/b rig (or doesn't the blues have the headroom)
Can you get a good psuedo blackface reverb sound out of them? (yes I know they're el84 amps)
What would be a good price for the non 1/2 power version?
Thanks in advance
