Instant Gratification; Front Panel; Input Jack; Mute Switch - Mesa/Boogie Subway WD-800 Owner's Manual

INSTANT GRATIFICATION:

The SUBWAY WD-800 is about the easiest amp on the planet to get great sound from... it really is a "plug and play" amp. Start with the
MUTE switch down (mute off), the ACTIVE/PASSIVE switch down (passive pickup), the HIGHPASS FILTER set to the 9:00 position,
BASS, PASSIVE MID and TREBLE controls in the "flat" (12:00 straight up) position, the MASTER volume control in the 1:00 position
and set the POWER AMP DAMPING control to the HIGH position. Plug your bass in, and turn the GAIN control up until you reach
your desired volume. Then, set the HIGHPASS FILTER, and EQ to taste.
O/D
MUTE ACTIVE
PLAY PASSIVE
INPUT
2-STAGE CLASS A TUBE PREAMPLIFIER
FRONT PANEL (CONTROLS & FEATURES)

INPUT JACK:

This 1/4" (6.35mm) TS (tip-sleeve) jack is the instrument INPUT that feeds the first stage monolithic J-FET input buffer
POWER
amp of the SUBWAY WD-800. This stage is inherently transparent, and directly feeds the DI out when the DI out is set to the "PRE-EQ" position.
AMPLIFIER
44YV
OFF ON
MAX AVG PWR CONSUMPTION 400W

MUTE SWITCH:

MAINS FUSE: INTERNAL T-6.3A/250V
This switch (and its associated red indicator/tally LED) mutes the audio signal being sent to all outputs except
the TUNER OUT jack for silent tuning with a tuner connected to the instrument cable and then through to the amp or to the TUNER
OUTPUT jack. When the switch is in the up position, the red LED will illuminate and NO audio will be present at the DIRECT OUTPUT
jack, HEADPHONE jack, or the SPEAKER OUTPUT jack. This switch can also be used to place the amp into standby mode before
INPUT 100V-240VAC
POWER ~50/60Hz
and between sets without adjusting any of the controls. When using the MUTE FOOTSWITCH, this switch must be placed in the
down position.

ACTIVE/PASSIVE SWITCH:

buffer. Often (though not always), an active bass may have a signal level up to 10dB greater than a typical passive bass. If you find
that you are operating the gain control near the low (counter-clockwise) end of the control's rotation in order to prevent the O/L LED
from flashing, switching this switch up (into the ACTIVE position) will reduce the input sensitivity (gain) by ~10dB, allowing greater
control range and freedom from overload with high output active basses. This control does not lower the input impedance of the
amplifier, nor does it "suck tone" like the input pads on some other amps.
INPUT CONTROL & O/D LED:
12AU7) vacuum tube gain stage. Overdriving this gain stage may be a desirable tonal characteristic of your playing style, the amber
O/L LED provides a visual indication of the status of the drive signal level and how much preamp overdrive is being achieved. When
using significant overdriven tones, you may find it helpful to back down on the TREBLE EQ a little bit to reduce harshness and also
to reduce the BASS EQ (and/or increase the frequency on the high pass filter) to increase the clarity and impact. This hybrid tube
gain circuit draws inspiration from elements of our legacy amps, including the Walkabout, Carbine, and even the legendary Bass 400.
If it's your tone, this tube gain stage is designed to be overdriven, so give it a try. When employing heavier overdrive, it's generally
more pleasing reduce the tweeter level if your cabinets have tweeters. Note that the GAIN control operates in a linear fashion, an
increase in gain continues linearly throughout the entire rotation of the control. The amount of overdrive is increased by turning the
INPUT CONTROL up beyond the clean area of operation, and the overall volume will be controlled by turning the MASTER VOLUME
down as needed.

HIGHPASS FILTER:

ing control over the extreme low end (especially under high drive conditions). This precision filter is comprised of variable two pole
HIGHPASS
INPUT FILTER BASS
25HZ 125HZ
CAUTION:
Risk of Electric Shock. Do Not Open.
No user serviceable parts inside.
MADE IN PETALUMA, CA, USA WITH THE WORLD'S FINEST MATERIALS
SPEAKER OUTPUTS
2 OHM MINIMUM LOAD
RATED
POWER
This switch (and its associated blue indicator/tally LED) sets the sensitivity of the J-FET input
This control determines the overall gain (and drive level) of the hybrid J-FET 12AT7 (or
This control sets the low frequency roll-off point of the amplifier, and is an important feature in maintain-
500HZ 1.3KHZ 2.6KHZ
80HZ 1KHZ 150HZ 2.5KHZ 300HZ 5KHZ
0 dB 0 dB 0 dB
-12 +12 -12 +12 -12 +12
PARAMETRIC EQUALIZER
Replace fuse with same type/rating only.
Do not expose to rain or moisture.
USB DEVICE PWR
IMPEDANCE
2 Ω 4/8 Ω
POWER ON
HEAD MUTE/PEQ BYP
RETURN
PHONES
(FOOTSWITCH)
400 WATTS/8 OHM
SUBWAY
800 WATTS/4 OR 2 OHM
PAGE 3
PEQ
BYPASS
PASSIVE
MID TREBLE MASTER
SUBWAY WD-800
®
WARNING:
USB
FX LOOP
AUX TUNER
SEND
INPUT OUTPUT
WD-800 BASS AMPLIFIER
® ™
POWER
2 OHMS
PROTECT
LIMIT
POWER AMP
DAMPING
LOW HIGH
MED
™
TUBE TYPE: 12AT7
CATHODE BIASED CLASS A
DIRECT OUTPUT
(PHANTOM POWER PROTECTED)
SOURCE LEVEL PIN 1
POST-EQ LINE LIFT
PRE-EQ MIC GROUND