Anyone play a Mesa Bass 400?

[tadawson]

Anyone here play a Bongo on a Mesa Bass 400? I have kinda been gassin' for an all tube head, and while the new SVT-VR interests me, the price does not . . . . and I have not yet found a used SVT I like. But, the Bass 400 appears to be an interesting animal, not too bad on the used market, and mind numbingly simple to service . . . . . but, not having played, one, I am interested in opinions on sound - especially with a Bongo. (Cabinet TBD - suggestions also welcome, but after hearing oldtoe's Bergie 322 at Jacks Bassfest, I think they might be a good match . . . . ).

- Tim

 

[oddjob]

I really kicked the idea of Mesa around before I got my new rig. The Big Block is very nice but the 400+ is an absolute beast... and when paired up with a Bongo it can/does eat Godzilla for breakfast. I like the 400+ much better than the SVT - but that is personal taste there and I know plenty of forumites LOVE their SVTs. Things I (and I stress the word "I") had problems with the lead me to not go all tube... the cost of retubing, weight (not that my 2001 is a light weight but the 400+ is hefty), not as much versitility (there is some but I am a knob twiddler - ok that doesn't sound right). Honestly, if you like the all tube sound you can't go wrong with a 400+ or a SVT.

 

[oddjob]

Now that I just read the first post a little closer, I think what you are looking for is this... the 400+ is a very mean version of an SVT Classic. What I really like about it is the sliding graphic eq... easy to adjust visually on the fly and very responsive. The tube sound is vey warm and fuzzes up nicely (Mesa knows tube distortion). When I played one with a powerhouse 1000 it was a perfect match (lots of low end punch). The sound wasn't as crisp as a Classic with a 8x10 or 6x10 cab but the lowend (especially with the Bongo's bass boosted) thunders - hope this helps.

 

[tadawson]

Thanks. This won't be my only head (I have a GK 1001RB-II that I plan to keep) but was looking for some tube sound, and, as I mentioned before, these are a lot more reasonable than the SVT market, at least for now . . .

Kinda a moot point, anyhoo . . . . this site was down long enough that I found a pretty decent deal on an old 400+ for 700-ish, so I am just awaiting arrival.

I could still use some cabinet suggestions though: Bongo ==> Bass 400+ ==> ?????

- Tim

 

[tadawson]

Bump . . . . really, guys, nobody but oddjob plays a Bass 400 here? What is the world coming to . . . . .

- Tim

 

[Psychicpet]

nice price on the 400+ , I've never had the opportunity to play my Bongos through one but I did use a friends older SVT II-Pro this last week-end for a live recording and the sound was amazing and yes.... whether it's spelled S-V-T or M-E-S-A tubes are a good thing... heavy, but worth it.

 

[tadawson]

Other than the proverbial 8x10 Ampeg cab, any suggestions on a cabinet that is tube-optimal?

Anyone have any thoughts about the Bergie 322 with the 400?

- Tim

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

I used to have a 400+ with my big Mesa rig but I sold it whne I moved over here to AZ....thing kicked butt!

 

[Psychicpet]

ya, what I've read and heard once, the Bergantino stuff is great. Larry(Mobay) seems really digs the Schroeder cabs and the specs do look good on those too. I just picked up a couple of Ampeg's new 1x12" cabs and they're bumpin' pretty good, sound kinda like quick responsive 15"s

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

I am sitting here right now specing out a new Euphonic Audio rig for myself.

 

[Psychicpet]

nice... flat.... I dare ya to get the NL 410

 

[cheezewiz]

The Bergantino NV610 is the perfect cab for a Mesa 400+. I speak from experience.

 

[cheezewiz]

I am sitting here right now specing out a new Euphonic Audio rig for myself.

Dudie...I got my Iamp 800 today (old version with the tuner), and although its just been played at home so far (which will change this weekend), I'm pretty damn impressed. The thing is LOUD, and very versatile. It takes a bit to get the EQ, and I have more work to do on it, but so far, thumbs up.

 

[strummer]

Other than the proverbial 8x10 Ampeg cab, any suggestions on a cabinet that is tube-optimal?


- Tim

Aguilar GS412
EBS-412

 

[tadawson]

Thanks to you all for your suggestions! I have heard mobays Schroeder (at least the older one - not the new beast) and it was nice too . . . .

- Tim

 

[CodeMonkey]

tadawson, I have a 400 and a 400+ coming in a week or so and I'll give you a report on how I like them. Got the 400+ for $500 and the 400 for $325 to replace my bassist's stolen SVT Pro. Whichever I like better he will keep. He can't do anything without me.

 

[tadawson]

tadawson, I have a 400 and a 400+ coming in a week or so and I'll give you a report on how I like them. Got the 400+ for $500 and the 400 for $325 to replace my bassist's stolen SVT Pro. Whichever I like better he will keep. He can't do anything without me.

Nice prices! The way the auction world is going, I felt good to get a clean one for about $700 - most seem to have been going for even more. I think the front end in both is pretty much identical, and the big diff is that the 400+ has 2x the output capacity and tube count . . .

- Tim