Mesa Boogie Bass 400+

(Originally written by Thom_bass/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
All-tube bass amp (12 x 6L6 power tubes + 4 x 12AX7 preamp tubes)

Output power: 3000 watts regardless of the speakers' impedance.

Two instrument inputs for two channels (active/passive bass), two speaker outputs for each impedance (8, 4, 2 ohms), two FX loops, one XLR output, one jack line output, one footswitch connector to activate/deactivate the graphic EQ.

Controls: volume for each channel, bass, mid, treble, master + 7-band graphic EQ.

UTILIZATION

Very easy configuration, it's a plug 'n' play amp.

You easily get a good sound: bring all controls to the center position and switch off the graphic EQ... There you go!

The controls interact and the sound possibilities are huge.

Very clear user's manual.

SOUNDS

This amp is great for all music styles but for especially rock, blues, heavy metal, etc.

No gain control to overdrive the amp. If you want an amp with distortion choose the SVT2Pro which has a drive control.

I play 4 and 5-string bass guitars. This amp perfectly reproduces the sound of each instrument. It provides a warm sound with rich harmonics and a lot of tube power.

It's also good for slapping.

You can get virtually every possible (clean) sound. Shaping your personal sound is very easy using the knobs. After that the graphic EQ will allow you to fine tune your tone or to create a second sound which you can control with the footswicth.

OVERALL OPINION

UPDATE to the review of 07/27/2003:

I sold my first one after a year, but I bought it secondhand again nine months ago. It's the best sounding amp head along with the SVT2Pro which has a very different sound.

Pros: Excellent tube sound, output power headroom, reliability (it's unbreakable).

Cons: Weight (55 lb.) but you'll forget about it once you hear its sound.

I bought it again secondhand so the value for money is excellent but it was expensive when new (it's now discontinued).

I don't think I will sell it again.

the whole lamp 300w in 8ohm, 400w and 500w at 4ohms to 2ohms (but avoid 2 ohms to best preserve the transformer)

1 input for active low
1 input for low passive

UTILIZATION

simpler one can not!

is the mesa, so it sounds live but to find our own sound, you'll have to be patient, because as any mesa settings interact.

the mesa manual is as usual, to read if you want to be a true musician who know his amp and how the knobs react with each other.

SOUNDS

We can do ANYTHING with it! the metal as reggae! I play with a PLO with a humbucker Delano.

on the other hand, go molo with the beast, for the first rehearsal I had done with, I eat all frequencies throughout the world, yet by the amp was very well adjusted and the volume that was to 2 ...

OVERALL OPINION

This is the ultimate amp need to possess. Unfortunately, it is rare, and most is a mesa boogie (quality = price) so certe must release a big ticket but you will not regret the purchase.


Advantage:
THE sound
mount a high quality (voice of an electronics bluffed)

Disadvantage:
weight
careful not enclose any rack for ventilation

All Tube Bass Amplifier (12x6L6 for the amp to the preamp 4x12AX7 +)
Power: 300W, and that, whatever the impedance of the HP output.
2 instrument inputs for 2 channels (active and passive), 2 HP taken for each impedance (8,4,2 ohms), 2 effects loops, 1 XLR, 1 jack type line, making a footswitch to activate / deactivate graphic equalizer.
Controls: Volume for each channel, bass, mid, treble, master + 7-band graphic equalizer.

UTILIZATION

Very simple configuration is a plug and play amp.
This gives a good sound easy: all settings of 5, graphic equalizer disengaged, and the sound is there.
It should be borne in mind that all the knobs interact with each other, the power corrections is enormous and they can vary the volume output.
The manual is very clear (albeit in English).

SOUNDS

This amp suits all styles but especially rock and the like (blues, heavy, metal, etc.).
However there is no gain adjustment to saturate the amplifier. For heavy distortion through the amp, the SVT2Pro is better placed with its control of the drive.
I play on 4 or 5 string bass and this amp reproduces perfectly the tone of these instruments with the warmth, the harmonic richness and power of the lamps and more.
Even slap it sounds.
We can get anything you want in types of sounds (clear) of this amp. Carve out a sound that is surprisingly easy with just the basic controls. We can refine if necessary with the graphic equalizer or carve two different sounds and switch from one to another by enabling / disabling the graphic equalizer.

OVERALL OPINION

EDIT in the opinion of 27/07/2003:
After having sold my first 1 year that I kept, I have taken a hand since 9 months. This is by far the head t'ampli that sounds best for me, with a register SVT2Pro a little different.
The most: the sound of a great bass amplifier tube, the available power, strength (he is indestructible).
Cons: the weight (25kg) to be forgotten quickly once we heard the sound.
I (re-) bought used, so the price / quality ratio is excellent, but the purchase was nine (he is no longer manufactured) a significant investment.
I no longer think part with it except in cases of force majeure.

All tube amp (preamp amp 4x12AX7 12x6L6).
Power:
300 W into 8 ohm (2 ohm output jacks for 1x8 or 2x16 ohm)
400 W into 4 ohm (2 ohm output jacks for 1x4 or 2x8 ohm)
500 w 2-ohm (2 ohm output jacks for 1x2 or 2x4 ohm)
A passive input
1 input active
2 effects loops 1 front and one behind (with a knob of dosing)
An XLR DI output 600 ohm
1 line out jack with a knob level
1 very large ventillo with a 2 speed switch for choice.
1 taken footswitch jack on the front to enable or disable the graphic equalizer.
1 Knob volume for the active input (push-pull switch)
1 Knob volume for passive input (push-pull switch)
Knob a master volume

UTILIZATION

So, as regards the use of this machine is super mega easy!
We plug everything together and it sounds to death. Finally I'm exaggerating a bit but not so much for building this amp, you can carve almost any bass sound with the graphic equalizer that is very effective. In any case in terms of settings is very simple like many vintage amp of this generation, after it goes without saying that you can spend more or less time depending on our requirement to get the sound of our dreams.
You should also know two more things:
- First, this amp is very heavy (24 kg single-handedly), significant detail for those who seek to optimize their mobile side.
- And secondly, it is not really suitable for playing in an apartment (huge blow to the neighbors!), It can be expressed optimally in a rehearsal room.

SOUNDS

In terms of sound, the possibilities are vast, for me (very subjective opinion), it suits me perfectly for my style (metal, fusion, electronica, prog rock, tripop ...). It is certainly very versatile, but I still put in the family "Rock"! This amp was designed in 1982 (rather vintage) so do not try to sound too modern, you can spit from 20 hz galore! Now I assure you it is far from being outmoded, these capabilities are pale and rival many other newer amps in the same category. He has a monstrous potato, imported directly from hell.

OVERALL OPINION

Since one month, I have, I do not regret my purchase and I do not think I'll never part, even have a second amp. The only downside is the rather large budget for Retube, he must still 4 lamps pre-amp and 12 amp lamps or 16 lamps in total! Otherwise this amp is indestructible personality and character large amp upscale lamps, I play on a Vigier Arpege Vintage Carbon with this amp which is respected and knows how to respect!