Sean

Unfortunately most blokes in the UK have no muscles and whinge continuously so have to have class D amps that are lighter than but sound worse than tea bags. We're the second most obese nation on earth and need nano technology to help us overcome our denial. Good to see our Southern Hemisphere cousins loving and embracing the valvey goodness, even if it is American-made. I'm a proud owner of a Mesa 400+ and have a Brit 4 x KT88 monster on the way and I had the transformers made extra heavy not to sound better but to upset weaklings and sanctimonious w£&@ers :-)

[quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1397587794' post='2425486'] I would read the 6L6 reports on Watford Valves. They recommended winged C 6550's for my Bass 400 and they're brilliant. [/quote] Unfortunately you can't fit the 6550 valves in a 400+ as the 6L6s are crammed in and there's not enough room.

How long do I need to play through it and at what volumes to break the speakers in?

Get in touch with Matamp and Jeff will make a custom case for you

Hi Jim, Get the cryo ones from Watford :-) I'm running standard Mesa valves but will be switching at some point this year. After talking to an expert, I'm led to believe that as long as it's good quality valves in the power section then it doesn't make too much difference on these. And the pre amp valves make the most difference to sound. There are a few experts here so I expect someone will put us right sooner or later. I'm always looking on TB at Chef's posts about his 400+ but haven't got that much insight as to what to put in as replacements. Randall says MB valves only but then again he would.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1397379235' post='2423260'] Ew. Isn't that like rummaging through his pants drawer, or something? [/quote] It's fine, we have a special bond [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1397377584' post='2423245'] wooo pretty bass, I'm going looking through your old posts to see if you've a photo of more of your stuff! [/quote] Find anything I wish I hadn't sold?

I'm just about to get into Logic Pro X after having used GB for a few years and I'd like to know what experiences anyone's had. I'm recording keys, guitars, bass and using the amazing Drummer feature for drums. I've not got a proper interface yet but do have a Zoom H4 and a Zoom B3 that both cover all bases as basic interfaces but don't really do multiple tracks. I'm running a mid-2007 iMac with 6GB Ram, 2.4 GHz, 500GB SSD. So, what can you tel me? Thanks Sean

I'm still a bit wary especially after Handwired's experience but so far it sounds fantastic. Punch like nothing else and real trouser-flapping air movement. The Roqsolid cover I have for it fits better than any other Roqsolid cover I've ever had too.

Build quality and finish is amazing. It sounds great at home at different volumes, it'll be interesting to know what it sounds like at rehearsal.

Next job is to run the Walkabout through it - now where's that screwdriver?

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1397229076' post='2422041'] Wow, I bet that 400+ has got some serious [u][b]heft[/b][/u]. Are you going to break in the cab by sticking a 30Hz tone through it all night, or the traditional way - by playing your bass through it..? [/quote] "Heft" is one of my favourite words and is so beautifully descriptive of what big valve amps deliver I think I'll stick with traditional and just plug a BB into it and play some party bass lines - I don't care about the neighbours, one came round once to complain (mid-afternoon) and said he sort of understood because he played guitar but said that I was taking the piss. I told him to @£$% off and grow a pair. Just to clarify and so that you don't get the impression I have a collection of ASBOs, I only ever play through my amp at home when I get a new one or am trying out a fix and need to hear it, which amounts to cumulatively probably two hours a year; otherwise I'm on headphones through my B3.

It's much louder than the Matamp 2x12, which is next to it the picture. The Matamp has new Eminence drivers in that have't really been run in so it's a fair comparison. The BT2 makes the 400+ sound like it should and compared to the Matamp cab it seems more comfortable with the master on 6. Any more than that it going to cause problems with the house or windows or something. Still too early too decide if it's right for me and I won't get an opportunity to try with the band until next Saturday, we're having a Saturday off this week.

[URL=http://s1221.photobucket.com/user/Stoker1/media/photo_zps4f59081d.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd462/Stoker1/photo_zps4f59081d.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

My BT2 arrived half an hour ago.

[quote name='cetera' timestamp='1396908998' post='2418753'] Sean, do you still have the US preamp? If so, please PM me as I'd be interested in buying it off you. Cheers! [/quote] I'm on a ferry to France right now but I'll check when I get home at the weekend. I can't remember if I sold it. A search through the for sale forums might reveal the answer though. Poor signal ahoy so I can't really check.

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1396731841' post='2416942'] Hee Hee, the joys of auto correct ; I suspect this should've read "dial out the harshness". Sorry, it made me laugh, pleae carry on the discussion re Spector vs Warwick. For the record I've never owned either so have no useful input (nothing new there then) [/quote] Hilarious. http://youtu.be/TJamLyRMS-A

Still waiting for mine.

[quote name='rodacademy' timestamp='1396692455' post='2416435'] Sean what difference did the east preamps make? [/quote] It's a world of difference. I never liked the tone pump or the US Spector preamp so I switched them out. The East preamps are just about the best upgrade you could do to it. It gives you much more control and versatility and you candida lout the harshness if you want. I played my Spectors in function bands that spanned everything from slapping disco, plectrum rock, thumping Motown and everything else. Perfect for metal too before anyone asks. I regret selling the Euro 4 I had.

I've had three Spectors, two Euros and one USA and they were all top notch instruments. I love the NS-2, it's an incredible instrument, build quality is superb and they sound great with EMGs. I put East preamps in all mine and that made them very versatile.

I hate theory. Know my scales, modes and arpeggios inside out. It's like eating vegetable. Makes me a healthier musician.

[quote name='Handwired' timestamp='1396359843' post='2412661'] Agreed, my Fridge breaks up musically when I dig in with the SVT CL but when I used that technique with the BT2 coupled with the SVT it damm near shut the cab down, I thought I'd killed it. Alex said it was the the amp giving in and not the cab, but I've used the SVT with many other cabs without issue, either way, not a good match. [/quote] By "dig in" do you mean running the power valves past 12 o'clock or having high gain or what? And what is meant by the amp "giving in"? I like to treat my 400+ in the way Randall intended it to be treated and am wondering if I'm going to hit the same issues?

[quote name='Greggo' timestamp='1396213727' post='2411106'] Thanks for info. They sound ideal as an interesting alternative to a Squier Precision and I am a fan of the looks of a BB. [/quote] Interesting alternative to a Fender P. Any factory.