Mesa Boogie 400, opinions?

[woodyratm]

If my memory is right you can use both channels at once with a Y cable or ABY box.

I remember it gave a lovely sound.

Sigh - i'm lusting after one again... Might just buy an axe fx instead... :|

[JamesTun]

[quote name='woodyratm' timestamp='1411213888' post='2557552']
If my memory is right you can use both channels at once with a Y cable or ABY box.

I remember it gave a lovely sound.

Sigh - i'm lusting after one again... Might just buy an axe fx instead... :|
[/quote]

I did see an Axe Fx on eBay a few days ago for £900. They're a lot lighter but definitely more sort after.

Saying that, I had to put down a deposit on the 400 because the guy had so much interest in it!

[Sean]

[quote name='woodyratm' timestamp='1411213888' post='2557552']
If my memory is right you can use both channels at once with a Y cable or ABY box.

I remember it gave a lovely sound
[/quote]

Best way to use it.

[Sean]

These are good http://lehle.com/EN/Lehle-P-Split-II

[Bassman Steve]

Also remember the 4 ohm output means that. You plug two 8 ohm cabs into the two to get the 4 ohms - or a single 4 ohm cab into one.

[JamesTun]

So if I running it through a 8Ohm cab on its own. Then it won't work?

[Dad3353]

[quote name='JamesTun' timestamp='1411228440' post='2557725']
So if I running it through a 8Ohm cab on its own. Then it won't work?
[/quote]

No, it won't work. Send it to me; I need a door-stop. [size=4] [/size]




[size=4]No, all joking aside... If you have a single 8 ohm cab, plug it into one of the 8 ohm outlets, just to the right of the 4 ohm outlets. Please remember : it is important to have a cab connected correctly at all times with valve amps. Never turn it on if the cab is not connected to the correct outlet.[/size]
[size=4]Hope this helps.[/size]

[JamesTun]

Alrighty mate,

Thanks for the advice! I have only ever had one other head. And that was a lot more straight forward.

Hopefully its in full working order!

[Bassman Steve]

Interesting to see Mesa branded valves. I wonder if they are the originals still?

[JamesTun]

Unfortunately that isn't mine. Its one I found on the internet because it was easier at the time. I will take a look at the valves, see if they're Mesa ones.

[Kiwi]

The Bass 400+ is the best valve amp out there IMHO. I've owned one and its unbeatable for clean power. They're also designed and built like brick sh*t houses. When you buy one though, check for rust on the transformers. Rust can reduce their efficiency by bridging the layers.

The only downside is the weight...

[JTUK]

Yep...just to re-iterate. Valve amps have to be run under load so make sure you know
a few absolute NO-NO's with regards to running valve amps.
They aren't very kind at all to anyone taking liberties.

You MUST run it under a load at ALL times.
You must run it with the correct load so, 8 ohm cab should have a
ohm selecter on the back of the amp.
You turn them on in stand-by mode and then wait for the amp to warm
up before switching in the power stage...which is normally the second
on switch.

If power is switched off ( i.e power-cut ) ..switch the amp off and start again.
Valves and voltage supply are dodgy bed fellows so reset the amp and start again if
the power is fluctuating or unstable. Valve amp users hate the venue limiters
with a passion for this reason.

This is why valve amps became unpopular and second to the more resiliant and robust SS
models. They did not become unpopular because of the sound 99% of the time.

[woodyratm]

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1411237610' post='2557834']
Yep...just to re-iterate. Valve amps have to be run under load so make sure you know
a few absolute NO-NO's with regards to running valve amps.
They aren't very kind at all to anyone taking liberties.

You MUST run it under a load at ALL times.
You must run it with the correct load so, 8 ohm cab should have a
ohm selecter on the back of the amp.
You turn them on in stand-by mode and then wait for the amp to warm
up before switching in the power stage...which is normally the second
on switch.

If power is switched off ( i.e power-cut ) ..switch the amp off and start again.
Valves and voltage supply are dodgy bed fellows so reset the amp and start again if
the power is fluctuating or unstable. Valve amp users hate the venue limiters
with a passion for this reason.

This is why valve amps became unpopular and second to the more resiliant and robust SS
models. They did not become unpopular because of the sound 99% of the time.
[/quote]

+1

Although it might just decide not to work at all!

Risks ya gotta take in the pursuit of tone! Enjoy it

[JamesTun]

Hey lads!

I've had Valve amps before. I'm not that much of a rookie!!

However need to have a look at it in more detail as I do think I've put it in the wrong ohms. Therefore breaking the valves..yay. At least they haven't cracked. Maybe it was a smart move getting a 400 rather than a 400+ in that regard.

Oh well, looks extremely cool. I've even seen videos on youtube which do it justice honestly.

Couldn't be happier with it.

Thanks for the recommendations, hopefully I'll get it up and running soonish :S.

[Geddys nose]

I'm Comfused.com. Your second picture is a 400+ not a 400 you can see the pairs of 6l6's.

[JamesTun]

Alright, I have a 400. Maybe I'm using the wrong picture just to show what head to cab lead I needed.

[JTUK]

ok..looking at that picture of the 400+.
power switch to warm up the amp,
standby to switch it on to be able to use.

Sorry for confusing the issue, it depends how they label the 'on' switches

[JamesTun]

This a picture of the back. The cable on the right is the power and the cable on the left is the 8ohms output to the cab.

[Bassman Steve]

I should point out that you can use the Bass 400 as a pre-amp without a speaker load but follow the instructions in the manual. I know it requires the master volume set to zero.