Mesa Boogie 400/400+

[oZZma]

Anyone has ever tried this bass amp?
How does it compare to SVTs in your opinion?

 

[ampmadscientist]

Anyone has ever tried this bass amp?
How does it compare to SVTs in your opinion?

Too many problems with runway oscillations that cause the output tubes to overheat and burn up.
Clue:
if amp is "discontinued," it's a dog.

Orange AD200B has shown to be far more reliable.
Ampeg made in China: I wouldn't go there if I were you.
GK bass amps is a good place to look.

 

[ricksconnected]

hating on Mesa again we see

 

[jstich]

Are you new here Rick?! Sun comes up in the east,AMS hates on Boogie. LOL

 

[ricksconnected]

Are you new here Rick?! Sun comes up in the east,AMS hates on Boogie. LOL

always does no matter which one you bring up too.
every damn one of them seems to have a problem if youve noticed.
how can every damn thing they make be garbage but yet the retain their
resell value and are one of the top brands? puzzles me.
the OP asks a boogie question and the very first post in is a bash
and a suggestion towards other another companies products.

 

[jstich]

True enough Rick. OP; I assume you know how much it costs to re tube a 400 watt Mesa? Its a lot of money. I'm not a bassist, but I'd consider a solid state amp.More power to you if you want to deal with the maintenance of that monster.

 

[oZZma]

True enough Rick. OP; I assume you know how much it costs to re tube a 400 watt Mesa? Its a lot of money. I'm not a bassist, but I'd consider a solid state amp.More power to you if you want to deal with the maintenance of that monster.

yeah I'm aware of that. I'm also taking into consideration the Mesa M9 Carbine (a hybrid one with MOSFET power amp) but it costs double.
I think I'll try a good number of bass amps in the next two weeks, this is the only one I can't try (seller is too far) that appealed me and had a very good price.

 

[ampmadscientist]

hating on Mesa again we see

Based on actual experience (was at one point a Mesa service center)
Mesa amps have a lot of problems and the 400 bass amp was no exception.

This is the reality:
Mesa has no "superior technology."

Finally used a Marshall circuit (from the Marshall Major) to correct the circuit instability.
Modified the Mesa w/ a Marshall circuit tweak to stop oscillations.
After that they stop eating tubes.
Problem solved -- courtesy of Marshall.

But certainly when Mesa discontinues an amp, it's an indication that the design isn't very great, and is probably going to be a major expense to maintain.

 

[ampmadscientist]

yeah I'm aware of that. I'm also taking into consideration the Mesa M9 Carbine (a hybrid one with MOSFET power amp) but it costs double.
I think I'll try a good number of bass amps in the next two weeks, this is the only one I can't try (seller is too far) that appealed me and had a very good price.

I think overall GK is the workhorse SS amp, with really good customer support.

 

[jstich]

Well AMS, he was asking about a 400. Thats a tube amp not solid state. No one says Mesa has superior technology.I can understand your frustration with them, but they're generally very good,reliable amps.