Broken Mesa 400+ need advice

LukeMan970 · #1 10-28-2011, 05:36 PM

Hey everyone,

So I'm potentially going to buy a Mesa 400+ from a guy who says it's broken but the price is almost too cheap to pass up. Anyways here's his description for what's wrong with it:

"Well, for a period of about a month, I would see sparks from behind the power switch when I'd power it on. It didn't have any other problems then, so I didn't think much of it. But then, one day I switched it on and I saw smoke come from the switch and a few days later, when I went to turn it on, it had power, but it didn't amplify the guitar's signal at all, it just popped very loud when the standby switch was flipped and it would emit intermittent pops that made the speakers jump. I should have had it checked out, but I wasn't thinking too clearly."

So my question is what do you guys think the problem might be? I'd love to have my hands on one of these but if this is going to be too much of a hassle or too expensive to fix. Let me know what you all think!

anderbass · #2 10-28-2011, 05:49 PM

Sounds like it might just need a new power switch. When it first started acting up a shot of deoxit might have been all it needed.

rpsands · #3 10-28-2011, 06:20 PM

Depends on how cheap it is.

either:
1) Assume you will need to replace everything expensive (tubes, transformer, etc).
2) Take it to get checked out first and cover the bench fee if there is one

Then do the math. Don't forget to factor in your time dealing with all the repairs.

LukeMan970 · #4 10-28-2011, 06:31 PM

Well I can get the amp for about $350-$400 and that's pretty damn good I think for the amp. If it's just a power switch then it's a steal, if it's everything else then I'm screwed. It's a hard decision but I don't think I can pass up a 400+ for that cheap!

**B-string** · #5 10-28-2011, 06:53 PM

If it was me I would take the chance, as a amp tech I'm thinking you may come out very well.

Nightlyraider · #6 10-28-2011, 06:53 PM

If you flip the big switches slowly enough you will get sparks from it. Simple solution is to flip it quickly.

For $400 I would make sure it only needs a new switch, considering perfectly functioning 400+s can be had for $800 or less with some frequency.

If that is the only failure point though, it would be a killer deal!

LukeMan970 · #7 10-28-2011, 08:12 PM

Yeah I'm thinking I might come out pretty well if this is the only thing wrong with it. I'm between this option or I could get a regular bass 400 (not 400+) which I could get for about 750 or 800. So really it's take a gamble and go for the 400+ that might be a steal or go for the sure thing with less power and pay more. Tough choice.....

s_mcsleazy · #8 10-28-2011, 08:14 PM

go for it because lifes too short.

LukeMan970 · #9 10-28-2011, 11:00 PM

I'm gonna go with mcsleazy's advice and go for it! Thanks for your advice but this offer is too good to pass up, hopefully I come out on top. I'll let you all know how it goes

**B-string** · #10 10-28-2011, 11:02 PM

Good luck, though I don't think you will need too much luck

JMarkD · #11 10-29-2011, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anderbass

Sounds like it might just need a new power switch. When it first started acting up a shot of deoxit might have been all it needed.

+1
I had a power switch go bad on a 400 and it did exactly what the OP described. Mesa sent me a new one free of charge and I changed it out myself. No problem.

Caca de Kick · #12 10-29-2011, 11:59 AM

The switches on my Bass 400 also did the same thing years ago, they would spark badly and crackled alot. I simply ordered new switches from Mesa and replaced both.
(no, nobody local had anything that size)

Randall · #13 10-29-2011, 05:41 PM

I had the same issue with my Mesa D180 many years ago when it was new. Replaced with a original mesa switch and it was good as new. Watch your lights dim when the switch is turned on

fdeck · #14 10-29-2011, 10:35 PM

Best case: The switch needs to be replaced

Worst case: The seller has already gotten a repair estimate, and is cutting his losses

Bassragerstitch · #15 10-29-2011, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randall

I had the same issue with my Mesa D180 many years ago when it was new. Replaced with a original mesa switch and it was good as new. Watch your lights dim when the switch is turned on

To this day watching the lights dim when i turn on my mesa 400+ makes me smile

Calaverasgrande · #16 10-29-2011, 11:12 PM

It could be the power switch.
Or worst case its the power supply caps.
Shoudnt cost more than $300 to fix in worst case.