GBE 750 or Mesa 400+

calebbarton · #1 04-08-2011, 07:12 PM

I have an opportunity to trade away my Mesa 400+ for a GBE 750. I am not familiar with this amp at all and all the videos I can seem to find on it suggest its good for slap....which is great but I play alternative rock and church stuff and other things. I need it to be flexible IE punch when it needs to and blend when it doesn't.

The mesa is great, but pretty much a one trick pony. If I'm going to trade it away, I want it to be a good trade.

What do you guys think?

ishouldbeking · #2 04-08-2011, 07:27 PM

I would only trade for that amp if you particularly wanted that amp. These days -- and I could be wrong -- I feel like the lead-sled Genz amps are mostly outclassed by their lightweight offerings (the shuttles and streamliner amps). I'd probably go for a Streamliner before the heavier GB amps, personally.

JimiLL · #3 04-08-2011, 10:48 PM

Dont know if id say that... the GBE series offers a special something that cant be gotten with lightweight amps

KsPiNeSh · #4 04-09-2011, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimiLL

Dont know if id say that... the GBE series offers a special something that cant be gotten with lightweight amps

Agreed. My 1200 just has a certain solidarity and "effortlessness" to the tone that I don't hear in a lot of micros, including the Shuttles and, to a lesser degree, my Streamliner (worth noting that the SL and 1200 are also, to my ear, in completely different tonal neighborhoods). I have no doubt that the 750 is also a killer amp.

twinfallsbass · #5 04-09-2011, 10:21 AM

I have a 400+, Trace Hexa-Valve and and a shuttle 9.0. I have to disagree the previous posters, I feel I loose nothing when playing my 9.0 out live, the 9.0 is just as effortless as my lead sleds. If you are going to get rid of your 400+ for the GBE 750, I hope they are going to give some serious cash with the trade......

calebbarton · #6 04-09-2011, 12:45 PM

Thanks guys. I appreciate the opinions, keep them coming.

Im probably going to check out the amp in a band practice session next week. Still very unsure about it but hey, if it works it works.

KsPiNeSh · #7 04-09-2011, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinfallsbass

I have a 400+, Trace Hexa-Valve and and a shuttle 9.0. I have to disagree the previous posters, I feel I loose nothing when playing my 9.0 out live, the 9.0 is just as effortless as my lead sleds. If you are going to get rid of your 400+ for the GBE 750, I hope they are going to give some serious cash with the trade......

Agree to disagree about the Shuttle/GBE comparisons (though the 9.0 is much better than the 6.0 IMO) but agree 100% with your last sentence. The GBE amps have a fairly low resale value, so I'd try to make up some serious ground in that trade.

NecroticImbecil · #8 04-09-2011, 07:33 PM

Both great amps. Don't know the $ values currently. I found the Mesa to be pretty versatile actually, but the interaction of its tone controls do take some getting used to. The GBE is insanely versatile. I didn't find either one to be particularly good for distorted sounds. The tube in the GBE does give it a different sound when used, but mine wasn't very friendly to breakup. Awesome sounds nonetheless, more power than most people will ever use. It doesn't have a soul though, like a tube amp does, so I'd feel bad about trading, like I'd let the 400+ down.

calebbarton · #9 04-14-2011, 04:13 PM

Got a chance to play through the GB. Definitely impressive amount of tones. I couldnt really get it to break up either but thats ok.

I will probably end up trading the 400+ away. Im very happy with the GB.

Calaverasgrande · #10 04-14-2011, 04:43 PM

Honestly, if you don't get some cash in the trade, then this will be a story the other guy will be telling his pals for years.
I know the Bass 400+ is not for everyone, but it's a well regarded amp that many pros use, which is also no longer in production. The GBE750, well I had to go look it up to even remember what it looked like. though is does apparently have "knurled aluminum knobs with detents".
Knurled, what a weird word.