Just Bought A Mesa 400 non plus - Page 2

BBQV · #21 01-06-2013, 02:11 AM

Awesome amp!

The EQ is a bit unusual. By pulling the treble knob you change the frequency rather than boosting the treble, it lowers the center frequency to make it more of a hi-mid control. Furthermore, when the treble goes above 7 it doesn't add highs, it cuts bass and mid.

Downunderwonder · #22 01-06-2013, 02:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calaverasgrande

ps.the guy that compared the D180 to an SVT. For shame! they are much lighter than an SVT. Though in a heavy rack case it could get close.

The comparison was in the weight, and yes, as I said, it's in a shock case, it is close, what's your point?

rekesbass · #23 01-06-2013, 05:41 AM

they are a very nice amp...one cool feature is, you can run 6L6 tubes in it too...it will be less watts(about half) but, you can push it more to get to the sweet-spot without melting faces..

Calaverasgrande · #24 01-07-2013, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rekesbass

they are a very nice amp...one cool feature is, you can run 6L6 tubes in it too...it will be less watts(about half) but, you can push it more to get to the sweet-spot without melting faces..

?
IME with 6L6 its about 180 watts
with 6550 its about 220 watts.
That is not a big enough difference to really be able to notice a drastic change. Thought I swear with 6550 it has a deeper bass tone.

rekesbass · #25 01-08-2013, 10:23 AM

I thought the 6L6 is only capable of 22-25 watts..x 6 making( +/-)150...and the 6550 capable of (+/-) 50w x 6 making 300w..(or more like 280)..I thought I read that in the manual...or maybe somewhere else(here perhaps)...
I had a 400 for a brief time(on loan to me) and it was loaded with 6L6's and had plenty of power...I'm no expert on these things by any means..but,I am aware that 6L6's can be used in the 400(non-plus)..
The 400+ however,can not use 6550's(6L6 only)...
Like I said I'm no expert on this..if it is only a 40 watt difference it would be a much cheaper re-tube using 6L6's...

mikenel169 · #26 01-10-2013, 07:09 PM

I have a question.......

I need to replace 2 power tube clips,the clips that hold the tubes in place. They are held down by 2 screws. if i take those screws out, will the tube socket drop down into the amp? Do i need to open up the whole amp or is this an easy job?

mikenel169 · #27 01-12-2013, 05:16 PM

^^ anybody have any advise?

chaosMK · #28 01-12-2013, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikenel169

Do i need to open up the whole amp or is this an easy job?

I am pretty sure it's an open up kind of job and somewhat involved. Fortunately, you don't need the tube clips since they aren't all that functional. They do nothing to grip a 6550/KT88 or 6L6 in this amp from what I can tell. I believe they actually make more sense on an amp where the tubes hang upside down.

Primakurtz · #29 01-12-2013, 05:29 PM

I may be wrong, but I believe I switched out he bear traps for springs, and it was very easy. The retainers on mine were separate from the sockets, and were held on by screws - not nuts and bolts.

mikenel169 · #30 01-12-2013, 06:13 PM

I just wanted to make sure that there were no nuts/bolts that could fall when unscrewed. I hope it is any easy job. the reason why i purchased the clips is because i felt the tube sat in the socket pretty loose. I just want to have some support when traveling so the tubes do not fall out.

thanks for the reply!

Calaverasgrande · #31 01-12-2013, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikenel169

I just wanted to make sure that there were no nuts/bolts that could fall when unscrewed. I hope it is any easy job. the reason why i purchased the clips is because i felt the tube sat in the socket pretty loose. I just want to have some support when traveling so the tubes do not fall out.

thanks for the reply!

the sockets should grip the tubes tightly enough that they don't wiggle easily or fall out if you shake it upside down.
if some of them are loose a decent amp tech can re-tension them.

the bear trap style are pretty much useless. But the spring type are kind of elaborate for my tastes.

Downunderwonder · #32 01-13-2013, 03:23 AM

Don't transport it upside down!

My d180 has twin leaf springs, kind of like a possum gin trap, which is probably similar to a bear trap?? They may as well not be there so far as I can tell.

They are held onto the case by what look like self tapping screws. Incongruous with the rest of the chassis which is finely engineered screw holes, drilled and tapped, but that's what those screws look like, button head self tappers.

Re-tensioning the sockets sounds like the go.

klejst · #33 01-13-2013, 06:24 AM

Congrats on the awesome amp. Nice overall rig too. Mesa all the way!

mikenel169 · #34 02-10-2013, 12:58 PM

i know i haven't posted in a while, but i played through a solid state amp last band practice and i was so disappointed. I now know that tube amps kick serious ass!!!

mikenel169 · #35 02-20-2013, 04:32 PM

i have a question, I noticed a speaker crackling on only a few low notes, only when my eq is on. When it is not on the amp sounds and runs flawlessly. Do i need new preamp tubes, power tubes or are the eq sliders/circuit board dirty and need a good cleaning. Any advise would help me tremendously.

Thanks!!!

hailet · #36 02-20-2013, 04:36 PM

I don't have any input other than I'm really envious. Congrats.

mikenel169 · #37 02-20-2013, 04:38 PM

thanks, this is by far my favorite amp iv'e played out of and i owned a few. Tube amps are just a whole different ball game and i dont see this going anywhere for a long time.