Mesa Bass 400 unreliable?

mr_goodbomb · #1 05-15-2010, 03:25 AM

I am considering buying one, but I have always heard great things about the 400+, so when a 400 came along, I told the seller I'd take it. However, a little digging and I see a lot of issues about reliability and realized just how many tubes there are to go wrong. All reviews aside, is the 400 known for issues?

Bass Collector · #2 05-15-2010, 03:44 AM

Welcome to the world of "all tube"

lotsabottles which make things "more interesting"

You increase your ongoing costs and potential for hiccups in exchange for glowing hot things that generally sound pretty SWEET!

The 400+ is no worse or better than any of the others for reliability IMO.

coreyfyfe · #3 05-15-2010, 04:07 AM

As much as I dislike mesa bass amps in general as far as tone, any quality tube amp, when properly maintained should not have reliability issues. And if you're worried about the number of tubes, the 400+ has far more than the 400

.

JMarkD · #4 05-15-2010, 05:08 AM

In my experience they are very reliable. I gigged a 400 and a 400+ for many years with no problems. My 400+, bought new in 1991 still works fine (I don't gig with it these days) with all the original tubes in it. Like any device, a lot depends on how it is treated.

JimmyM · #5 05-15-2010, 05:46 AM

take care of your amp and it will take care of you.

NecroticImbecil · #6 05-15-2010, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_goodbomb

I am considering buying one, but I have always heard great things about the 400+, so when a 400 came along, I told the seller I'd take it. However, a little digging and I see a lot of issues about reliability and realized just how many tubes there are to go wrong. All reviews aside, is the 400 known for issues?

"How many tubes there are to go wrong" in a tube amp ? What about "how many MOSFETS, etc there are to go wrong" in a solid state amp? The tube hating crusaders like to prattle on about how tube amps cost $9,000 to retube, and need to be retubed every gig since everybody knows tubes blow up when they get oxygen on them.

Treat it like a piece of equipment that cost you several hundred dollars and you'll be fine, assuming it is in good shape when you buy it. Treat it like a $5 football and you're in trouble.

There are a number of people who prefer the 400 to the 400+. Issues they are known for include sounding great and being completely reliable. If you don't want those problems, don't buy it.

DO bear in mind - as coreyfyfe wrote - "when properly maintained" is key. It's not hard to keep up maintenance, but you need to make sure it has no issues before you buy it, no way to be sure the previous owner treated it properly. BTW, a used solid state head could also have been abused and not be working properly.

mr_goodbomb · #7 05-15-2010, 01:29 PM

I appreciate all the responses, but I think my original post was taken a little... wrong.

I've played tube amps since I was 15 or 16, I'm 24. I've got a 5150, a Silvertone guitar amp, an Orange Tiny Terror, an Ampeg V4-BH... All tube. I'm no stranger to them.

I'm certainly not bashing tube amps or suggesting that, because it's using tubes, it's going to be less reliable. I'm reading reviews and the lowest number is reliability, and very few of the issues mentioned are related to the tubes. It seems a number of people reviewing them have had issues. That's why I ask. I only said "increasing the number of tubes" because it seems entirely logical to me that, by doing so, it increases the likelihood of a tube blowing, and the eventual cost of maintenance.

So, I was asking if issues are really that common, or if the reviewers just happened to all left reviews BECAUSE something went wrong and they felt like telling (bitching to) the world?

levis76 · #8 05-15-2010, 01:46 PM

I currently own and gig a 400+ and it's been great. I have read horror stories of tubes shorting out and taking out other components in the process, thereby making it necessary to have it looked at by a qualified tech which costs $$$. I have not had this happen, but I changed the tubes in mine a week after I bought it since the previous owner had no idea how old or, more importantly, how many hours of use they had on them. Once you have a fresh set, you don't need to worry about a tubes for a long time. I believe Mesa recommends power tubes every 2 years for the 400+, but I have heard of people using tubes far beyond that. I don't know how often for the 400, probably the same.

MAMMOTHvolume · #9 05-15-2010, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by levis76

I currently own and gig a 400+ and it's been great. I have read horror stories of tubes shorting out and taking out other components in the process, thereby making it necessary to have it looked at by a qualified tech which costs $$$. I have not had this happen, but I changed the tubes in mine a week after I bought it since the previous owner had no idea how old or, more importantly, how many hours of use they had on them. Once you have a fresh set, you don't need to worry about a tubes for a long time. I believe Mesa recommends power tubes every 2 years for the 400+, but I have heard of people using tubes far beyond that. I don't know how often for the 400, probably the same.

normally happens because some idiots put the wrong size fuse in. Mesa 400's should be just as reliable and high quality as their other stuff, so you should have no problems

sunbeast · #10 05-15-2010, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAMMOTHvolume

normally happens because some idiots put the wrong size fuse in. Mesa 400's should be just as reliable and high quality as their other stuff, so you should have no problems

That was what happened with my old 400+. Arrived with a questionably "matched" set of tubes and a fuse of the wrong value. It blew the fuse about 5 minutes into my playing it. When this happened, I realized the previous owner obviously had no clue how to take care of a tube amp, and I immediately got it looked over and retubed by a reputable tech. It was fine luckily, and I never had an issue with the amp or the new tubes (which lasted much longer than 2 years). Great amp, but never assume that the previous owner respected it the way that you certainly will!

NecroticImbecil · #11 05-15-2010, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_goodbomb

So, I was asking if issues are really that common, or if the reviewers just happened to all left reviews BECAUSE something went wrong and they felt like telling (bitching to) the world?

Gotcha. IME Mesa tube bass heads are as near bulletproof as an amp can be. Maybe the reviewers were the sort that DO like to drag their amps behind the car on the way to gigs. Some people's idea of normal use is actually abuse, and as you seem to suspect unhappy people are more likely to write bad reviews than happy ones, who are too busy playing.

countrybass007 · #12 05-16-2010, 05:58 PM

I've never had any issue, other than a bad power cord, with my Boogie D180. When I start to notice a little loss of tone I put in a mached set of power tubes. (6) It was used at least 15 hours per week for about 20 years, and still gets used weekly with no problems.