Mesa Strategy 400 for low end?

ncinbox · #1 09-21-2011, 08:01 AM

lot of threads for bass 400 and +, but what about this? Two channels, tons of tube power.
i got demeter hbp in pre. 4x6l6 + 2xKT88 for now.

Anyone uses strategy now? or ever used?

anderbass · #2 09-21-2011, 09:24 AM

That should work great for your preamp, but its a non-bridgeable/stereo poweramp so you'd need to use 2 cabs to utilize its full output.

ncinbox · #3 09-23-2011, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anderbass

That should work great for your preamp, but its a non-bridgeable/stereo poweramp so you'd need to use 2 cabs to utilize its full output.

right, i got one cab for now so use one channel only. i had it setup at open air venue for my friend's band and it sounded deep and VERY loud at half volume.

tombowlus · #4 09-23-2011, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncinbox

right, i got one cab for now so use one channel only. i had it setup at open air venue for my friend's band and it sounded deep and VERY loud at half volume.

I'd be a little concerned about running the other channel without a load.

koobie · #5 09-23-2011, 10:41 AM

I owned a Strategy 400 for a while. I checked with Mesa and they confirmed that if only one of the two channels was driven, it was safe with that single side loaded. The amp's forte was rich mids and smooth trebles. But the low end was not tight, looser than I prefer.

JGR · #6 09-23-2011, 10:44 AM

IIRC, my 2:90 manual said to crank the presence and set the volume at 0 on the channel you aren't using. Not sure if that would apply here, but I would ask Mesa as it is a legitimate concern.

BassmanPaul · #7 09-23-2011, 10:51 AM

Personally I'd never run a tube amp without a load no matter what the manual says!

Caca de Kick · #8 09-23-2011, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

I'd be a little concerned about running the other channel without a load.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Personally I'd never run a tube amp without a load no matter what the manual says!

You simply leave the unused channel on standby (two standby switches: A and B) and knob at 0. No output going through.

tombowlus · #9 09-23-2011, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

You simply leave the unused channel on standby (two standby switches: A and B) and knob at 0. No output going through.

True, but I'm still nervous that I or someone else will accidentally take if off standby. Then again, it may be that my legal training makes me overly paranoid...

JGR · #10 09-23-2011, 01:49 PM

If both channels have standbys, you are good to go; the 2:90 doesn't, and that is a pretty stupid design. I didn't like having to run it that way.

Caca de Kick · #11 09-23-2011, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

True, but I'm still nervous that I or someone else will accidentally take if off standby. Then again, it may be that my legal training makes me overly paranoid...

Stick a piece of duct tape over the switch then, or silicone a cap over it (with silicone it removes cleanly for later use).

tombowlus · #12 09-23-2011, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

Stick a piece of duct tape over the switch then, or silicone a cap over it (with silicone it removes cleanly for later use).

I'd probably go for gaffer's tape, but that's a good idea.

Of course, having that other channel full of glowing tubes just sitting there doing nothing, I'd be mighty tempted to just get me a matching cab and run both channels.

BassmanPaul · #13 09-23-2011, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

You simply leave the unused channel on standby (two standby switches: A and B) and knob at 0. No output going through.

Fair enough but even on standby the tubes are a wastin' away.

Caca de Kick · #14 09-23-2011, 06:25 PM

Oh yeah, if it were me I'd waste no time in finding a second cab.
But for the mean time he can use the head as normal.

walterw · #15 09-23-2011, 08:23 PM

You could wire in a stereo option on the 4x10 cab, so both sides of the amp could contribute, giving you the full 400 into one cab.

tombowlus · #16 09-24-2011, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

You could wire in a stereo option on the 4x10 cab, so both sides of the amp could contribute, giving you the full 400 into one cab.

I had just picked up my Strategy 400 when I ordered my NV215, and I had Jim wire it up so that I could drive each 15" with a different channel. Worked pretty well, but ultimately, I moved on to other setups which I preferred over the Strategy 400, and I sold it. Of course, I now kinda want it back, but I've got an M-190, which is probably the better amp for most bass rigs.

JGrossmann · #17 10-04-2011, 05:16 PM

I picked one of these up about 6 months ago and absolutely love the Strategy 400. There's more than enough power to shake any building, and i have it wired into a road ready mesa powerhouse 1x15, 4x10 combo cab, one side per pair. It's like a bit of a tone knob in that i can dial in how much 15" sound and how much 4x10 sound a want and blend them to like. The Stagey paired with a sansamp bass driver (preamp) and that cab is just plain epic. Good luck with your Sategy!

ncinbox · #18 05-14-2012, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Fair enough but even on standby the tubes are a wastin' away.

how is that happening?

now about the tone. I had 4x6L6 +2xEL34. I switched EL34 to a pair of JJ KT88 matched pair (confirmed by JJ developers to be a good substitute)and it absolutely changed the tone to more balanced for my bass. i got less brightness and tighter lows. dynamics increased as well.
Unused channel now has a duct tape on it , thanks dudes!

JGrossmann, congrats! Rock on with it!

Mr. Foxen · #19 05-14-2012, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ncinbox

how is that happening?

The heaters are on so they are still going through thermal cycles and subject to vibration same as the running tubes. Probably better off just not loading the unused side.

FC Bass · #20 05-14-2012, 10:15 AM

The Strategy 400 is awesome for bass, lots of power there (to me it seems each side of the Strategy is more powerful than my 6550 driven Bass 400)

I would also not recommend using it with a single cab, if you do: Set level at 0 and Presence at 10 (like stated above) and you might want to change channels after a while so the tubes wear equally.
Maybe its also a good idea to pull out the tubes on the channel that isn't used? (be sure to check with Mesa or someone here that has more knowledge of tube amps, I'm not sure if you can do that)
Best option would be to rewire your cab, or get another cab.

Not sure if running it with KT88 tubes is aright, Marcus from Mesa told me to not run it with 6550 tubes (the screen resistors will fry or something like that)