Need your opinions on a potential trade
 

So I have my Mesa 400+ listed here on TB but there is a local person wanted to trade me his Ampeg SVT 4 Pro and some cash for my Mesa.

Presuming working and cosmetic condition are equal would you make this trade? I just don't know enough about the SVT Pro 4 and there are so many versions of the newer SVT models.

Thanks

What is it you don't like about the 400+?

4 PRO is clean and has a warm tube tone. Definitely no power tube growl. Lots of headroom in the low end though.

RickenBoogie is right on the dot.

I sold my 400+ for a 4 PRO years ago. The 400+ was great, but lacked headroom in the low end department. It had a great growl to it though and it was fun to crank! I realized I wanted a cleaner tone and that is why the 400+ is gone. For most people, the 400+ is fine, but it wasn't for me.

4 pro is a dead end piece of kit. Skip it in my opinion.

How is this helpful to the OP?

Nothing really. I just don't play it as much as it should be. I have a V4B that I use but there are times when I need a roadcased rack set up. So it's a trade and partial cash offer that I'm considering. I guess I am just not finding myself revved up over the SVT Pro 4.

He asked if he should do the trade. My opinion is that he should not--the Mesa 400+ remains a pretty popular tube head, while the SVT-4 pro has not stood the test of time. It's been eclipsed by modern tech and will not retain its value.

They're already selling slowly at half their new price and will just continue declining.

Never had a 4 pro.
Had a 3 pro and hated it.
I love my 400+!

You spend 17 minutes per gig carrying your head, and 3 hours playing through it.
It's gotta be a sound you love.

As I have researched more and more I see this. I'm leaning more and more against the deal.

+1 Remember he came to you which usually indicates he thinks he's getting the better of the deal the 400+ is the better and more popular of the two even with the cash added you now have a head that won't be as easy to flip as the 400+ if you don't like it.

Right mjac, good point on the 400+ being more popular. I just informed him that I would not be making the trade. Thanks for the solid advice.