Trade GK 800RB for Mesa 400?

Gasman · #1 09-06-2010, 05:37 PM

I have the opportunity to trade my Gallien-Krueger 800rb for a Mesa/Boogie 400 (non-plus). I love the GK, but truth be told I've alway been intrigued with the Mesa tube amps, particularly the 400+. Obviously the 400 is a bit different, but I was hoping to get some input as to whether this would be a good decision. I played through the Mesa, and it does sound great, but I didn't have the chance to do a head-to-head (pun intended) comparison.

Any TB'ers out there who have had both of these amps and could offer some guidance as to the pros/cons of the Mesa (aside from the weight)? FWIW I play in a hard rock/prog band with one guitarist, drums, and a singer. I use several OD pedals, some chorus/reverb/flangers, and a variety of basses (Bongo, Stingray, Rick). My sound is slightly scooped with boosted low mids (growly).

KramerBassFan · #2 09-06-2010, 07:21 PM

Do it!

RIGHT NOW!

BillJarrett · #3 09-06-2010, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KramerBassFan

Do it!

RIGHT NOW!

+1

Thats like someone offering up their nice luxury sportscar in trade for your '89 Ford Tempo.

KramerBassFan · #4 09-06-2010, 07:24 PM

Or an 86' Pacer

throbgod13 · #5 09-06-2010, 07:25 PM

do it..

Uncle Snake · #6 09-06-2010, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gasman

I have the opportunity to trade my Gallien-Krueger 800rb for a Mesa/Boogie 400 (non-plus). I love the GK, but truth be told I've alway been intrigued with the Mesa tube amps, particularly the 400+. Obviously the 400 is a bit different, but I was hoping to get some input as to whether this would be a good decision. I played through the Mesa, and it does sound great, but I didn't have the chance to do a head-to-head (pun intended) comparison.

Any TB'ers out there who have had both of these amps and could offer some guidance as to the pros/cons of the Mesa (aside from the weight)? FWIW I play in a hard rock/prog band with one guitarist, drums, and a singer. I use several OD pedals, some chorus/reverb/flangers, and a variety of basses (Bongo, Stingray, Rick). My sound is slightly scooped with boosted low mids (growly).

In the time it took you to type this up, you could have done the trade, stapled yer nuts to a plank, and STILL come out ahead. Just DO it!

Gasman · #7 09-06-2010, 07:51 PM

I love this input! I'm gonna do it tomorrow, but again, anyone have any pros/cons?

Uncle Snake · #8 09-06-2010, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gasman

I love this input! I'm gonna do it tomorrow, but again, anyone have any pros/cons?

Other then the potential cost of a re-tubing and the weight difference, they're all pro's.

sunbeast · #9 09-06-2010, 08:01 PM

The 400 will probably take significantly longer to dial in, and may require new tubes (unfortunately many people are not very good about the minimum amount of upkeep required by a tube amp, and I've needed an initial retube with just about every tube amp I've ever owned). Other than that- you would definitely be getting the better end of that deal, at least from the standpoint of used market prices. And with a good set of tubes, a Mesa 400/400+ may be the all around best amp I've ever played for heavy music! The 800RB is no slouch either (I am actually currently GASsing for one pretty heavily), but an entirely different tone and something you could always find easily again in the future for pretty cheap (whereas the Mesa is long out of production and will make you some money if you decide to sell it, minus the cost of new tubes if you go that route).

jeff7bass · #10 09-06-2010, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillJarrett

+1

Thats like someone offering up their nice luxury sportscar in trade for your '89 Ford Tempo.

Come on now, the GK 800rb is a classic in it's own right. Probably the hardest working amp in history and it has great tone.
The Mesa is a different animal though, great for metal, hard rock, in your face stuff. It's like an old classic car though in that you'll have to put time and money into it. I would make the trade only because it's easier and cheaper to replace the 800RB. HOWEVER, if I were heading out to buy a new amp I would buy the GK.

Sartori · #11 09-06-2010, 10:20 PM

Mesa tube amps are obviously quite different from GK's. Better for me? Definitely, but not for everyone.

If you've tried it and like it, go for it. The EQ is a bit weird, because, IIRC, like the D-180, the 400 uses the fender tone stack, so "flat" is something like lows: 2, mids: 10, highs: 2. You can use the graphic EQ to change things around a bit, too.

AverageWhiteBassist · #12 09-08-2010, 07:08 PM

I had a 400 years back, sounded good but heavy. I would say you'll miss the 800Rb, not that you won't like the 400, but the 800 is cool in its own right.

NecroticImbecil · #13 09-08-2010, 07:28 PM

If it has 6L6 power tubes you may not need a pedal for your distortion.

TMacATK · #14 09-08-2010, 07:34 PM

The 400 is probably worth more than an 800RB. I do miss my old 800, but I would jump on that trade.

AverageWhiteBassist · #15 09-08-2010, 07:55 PM

Doesn't the 400 have 6550s or is my memory that shot? I know the 400+ had 6l6's, I was pretty sure there were 6550s in my 400.

sunbeast · #16 09-08-2010, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveProulx

Doesn't the 400 have 6550s or is my memory that shot? I know the 400+ had 6l6's, I was pretty sure there were 6550s in my 400.

It was originally designed for 6550s, but they ran out of a reliable distributor for them and started tubing them with 6L6s, at which point they apparently starting recieving alot more warranty repairs because people were pushing them alot harder (6 6l6s have half the potential output of 6 6550s). The 400+ was their solution to get more headroom using the 6L6s.

Classickbass · #17 09-08-2010, 08:05 PM

I have the 400+, it has 6L6's.

diechris · #18 09-08-2010, 08:06 PM

get rid of it! take the MESA 400! ...I love gks.... but thats a deal. sadly 800rbs dont have much resale.. not because theyre bad but like ampeg 810's they've so much out there that the resale is dirty cheap.. you can get the mesa... if you dont like it.. sell it for twice the price of another used 800rb

Classickbass · #19 09-08-2010, 08:12 PM

Do it! IF you don't like it, you can sell it to me.

I have always wanted to do my own side by side comparison of the 400 and 400+.

Grooveman1961 · #20 09-08-2010, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gasman

I have the opportunity to trade my Gallien-Krueger 800rb for a Mesa/Boogie 400 (non-plus). I love the GK, but truth be told I've alway been intrigued with the Mesa tube amps, particularly the 400+. Obviously the 400 is a bit different, but I was hoping to get some input as to whether this would be a good decision. I played through the Mesa, and it does sound great, but I didn't have the chance to do a head-to-head (pun intended) comparison.

Any TB'ers out there who have had both of these amps and could offer some guidance as to the pros/cons of the Mesa (aside from the weight)? FWIW I play in a hard rock/prog band with one guitarist, drums, and a singer. I use several OD pedals, some chorus/reverb/flangers, and a variety of basses (Bongo, Stingray, Rick). My sound is slightly scooped with boosted low mids (growly).

I currently own 800's and a mesa 400. I recently sold a 400+.

Hell yes trade. Then sell the 400 and buy 2 or 3 800's.

I'm pretty sure you won't like the 400's tone or versatility compared to your 800. And....its not as powerful.