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Home · Search · Member List · Register   Home » Bass Amp and Cab Reviews » Cabs & Combos   Yorkville Sound Bassmaster XS400TC Reviews Views Date of last review 2 14036 Wed February 2, 2005 Recommended By Average Price Average Rating 100% of reviewers $985.50 9.0 Have TalkBass search for prices on a Yorkville Sound Bassmaster XS400TC Description: -Tube powered input and overdrive (12AX7A preamp tube) -Footswitchable Tube Overdrive and Effects Loop -Innovative Wet/Dry blend on Tube Overdrive -Wet/Dry blend on the effects loop return -Five band EQ featuring a semi-parametric sweepable mid -Unique 'Variable Contour' scoop function -Pre/Post EQ selectable XLR balanced Tube DI output -Speakon™ and 1/4" extension cabinet outputs -Front panel mute switch for silent tuning with 1/4" tuner out jack -Switchable Limiter at the output stage -Proprietary 'Tweeter Auto Mute' function and bypass switch -2x10" 150 watt Eminence bass drivers and 30 watt tweeter. -Available in either black Ultrathane painted cabinet or black Ozite (XS400TC) carpeted versions *Taken from Yorkville.com Author RevGroove Registered User Registered: July 2002 Location: Burlington ON Canada Posts: 1786 Review Date: Tue March 23, 2004 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: $946.00 | Rating: 9    Pros: Wicked, tight tone. Tube Preamp, parallel tube overdrive. Improved, simpler EQ. Cons: Only threshold is adjustable in compressor I was privileged to try a prototype in the new XS BassMaster amplifier series from Yorkville, the XS400T combo (2x10). After hearing how the new head sounded in comparison to the BM400 series, I was really impressed. Overall, very easy to dial in tone with the 5 band EQ (with adjustable parametric mid) as opposed to the 10 band graphic equalizer found on the BM400. The adjustable “scoop” control (previously contour, an on/off function) is an added plus. In addition to the limiter (on/off) there’s now an adjustable compressor. Other new features include a tuner out jack with a mute function for silent tuning, and an effects blend knob for dry/wet signal mix when using effects in the effects loop (found on the rear of the unit). Also on the back of the amp there’s a tweeter mute switch if you wish to go that route. Returning features include a footswitch jack for use with a dual footswitch (i.e. TFS-2) In addition to the speaker out puts on the back of the amplifier (2 ¼” jacks as well as another new feature, a speakon jack), there’s also an XLR DI out, switchable on the front panel to decide whether to send the signal post or pre EQ from the bass. The big news though is the fact that the XS400 comes with a new tube preamp, with a parallel overdrive/gain circuit. You can control not only the amount of drive, but how much drive is blended with the dry signal as well. I received the XS400T prototype on Wednesday December 3rd. The amp didn’t even make it into my house when I got home…straight from the company van to my car and I was on my way to rehearse with my classic/soft rock group. The only effect used inline with my Spector bass (outfitted with passive EMGs and an active preamp) was a Boss V-Wah pedal. I immediately noticed there was more clarity without loss of low end then with the 15” model. As stated before, it was extremely easy to dial in a tone that I was happy with. But the big surprise was the overdrive. Previously, I eschewed using distortion in my rig and never really used any. But this was a testing process right? So for our arrangement of “Come Together”, I dialled in a fair amount of overdrive and set to playing the main groove…and Yorkville made a believer out of me! My only concern though is that the speakers seemed to clip a bit when in the toe up position, but using the tweeter mute function and switching to the passive input seemed to alleviate this issue. The next night was rehearsal for the Sunday morning service at my church, where I usually use a 400w head and a 4x10 cabinet. In this situation, I use a Spector bass with active pickups and preamp. In that setting, the amp performed well, though I had to boost the mids just a hair so I could hear myself better. Excellent for slapping and funk grooves; the team was at first worried that I wasn’t using my usual rig but after three tunes it was apparent that the XS400T was going to cut it. Sunday morning “dress rehearsal” and main service. What can I say? I WANT ONE!!! I used the XLR out to run a line directly to the drummer’s powered monitor and he loved it! We were totally locked in because he was able to get a better signal direct rather than blended in with the main monitor mix. I miked one of the 10” speakers with a kick drum/bass microphone to send my signal to the board. Feedback from those in the know in the audience confirmed that the bass not only cut through in the mix, but also sounded rich and full! Stage wise, I was able to crank the volume without boosting the mids for my own monitoring purposes. The XS400T stacks up very nicely against other 2x10 combos in its class from other manufacturers such as SWR, G&K, and Fender with clarity and punch for a variety of applications. Pros: The new 5 band EQ; 10 inch speakers with tweeter mute; tuner out and mute function; and overdrive Cons: Compressor ratio is set at 2:1 and not adjustable. Cabinet’s painted finish is painfully abrasive. If you get a chance, go for it! The only change I\'m making in my new set up is that I\'m going to be using he balanced out from the amplifier and I\'m no longer using the Audix D4. Cheers! ------------------------------ My MySpace Page; MTD KZX Bass Owners Mem. #4; Yorkville/Traynor Club Mem. #9; MTD (non U.S.) Club #14; Black n Maple Bass Owner's Club Mem. #108 flaghard Registered User Registered: October 2004 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 35 Review Date: Wed February 2, 2005 Would you recommend the product? Yes | Price you paid?: $1,025.00 | Rating: 9    Pros: power, sound, versatility Cons: none I have to say i was really plaesed with what came out of this amp without adding a 15\" ext cab. The tube drive sounds amazing and it gives my bass a punchy yet growly sound. It has plenty of power and can even drown out my string-snapping guitarist. With all the features this amp offers, i can go from metal, to jazz, and from hip hop to blues. I love this amp and i won\'t be replacing it with anythign else anytime soon ------------------------------ play music Powered by: ReviewPost PHP vB3 Enhanced Copyright 2006 All Enthusiast, Inc.