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400+ & El Whappo?

zcwilkes

zcwilkes

Supporting Member
Oct 1, 2002
309
30
Huntington, WV
#1
So I'm running into some money soon and I need a rock/ hard rock rig. I've always wanted to get the Accugroove cab but I'm debating on the head. I'll be in a King's X cover band and a 60's and 70's rock band (Hendrix, Cream, Zepp..etc...)
I guess what I'm asking is will an El Whappo and a Mesa 400+ be able to compete with a triple-rectifier half stack?

I used to have an all SWR setup. Bass 350 and GOL III 2x10 and a 1x15, but wasn't happy with my tone.

My current setup is a 150watt Trace combo and a Trace 1x15 cab.
 
#3
I'm not too familiar with Mesa amps but I found that my Whappo Jr. cab really blossomed when I replaced "popular brand X amp with a reputation for liberal power ratings" with a more honestly rated power amp. With the right amp pushing it, The El Whappo ought to be able to neuter large dogs with the slap of a B string.
 
#5
My guitar player also has a triple-rectifier half stack. And my drummer has a massive DW set...
I'm running a GENZ-BENZ GBE-600 (425 watts @ 4ohms)into the El Whappo and have NO problem being heard.
That being said, I'm putting together a new pre/power setup for more headroom. While 425 watts is enough to drive the El Whappo, if I turn up any more, it starts clipping.
You may want to find a head with more power to drive the Accugroove safely.
 
#7
Bad_Habit_Bassist said:
The 400+ is a *LOUD* head. They give is like a 500W rating, but IIRC it's more like 400W, but again, all tube. Put a 15, 12 and a 6 under it and I'm sure you'll be plenty loud. ;)


Ray
Click to expand...


actually it's only 300 watts RMS at best. But a tube head that size on a modern cabinet should be fine against a tube 1/2 stack so long as you don't try to compete using a real scooped bedroom tone.
 
#11
zcwilkes said:
Thx everyone for your advice. I think I'm going to go with that setup. I'm considering a SVT-4 pro too, but I have always liked the 400+ because I've always wanted an all-tube head.
Click to expand...
If you're still open to options for all tube heads, I'd consider looking into the .Link Removed, and the ampeg SVT-CL. There's a few others out there too, just thought I'd give ya other options in case you didn't consider them...

Ray
 
#12
Hey there,
Next week I'll be getting my Accugroove Whappo Jr., and I'm gonna try it both with my Aguilar DB359 and my Aguilar AG500. I expect it to be efficient enough for either one. I'll tell you, I've only had the AG500 (500 solid state watts, class D power amp) a week, but I think the DB359 is a about as loud as it (200 tube watts, all tube power amp). I think it should kick some major booty..... :hyper:

Now I just need my new Linc..... :hiding:
 
#14
I'm pretty experienced with 400+ amps and the 300w 'actual' rating is right on. They claim 500w peak... NOT. Anyway they are wonderful amps an I kinda miss mine but when I tried running my former Bergantino HT212 or HT322 with this amp it CHOKED big time. I don't know how the AG would fair but the Bergs sounded wonderful at low to medium volume, but when I needed the power on a outside live gig ... not happening at all. The 400+ was very nice with my Berg NV610 or my HT/EX112s but I went a different route. I ended up with a Crest CA9 and Demeter pre. This rig will leave a mushroom cloud no matter what cab you would choose...
 
#15
I can echo what Big String is saying. While I enjoyed my 400+ 's (I owned two) with Mesa cabs in years past, I found they sounded weak and lacking with my Bergantino and Epifani cabs. Didn't have the Whappo Jr. when I still owned the Mesas but there are a number of more suitable amps for the El Whappo, I'm sure.
 
#16
Big String said:
I ended up with a Crest CA9 and Demeter pre. This rig will leave a mushroom cloud no matter what cab you would choose...
Click to expand...

Yup. Here's my setup at last Saturday's gig. Had I gotten the CA9 before I ordered a second Whappo Jr., I would have concluded that I didn't *need* a second cabinet. As you can see here, the single cab is all I really need (still breaking in the new one, anyway!)


Invalid Link Removed
 
#18
BassGreaser said:
DaveAce give us a review on how the DB359 sounds with the Whappo Jr when you get her in!! :hyper:
Click to expand...

I just got the Whappo Jr., man this thing looks just as sharp in person as it does on the website. I'll be doing some major tests on all of my new gear in the next few weeks. My initial tests on this cab was only for about 10 minutes with a Hartke head, so let me get some time on my hands and try it with the Aguilar heads....
;)
 

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