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Another All-Tube Convert

Jefenator

Jefenator

Aug 22, 2008
6,960
10,144
Oregon
www.jeffaddicottglassworks.com
#1
After playing out my new-to-me Mesa/Boogie Bass 400 on a rehearsal, then a rowdy bar gig last night, all I can say is: OH HELL YEAH!! :bassist:

I've been at it on bass for 20 years, most of the time trying to shave as much weight and bulk as I can (within reason) and most of the time paying the inevitable price for that approach.

With the Mesa last night, for the very first time, I felt something I'd been missing all these years. Something about the way the whole rig responds. I can let it all hang out, play as hard as I want and not worry about clipping or sending a driver through the wall.

I could totally feel it and hear it. Someone sat in on a tune and from out in the room, the rig sounded freakin' fabulous. Best I've ever had by a long shot.

I didn't quite nail the tone I usually shoot for, but I didn't care. It was pretty darn close and the overall response was blowing me away. Previously, I'd try to do certain things and... nothing. With this head, I try for something, like an upper register fill, and instead of being frustratingly muffled, it's right there in your face, just the way I wanted. (Talk about dynamics!!)

I've always been pretty "clean" but the "dirt" I was getting last night felt just fine.

The funny thing is, this head isn't really that bad to deal with at all. At 43 pounds, It's a slightly uncomfortable one-hand schlep. It's actually easier and quicker to set up than the old pre + power rack.

So now the only question I have remaining is: why in the world did I wait this long?
 
#8
Ya, I felt the same way when I went back to the SVT. Always requested them on fly gigs, but I quit using mine 10 years ago. But when I got it fixed earlier this year, I just thought, what the hell am I doing trying to avoid heavy lifting for 5 -10 minutes and torturing myself for 4 hours on a gig? Well, I can't call it torture because I really do like my LMII, but it just isn't the same.
 
#9
I recently went all tube, a veteran bass player from my town was looking to downsize. So i traded my Ashdown MAG 300 and 4x10 cab for his MESA/Boogie 400+ and MESA/Boogie 1516b cabinet. (with cash over head obviously)

But its probably the best that ever happened to me, and I'm not just talking gear wise, but life in general.

My MIM jazz with DiMarzio's just GROWLS through it, i know what your feeling man.
 
#12
There is something about the way a tube amp responds to touch that I have never been able to duplicate with limiters or compressors (and I've tried everything from pedals to serious studio units)
Never had the pleasure of a Mesa 400+ but can not get that huge, 3-dimensional soundstage of my SVT with a SS Trace, SWR, Acoustic, Peavy, GK, Genz Benz, etc.
 
#16
Jefenator said:
After playing out my new-to-me Mesa/Boogie Bass 400 on a rehearsal, then a rowdy bar gig last night, all I can say is: OH HELL YEAH!! :bassist:

I've been at it on bass for 20 years, most of the time trying to shave as much weight and bulk as I can (within reason) and most of the time paying the inevitable price for that approach.

With the Mesa last night, for the very first time, I felt something I'd been missing all these years. Something about the way the whole rig responds. I can let it all hang out, play as hard as I want and not worry about clipping or sending a driver through the wall.

I could totally feel it and hear it. Someone sat in on a tune and from out in the room, the rig sounded freakin' fabulous. Best I've ever had by a long shot.

I didn't quite nail the tone I usually shoot for, but I didn't care. It was pretty darn close and the overall response was blowing me away. Previously, I'd try to do certain things and... nothing. With this head, I try for something, like an upper register fill, and instead of being frustratingly muffled, it's right there in your face, just the way I wanted. (Talk about dynamics!!)

I've always been pretty "clean" but the "dirt" I was getting last night felt just fine.

The funny thing is, this head isn't really that bad to deal with at all. At 43 pounds, It's a slightly uncomfortable one-hand schlep. It's actually easier and quicker to set up than the old pre + power rack.

So now the only question I have remaining is: why in the world did I wait this long?
Click to expand...

What cab(s) were you running it into?
 
#17
Remember how you feel now. Too many people forget this, end up selling their tube amp to get some 8 oz wonder, and further on down the line regretting it, but unable to find any of the tube amp they miss for sale anywhere.

The 8 oz wonder has its place, it's great to own a portable paperweight amp for those times convenience is the most important thing.

The 400 is one of my favorite tube heads, I prefer it to the 400+. The + is different, has a little more headroom, but doesn't respond or break up like the 400 does.

Why did you wait so long? Only you can answer that. Seems to me the micromachines look better on paper, but the specs and stats don't always tell you the same thing your ears do.
 
#19
For the rehearsal, I used an Aguilar GS112. The head made that cab sound more like a 15.

On the gig I had the GS212. No sound clips just yet. (Been meaning to get the gig recording rig together.) Best I can describe it would be WAY "in your face" without being overly mid-rangey.

It would be cool to dial in just a tad more depth like I used to get with the Alembic tube preamp. Might be doable - I'm still acclimating to the new tone controls.

I do have the feeling I was approaching the amp's maximum output, last night. Which of course is good - means I got the right one for the job. (The 180 or so watts definitely got the job done & is a lot easier on the back than most 300 watt tube heads.)

It might be fun to see what more tube headroom would feel like, with the 400+ or SVT or the likes. I'm certainly satisfied at the moment, but I'm always GASsing and this first experience definitely has me hooked. ;)
 
#20
Welcome!!! Ya can't beat it can ya??? My guitarist in one band I'm in FINALLY bought himself an all tube amp too, after me HOUNDING him for about a year!!! He got a ealy '80's Fender Twin & it took all of 2 mins playing with it for him to say "what have I been DOING playing with that AMP fo so long"-he HAD a Marshall valvestate 100w. He A/B's them after a while & said it was like going from a beast of an amp to a TOY amp! And it actually makes the bass sound better too. Now the bass actually sounds like it';s BLENDING in rather than being a separate entity!!!!!!! So now we're an all tube band!! Ampeg SVT2(300w) or V4BH (100w) & Fender Twin(25/100w) used on 25w @ last Sat's gig & it was never past 3/10 volume!!
The beauty of the li'l glass vaccume tubes!
Congrats on yr rig!!
 

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