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Another All-Tube Convert

#41
I believe the 400+ can run either 8 ohm or 4 ohm loads. So you could get a single 4 ohm 4x10 or 2x15, or two 8 ohm versions of each, or a combination, or two 8 ohm 2x10's, two 8 ohm 1x15's, or a combination, or two 8 ohm 2x12's or an 8 or 4 ohm 4x12. As long as the cab is of good quality, like Mesa, Ashdown, Ampeg, Peavey, etc. you should sound pretty good.

If you buy the 400+, schlep it over to a music store and try some cabs. Make sure not to power it on with no cabs connected, though.
 
#42
400+ can take 8,4, or 2 Ohm loads. In my experience any halfway decent cab will sound good, though of course better than halfway decent cabs sound even better.

For price/performance, I have been very happy with old Mesa Diesel series cabs (EV or Eden speakers) and the one old Eden 4X10 I owned was very nice as well. I didn't like the 15" cabs with the low A on my 5 string, that gave them some trouble. The Diesel 15" cabs had a strong midrange presence, and nice high end without the annoying tinny clicks and pops tweeters can deliver. The Diesel 4X10 was similar to the Eden I owned - not as strong in the mids, but better low end than the 15" equipped cabinets. The Powerhouse 1000 (15" + 4X10") was a compromise. Some of the mids of one plus some of the lows of the other, but for my ears not enough of either - I'd rather have them in the separate cabinets.

The 400+ itself didn't seem to handle that low A very well. It didn't have any problems as such, but didn't have the clarity and strong low end I wanted. Awesome for 4 string though.

If the OP is still around and still has his Alembic preamp, running its output into the effects return of the Mesa will allow you to use just the power section (perhaps the graphic as well, I forget) of the Mesa with your preamp. This can be fun to mess around with.
 
#44
Fealach said:
If the OP is still around and still has his Alembic preamp, running its output into the effects return of the Mesa will allow you to use just the power section (perhaps the graphic as well, I forget) of the Mesa with your preamp. This can be fun to mess around with.
Click to expand...

Still here - alas, the Alembic is gone. I've got an Ampeg tube pre that would be certainly be fun to try, though.

Also got a solid state Ashly preamp. Great for recording but I never liked it onstage - could never get that warm tubey feeling into the back of my legs. Be cool to see what the tube power section would do for that! :bassist:
 
#46
Thanks for the info guys - I have a couple Eden cabinets. A 2x10 8 ohm and a 4x10 4 ohm I'm using with an Ampeg SVT 4 Pro. I also have a Peavey 3620 cab I can try, as well as a Markbass 15 and 2X10 setup. I liked Paul's rig he had setup on the marquee at the Ed Sullivan Theater. I don't see one of those cabs on Mesa's site though. Perhaps it's a custom build for Sir Paul. Badass none the less.
 

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