how do YOU set up your mesa 400+ (or 400)???

When I had mine, IIRC I ran the treble around 3-4, bass around 2-3, mids at 10. Channel 2, or 1 + 2 if I had means to split my signal. Bright switch pulled out. Master around 4, channel various depending on how loud I needed to be, but generally volume 1 twice as high as volume 2. Various cabs, it sounds good with any good cab, but I especially liked it with a 4 string bass and Mesa Diesel 2X15 cabs, though they were horrible for 5 string bass.

 

I've got an original Bass 400 non-plus. I run it with the mid at 10, bass at 3 and treble at 3, with the treble knob pulled out. I set the master at 5, and split my signal to run both channels at the same time. Channel one is usually around 6 and channel two is set around 3 or 4. I then set the graphic EQ to the room.

The amp gets run with a BBE Sonic Maximizer and a dbx comp/gate. I normally run it through rented and borrowed Ampeg 8x10's, and I just recently sold my own Ampeg 6x10. I'm currently searching for a good mid-sized, 4-ohm cab to replace it.

Some suggestions for your new 400+: Flat on the passive EQ is 10-2-2, mid-bass-treble. It's like a fender amp, where the mids are cut only. Also, a lot of guys around here (including myself) replace the driver tube (the preamp tube closest to the power switches) with a 12AU7. This seems to improve EQ functionality and tame a lot of the harsh upper-mids. It also gives the amp less break-up and a lot more clean headroom.

 

Here's a few theads you should read:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=436889
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=404666
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=398378
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=206824
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=193198
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=254188
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2945176
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5764685
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?p=157002
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=315648

You'll find lots more 400+ info by sifting through this link:
http://www.google.com/custom?hl=en&...400++&btnG=Search&sitesearch=www.talkbass.com

 

I have mine set up with a full set of JJ tubes, play a music man stingray, and I like dirt, and I mean really dirty, lots of tube distortion,

mids at 8, bass at 5 (switch pulled) treble at 4 (switch pulled) Master at 5/6, and running both inputs with a Y Split cable (Input 1 - at 2, Input 2 - at 4) Slight boost of mids around 650hz boosted on the graphic eq for extra grit.

Depends what kind of sound you like though.

Scott

 

i play in a melodic punk/hardcore band (http://www.myspace.com/thisenergy) i have mine set with the mids at 8, bass and treb around 4-5. master at 2 and use the 2nd input at about 4. i boost the lower mids on my graphic EQ. (kinda looks like an "elvis lip" as i like to call it) sounds just right with my jazz bass. i mess around a little more with my precision and T-40. play through an ampeg 8x10.

edit.. the songs on our myspace were not recorded with my current set up.