• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Marshall VBA 400

Fishheadjoe

Fishheadjoe

May 5, 2008
3,490
6,362
Toronto Canada
#1
May be taking a look at a Marshall VBA400 to match up with my Berg NV610.
My question is this... does this head "play nice" with active basses? Typically I use my Pedulla Rapture for gigging, which is obviously an active bass. In my admittedly limited research, I have read that they "don't play nice" with active basses.
Can anyone comment on this? Sure would appreciate some first hand experience before I lay out what will likely be a ton o cash!
Thanks TB...
Fishheadjoe
 
#2
Fishheadjoe said:
May be taking a look at a Marshall VBA400 to match up with my Berg NV610.
My question is this... does this head "play nice" with active basses? Typically I use my Pedulla Rapture for gigging, which is obviously an active bass. In my admittedly limited research, I have read that they "don't play nice" with active basses.
Can anyone comment on this? Sure would appreciate some first hand experience before I lay out what will likely be a ton o cash!
Thanks TB...
Fishheadjoe
Click to expand...

Can't imagine why it wouldn't work fine with an active bass. That amp has 2 inputs, one designed for passive and one for active basses.

The only difference the amp is going to "see" between a passive and an active bass is maybe the signal level. Inputs marked "active" have some type of attenuation added to the circuit to "turn down" a higher signal level by a certain amount. Some are -10db, some -20db, just depends on what the manufacturer wants to build in.

The thing to keep in mind is that even though you may have an active bass, you might not need to use an "active" input on any particular amp. Many active basses do not have particularly high output signals, and there's no need to pad down the level.

I've got an EMG equipped bass that's pretty loud, an Aguilar OBP-3 equipped bass that's average, an Audere equipped bass that's average, and a bone-stock 77 Precision that's louder than all of them.

So just try both inputs with any bass, active or passive, try adjusting the preamp gain on the amp, and use what sounds best to you.
 
#6
I don't think the VBA 400 will have ANY issues with an active bass. I have a +15 dB booster on my main bass, and when I kick it on it just drives my VBAs into pleasant distortion. I have my amps set up pretty crunchy to begin with, but you can dial in a 100% clean tone if you like that.

Cheers!
:bassist::bassist::bassist:
 
#8
VBA is a nice sounding amp but it (IMO) has a certain "VBA" tone to it... It is bit different than a SVT or AD200B. Although it has ample amout of power, I felt that there really wasn't much benefit over a 200w or 300w when using 4 or more drivers (I hated the service cost of replacing all the tubes on that).

Again, not a bad sounding amp, but I felt the mid voicing and a certain darkness wasn't exactly my tone. Also, I don't recall having any issues running my active or passives basses.

My opinion of that amp was a love / hate for some reason. I'm sure that was clear as mud ha...
 
#9
So as noted in the thread starter, I found this amp advertised on Craig's List. After some back and forth with the seller, we reached an agreement on price and he offered to deliver it to my house.
I keep my NV610 in my garage, makes loading and unloading much easier as I can back my truck right up to the cab, tilt and load in. I gave the VBA400 a once over, ensuring that everything worked and it did. Quite a monster from a power perspective and it does, based on my limited time so far, seem the manage a number of workable tones.
I have been gasing for an all tube head for quite some time. Intil now, I have been using a Hartke 3500TA for gigging and althought it has not let me down and it's a decent sounding amp, tubes is what I have been hearing in my head for some time.
The tolex has seen better days and I will be dropping it off at my tech's for a once over; a little insurance is what I am looking for.
So, I now have too many amps and will be listing my RH450 and foot switch locally as that amp has not seen a cab in some time...
Lookin forward to our next gig early October to put the Marshall through it's paces...
Marshallpics003_zps4515675b.jpg

Marshallpics002_zpsce7b867e.jpg

Marshallpics001_zps76cd2d5d.jpg


Fishheadjoe
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wasnex and 6thplanet
#10
Fishheadjoe said:
So as noted in the thread starter, I found this amp advertised on Craig's List. After some back and forth with the seller, we reached an agreement on price and he offered to deliver it to my house.
I keep my NV610 in my garage, makes loading and unloading much easier as I can back my truck right up to the cab, tilt and load in. I gave the VBA400 a once over, ensuring that everything worked and it did. Quite a monster from a power perspective and it does, based on my limited time so far, seem the manage a number of workable tones.
I have been gasing for an all tube head for quite some time. Intil now, I have been using a Hartke 3500TA for gigging and althought it has not let me down and it's a decent sounding amp, tubes is what I have been hearing in my head for some time.
The tolex has seen better days and I will be dropping it off at my tech's for a once over; a little insurance is what I am looking for.
So, I now have too many amps and will be listing my RH450 and foot switch locally as that amp has not seen a cab in some time...
Lookin forward to our next gig early October to put the Marshall through it's paces...
Marshallpics003_zps4515675b.jpg

Marshallpics002_zpsce7b867e.jpg

Marshallpics001_zps76cd2d5d.jpg


Fishheadjoe
Click to expand...

If you need to retube the amp, I can tell you that Tung-Sol reissue 6550A tubes sound awesome in it. Also, get some good NOS preamp glass to really wake her up. I run NOS Mullard preamp tubes across the board in mine, and it was an almost night/day difference from the stock tubes.

Cheers!
:bassist::bassist::bassist:
 
#11
Clammy said:
If you need to retube the amp, I can tell you that Tung-Sol reissue 6550A tubes sound awesome in it. Also, get some good NOS preamp glass to really wake her up. I run NOS Mullard preamp tubes across the board in mine, and it was an almost night/day difference from the stock tubes.

Cheers!
:bassist::bassist::bassist:
Click to expand...

Thanks so much for the advice... gotta admit that I am total newbie regarding tube amps. I will soak up any and all advice and experience given... thanks again!
Fishheadjoe
 
#15
Picked up the head last night from my tech. After re-biasing the power tubes and replacing one of the pre-amp tubes and giving it a thorough cleaning, it's good to go.
Played around with it last night through my TC RS2x10 and so far I really like this amp! Yes, as always, I am in the honeymoon stages, but I just can't get over the power this head exhibits. I have found that the EQ is actually quite responsive and I can easily go from hard driven to uber clean and tight.
Next purchase will have to be a small hand cart though! LOL
My tech, who has been working on tube amps since the 60's had not seen one of these before... my favorite comment on the amp so far..."make sure that when you turn this amp on, not on standby, but engage the power amp, that you have the amp plugged into it's own circuit. The darn thing dimmed the lights in my shop when I was testing it!"
Yes, I lol'd!
He also mentioned that should I decide to sell the amp, I would more than make my money back if I was to part it out! No, I have no intention of doing anything but keep it in it's original condition, but it's nice to know that it has value regardless of it's working condition.

Thanks again to all who provided advice in this thread...

Fishheadjoe
 
#16
Great to see you have a VBA400, i have one too and still think it's awesum.
Lots of power, i mentioned in another thread that it is like having a big block V8 that has a twitchy accelerator pedal.

Hear is a show and tell picture of my setup at the last gig, using both Marshall stacks (because i can with self indulgance).

20130914_211358.jpg
 
#17
Great pic!
I bet you don't much of a problem hearing yourself with that rig!

I now have a number of rehearsals under my belt with the Marshall. I am making the huge error of using a 2x10 and 1x15 cab configuration at our rehearsal space... 6x10 is for gigs only right now. I love this freakin amp! Such a great break up tone, and yes, it's way louder than I'll ever need... which is nice!
First gig with the amp is on Friday night and I'll report back my findings... but I expect awesomeness!
Fishheadjoe
 
#19
Fishheadjoe said:
Great pic!
I bet you don't much of a problem hearing yourself with that rig!

I now have a number of rehearsals under my belt with the Marshall. I am making the huge error of using a 2x10 and 1x15 cab configuration at our rehearsal space... 6x10 is for gigs only right now. I love this freakin amp! Such a great break up tone, and yes, it's way louder than I'll ever need... which is nice!
First gig with the amp is on Friday night and I'll report back my findings... but I expect awesomeness!
Fishheadjoe
Click to expand...

If you can get 1 or 2 VBC412 cabs, you'll be in heaven, hehehe...

This is my "local gig" rig (the cabs are mid-80s era JCM 800 Bass Series - 4x12 top, 2x15 bottom). Not being able to hear myself doesn't even enter my (or anyone else's ) mind. ;) :

DSCN0285.gif


Cheers!
:bassist::bassist::bassist:
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back