Mesa 400+ vs Orange ad 200 bass mk3

[durdentk]

Hey guys i own both a mesa 400+ and an orange ad 200 bass mk3. I play rock/pop music and i am just curious as to which amp you guys would pick to use. I know its basically personal preference but im just curious as to what the consensus would be and why. I a-b them last night and overall i found the orange to be a lot smoother sounding while the mesa had a lot more punch and clarity to it.

We only have one guitarist and one bass player so im leaning towards the orange right now for more of a fuller sound.

Thanks guys and i cant wait to read the responses.

 

[Korladis]

Whatever sounds better to your ears.

 

[mattq]

having never played through either amp, my advice is on aesthetic alone: go with the orange

 

[lorenk]

Well, I once looked at an Orange, and seeing the price tag, crapped my pants.

I would go with the 400+ (which is what I ended up buying).

 

[lomo]

I prefer the Orange.

 

[RickenBoogie]

You have both, they're both great amps. I'd take either one, really.

 

[tombowlus]

You have both, they're both great amps. I'd take either one, really.

+1 Same here (though I have a Bass 400).

 

[anyonefortennis]

If was playing hard(er) rock sutff most of the time, I'd go with the orange. If it's more of a rock/pop thing as you describe it, the 400+ would be my amp of choice.

If I had to pick one for myself, I love the looks of the orange but I'd have to go with the 400+ for the added headroom and the massive tube glow factor

 

[iualum]

...never played an Orange...sure it's excellent...still, I think the 400+ is as good as bass valve heads come...

 

[Din Of Win]

What cab(s) are you playing them out of? Just for curiosity's sake.

Aesthetically i would choose Orange hands down. I haven't had the experience of compairing them side by side though...

 

[Musicman20]

Orange....hands down. Looks cooler....yeah not as much wattage, but whats the sudden massive deal with having a gazzilion watts. The overdriven tube sound from the Orange is AMAZING!

 

[EricF]

Since you have some sonic space to work with, the Orange might fill up your sound better, if that sound is what works for your music. On the other hand, a defined punch might be the right call. It really depends on what is best for what you're playing.

 

[durdentk]

Thanks for all the replies. The cab I'm using is a mesa powerhouse 1000 (4x10 w/ 1x15). The orange sounded a lot fuller but the mesa was much crisper and had more punch.

 

[Ron Now]

I actually sold my Mesa 400+ for an Orange AD200 MK III

However, my Orange was completely rebuilt by the dudes at Electric Amp...took out all the PCB parts and rebuilt it point to point, upped the power and such.

So it is not an exact comparison, but things I've noticed

Yes the Mesa is louder, but it has 100 watts on the Orange, Also the active EQ allow the Mesa to get a little deeper low end.

The Orange has a passive EQ so it only subtracts but the midrange is a lot more present so this makes the amp seem more punchy and powerful, cuts through the mix a lot more than the Mesa ever did.

It all comes down to what you prefer sound wise.

My preference clearly went to the orange, but I would check them both out.

 

[silenttodd]

im cosidering parting with my orange ad200 mk3 for a mesa400+ for the punch and clarity i know the mesa will give. orange is really nice i cant really complain only point out i wish i had more high mids from the orange. i dunno am i insane ? anyone? talk me out of it??

 

[lorenk]

I love my 400+

I can't talk you out of it. The GEQ is amazing. Glowing power tubes, amazing!

 

[durdentk]

i ended up deciding to put the orange in my rack mount case to replace the 400+. i still own both however but the orange ended up melding with the music a lot better.

 

[RickenBoogie]

Having a 400+ as a back up ain't so bad, either.

 

[Rumblefisher]

I'm actually in the same boat right now... I would really like to hear the differences in description of each. Some sound clips would help a lot too

 

[chaosMK]

I'd use the Orange if I were doing post-rock. I use my Mesa for post-metal.