Having a tube appear "milky" tells me that it lost its vacuum. Considering that and missing knobs, I'd have to say that amp has been treated pretty rough. Be ready to pay for some repairs.
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Mesa Boggie 400+ should I ??
- Thread starter HemiBob
- Start date
I've oned quite a few Mesa tube heads (still own one). Any old used tube amp I buy I do a retube on, because I like to know what *I* start with. Just because a used amp could be advertised as a "non-issue", you never know the condition or reliability of the old tubes in it.
Also, a few years ago you used to be able to find 400/400+s all day long on the $700 range. But lately I've been looking and they have generally gone up price.
sounds plausible enough,BUT like the old saying," if you have to ask a salesman anything,you're already screwed".....
Yes it's a chance to take... I know. Could turn out good also... If it ever turn out that it was really bad, could I sell for parts ? It does come with head case...
Maybe I'm too optimistic in thinking it could only need tubes...
Maybe I'm too optimistic in thinking it could only need tubes...
I think I might take the plunge, guess I feel lucky
Now all is left is to schedule the roadtrip ....
Thanks to all TBers for their input, much appreciated
Now all is left is to schedule the roadtrip ....
Thanks to all TBers for their input, much appreciated
That might suffice if the amp actually used a sextet of tubes. It's the plus model which uses twelve output tubes. IIRC the bias scheme has two bias pots, one per bank of six tubes. In that case, two matched sextets with a proper bias set up will be the way to go.
They are indeed "fixed bias" but the term is a bit of a misnomer as most "fixed bias" amps have bias adjustments. A 400+ does not have adjustments. For that price I'd at least go check it out. Assuming nothing else is wrong with it other than tubes, I'd call Bob at Eurotubes, tell him it's for a 400+, and he'll sell you a matched set. You can install them yourself.
Edit - If only a couple of power tubes are blown and assuming it isn't blowing fuses, you can still fire it up and see if it works. It won't hurt anything, I just wouldn't push it too hard. You can at least test it out and see if it makes noise. Twist all the knobs, move the eq around, etc...
Edit - If only a couple of power tubes are blown and assuming it isn't blowing fuses, you can still fire it up and see if it works. It won't hurt anything, I just wouldn't push it too hard. You can at least test it out and see if it makes noise. Twist all the knobs, move the eq around, etc...
....unless it's a complete wreck,the worst case appears to be you may end up invested a tad more than it's worth.....but if it's in decent shape and just needs a few tubes and pot cleaning,no big deal.....best case,it's a sleeper....either way you get a great boogie tube amp ....
Why would a retube be over $300?
The 400+ has twelve 6L6 tubes. My D-180 has six 6L6 tubes, and cost $90 to retube (plus some other repair that needed to be done).
The 400+ has twelve 6L6 tubes. My D-180 has six 6L6 tubes, and cost $90 to retube (plus some other repair that needed to be done).
A retube kit at Eurotubes is around that price, for a complete set...
Once I grab it I ll have a look at it and bring it to a tech and have it evaluated
- Mar 1, 2005
- 3,101
- 385
- 62
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Crook Custom Guitars
I owned my 400+ for over 20 years before trading it off last year when I began to "downsize" (literally).
That's a fantastic amp, and unless it is just a complete basket case, it is likely worth taking the chance.
Over the years, I remember retubing probably 3-4 times. The only problem I ever had with the amp was the switch that kicks the graphic EQ in/out went bad...easy fix.
I say "go for it"!
That's a fantastic amp, and unless it is just a complete basket case, it is likely worth taking the chance.
Over the years, I remember retubing probably 3-4 times. The only problem I ever had with the amp was the switch that kicks the graphic EQ in/out went bad...easy fix.
I say "go for it"!
Knobs get knocked or knocked off through rough treatment. How did the front of this amp come in contact with something enough to damage or lose knobs? It tells a tale of carelessness. Once or regularly?
+1
Always gotta look at things like that when buying a used amp. If you had a big beast of an amp like this AND a case, why wouldn't you use it when transporting it? I'd take a good look inside the back of the amp for bent parts indicating the amp was dropped possibly.
I played a 400 non plus for about a year or so and it was a killer amp. I only sold it to fund the new lightweight Mesa Prodigy, but the tone was all there. For $400 if you're okay with dropping another $350 on tubes/tech bill I'd say that's a pretty decent deal if the amp checks out.
Well guys, I think I ll pass on this one, the seller seemed to get annoyed with questions and turns out most of the shafts in the pots were broken, not just missing knobs... And he said the amp couldn't be turned on until new tubes were put in. He never explained what happened...
I can't take a chance, on top of the 3 hour drive there.
Thanks to all fir your help and I ll keep looking for a good one. Although they are pretty rare up here.
I can't take a chance, on top of the 3 hour drive there.
Thanks to all fir your help and I ll keep looking for a good one. Although they are pretty rare up here.
Yeah, if the guy was getting annoyed about your questions, screw him.
I've got a couple factory mesa pots in my parts drawer from way back when I used to have a 400+ if anybody needs them...
I've got a couple factory mesa pots in my parts drawer from way back when I used to have a 400+ if anybody needs them...
You wouldn't happen to have an eq slider button would you?
I should be picking mine up from layaway in about two weeks, can hardly wait. Not sure what else it needs yet.
Raz
i'd consider waiting a while and if it's still for sale offer 100-200 for the parts.....then you have room to either sell for a profit or rebuild it .....
