• 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.

Mesa Boogie 400+ Settings Help

#2
I have been down this track. The short answer is buy an SVT. The first step towards getting close is to 1) buy a Y cord or AB switcher and use both inputs, and 2) remember that flat on this amp is 2-10-2 (bass-mid-treble) and start from there. The amp will overdrive easily with judicious use of preamp gain. Also search this forum - there are many threads around this amp.
 
#4
I've owned both these amps for a while now and truly feel your fighting a loosing battle.

If you want to make your 400+ sound much better, read this:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=387202


To get a bit closer to your goal, you could try one of the Ampeg preamps (SVP/SVT-IIp), or a Sansamp RBI connected directly to your Boogies poweramp stage by inputting the Mesa's effects return jack. (w/400+ effects blend knob set to 10) This would completely substitute the boogies preamp, but the power stages of these two amps sound much different too. (You could also try using your current B2RE's internal preamp stage by connecting its effects send jack to the 400+ in this manner)


Here's a few general 400+ setting threads:
http://www.google.com/custom?hl=en&...tings&btnG=Search&sitesearch=www.talkbass.com

Here's a quote from sunbeast on this subject.
sunbeast said:
While I haven't been able to exactly recreate the sound of my Ampegs, I've been able to get fairly close using the graphic EQ on my Mesa (but the Mesa has alot more presence, especially with the current tubes I have). I should also add before hand that my preamp tubes are all JJ 12AX7s and the power tubes are Shuguang 6L6GCs...Also, I use a G&L L2500 or SB-2 (usually) through the Berg NV610.

First, I set the knob EQs mostly flat (meaning- mid at 10, bass at about 3, treble at about 2.5), but pull out both the treble and bass knobs for mid shift. Oh yeah, I always use the second channel as well, without the bright knob pulled. On the graphic, I make a wave boost pattern with the top of the wave being the 200 HZ (or 250, I can't remember exactly), with the 150 (or 100HZ) close behind and the 40 HZ a little below that. After the 200 HZ, it's pretty flat but with a slight boost on the second to last treble frequency.

Again, this is not an exact new-school Ampeg sound, which is characterized by a large bump in the 150HZ low-mid region (and a bit of a rolled-off high end)- but I consider it like an Ampeg SVT Classic+:smug: In that it has a similar grit to the Ampeg (using the graphic EQ on the Mesa causes the preamp to overdrive at lower levels), but cuts in the mix better, is less muddy with more presence, and doesn't get so mushy at high levels without cranking it to ungodly volumes!

Also, it may be an unfair comparison as I got my NV610 (and sold my old Ampeg 810) about the same time that I got my Mesa back from the shop and subsequently sold my SVT Classic- so I actually only got to try the Ampeg through the Bergantino a half dozen times before deciding the Mesa kicked its ass! The Berg definitely has a lot to do with the sound, or rather- it accentuates what I like better about the Mesa over the Ampeg- ie -presence/ definition + headroom!

Hope that helps- it seems like alot of 400+ users like to avoid the graphic EQ (I think that it isn't tube-driven), I personally like to take advantage of whatever I have available.

Karl
Click to expand...
 
#5
I have tried the Sansamp and for me it did not come close (and I used to own an SVT2 so I know the sound). Flat is DEFIFINITELY 2-10-2. The tone stack is similar to the early Fender in which the mids only decrease from 10, you cannot boost them - there are heaps of threads on this. I went directly from my SVT2 to the 400+ a few years ago, so I can relate to your questions but again....search this forum, the answera are all there.
 
#6
TeenZombie01 said:
this may seem pointless to some of you but can anyone help me get an ampeg SVT sound out of my mesa boogie 400+ head. i have an ampeg b2re head but i'm going to be using a 400+ since it is much more powerful until i can get an actual ampeg SVT. thank you.
Click to expand...

It depends if you want to let go that 400+ or keep it.
If you want to keep the mesa and are saving for an SVT than it makes sense to maybe spend a little on new tubes and EQ fiddling, but not more. Keep it original on its own - its no longer in production and maybe once raise in collectors value.

If you already decided that you want an SVT and not gonna keep the mesa than dont do anything but clean the amp, take nice pictures of it and sell it as it is. Do NOT spend anything on preamps, effects, mods or whatever. The 400+ will NEVER sound like an SVT.

Vintage SVTs are up on ebay all the time. Be sure that it is good serviced or eventually prepare to spend some 200 for new tubes and maybe even another 200 for a service.
 
#8
"First, I set the knob EQs mostly flat (meaning- mid at 10, bass at about 3, treble at about 2.5), but pull out both the treble and bass knobs for mid shift. Oh yeah, I always use the second channel as well, without the bright knob pulled. On the graphic, I make a wave boost pattern with the top of the wave being the 200 HZ (or 250, I can't remember exactly), with the 150 (or 100HZ) close behind and the 40 HZ a little below that. After the 200 HZ, it's pretty flat but with a slight boost on the second to last treble frequency."

can someone please explain more clearly how the graphic EQ is set up in this guy's explanation. i don't understand what he means by wave boost pattern.
 
#10
i'm looking for this sound more particularly.

Invalid Link Removed

he isn't using an SVT though. i know it's an all tube head, i think its either a fender or a peavey. it's the mars volta performing in 2002 with a temporary bassist named ralph jasso. his tone is amazing, so dirty.
 
#11
TeenZombie01 said:
i'm looking for this sound more particularly.

Invalid Link Removed

he isn't using an SVT though. i know it's an all tube head, i think its either a fender or a peavey. it's the mars volta performing in 2002 with a temporary bassist named ralph jasso. his tone is amazing, so dirty.
Click to expand...

i THINK thats a peavey Classic 400 in tweed with the front panel taken off.
Nice.
Mars Volta are great.
 
#14
I recommend this thread:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=387202&highlight=dark+side
Psycho Bass Guy is the expert on tube amps and his recommended substitution of of a 12AU7 for the driver tube makes a HUGE difference and the amp becomes instantly more user friendly and easier to tame. The tube is only a few bucks and you can replace it yourself in a matter of minutes. Read the thread and and give it a go - to me this is almost a mandatory swap for any 400+ now and may well deliver what you want.
 
#15
Kind of off topic; but I just got a 400+ from ebay and am loving it, but channel one seems much quieter than channel two with identical settings. Do you guys think I should have it checked out, or am I possibly missing something?

Thanks for any help fellas!
 
#16
Bobby_jonez said:
Kind of off topic; but I just got a 400+ from ebay and am loving it, but channel one seems much quieter than channel two with identical settings. Do you guys think I should have it checked out, or am I possibly missing something?

Thanks for any help fellas!
Click to expand...

There is nothing wrong with your amp.
Ch 1 has less gain by design for active basses and ch 2 has more gain for passive basses. Read the manual. If you don't have one you can dl it from the Mesa site.
 
#19
Ahhh...you want grit?
Don't do the tube swazp, that cleans it up!
Do use channel two.
Turn the input up to 10, run the master at 4.
Bass at 5, treble at 3, mids at 10, graphic eq off.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back