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Mesa Boogie 400 vs. 400+
- Thread starter covetterock
- Start date
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And.... the Mesa 400 was made between 1985 and mid '89. It was originally designed to use six 6550 power tubes, although late models shipped with 6L6's. Regardless of tubes, it puts out around 200 watts of power, maybe a little more. Most of the original 400's only had 4 and 8 ohm taps, but the very latest ones (such as the one I own) have 2-ohm taps as well.
The 400+ came out in mid '89, and used twelve 6L6's. It puts out close to 270 watts.
The 400 only came with a 6 band EQ, as did the first run of 400+'s. The plus began using a 7-band eq around 1990.
Also, the 400 was voiced to use the commonly available NOS tubes of the mid 80's, whereas the 400+ is voiced around cheaper tubes. The reason Mesa switched from the 400 to the 400+ was because they ran out of stocks of reliable 6550 power tubes, and at the time Groove Tubes was the only company making new ones, and they sucked! So they started selling the 400 with 6L6's, and people probably complained about a loss of headroom. So they designed a new amp to use 12 6L6's, and hence the 400+.
I use the older Bass 400. Despite the wattage difference, there really isn't a difference in volume between the two amps (as long as the 400 is running 6550 or KT88 tubes). There is a tonal difference though, and I certainly like my 400 more!
And.... the Mesa 400 was made between 1985 and mid '89. It was originally designed to use six 6550 power tubes, although late models shipped with 6L6's. Regardless of tubes, it puts out around 200 watts of power, maybe a little more. Most of the original 400's only had 4 and 8 ohm taps, but the very latest ones (such as the one I own) have 2-ohm taps as well.
The 400+ came out in mid '89, and used twelve 6L6's. It puts out close to 270 watts.
The 400 only came with a 6 band EQ, as did the first run of 400+'s. The plus began using a 7-band eq around 1990.
Also, the 400 was voiced to use the commonly available NOS tubes of the mid 80's, whereas the 400+ is voiced around cheaper tubes. The reason Mesa switched from the 400 to the 400+ was because they ran out of stocks of reliable 6550 power tubes, and at the time Groove Tubes was the only company making new ones, and they sucked! So they started selling the 400 with 6L6's, and people probably complained about a loss of headroom. So they designed a new amp to use 12 6L6's, and hence the 400+.
I use the older Bass 400. Despite the wattage difference, there really isn't a difference in volume between the two amps (as long as the 400 is running 6550 or KT88 tubes). There is a tonal difference though, and I certainly like my 400 more!
I've owned a 400+, 400, and D-180. I agree that with 6550s the 400 has no noticeable volume difference from the 400+. I was able to get it quite close to the 400+ tone as well, at least to my ears. Put in some 6L6s, and you have a monstrous wooly beast. The 400+ can't do that, so I sold my 400+.
Eventually I used the same logic and sold the 400, since the D180 can sound similar (not as loud or quite as full, but under real use pretty hard for a non bassist to tell the difference) plus having the crazy front end that makes it great for distortion or even guitar as well.
One thing though, most 400s have 8 or 4 Ohm taps only, where the 400+ also has 2 Ohm taps. It has been reported that the 400 can actually run safely at 2 Ohms, however, by some on this board who have done so for years.
Eventually I used the same logic and sold the 400, since the D180 can sound similar (not as loud or quite as full, but under real use pretty hard for a non bassist to tell the difference) plus having the crazy front end that makes it great for distortion or even guitar as well.
One thing though, most 400s have 8 or 4 Ohm taps only, where the 400+ also has 2 Ohm taps. It has been reported that the 400 can actually run safely at 2 Ohms, however, by some on this board who have done so for years.
Here's the back of my Bass 400, with it's 2 ohm taps :]
And I totally agree, this thing is pretty mean with the 6L6's, and hella loud! I would like a bit more cleanliness, though, so I hope to score a bias mod and some 6550's for it in the near future. And a shockmount case to keep it as scratch-free as it is now!
And I totally agree, this thing is pretty mean with the 6L6's, and hella loud! I would like a bit more cleanliness, though, so I hope to score a bias mod and some 6550's for it in the near future. And a shockmount case to keep it as scratch-free as it is now!
Gracias! The only way I'd ever part with it would be finding a nice D180 with a graphic EQ.... which hasn't happened yet. I've been temped to sell it for an SVT every once in a while, but I just need to stay Mesa strong!
- Apr 3, 2003
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
I have the Bass 400 (and a D-180), and I pretty much have to agree with all of the above. The 400+ is a really great head, but I slightly preferred the tone of the 400. I have had mine modded to allow for adjustable bias, and I currently have KT-88's in mine.
Tom.
Tom.
