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Mesa/Boogie Bass 400 Tone Problems

HeavyAxe

HeavyAxe

Jul 16, 2013
420
222
Alberta, Canada
#1
Hey, folks! Well, I've been playing around with my M/B Bass 400 head for awhile now and I must say, I can't get a tone I really enjoy out of it. To me, it seems much too tinny and farty sounding. It just seems to lack balls. I think one of the speakers on my Diesel 2x15 may be less than up to par, but that doesn't explain it really. So, I'm just wondering: Is this just the 400 sound? Is something wrong with it? What can I do to improve it?
Thanks, when I buy it I did so mainly because it was a good deal and I had been a Cliff fanboy in the past. THerefore, this is the tone I was expecting and what I'd like to achieve. Any help is appreciated! Even settings recommendations would be good because I really dig the ol' Cliff tones.


 
#2
Unless there's a source that stated he used the Mesa in the studio. I'd stop right where you are. Those bass tracks could be Sunn Betas or something else plus tons of studio tricks. There could be a D.I. signal in there too. Though, I don't recall getting a tone like this with my 400+ (different amp, but still). The 400+ could be made to be warm and aggressive definitely, required using the graphic EQ for its mid boost. Unfortunately I don't remember any of the settings I used to use.
 
#3
waltdogg said:
Unless there's a source that stated he used the Mesa in the studio. I'd stop right where you are. Those bass tracks could be Sunn Betas or something else plus tons of studio tricks. There could be a D.I. signal in there too. Though, I don't recall getting a tone like this with my 400+ (different amp, but still). The 400+ could be made to be warm and aggressive definitely, required using the graphic EQ for its mid boost. Unfortunately I don't remember any of the settings I used to use.
Click to expand...
Very true, though obviously he would have recreated something similar live. From what I've seen, his live rig was quite simple other than a few pedals.
 
#7
Try cleaning the EQ footswitch jack. A shunt in the jack is normally closed and the pre-amp signal passes through it. If there is oxidation on this shunt, it can seriously affect the tone. Never using this jack only makes it worse with time.

If you have Deoxit, use it. If not try alcohol or whatever you have on hand to clean it. Then work a plug in and out of the jack several times and see if there is an improvement. If it is the problem, it's an easy fix.
 
#10
HeavyAxe said:
Hey, folks! Well, I've been playing around with my M/B Bass 400 head for awhile now and I must say, I can't get a tone I really enjoy out of it. To me, it seems much too tinny and farty sounding. It just seems to lack balls. I think one of the speakers on my Diesel 2x15 may be less than up to par, but that doesn't explain it really. So, I'm just wondering: Is this just the 400 sound? Is something wrong with it? What can I do to improve it?
Click to expand...
Make sure your cab is 100% first. Use an old 9v battery and a cord to check that both drivers are working and in phase. Once it checks out, set your amp flat: lows on 2, mids on 10, and highs on 2. Disengage the EQ. Set volume one as high as you can without causing distortion (I used to dime mine until I changed the tube out, now it's at 8.5 or so) and the gradually increase the master. "1" should give you good bedroom volume and then some. At 5 you should be summoning the local authorities and causing structural damage to your dwelling.
HeavyAxe said:
Thanks, when I buy it I did so mainly because it was a good deal and I had been a Cliff fanboy in the past. THerefore, this is the tone I was expecting and what I'd like to achieve. Any help is appreciated! Even settings recommendations would be good because I really dig the ol' Cliff tones.
Click to expand...
I've never tried to get a sound identical to a recording so I'm no help here. However, in addition to your rig, your bass and strings will pay a big role in the equation. I'll have to listen to those clips - I haven't yet. Your rig is only part of the bigger picture.

Raz
 
#11
Ok, after listening to the clips briefly, you should run through channel 2 and adjust the volume to get the level of saturation needed. If you aren't getting enough when dimed your bass isn't hot enough or you may want to swap the tube for something hotter.
 
#12
What tubes are in the preamp? You can put KT-88's (JJ KT-88's are probably the best for this amp) in the power section and it provides some extra headroom and adds more solidity to the low end.

You can always use other preamps in conjunction with the head too. I often use a Sansamp BDDI in the FX loop for my metal tones and have the VT and Tonehammer on my board too, on the input side.

To get a proper Cliff sound most likely the amp needs to be running at full power ("D180 style"). I would run the Master close to max then add preamp gain to taste. The power section should be getting a little "involved" but not farting into oblivion. This would result in things being very loud but I doubt Cliff was running things less than as cranked as possible.
 
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#13
Razman said:
Ok, after listening to the clips briefly, you should run through channel 2 and adjust the volume to get the level of saturation needed. If you aren't getting enough when dimed your bass isn't hot enough or you may want to swap the tube for something hotter.
Click to expand...
+1
I played my 400+ through an Ampeg Fridge and just cranking the channel 2 preamp got me real close to this sound. In my experience, the 400+ was never thin sounding.
I would make sure your cabinet is fully operational first, and if still not satisfied have a tech check out the Boogie - if everything is working it's a tone monster.
 
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