I have Boogie 400+ (in a Boogie floating chassis flight case) that I run through a Boogie 4x10 (I'm not sure if it contains Eden Bassmasters or Boogie drivers). I just love it. However, I am getting older and struggle to get it from the house into the car. I am not far off developing hernias and have been advised by Dr to take it easy. I have never looked at any other gear because I have been so happy however, for my health's sake the rig must go. The sound is so clear, warm and really punches through the mix. Does any one know of any lighter, more easily portable rigs that will deliver on tone, punch and quality? I bought the Boogie 20 years ago and am frankly clueless as to what can compare given that technology will have marched on.
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Mesa Boogie Bass 400+
- Thread starter AliG
- Start date
Mesa Walkabout, or maybe the Mesa Walkabout. A third option would be the Walkabout.
http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Bass_Amps/walkabout/WalkAbout2.html
Your Bass 400+ is at the all-time pinnacle of bass amps, so forget ever trying to replicate its tone.
http://www.mesaboogie.com/Product_Info/Bass_Amps/walkabout/WalkAbout2.html
Your Bass 400+ is at the all-time pinnacle of bass amps, so forget ever trying to replicate its tone.
I'd suggest you keep the 400+, but start researching all the AudioKinesis, BigE and fEARful cab threads here on talkbass.
There's lots of amazing (big-sounding) cabs avalible nowadays that are much lighter than your boogie cab.
Edit:
The 400+ weighs 43lbs, I own one and consider it my "light-weight" amp, compared to my other tube powered amps.
Its possible your rackcase is adding a lot of unnecessary weight you could trim by swapping out to a different 4-space rackcase...
I like Pearson rackcases, very strong but dont weigh much. I also own a Mesa sus-4 shockcase, that sucker weighs 30lbs all by itself and is ridiculous to lug around unless your a touring pro with strong roadies...
There's lots of amazing (big-sounding) cabs avalible nowadays that are much lighter than your boogie cab.
Edit:
The 400+ weighs 43lbs, I own one and consider it my "light-weight" amp, compared to my other tube powered amps.
Its possible your rackcase is adding a lot of unnecessary weight you could trim by swapping out to a different 4-space rackcase...
I like Pearson rackcases, very strong but dont weigh much. I also own a Mesa sus-4 shockcase, that sucker weighs 30lbs all by itself and is ridiculous to lug around unless your a touring pro with strong roadies...
There has also been a lot of talk about the Jules Amps 'Monique' bass pre with a ligthweight power amp having a sound very similar to a good tube amp. I have not heard it myself, so I cannot comment. But you may want to search for this.
Will you also be replacing the cabinet? Always seemed odd to me when people move to a 3 ounce amp but keep the old 100 lb cab.
Is it feasible to remove the head from the rack, and transport only that? That will save a lot of weight. Depends on your situation I know, touring pros need the protection while I can just set the head itself gently in the back of my car.
I'm a big fan of not buying something new if I can figure a way around it. If you must, I've found the older Mpulse amps and recently an M6 carbine sounded reasonably close to the 400+ sound, for amps without power tubes. These were heads, the one Walkabout combo I tried sounded like a water buffalo passing gas so vile it was blowing the speakers. Maybe that was just me, or that particular amp, everybody else seems to love them.
Is it feasible to remove the head from the rack, and transport only that? That will save a lot of weight. Depends on your situation I know, touring pros need the protection while I can just set the head itself gently in the back of my car.
I'm a big fan of not buying something new if I can figure a way around it. If you must, I've found the older Mpulse amps and recently an M6 carbine sounded reasonably close to the 400+ sound, for amps without power tubes. These were heads, the one Walkabout combo I tried sounded like a water buffalo passing gas so vile it was blowing the speakers. Maybe that was just me, or that particular amp, everybody else seems to love them.
I'd keep the head (maybe transport with the help of a small cart or something) and find a nice lightweight cab. Maybe a Bergantino or SWR GoLite (I love Mesa cabs but found I could get my types of sounds out of the GoLite... which was unexpected). None of these modern cabs will give you the tone of a 100lb Mesa though.
Take a look at the Walkabout. Of course, it won't sound exactly like the 400+, but man it's impressive for a lightweight. I went from an old SVT, to an SVT6Pro, to the Walkabout and there's no turning back for me. When considering portability AND tone, you gotta give it a try.
Going by your own admission, you probably need to look at one of the new light-weight amps. Having owned Mesa stuff in the past myself, the 400+ tone will not be found in a modern lightweight set-up. But there are plenty of great sounding light amps out there. I replaced my Mesa stack with an Eden WT330 combo. I play G&L and MusicMan basses, and they work really well together. I was running an mpulse head with two cabs though and not the 400.
All that said, if I owned a 400+, I would probably hang on to it, and buy an Eden or GK lightweight amp. And I would get one of those Mesa 1-15 cabs with the EV speaker in it for the 400.
All that said, if I owned a 400+, I would probably hang on to it, and buy an Eden or GK lightweight amp. And I would get one of those Mesa 1-15 cabs with the EV speaker in it for the 400.
I own a Monique and it sounds absolutely amazing. Tons of tuby tone.... But it is a $1100+ preamp and needs a power amp. I am spending $400-ish on a powermp to pair with mine and it will be my main gigging rig. Monique and a power amp with waaayyyy over 1000w will come in under 20 lbs and fit in a 4U rack. Still a crazy amazing amp for ~$1500.
I love my Mesa M9 and a Mesa D-180 (predecessor to the 400) but the Monique sounds better to me. Not as modern and transparent as the M9 but similar to the D-180 with better articulation.
Also, my D-180 is heavy (even in a super light Gator rack case).
Regarding cabs, lots of TBers are going from 410s to light custom cabs from fEARful and other builders. A cab in the 40-50lb range containing a 15 apparently can keep up with a 90lb+ 410.
As far as small amps, I really like the GK MB Fusion. A lot like Mesa (the M9 anyways) and fit in my gig bag.
Lots of options out there....
My d-180 in shock case is a bit much too. I don't carry it on stairs by myself.
Never put the sucker on the floor! Shifting it goes: Home...from top of cab to car / cab follows.....Venue load in cab / amp follows to top of cab....gig....load out same again in reverse.
+1 to getting a lighter case and a trolley.
Never put the sucker on the floor! Shifting it goes: Home...from top of cab to car / cab follows.....Venue load in cab / amp follows to top of cab....gig....load out same again in reverse.
+1 to getting a lighter case and a trolley.
I loved my Mesa Bass 400+.
But it's nothing compared to the Glockenklang Blue Soul I'm rocking now. It has that clear articulation with an amazing amount of beef....but is only 11lbs.
But it's nothing compared to the Glockenklang Blue Soul I'm rocking now. It has that clear articulation with an amazing amount of beef....but is only 11lbs.
My Mesa 400 is experiencing some problems right now, and while I find it's sound to be pretty unmatched (running w/ 6550's), my Mesa Mpulse, when dialed in well with the eq and a sansamp driver has gotten me pretty close to the sound I'm used to.
You also might consider switching to 2 210 cabinets to replace the 410. Having the option to only take one to smaller gigs and both to larger gigs is very nice. Plus when stacked vertically you can increase your perceived stage volume quite a bit since the speakers are closer to your ears.
You also might consider switching to 2 210 cabinets to replace the 410. Having the option to only take one to smaller gigs and both to larger gigs is very nice. Plus when stacked vertically you can increase your perceived stage volume quite a bit since the speakers are closer to your ears.
Just out of curiousity, are you moving it around enough to really need the SUS-4 rack?
While they are awesome, the case you have your head in weighs about as much as the amp does.
While they are awesome, the case you have your head in weighs about as much as the amp does.
+1
You'll probably be quite surprised how much lighter the 400+ will be without that case (or in a lightweight ABS type).
I used to run my 400+ in a four rack gator case with holes drilled under the side handles to match the vents. Hugely lighter than a shock case and much smaller than the shock case too. I never had a problem with it despite it covering thousands of miles in the band truck. Well worth the consideration if you really want to hang on to the 400+.
Old thread but I gotta give kudos to the Mesa Walkabout Scout. IMHO - truly the best truly portable bass combo there is. I expected to buy the 15 but after auditioning both went with the 12. Depending on your application, you may prefer the 8 ohm version so that you can add 2nd cabinet for larger venues.
Ali G no longa in da house.
He was Borat for a while, I'm not sure what he's doing now.
I had a Mesa Boogie 400+ and a four 10 cabinet. I loved the amp to death and there is no other bass amp that offers the tone of this amp.
What I did was trade in my 400 for the Buster wedge. It offers the same exact tone of the 400 but in a smaller setup. I wish I kept the 400 though.
My recommendation for you is to get rid of your four 10 cabinet and buy a cabinet with the neyo speakers that are ultra light. Carvin four 10 cabinet that only weights 68 pounds. That is 30 pounds lighter than most four 10 cabinets.
BR410N-8 Neodymium Bass Cabinet
Speakers Imp./Power Dimensions
LIST PRICE: $795.00
DIRECT: $599.00
SALE: $499.00
What I did was trade in my 400 for the Buster wedge. It offers the same exact tone of the 400 but in a smaller setup. I wish I kept the 400 though.
My recommendation for you is to get rid of your four 10 cabinet and buy a cabinet with the neyo speakers that are ultra light. Carvin four 10 cabinet that only weights 68 pounds. That is 30 pounds lighter than most four 10 cabinets.
BR410N-8 Neodymium Bass Cabinet
Speakers Imp./Power Dimensions
LIST PRICE: $795.00
DIRECT: $599.00
SALE: $499.00
