Agreed, I do like the Mesa sound. Besides, when I need Ampeg: I have that as well as Orange and some Traynor pre's as well.
That's an added bonus to potentially getting a 400/+ is even more variety
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Mesa Prodigy vs 400/400+
- Thread starter NotTylerHendley
- Start date
Agreed, I do like the Mesa sound. Besides, when I need Ampeg: I have that as well as Orange and some Traynor pre's as well.
That's an added bonus to potentially getting a 400/+ is even more variety
I don't know of any monster tube amps that are light weight. A monster tube amp worth checking out is a Reeves Custom 400W.
Tubes aren't going anywhere, neither is SVT. They,ll have new old stock tubes 50 years after they stop making SVTs.Hello all!
I'm looking to get myself a monster tube amp to take on tour soon. I have a '71 Amp V4 that I love, but it weighs 80lbs without a case.
So my question is, the newer Mesa Prodigy heads as well as the 400+ can be had for around the same price. I can't find a straight Mesa 400 or I'd have gone for that already.
I've seen a lot of threads on either/or, but does anyone like one over the other? Any reliability issues to report? (I will be bringing a small SS head as a backup)
One thing that the Prodigy has on the 400+ is the ability to half the power section. However the 400+ is rack mountable and has the additional graphic EQ.
Let me know what you all think (and if you have either for sale)
Thanks!
Tyler
*EDIT* I have also considered the Ampeg SVT-II and 2Pro. I am generally happy with the tone of my V4 (though not the same as an SVT) but the cost of tubes for the II and 2Pro is heartbreaking. Even if the Mesa's are just slightly cheaper, it seems the tubes of the Ampegs may become more scarce. What are your opinions on this as well?
You may be right in some cases, but not with me. Although I love Ampeg I've gigged Mesa amps more in my playing career. The Prodigy was the only Mesa I didn't like.
I would highly recommend getting a 400+. Having both a Prodigy and a 400+, I found that I like the tone of the 400+ the most. The prodigy is much more refined sounding. I found the prodigy does not have the power I need for allot of my gigs. It is an awesome amp, and I will not ever sell my prodigy. But when it comes to my tone on a gig the 400+ rules. There is definitely something special about the Mesa 400+. the tone is amazing. It's got balls!!! Big ones!!! They can be found for well under $1000.
On a side note I sold my 400+ a few weeks ago. After getting a Mesa 800+, I felt I no longer needed the big tube amp. The Mesa 800+ gets me real close to the tone of the 400 with out the hassle of the weight, and other minor tube amp issues.
On a side note I sold my 400+ a few weeks ago. After getting a Mesa 800+, I felt I no longer needed the big tube amp. The Mesa 800+ gets me real close to the tone of the 400 with out the hassle of the weight, and other minor tube amp issues.
D800+ might be worth checking out. No tubes but, as many fine TBers had said when I was asking for tube amp recs “it sounds tubier than a lot of tube amps”.
It def gets into grindy territory if you push it. Theres even a little overdrive indicator light that lets you know when its happening.
And... < 6lbs!
It def gets into grindy territory if you push it. Theres even a little overdrive indicator light that lets you know when its happening.
And... < 6lbs!
Mesa 400 /400+ rock! It's Mesa tone not Ampeg.. I had my Amp Tech mod the 400 with a bias adjustment and put in some KT88's,it has plenty of headroom and kicks an 810 well! Once you add a nice shockproof case though(like a Gator g-shock 4L) they do start to creep up in weight .. Remember they have the tone stack setup and Flat is 2/10/2(Bass/Mid/Treble).. Enjoy!
Mesa 400 /400+ rock! It's Mesa tone not Ampeg.. I had my Amp Tech mod the 400 with a bias adjustment and put in some KT88's,it has plenty of headroom and kicks an 810 well! Once you add a nice shockproof case though(like a Gator g-shock 4L) they do start to creep up in weight .. Remember they have the tone stack setup and Flat is 2/10/2(Bass/Mid/Treble).. Enjoy!
That’s the big idea, I’ve got Ampeg for when I want it. I would love to hear what a 400 with KT88’s sounds like!
I have Ampeg too. CL and VR .. The Ampegs rock the Ampeg "Sound"..The Mesa's rock the Mesa"Sound".. The 400 mod with KT88'swas a great Clean headroom improvement over the original 6L6 powertube setup..
Very interesting....
Anyway, I've always wondered what the tube sound was. A lot refer to this but I feel it doesn't really mean something
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There may be an actual scientific explanation to it, but IMO it’s much more of a “feel” thing.
Plus, you can drive tubes in a way that is really satisfying compared to just cranking the gain on a SS amp or even a dedicated drive knob.
Not all tube amps are the same. But, to me the tube sound is thicker and has more weight or heft to the sound. There is also a bit of compression to it. As I stated earlier, I found that the Mesa 800+ sounds almost like the 400+, but the 400+ has more of a meaty or heavier feel to it. For me the trade off for the better tone was not worth it. I love tube amps. But they are heavy and I am getting old. I love a light weight rig.
I went through a ton of basses searching for my sound, or the sound I hear in my head. Like 60 or 70 of em. I finally feel a had achieved the sound I was after the day I got the 400+ tube amp.
I went through a ton of basses searching for my sound, or the sound I hear in my head. Like 60 or 70 of em. I finally feel a had achieved the sound I was after the day I got the 400+ tube amp.
have you considered a class D? All the tone without the headache of temperamental glass, or weight, or worries.... the Aguilar TH 500 kicks serious arse and sounds “tubier” than the mesa boogers I’ve owned/gigged. For touring, you couldn’t go wrong! My 2 cents
I had the Th500 for a couple of years, it’s a killer head but once I went all-tube I can’t look back.
Though I do have a couple of class AB solid state guys. My main issue with all the class D stuff is the weight and that the amps are typically so light that they’ve fallen off of my cabinet before
I have owned a TON of tube amps over the years. Bought, sold or traded ALL of them except my 400+, have had it since '98. Just saying......
I never had an issue with tubes going bad with my JCM800. I've taken that up and down California many times back in the days, and the previous owner toured with it as well. Now my son is hauling it.
I believe if you bias it correctly, not too hot, plus keep the retainers on, and use a good case, the tubes will last a decade. Just stay away from the vintage NOS which is not worth the money as the current production are good.
I cannot image an Ampeg to be much different. I could see not using it if it's vintage and valuable, not something you want to lose, or the weight is an issue.
I only lost a EL34 once because the glass broke and the silver stuff inside turned white. It was one of the spares and not packed well enough in the maintenance kit.
I believe if you bias it correctly, not too hot, plus keep the retainers on, and use a good case, the tubes will last a decade. Just stay away from the vintage NOS which is not worth the money as the current production are good.
I cannot image an Ampeg to be much different. I could see not using it if it's vintage and valuable, not something you want to lose, or the weight is an issue.
I only lost a EL34 once because the glass broke and the silver stuff inside turned white. It was one of the spares and not packed well enough in the maintenance kit.
