Just an idea I'm kicking about but what pre out there sounds most like the Mesa 400+ I'm wanting to pair this with a Strategy 400 so I already have the power section.
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Preamp most like Mesa 400+
- Thread starter TaySte_2000
- Start date
The Fender TBP-1 has gotten some love around here and might be worth a listen.
You could also try and locate a Mesa Tri-Axis for a listen.
You could also try and locate a Mesa Tri-Axis for a listen.
Benjamin Strange
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As the owner of the only Mesa BassTriaxis prototype ever made, I can safely say that it doesn't sound much like the 400+ at all.
You can use the 400+ without a speaker load and just for the pre-amp section. Using the Effects Send Jack as the pre-amp out, Effects Blend at 10 and the Master at 0. Check the manual - page 3.
Benjamin Strange
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Alembic F-1X of F-2B are both Bassman-based, like the Mesa 400/400+. The Trace V-types also used the Fender tone-stack (IIRC), but the solid-state series were completely different animals. Good animals, but different.
Benjamin Strange
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but somewhat impressive...
you could try literally sculpting out your sound w/ something like an eden navigator preamp. lots of EQ options to literally carve that sucker out.
Benjamin Strange
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I use an Alembic F2-B with my Mesa Boogie power amp. I'm not sure if it sounds like a 400+ ...maybe more like a Fender Showman on steroids.
Gale
Gale
I am just going to throw this out there, but what about the POD series? I just got a first gen POD and it has the 400+ model in there...I have never played a mesa bass amp so i can't really vouch for it's accuracy, but i will admit it sounds good 
Benjamin Strange
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I am just going to throw this out there, but what about the POD series? I just got a first gen POD and it has the 400+ model in there...I have never played a mesa bass amp so i can't really vouch for it's accuracy, but i will admit it sounds good
Not anywhere close, methinks.
pretty obvious after seeing a few of ben's comments that he doesnt think a measily preamp is going to be able to recreate the venerable 400+. and despite my suggestion, i'm in agreement.
the joy of most other all tube amps is the all tube power section to add that hefty glossy tubey wallop. and a little preamp isnt going to be able to recreate that.
still, funny how for some, its easier to think of something snide rather than something helpful.
Benjamin Strange
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I wasn't being snide, just imparting words of wisdom from an audio engineer's point of view. I don't remember who might have said it originally - methinks it might have been Yoda.
Right on the dot. You can't recreate the 400+'s tone without a tube power section. Any combination with MOSFET power is going to sound really clean.
