Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
replacing boogie 400+ w solid state, suggestions?
- Thread starter rawrOOO
- Start date
Actually it works out great, when we do Enter Sandman and I have it set for a real grindy overdriven tone.
Hey, i've also been on a new amp search.
While at first i was only looking at Tube heads, i've now opened up my search to some hybrids as well.
I tried out the Orange Bass Terror at the same shop i tried out the GK Fusion 550... i liked the GK way better. While it may be bias (right now my GK 400rb is my go-to amp, and i'm a big fan of the GK tone), it just seemed to have more 'umph' and a wider tonal selection than the Orange... which wasn't bad at all.. i just liked the Fusion 550 MORE.
The orange also looked like those dumb metal lunch boxes that i remember goth kids toting around back in high school...
I know it's cliche to say... but it REALLY helps trying this stuff out. I posted in my thread about my amp search last week about spending an afternoon trying about 8 or so heads (ironically, the 400+ was my favorite), it really DID help a ton. You can get all the input in the world from on here... but your own ear should have the final say.
Good luck in your search, and i wish you a speedy recovery from whatever has rendered you unable to rock the 400+ any more!
For years I used an Alembic F2-B and various power amps as they got lighter and more powerful. I finally went back to all-tube bass amps. There was always something missing; the natural compression, the rich harmonic distortion that could be adjusted by finger attack.
Gale
Gale
I used to use a Pearce/Intersound IVP-1 with a QSC power amp. It wasnt a tube pre, but it did a passable imitation.
The Boogie hybrid amps are great, but not as "funky" as the Bass 400+.
A third option would be to track down a Mesa Vtwin and run that into a power amp.
The Boogie hybrid amps are great, but not as "funky" as the Bass 400+.
A third option would be to track down a Mesa Vtwin and run that into a power amp.
I have a 400+ and an Alembic F-1X with a Mesa Boogie Strategy 400 which is like a stereo power section of the 400+ 12 6l6's etc and they don't sound very similar at all, the 400+ is far dirtier. I mean the same vibe is there as in that Fender tone stack etc.
I'd second one of the Mesa hybrid heads, I've only tried the walkabout and can get a very convincing 400+ tone just without the power and volume so look at the m-pulse's which I believe are louder versions of the Walkabout.
Also I've not tried it yet but been considering the Catalinbread Formula Number 5 as that is a Fender Tone Stack pedal designed for distortion so that might add that flair to a pre power setup.
Personally I would speak to the members of your band and say "I don't want to sound like ass can someone carry my amp due to my recent injury, please"
I'd second one of the Mesa hybrid heads, I've only tried the walkabout and can get a very convincing 400+ tone just without the power and volume so look at the m-pulse's which I believe are louder versions of the Walkabout.
Also I've not tried it yet but been considering the Catalinbread Formula Number 5 as that is a Fender Tone Stack pedal designed for distortion so that might add that flair to a pre power setup.
Personally I would speak to the members of your band and say "I don't want to sound like ass can someone carry my amp due to my recent injury, please"
When I had my 400+ (two different occasions), I had them in an SKB rack and they were fine. Played many shows and rehearsals, and the rack protected the Mesa thoroughly.
I think when you've found that perfect amp for you, you should try to keep it. Shed the weight in the rack, since you're still lugging around 65 lb cabinets, and keep the Mesa.
SKB also makes rolling racks, but I wouldn't suggest that for a tube amp.
But, if you're dead-set on changing...look into the Carvin B1500. It's got beef. And it's 35 lbs. Not a lightweight, but not a tube amp that some might think requires a shock rack.
I think when you've found that perfect amp for you, you should try to keep it. Shed the weight in the rack, since you're still lugging around 65 lb cabinets, and keep the Mesa.
SKB also makes rolling racks, but I wouldn't suggest that for a tube amp.
But, if you're dead-set on changing...look into the Carvin B1500. It's got beef. And it's 35 lbs. Not a lightweight, but not a tube amp that some might think requires a shock rack.
oh we totally help each other carry most of the gear, it's not like that.
even hoisting the amp on top of the cabs, it's cooland very helpful suggestions, thanks! esp about the walkabout and it's brothers
i think if i were going to go a poweramp route, i have enough preamp style things to make it work....BDDI, english muff'n etc...lots of rad sounding rockin stuff to get grungy with. i wanted to get a regular head style amp tho, keep it simple
+1 to the M-pulse 600... although I don't think you'll experience a drop in output as the m-pulse put out a strong 600 watts into 4 ohms. It also has a tube driven power section so it may get you the closest to the tone of the 400+ of any hybrid.
Honestly, all of the amps I know of that can compete with a 400+ for volume and tone are going to be mothers to move around.
there are some lightweight heads that claim to be 500 watts and all that, but they dont seem as loud to me. I have yet to be stunned in that area. Putting the whole tube watt vs SS watt, big iron power supply vs switch mode power supply. the real thing is the tone. I only know of a few amps that can cop similar tones. Guess what, they weigh a ton! Maybe an Ampeg V4b is lighter? Though its a lot less watts it sounds decent and would probably fit in well with your style of music. I also like the old GK 400RB a lot for when I cant get my grubby mitts on a tube head.
there are some lightweight heads that claim to be 500 watts and all that, but they dont seem as loud to me. I have yet to be stunned in that area. Putting the whole tube watt vs SS watt, big iron power supply vs switch mode power supply. the real thing is the tone. I only know of a few amps that can cop similar tones. Guess what, they weigh a ton! Maybe an Ampeg V4b is lighter? Though its a lot less watts it sounds decent and would probably fit in well with your style of music. I also like the old GK 400RB a lot for when I cant get my grubby mitts on a tube head.
I've got a 400+ in a rack and an F1X and QSC 1802 in another rack. I haven't weighed them but there's not much difference lugging them around.
+1 for the Alembic with a good power amp. If you use the tone shaping extensively on the Boogie, add a one rackspace EQ (I prefer a parametric, but anything quality will probably get you there).
