Thinking about buying a Mesa Boogie 400+

[Thumpin4]

I have owned/bought several high end tube-hybrid/SS amps that have let me down time after time, so I'm thinking about buying a MB 400+.

I know the questions that I'm about to ask may seem dumb to you all but I don't know anything about an all tube amp, so here are my questions:

1. How long do tubes normally last (playing 3 to 5 times a month)?

2. When do you know that the tubes are going bad?

3. Is it easy to replace the tubes?

4. How expensive is it if it is done by a tech?

5. Should I just just throw in the towel and sell used tires???

Please help me out here, I'm very frustrated...

Thanks, Jody

 

[twinfallsbass]

I have had my 400+ since '98 and just replaced the tubes for the first time since then. I like buying my tubes from thetubestore.com they will sell you a matched set of twelve and match there bias rate just for that amp. My amp tech timv ( here on TB ) has confirmed that they sell tubes matched for Mesa 400+'s. When he installed my last set he said that they where perfect may he'd for the fixed bias of the 400+. when I bought my first set from them, I just popped them in, that simple. Make sure you have the tube retainers tight. You'll love that amp, I have bought and sold a dozen tube amps and this is the only one that has survived. Hope this helps

 

[Ant1977]

I would not give up my MESA 400+ for anything in the world!
Love this head. This head can do it all... but it is a back-breaker to gig with.
But I still do it... It is the V-8 of Bass Heads...
Can you tell I like it ?

Just note, when it does come time to re-tube, it can be a $300.00+ investment depending on what you use.
I was just using Mesa tubes for a while, then switched to JJ's. Love them.

DO IT !!!

 

[Thumpin4]

I have had my 400+ since '98 and just replaced the tubes for the first since then. I like buying my tubes from thetubestore.com they will sell you a matched set of twelve and match there bias rate just for that amp. My amp tech timv ( here on TB ) has confirmed that they sell tubes matched for Mesa 400+'s. When he installed my last set he said that they where perfect may he'd for the fixed bias of the 400+. when I bought my first set from them, I just popped them in, that simple. Make sure you have the tube retainers tight. You'll love that amp, I have bought and sold a dozen tube amps and this is the only one that has survived. Hope this helps[/QUOT

Thanks a lot for the info!!!

Very nice Spector you got there...

 

[tonester]

i used to own this head and i am sorry i ever sold it.it is very reliable and the sounds you can get out of it are amazing.they are very durable and the tubes are something i would not be to worried about.i loved all the sounds i got from this amp.from clear and subtle
to warm,thunder with a growl.in my opinion one of the best tube amps i have ever owned.

 

[TaySte_2000]

I've gigged/practiced with mine minimum 4 times a week for 3 years and the tubes are about 5 years old, still showing no signs of wear.

They can be expensive to retube just due to the quantity but playing 3-5 times a month it will be the sort of thing you do every 10-20 years.

I might be getting rid of mine in a trade for an Aggie DB680 to use with 2 Mesa Boogie Strategy power amps (stereo power section of the 400+) and it's the hardest decision of my life and this is for the daddy of preamps and still having the same power section.

Hope this helps

 

[whoatherechunk]

well i am about to retube my 400+ after about years of steady usage. it seems like retubing is gonna cost around 220ish upwards to 330. maintenance problems are not very common with mesas. you pay the high bill to have a great unit and not have something that will bust in let's say half a year or less like a marshall. as for knowing when tubes go bad.....the fuse blew and my amp went dead. what happened was that one of power amp tubes shorted out and that led to the rest going bye bye. it was bound to happen. you should take the plunge....90% and up of the people here on TB will tell you that you won't regret it.

 

[Carebear]

1. How long do tubes normally last (playing 3 to 5 times a month)?

It depends on how hot the amp is biased and how loud you play it. Some amps are hot (Marshall), others are cold or less hot (Matamp, Mesa). Bass amps generally burn tubes faster than guitar amps, but the 400+ seems to be based around preamp gain so the power tubes should last for years.

2. When do you know that the tubes are going bad?

When they are going, you'll lose power over time and your tone will become dull, lazy and flat. Personally, I think tubes sound their best near the end. That's where they get that raw, slightly choked and "unprocessed" character. But it'll only last you a month or two, after that when any of the tubes fails a fuse will hopefully blow saving the circuit and transformers from meltdown. Nothing is certain about all tube amps, so it's better to re-tube while they still have life left instead of waiting for something to go poof. But sometimes even new power tubes blow instantly. Gah!

3. Is it easy to replace the tubes?

Very easy! Just hold them by their plastic bottom rim (don't pull on the glass) and gently wiggle them out. When putting the new ones in, gently push them in without wiggling them down as it may bend the prongs (especially on preamp-tubes).

However, "easy" is relative. On a fixed bias amp you'll need to check the bias and possibly re-bias as it may have drifted over time. On most amps this cannot be done without opening the amp up, and you should know a thing about electricity before poking in there.

Worth mentioning is that amps that are cathode-biased are "self-biasing", so they won't require any of this. Just pop in the new tube and voila! There will be a drop in power and the amp may feel saggy in comparison though. Don't ask me why, I'm just repeating what I've heard.

4. How expensive is it if it is done by a tech?

It varies. But a monster such as the 400+ would cost a hefty sum to re-tube. Check prices on http://www.eurotubes.com and add what, $50 on top of that?

5. Should I just just throw in the towel and sell used tires???

Nooo, don't do it! You have so much to live for!

 

[iualum]

The 400+ is a tremendous unit. IMHO the only heads I might prefer would be a Trace Elliot V8 or a 70's(?) SVT. And probably not by that much.