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* EDIT: Up-to-date information is available in Yek's Guide to the Fractal Audio Amplifier Models *
USA BASS 400: based on MESA Bass 400
MESA, the famous guitar amp manufacturer, also builds bass amps. The Bass 400 and 400+ models are tube-based rack amps. There's sparse information about the 400 model and the differences between the 400 and 400+. The information below is mainly based on the 400+ model.
MESA:
This amp has separate inputs for passive and active instruments and two channels.
Manual:
Controls on the original amp: Volume (pull: Bright, on channel 1), Master, Bass (pull: Shift) , Middle, Treble (pull: Shift), 7-band GEQ.
Manual:
We have two models of this bass amp. Model "1" has Bass Shift disabled, model "2" has Bass Shift engaged.
We have no MESA bass cabinets among our stock cabs. Find another one here.
USA BASS 400: based on MESA Bass 400
MESA, the famous guitar amp manufacturer, also builds bass amps. The Bass 400 and 400+ models are tube-based rack amps. There's sparse information about the 400 model and the differences between the 400 and 400+. The information below is mainly based on the 400+ model.
MESA:
“Artists often call to rave about the Bass 400+ after switching from bi- or tri- amped rigs of up to a thousand watts—exclaiming the joy of stepping forward in the mix, even to the point of leading the band. String definition so articulate that the rhythm section locks together to become one machine of unstoppable momentum.
Traditional style rotary tone controls, which shape the Bass 400’s all-tube character are fed from dual Inputs, one for modern active basses and the other for classic passive instruments. Each of these has its own separate tube input stage and volume control. A seven-band Graphic Equalizer further details the amp’s inherent musicality, making subtle or radical tonal changes possible and footswitchable.
No less than twelve fan-cooled 6L6 output tubes deliver 500 watts of transient power peaks with cool reliability. And this is no dirty dozen: this is a four-rack, twelve-pack of pure mean punch. You’ll be happy to know that tube life is commonly reported to range from three to five years, and often longer.”
This amp has separate inputs for passive and active instruments and two channels.
Manual:
“CHANNEL ONE: Input 1 and Volume 1 offer a high-headroom preamp that you might find preferable for active type basses. The gain is slightly lower than Channel 2 and the tonal personality is slightly different. The Pull Bright switch built into Volume 1 can be great for funk bass, as it accentuates the harmonics above the Treble control region.
CHANNEL TWO: Input 2 and Volume 2 recreate the classic sounds of the D-180, predecessor to your Bass 400. The gain is slightly higher and may be better suited for traditional basses than Channel One.”
Controls on the original amp: Volume (pull: Bright, on channel 1), Master, Bass (pull: Shift) , Middle, Treble (pull: Shift), 7-band GEQ.
Manual:
“The Bass 400 Plus uses traditional type tone controls which have been especially tailored for bass, and whose ranges can be extended by use of the “Pull Shift” switches.
The Treble control, when set high, becomes the most powerful of the three. At settings of 7 and above it will minimize the effect of the Bass and Middle, but they will become the stronger controls when the Treble is below 5. Most players find a “sweet spot” between 2 and 5 where the tonal balance is just right for them. Pulling out the Treble Shift alters its frequency center-point downward, toward the upper mid-range. (And since there is more musical energy at these frequencies, your amp will seem to get a little louder as well.) Using either Bright switch injects an extra dose of high treble.
The Bass control is wide-ranging and using the Pull Shift can boost its power. Your Bass 400 Plus (especially when used with our speaker cabinets) can produce more true fundamental tone than just about anything else. Its bottom-end response is truly "profound" and yet it avoids boominess and muddiness.
The Middle control is the subtlest of the three. Its purpose is filling the gap between the treble and bass frequencies.”
We have two models of this bass amp. Model "1" has Bass Shift disabled, model "2" has Bass Shift engaged.
We have no MESA bass cabinets among our stock cabs. Find another one here.
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