Fender BXR 400

Made in the late 80's early 90's. I have used it to play rock, blues, metal, country, pop and grunge. It has a high & low channel, Gain knob, 11 band EQ, Option for crossover in Stereo or BiAmp mode, Line out can be Pre or Post EQ, Main Volume knob, Delta Comp option, Cross over has one knob for Balance (low to high) and a frequency knob from .2 to 2.2K. Came with an effects loop with a switch for 0, -10 or -20 on the loop, Patching in/out for low & high channels, A High Z (1/4") or Low Z (XLR) Line out, and High Z line outs to the speaker(s). I have used this amp in small clubs and outdoor arenas, and it has been a wonderful amp. All solid state but that doesn't bother me; I never have worried about the tubes blowing out and not being able to use my amp. It does not have a headphone jack, which would be nice for practicing at home, but a 400 watt amp is not for headphones; it's for cranking it! I've been able to adjust it for variable sounds and styles.

I have used a Gibson fretless, a spectrum four string and my Fender Squire 5 string with this amp, primarily the 5 string. I have had some buzz in it due to the wiring in some clubs, but a ground lift on the power cord fixes that. The only time I have experienced distortion with this amp is when I set it to execute a bass fart on purpose, or plugged it into a speaker cabinet that was not designed to handle the balls it has. I use the Fender 1-18" / 2-10" cabinet that was designed to go with the amp. Bulky as all hell but packs the punch.

I have depended on this amp ever since I bought it almost 20 years ago. I am currently experiencing a problem with it, but it may be due to the guitar I am using, not the amp itself. Cannot isolate where the problemis occuring as of yet.

I took the amp in for testing and servicing, they found no errors in it and gave it a clean bill of health. The warranty has LONG since expired. There is an authorized servicae facility not far from my home.

I have been playing for 27 years. Currently, I only have this one bass amp and cabinet, but I have other basses as mentioned above and some studio/pa gear. If I lost it, I would probably buy a new amp, as I dont even know if they make this one anymore. It's a heavy MF, but a very good amp.

I purchased this Amp new in 1988 w/ matching BXR 410 Cabinet.
I play Classic Metal and Jazz, and this Amp is the most versitile I've ever had the pleasure to play through. I've recently thought
about maybe replacing it with something newer, but I've yet to find
anything even remotely close to the features.
I've played countless gigs with just the basic amp/cab still looks and plays like new. I've added just over a year ago a pair of PV118's Sbb-Woofs, a BBE Signal Processor, and finally mounted it in a Gator Powered Rack.
Played for the last year medium sized gigs with an Iron Maiden and Dream Theater Tribute band. Never had any problems, the EQ allows for almost limitless tone changes.
Almost too many features, all very robust, and quality made.

I have more than 7 bass guitars ranging from a Fender Jazz Special,
Neck-Thru Body Ibanez, a Cort Signiture 5 string and a neck-thru-body
Ibanez 6 String. The Ibanez's and Cort all have active pick-ups.
Without Active Pick-ups, I have to dial in more gain with the wireless to get all of the mid-range and low-end punch I want.

I've owned this Amp and Cab since 1988, have moved it literally all over the country, played small, medium and even large gigs with it.
It has never needed servicing, it still looks and works like it was brand new.

See above, this amp has never needed anything after almost 20 years.

I've been playing Bass Guitar since 1981, Got my first guitar in 1970. I have a MONSTER PA: a pair of PV1500 amps drive a pair of PV215's and a pair of PV118 Subs. PV 24 channel board, a PV XR600G powered mixer drive a pair of Traynor 15's for mid-monitors and a pair of PV115's for front monitors. I patch off the back of the BXR 400 onto the board...We have a true "Wall of sound". The three lead guitarists all play thru Marshall Full Stacks and I have more than enough power to override any of them at any given moment...he he he.
Too bad Fender stopped making this Amp, I guess they had to, else go out of business. This Amp is a tank, and is all you could ever want.

Purchased new sometime in the early 90s along with the matching speaker cab containing an 18incher and two 10s. The speaker cab is long gone as it was extremely bulky. The BXR400 was stored for several years due to smaller playing venues requiring only a combo amp but is now back in active service since my joining a classic 40, dance band. The amp has loads of headroom and "punch" and more features than ever needed however the 11-band, EQ and volume/gain controls are very simplistic to use. The only feature missing is a tuner output independent of the volume control. I do use the "effects line out" for my rack tuner however the volume control must be turned up to allow input to the tuner. This sometimes annoys the soundman.

I've used several basses through it, like my '66 Fender Precision fretless, Warwick Streamer Stage, and PRS IV. In every case the tone is absolutely clean and the EQ allows me to easily tweek for each bass as the room requires. Currently using it to power a set of 2-10 Goliath speakers which bring out the phat lows as well as the mids and highs. I do keep the LOW button pushed in at all times but have never had to boost the low-end bars to the max. Plenty of bottom-end is in reserve if I need it.

During the first year of ownership I lost the LOW channel only to find that it was a bad solder connection near the output jack. Since that time it has never required service other than a dirty CROSSOVER pot which I never use anyway. If ambitious enough I will fix it someday but confidence level is very high otherwise.

I still have the original manual and Fender was also kind enough to include schematics in their package for consequent repairs. Since I'm able to do my own fixes I doubt that Fender will ever hear from me in regards to this amp. I would be glad to make copies and send them to whomever. My email is dan.dalessandro@blackbox.com if interested.

I started playing bass guitar back in 1966. My once large equipment arsenal is now down to the BXR400 with a number of speaker cabs, an SWR Super Redhead, several stomp boxes, rack proccessors, and a Carvin PA system. If the BXR400 were lost, I would look for something comparable in sturdiness and basic design. It is indeed built like the proverbial tank. I'm also amazed that it is only rated at 200watts a channel. A replacement would most likely require something with a much higher output rating. The only downside is that the unit is heavy, about 37lbs. Since it is in a rack along with a tuner and compressor(which I don't use)it is quite strenuous to lift it down from the speaker stack at the end of a gig. Suppose I should keep it on the floor.

DUAL BASS 400 Unknown Mfg Date FRONT LEFT2RIGHT | INPUT |2 1/4" TOP-Passive Bottom=Active | GAIN | Rotary Knob 1-10 | ENHANCE |1 High & 1 Low Buttons OUT-Flat IN-Boost | EQUALIZATION | 11BANDS at 40 70 120 210 364 632 1.1k 1.9k 3.3k 5.8k 10k ~ 1 Crossover Button OUT-Stereo IN-Biamp ~ 1 LINE OUT Button OUT-Pre IN-Post| VOLUME | Rotary Knob 1-10 | STATUS | Deltacomp B (Yellow Light) Power (Red Light)Deltacomp A Deltacomp Compressor On/Off | CROSSOVER |Rotary Knob pans Low-High & Frequency dial .2 .25 .3 .5 .8 1k 2k 1.6k 2k 2.1k 2.2k | POWER | UP-Off DOWN-ON ~.~ BACK LEFT2RIGHT | SPEAKER | 1 1/4" Low A & 1 1/4" Low B Minimum 4 OHM EACH (indipendent) | LINEOUT | 1 High Z 1/4" & 1 XLR Low Z | PATCHING | LOW A & LOW B In/Out 1/4" | EFFECTS LOOP | 1 1/4" Return & 1 1/4" Send + Level Switch -20 -10 0 *** AMP has more than enough power for any application. I use this amp for recording but this power AMP can bring down the house and does so without distortion at high volume. Simple to use and extreamly versatile. Mine lives in a 4 slot UNITEC RACK with dbx 166xl on top and get professional sound using the effects patching. I can run BIAMP one channel clean & one wet or STEREO using flanger from left - right and everything in between.

I have Howie Pyro of Danzigs old Fernandes 4 string and a customized Fender Jazz, both are passive and give me two distinct sounds. I use a dbx 166xl stereo compressor but the amp functions addequatly without it. BIAMP I run 1 SWR 2X10 W/Horn on top of 1 SWR 15 CAB 4 OHM's and it sounds better than awesome. STEREO I run two Pro GK 4X10 W/Horn. Nothing better when talking Solid State. I use a SVP-BSP Tube Driven Preamp as needed.

I wouldn't use this amp on a gig without a backup because I employ it to record and Fender stopped making this model. has never given me any reason to believe it will stop working any time soon so I give it a perfect score for being over 10 years old.

I have never had to get this amp service. I have had it cleaned and the tech told me it was built like a tank. Doesn't surprise me after all Fender invented the bass guitar. I had to replace the manual and Fender doesn't have this particular one online so I paid 8.95 via snail mail and recieved my manual quickly. I give Fender a 7 for sending me the manual quickly but making me pay for it and not having this model online free.

I would buy it again without a doubt but I already own this one. This AMP rocks regardless of how long one has played.

1989 model. Bought as a floor model demo that same year. I also bought a matching Fender 4x10 cab with it.

Great solid state head. Every connection you could want. 2 inputs, XLR & 1/4" out, crossover, fx loop, low & high boost, etc...

I play it through a Eminence 1x15.

LOUD as you want it to be. Too bad they don't make this model anymore. Pretty underrated.

I play a Rickenbacker 4003 & 3001, A Gibson Thunderbird & a Fender Jazz Bass through this amp. I play with a pick & several effects.
Crisp, clean, loud...plenty of lows.

It sounds great for rock & stoner jazz oddysseys.

Has a good built in DeltaComp feature.

Sure...it ain't a 1973 Ampeg SVT, but I don't have the $$$ or back strength for that. Good enough for me.

I've had it since 1989 & have only had it serviced twice. Once because my old singer let rain get in it (what do you expect from a singer anyway?!) & once because my dumb ass overloaded it trying the Rickenbacker Ric-O-Sound feature without the proper configuration. Both were easily, quickly & cheaply fixed.

Road ragged but righteous. Solid as a rock.

No need to deal with Fender...not that I would now that their company has sunk to new lows.

BAKOS AMP WORKS in Atlanta GA is all you'll ever need.

I've been playing 19 years & I've had this amp for 15 of them. Other amps & combos have come & gone but I'll keep this old girl forever. I actually retired it for a few years after I stopped playing big rooms...it was just too much to haul around with a 4x10 anymore. Now I leave a new Peavey combo at the practice space & dusted her off & bought an Eminence 15" cab & that's all I need.

Sounds great..pleanty loud & easier to move than that combo.

If you can find one anymore buy it. Then put it in a rack because those EQ knobs will bend & break. I can't believe that all of mine are still attached! A little tweaked, but fully functional

I don't really use all the connections, but everything works fine!

I bought this amp together with a SWR workingman?s 4 x 10 for only 1000 Euros
I play 5 and 6 string basses and use a DOD Bass30 bass pedal.
Most of the music I play is in low B, or low A.
I like lots of low, and lots off high in my sound and the set is giving me just that.

It has never let me down (4 years), only the knobs need to be cleaned from dust
I always use it without a backup, in most gigs I can't krank it up that high anyway, because will be just to damn loud!!

I want to get a users manual, but have to order it, and I'm living in the netherlands....

Before this amp I always used amps from friends, but when I played this combination for the first time...... I was really impressed with the sound and the volume (also thanks to the swr..) so I bought it directly.
(I tried a eden set, and almost kicked it of the stage...)
I have been playing for 12 years, and maybe I will buy a SWR amp in the future, but ther's no need to rush.
If my set got stolen, I would like to have the same set again, but the amp would be a problem, cause they don't make it anymore...

Early 90's workhorse amp. This thing has everything (and more) than any bass player SHOULD ever need: bi-amp/stereo modes w/ frequency control, 13-band EQ w/ Hi & LO boosts, XLR out, the list goes on! I've used this amp for small rehearsals and large stadium gigs. Totally versatile and PLENTY loud!

I've used this amp with upright basses for jazz, and active and passive basses for most every other style. Incredible versatility in the array of sounds this thing can produce.

Have had this thing for almost 10 years--was used when I bought it. Have never had a lick of trouble.

I've been playing bass over 10 years. I've played all kinds of amps and basses. The BXR 400 is definitely the best amp I've ever had. It's a shame to not see them around much anymore. If you can find one, GRAB IT!!!!

Solid state, stereo bass amp, 200 watts per channel, graphic eq, effects loop, you name it...

I use an '83 P-Bass, Modulus N-92 four string and a Modulus Q-5. I use lot of effects. Mostly play progressive rock and disco/funk. The amp is clean and LOUD! Lots of whining from band mates. I usually run an Eden 410 with it. Never had a problem with it being loud enough.

It has been very reilable. (Knock on wood) One channel blew out once, due to a bad speaker wire. It only cost $40. to fix. Our keyboard player uses the same amp also. His fell out of the back of his moving pick-up truck and came out still working-barely a scratch!

Tha guy who repaired it, told me this is a very well put together amp and has seen very few problems with them. He also disconnected the Delta-Comp for me. (later models came with a defeat switch) Mine came with all the manuals and scemematics.

I have had this amp for about 12 years, most of my bass playing life.
If it got lost I would seek another one, for sure. I have tried other amps, but never liked any better. It has a sound that I like. It would not offend me if it we a little lighter. A little more throw on the volume knob would be nice to. It's either loud or louder. It's clean, tough and versitile with many different basses and speakers. I have seen them at very reasonable prices in used music stores.

The amp is truly a science fair feature-geek's dream - three effects loops; balanced lo-z xlr AND hi-z 1/4 inch outs; full range stereo or bi-amp modes and a decent compressor. If only I could bridge the outputs it would have every feature I could even imagine myself ever needing. This amp with a single 4x10 easily handles everything I need it to do, although it's lots of fun with a 2x15 sub!!!

The two instruments I use with the amp are a '62 J-bass or my guitarist's Ric 4003. The amp plays both smooth and warm or bright and punchy. I probably use more "tradional" tones for the MOR pop-rock stuff that I play, but the young guys who have tried my rig have all liked it too.

It's never broken down on me. I carry both basses to our gigs, but only one amp. One thing that I DON'T like is the front panel push buttons for the various features. They have so little travel that it's impossible to tell at a glance if the amp is configured as I'd like it.

I ordered the manual from the Fender website and it arrived quickly. No one ever needed to contact me personally.

For much of my 25 years playing I've used 100 watt 1x15 combos and my tone has been pretty basic. I get compliments now. If my amp died tomorrow, I'd certainly look for something more portable - it is three rack spaces and close to forty pounds! When I bought it, I thought that bi-amp was the next tone experiment I wanted to try. But really, I almost never use this feature. But mine has worked just fine, sounded good, and has more than returned my investment in it.

This amp was manufactured in the early 90's. I bought it second hand with some scarring, but is my Old Faithful. I play different styles of music--from jazz to rock and in differnet settings--small clubs to large open/outside venues. There is always power to spare! Controls include a graphic EQ (13-band I believe) with rotary bass and treble controls. It also has treble and bass boost buttons. This amp can run stereo (low and high) or you can bi-amp it to run full range. The tonal possibilities are virtually limitless.

I have used this amp with active basses (Music Man), passive basses, and even upright basses. All basses produce an extremely clean sound at even higher volumes. If the gain is turned up, some distortion will come in to play--as expected. The compressor/limiter will not allow your speakers to clip or blow.

I've never had a problem with the amp other than having to have some of the pots cleaned--they got a little noisy due to dust. Cheap fix. This amp has even fallen off my speaker cabinet before in the middle of a song and kept pumping!!

I've been playing for almost 15 years. I've played MANY amps. I've had this one for 7 years and have gotten my money's worth a hundred times over!

I'm not sure when this was made. I bought it used on ebay.It seems to have enough features for its purpose. It has enough power for small or medium clubs, or for a stage monitor in a large venue. Varible crossover is a good feature.

This amp is used with a fender 57 reissue P-bass (EMG active pickups badass 2 bridge). The amp has a graphic E.Q. allowing for different sounds. It has a gain and volume setting. This lets you stay clean (volume up gain low) or you can get a more distorted sound(gain increased accordingly). The amp is used through 2 8 ohm ampeg cabinets a 1 15" classic and a 4 8" classic. If 4 ohm cabinets were used the amp would put out more power but it is still loud enough.

Don't have a backup, so far no problems.

The only contact with Fender was to get a manual. The response was prompt.

I bought this amp for my son who is 15 and has played 4 years. I have played for 30 years but he is more demanding on his equipment (rap metal). I personally would find this amp much more than I would need.The price was very reasonable 293.00 including shipping. I have no regrets over its's purchase.

This amp has 2 power amps and crossover, but can run a single 8 ohm speaker to give 130 or so watts, rather than the full 400 possible. It has low and hi boost, 11 band graphic, limiter, and a whole row of ins and outs across the back.

I haven't used that many bass amps, but this one seems to reproduce pretty much what you feed it, rather than having any overwhelming character of its own. I mostly use it with a JBL K140 {15''}loaded bin with a cheap piezo horn added, and have always been able to get pretty much any sound I want, this side of a crunching valve of course.

No worries so far. The limiter means that speakers are unlikely to blow, and if one power amp dies you could use the other one. I trust it.

I bought this because it was the best secondhand deal at the time. At the time I was less than fussy I suppose, but I've not found it wanting in any respect. It's pretty heavy after (or even before) a 4 hour gig though.