*** ADVICE NEEDED PLEASE: BERG NV412 & LITTLEMARK III ***

[REDLAWMAN]

I'd really appreciate some advice please.

I've got a Littlemark III and I'm looking to buy a new cab to replace my Markbass Traveler 151P (that I never liked!).

Originally, after a lot of research, I was thinking either Barefaced 'Big-Baby', Mesa-Boogie P'House', or Carvin, but now I've had Bergantino thrown into the equation (the NV412 to be precise).

Two questions really: I've read that the Berg was designed principally for high-power tube amps and, as you know, the Littlemark is solid state. Also, even at 4 ohms with the Berg, it's still only going to be putting out 500W.

Is the Littlemark going to be a poor match with the Berg on both issues?

Incidentally, I originally wanted another 15", but I'm now told (by two of the above manufacturers) that a 12" (or multiple 12's) are actually better for thick, rich, fat, warm, smooth, full, juicy, round, deep bass with a massive yet clear and defined bottom old-school/country-come-Bryan Adams/Eagles sound I want with my 'P'.

Is that right?

I've haven't been able to play any of them yet: is the Berg really the pick of the bunch?

Thanks everyone.

[Randall]

500w is plenty for that Berg.

[jastacey]

I run my Bergs ( NV425,NV610 & NV412 ) with 350 watts RMS ( Crate BT-350 ) and never had an issue with not having enough volume ... they are an efficient cabinet ...you will really like the NV412

[basswave]

Originally Posted by Randall

500w is plenty for that Berg.

+1 I run the LM with a Berg AE410 and it kills.

Granted your cab is a little different but I think it would sound great.

[plangentmusic]

No such thing as a speaker needing tubes. It depends on what you like. The Berg gives plenty of warmth to a solid state. Sounds great.

[koobie]

Originally Posted by REDLAWMAN

Also, even at 4 ohms with the Berg, it's still only going to be putting out 500W.

500 watts is still quite a lot of amp.

Originally Posted by REDLAWMAN

Is the Littlemark going to be a poor match with the Berg on both issues?

There are a lot of players on this forum who love their Markbass LM amps. Tonally it didn't meet my expectations, just seemed kinda flat. There are quite a few small form-factor hybrid amps (tube preamp) on the market that attempt a more old-school tone. The Mesa Walkabout seems pretty popular on TB, there are others.

Originally Posted by REDLAWMAN

Incidentally, I originally wanted another 15", but I'm now told (by two of the above manufacturers) that a 12" (or multiple 12's) are actually better for thick, rich, fat, warm, smooth, full, juicy, round, deep bass with a massive yet clear and defined bottom old-school/country-come-Bryan Adams/Eagles sound I want with my 'P'.

The Avatar 2x12 I had was pretty fat. I haven't heard them, but the GB Neo 212 and Berg AE212 cabs have been described as being able to get pretty fat. My 3015-loaded TL606 cabs are pretty fat when paired up. But I'm not sure you're going to find rich, fat, & juicy tones, (regardless of the cab used), with the LM amp. I suggest you try an all-tube head or, failing that, a Mesa Walkabout head.

[alexclaber]

Originally Posted by REDLAWMAN

Incidentally, I originally wanted another 15", but I'm now told (by two of the above manufacturers) that a 12" (or multiple 12's) are actually better for thick, rich, fat, warm, smooth, full, juicy, round, deep bass with a massive yet clear and defined bottom old-school/country-come-Bryan Adams/Eagles sound I want with my 'P'.

Is that right?

No. The nominal speaker diameter has nothing to do with the tone:

http://barefacedbass.com/technical-i...y-response.htm

Most of the tone is down to the player - the speakers will change the tone but you can't predict that change by what size they are.

Note that when it comes to the power you need it depends on the size of the cabs, the loudness of the band, the tone you prefer, your PA support and the size of the venue.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by REDLAWMAN

I'd really appreciate some advice please.

I've got a Littlemark III and I'm looking to buy a new cab to replace my Markbass Traveler 151P (that I never liked!).

Originally, after a lot of research, I was thinking either Barefaced 'Big-Baby', Mesa-Boogie P'House', or Carvin, but now I've had Bergantino thrown into the equation (the NV412 to be precise).

Two questions really: I've read that the Berg was designed principally for high-power tube amps and, as you know, the Littlemark is solid state. Also, even at 4 ohms with the Berg, it's still only going to be putting out 500W.

Is the Littlemark going to be a poor match with the Berg on both issues?

Incidentally, I originally wanted another 15", but I'm now told (by two of the above manufacturers) that a 12" (or multiple 12's) are actually better for thick, rich, fat, warm, smooth, full, juicy, round, deep bass with a massive yet clear and defined bottom old-school/country-come-Bryan Adams/Eagles sound I want with my 'P'.

Is that right?

I've haven't been able to play any of them yet: is the Berg really the pick of the bunch?

Thanks everyone.

The 'tube amp' association with the Berg NV line is primarily due to the NV line (NV stands for 'new vintage') having an old school sealed box design with no tweeter. So, rather than those cabs being limited to tube amps, they tend to 'work' with the big low end of tube amps quite well, and also deliver a tone that many who gravitate toward tube amps want.

The NV412 should work fine with the LMIII (it is relatively high SPL and 4ohm). However, it is a big honkin' heavy cab.

If you are looking for a nice round, full tone that is PBASS friendly and also is a little more manageable to get around, the Berg HS410 is a nice option... it is ported with a tweeter, but is voicing for a round, warm, punchy tone. With the tweeter set at 9 o'clock, it provides a beautifully clear, punchy, warm but articulate voice with the LMII/III and a more vintage instrument.

The new AE212 is also an option.... a bit bigger/deeper down low (more wide, a bit less punchy) than the HS410, a touch brighter up top, but only 55 pounds and again a nice match with the LMIII.

All these cabs are 4ohm and have the ability to use the 500 watts of the LMIII...

IMO and IME!

[AMJBASS]

As you probably know, the LMIII is pretty ridiculously loud for 500 watts. I don't think you would have any problem at all driving an NV412. That would be a pretty warm and punchy rig!

[REDLAWMAN]

Right...

I'd just like to say a big 'thank-you' to Ken and everyone else who's names I don't know for your help.: always fantastic advice.

I've had another idea..... (Don't despair, at least not until you've heard me out....!!).

Throw the Littlemark in a river and buy a Mesa-Boogie M-Pulse 600....

Joking apart, I've read so much on this (and the 'Walkabout') today- both on here and elsewhere- and it sounds perfect for what I want.

I know I always go on about the kind of sound that I'm chasing, so I won't bore you all again with subjective adjectives, save to say Bryan Adams Unplugged/Eagles live/Bob Seger and a bit of Charlie Pride/Kenny Rogers, etc......

I thought I was sorted with the M-Pulse, but reading what Ken and others have said on here back in 2008, I'm now unsure whether the Walkabout would be preferable.

What do you all think, please?

[KJung]

The Mesa stuff is great, but obviously very different from the LMIII. The MPulse600 is cool.. very 'tubey bloomy'... massive low end, not a particularly mid present head (although it has lots of EQ). As much as I tried, I could never get that big low end balanced enough with the mids to provide the articulate, clean, punchy tone I dug (no problem with the Walkabout for me, although I preferred the additional power and 'clean' tone of the LMII/III).

IMO there... just such a different sounding head from the LMIII that you would really need to try the MPulse600 to know... kind of night and day. I would think most who dig the LMIII would at least like the Walkabout... warmer, a bit woolier, but still very punchy and tight if you want it to be.

If you are going for a more tubey type tone with a bit of grit in it, you might think about waiting a few weeks until the new Genz Benz Streamliners start to ship.... they have a 900 watt version with a 3 tube preamp that is about 8 pounds, and $899 from RocketMusic (TB supporting shop... great retailer). No one has heard one yet, but it seems to be designed to tap the Mesa market... i.e., a very tubey sounding hybrid with less weight and much more power than the Walkabout.

[poptart]

Originally Posted by KJung

The Mesa stuff is great, but obviously very different from the LMIII. The MPulse600 is cool.. very 'tubey bloomy'... massive low end, not a particularly mid present head (although it has lots of EQ). As much as I tried, I could never get that big low end balanced enough with the mids to provide the articulate, clean, punchy tone I dug (no problem with the Walkabout for me, although I preferred the additional power and 'clean' tone of the LMII/III).

IMO there... just such a different sounding head from the LMIII that you would really need to try the MPulse600 to know... kind of night and day. I would think most who dig the LMIII would at least like the Walkabout... warmer, a bit woolier, but still very punchy and tight if you want it to be.

If you are going for a more tubey type tone with a bit of grit in it, you might think about waiting a few weeks until the new Genz Benz Streamliners start to ship.... they have a 900 watt version with a 3 tube preamp that is about 8 pounds, and $899 from RocketMusic (TB supporting shop... great retailer). No one has heard one yet, but it seems to be designed to tap the Mesa market... i.e., a very tubey sounding hybrid with less weight and much more power than the Walkabout.

Ken

My thoughts exactly! I think the Streamliners will be a great mix with the NV cabs.

Mark

[jeff7bass]

The NV series is awesome. If I had that kinda cash for a cab, I'd compare the NV610 to the MB412 and pick one.

The new AE212 looks right up my alley, compact enough but not lacking, I'm fairly certain.

[REDLAWMAN]

I'll look out for that one, Ken, but from everything I've read (which is a lot!), that M-Pulse seems to be right up my strasse!

Yes, they're lovely aren't they, Jeff: I'd like to have them all if I could......

[Jim C]

Have just bought a Walkabout and have been demoing it compared to an LMII and an SVT into a Berg HT322.
Previously the SVT was my first choice for warm, smooth, and super wide 3-D soundstage with the LMII being the amp that usualy left the house due to weight.
The Walkabout change all that; while I still continue to like the SVT, the LMII is 3rd place compared to the WA. It would be a great choice if you like warm and also assuming 300 watts is enough power. It does not do the fast SS sound.
Randall just received my old Ampeg V4B (100 watts); I just got a PM that says it is very stout with his NV412 which tells me that the cab is very effecient.
Streamliner might be a good choice but its' tone is pure speculation at this time. Have been disappointed in the past with either manufacturers ad copy or speculation about greatness here only to find that the unit in the stores was just another lifeless SS amp.

[Randall]

Just did a "living room"test of my new to me V4B and I was surprised at the volume from the NV412. This cab rocks with 100 watts of tube power.

[REDLAWMAN]

At risk of appearing stupid, could someone please explain just how the NV412/ a sealed cab with ceramic drivers sounds, by comparison with, say, the only other cab I've ever heard/played (Markbass Traveler 151P that's rear ported).

I appreciate that adjectives are so subjective, but what are the major differences, please?