Ashdown Mark King MK AL 500 Head

Fred Mott · #1 02-12-2011, 01:58 PM

Hi guys, I have a chance to buy a Mark King AL 500 Head for 600 bucks. I haven't had a chance to play it yet, and I will be out of town for a month. So I was wondering,if any of you have had any dealing with this amp. Are do you know anything about it. The head is in mint condition. It is the red one not the gold. If anyone has some info, I would like to hear it. And how it would work on my Schroeder 310212 cab. Thanks

WJGreer · #2 02-12-2011, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fred Mott

Hi guys, I have a chance to buy a Mark King AL 500 Head for 600 bucks. I haven't had a chance to play it yet, and I will be out of town for a month. So I was wondering,if any of you have had any dealing with this amp. Are do you know anything about it. The head is in mint condition. It is the red one not the gold. If anyone has some info, I would like to hear it. And how it would work on my Schroeder 310212 cab. Thanks

Fred, I owned one for a couple years. It was reasonably loud and the intense graphic EQ was pretty useful, although the sound was unremarkable. The resonance circuit (or similar, I forget the name) seemed like a gimmick; I didn't use it after playing with it briefly. It's red, which is cool, but it's actually pretty heavy for what it is, which isn't cool.

At $600 used, I think there are more compelling choices, like a Thunderfunk 550 which has a similar form factor or a Genz-Benz Shuttle 9.0 which sounds better in my opinion and is less than half the size and weight. Or even a Markbass F1, which I also own, is 100% as loud as the MK500 and sounds similar, and is shockingly tiny.

4-string · #3 02-12-2011, 03:56 PM

Well, I have one as well, and have a somewhat differing opinion from WJGreer's. I find it to be a very neutral sounding amp, and very simple. 12-band graphic EQ, Harmonic Emphasis and that's pretty much it.

To my ear the HE isn't gimmicky at all, it almost makes the MK500 a different amp, much quicker and brighter. I always leave it on, as I find it a bit dull without. IMO, it is a great sounding amp, it doesn't colour the tone, is plenty loud for my needs, and so far it has been reliable. MK500s are still handmade in England AFAIK. Mine replaced a Thunderfunk 750a.

I use mine through a Schroeder as well, a 610L.

If you're looking for a neutral sounding, cool looking head it is a great option IMO.

JAUQO III-X · #4 02-12-2011, 05:39 PM

I've been using a MK500 on and off since the model was first released.

Definitely not a one trick pony.

A very modern sounding amp but it can get warm if you take the time to learn how to use the eq properly. And I agree the Harmonic Emphasis function is not a gimmick at all. If you want that extra zing having that option is not bad at all. Especially when you really want to cut thru in when you feel you're getting lost in the mix..

A very well constructed amp that will give any serious user a lot of millage for sure.

And yes I'm an Ashdown endorser.

Jeff Scott · #5 02-12-2011, 05:44 PM

I bought one a few years ago but it must have had a problem as it had a buzz (120-180Hz) they only got worse when the 12 band EQ was engaged! If not for that I would possibly still have it as it did sound excellent and had just the perfect (simple) feature set. It was pretty heavy, though. I returned the amp and went back to using just my Walter Woods.

Fred Mott · #6 02-13-2011, 12:28 AM

I guess I don't have to worry he sold it today so I'll have to look at something else.

Kikegg · #7 10-31-2011, 02:30 AM

Hi all,
I have the chance to buy one of these amp heads really cheap (second hand, mint condition) for about 250 euros (~$350) but I don't know if it would suit the music I play that is 90% hard rock/metal... Actually I'm in a Black Sabbath tribute band.

I think that for the price is a real bargain, but would be worth for me?

Thanks in advance.

WJGreer · #8 10-31-2011, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kikegg

Hi all,
I have the chance to buy one of these amp heads really cheap (second hand, mint condition) for about 250 euros (~$350) but I don't know if it would suit the music I play that is 90% hard rock/metal... Actually I'm in a Black Sabbath tribute band.

I think that for the price is a real bargain, but would be worth for me?

Thanks in advance.

It doesn't provide a dirty or overdriven tone, so you would have to handle that with another preamp or effects.

Kikegg · #9 10-31-2011, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WJGreer

It doesn't provide a dirty or overdriven tone, so you would have to handle that with another preamp or effects.

Thanks for the reply. I use to play without any effects, so I assume it would be OK.

All the best.

Jeff Scott · #10 10-31-2011, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kikegg

Hi all,
I have the chance to buy one of these amp heads really cheap (second hand, mint condition) for about 250 euros (~$350) but I don't know if it would suit the music I play that is 90% hard rock/metal... Actually I'm in a Black Sabbath tribute band.

I think that for the price is a real bargain, but would be worth for me?

Thanks in advance.

If that one does not buzz like the one I had, tonally, it kills! I loved the sound (minus the buzz) I could get from it.