Markbass Classic 300 - Any thoughts?

chris818 · #1 04-11-2010, 05:45 PM

I'm in the market for a tube bass amp. I've been playing a Markbass LMII and it is awesome...not gonna sell it.

But, I do miss that tube tone I got from my SVT Classic and even my old DB750. I've read plenty about Fender Bassman 300s, Ampegs, Mesa 400+, Traynor, Orange, Divided by 13 and Reeves but I haven't heard a peep about the Markbass Classic 300.

Anybody here own one? I haven't heard much on TB about this head. I've read both magazine reviews...bassplayer and bassgear but that's really all I could find. I'd like to hear from a TBer who owns one and has gigged with one.

Right now, my rig consists of a Markbass LMII, an Avatar 210 and (arriving in 2 weekes) a LDS 15/6.5. I really want a tube amp again. Help me out.

-Chris

JimmyM · #2 04-11-2010, 06:19 PM

unfortunately, i don't know of a single person who owns one on here. tom bowlus had one for a little while to review for his magazine and he liked it quite well. but if it's svt tone you're looking for, get an svt. or a tech 21 vt bass pedal

or even the lmii with a little corrective eq will sound a lot like an svt. i once used my 69 svt and my lmii on a gig, and i got darn close to the sound i like in my svt with the lmii. i sounded more compressed through the lmii, but definitely was within reach. with a vt plugged into it, even closer still.

but i still lug that damn svt because even though the vt cops the tones almost to the letter, there's just something about the way tubes process tone that makes it feel so big and badass when you play, and you still can't get that out of solid state.

RickenBoogie · #3 04-11-2010, 06:42 PM

... and you never will. Amp technology has come a looong way the past few years, but tubes are magic. +1 for the SVT. Though, I'm sure the Markbass head is great.

Musicman20 · #4 04-11-2010, 06:47 PM

Get an SVT, Orange AD200b, or a great pedal as suggested above

chris818 · #5 04-11-2010, 06:52 PM

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm looking for something different...I don't really care to try to cop an SVT tone...otherwise, as you suggested, the best thing to do is to just get another SVT. I won't argue with that logic.

Just curious about this amp and it's signiature tonal/sonic stamp, its reliability and if all the new gagetry on it is worth it.

Thanks.

Musicman20 · #6 04-11-2010, 06:54 PM

I imagine as with most mark bass gear, it works fantastically well

chris818 · #7 04-11-2010, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicman20

I imagine as with most mark bass gear, it works fantastically well

You're probably correct. MB makes great stuff! I've been very happy and impressed with my LMII. I just wish someone would have one of these Classic 300s on their floor for me to audition.

JimmyM · #8 04-11-2010, 06:57 PM

well from tom's description, the classic 300 sounds to me like an lmii done up in all-tube form. i'm probably over-simplifying, but that's the impression i get.

just thought of something, though...if you want to get an idea of what the classic 300 sounds like, download the trial version of this:

http://www.markstudio1.com/markstudi...n-for-bass.php

and record your bass through a clean di onto your comp and try the classic 300 module.