Markbass Guys and Gals need some input

devilman666 · #1 02-01-2012, 06:56 AM

Ok Markbass guys I've tried different bass rigs over my years and need your help with a possible Markbass rig. For the last 7 yrs I ran an SWR 750x into a goliath 4x10 and son of bertha 15. I liked the rig but found I wanted something lighter and cleaner with a fast attack and driving low mids. I play in a Metal band with two 4x12 mesa cabs run by mesa tube heads with a drummer who hits like he hates life. No problem with the volume of the swr rig but the tone and weight had worn on me . So I got a TC Electronics rh750 tc rs2x12 and two tc rs2x10s. Now before you kill me I found the rig to be loud yes but the low actual power output left me wanting more definition at high volume and due to the way the amp system opperates it compresses like a tube amp. At the volumes I need a yes it's loud but it gets too wolly for me . So that brings me to Markbass I was looking at the MoMark sd800 or the sd1200. The 104hf is a def cab and my question is would people rec a fifteen or a 2x12 or 2x10 or would you feel that the 104hf would hang at high volumes and with what head. The issue is I need to pick 4 or 8 ohm. I was thinking about getting the sd1200 so I can get the 8 ohm 104hf run it for awhile and if needed could add another cab and not run into the same power issue I would get with the sd800. I do love the module design of the sd800 and the dif configurations I could do with that but am concerned with running two bigger cabs off that head and still having headroom.

All input is welcome.

pudgychef · #2 02-01-2012, 08:09 AM

seems to me the consensus on here (these days) is to match your 4x10 with a matching 4x10 - it also seems to me that either the 800 or 1200 through a single 8 ohm 4x10 would be more than enough for a TON of applications....

fwiw the MB amp I have used the most on gigs is a Jeff Berlin 1x15 combo - few times just by itself - and it was great...didn't push it even half-way. Adding a second 1x15 was immense

basscooker · #3 02-01-2012, 09:15 AM

from what i gather from reading here: keep drivers the same size. match cabs to head at about a 2:1 ratio of cab rating to amp rating for power, and stay with 8 ohm cabs to keep the flexibility of adding a cab or leaving one behind. also, keep the mids flat or boosted, not cut, and don't peg the low eq or overuse the bass enhancement buttons. besides that trial and error, and your ears.

devilman666 · #4 02-01-2012, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by basscooker

from what i gather from reading here: keep drivers the same size. match cabs to head at about a 2:1 ratio of cab rating to amp rating for power, and stay with 8 ohm cabs to keep the flexibility of adding a cab or leaving one behind. also, keep the mids flat or boosted, not cut, and don't peg the low eq or overuse the bass enhancement buttons. besides that trial and error, and your ears.

What I'm looking for specificly are Marbass players input from using similar setups . I realy like the 800 and feel the flexibility will be key to my happyness but wanted input on cabs. Thanks for the 2:1 input on cab rating seems to line up with my past history with the swr rig . The same drivers now thats new to me why would it matter? 8ohms for sure at this point due to the what if factor I agree . Thanks Again

basscooker · #5 02-01-2012, 11:46 AM

i don't know the specifics in regards to driver size, but a little bit of a search will get you more details. it has something to do with phasing. i mentioned it b/c you seem to need some power, where this phasing can come into play, i beilieve. seek expert opinion and advice for sure, but ya if your head is rated for like 1000 watts it would be a good idea if your total cabs' ratings were closer to 2000, so you can get most of (or all of) your amp's power before your speakers fart out. i think the TB consensus seems to be that most cabs will be useless even at 1/2 the rated power is actually going throu them--all fart.

famousbirds · #6 02-01-2012, 11:59 AM

My LM800 (LMIII with 800W class D amp) should be arriving tomorrow! I'll give a review then. Might be a nice alternative to the SD800.

devilman666 · #7 02-01-2012, 12:38 PM

Please post a link here to check it out if you do thanks.

famousbirds · #8 02-01-2012, 12:39 PM

Will do.

Commreman · #9 02-01-2012, 12:55 PM

I have been using the SD800 with a Dr. Bass 2460 (4 ohms) for the last 5 years or so. I have played venues of all sizes (except stadiums!), both indoor and outdoor, with this rig without any problem. My cab is loaded with 2 12's, a 6, and a tweeter, which for the most part remains off. The SD800 is somewhat of a red headed stepchild here on TB (as is my Dr. Bass cab), but for me and my purposes, is a great amp. For the record, I'm using a passive Jazz bass strung with Chromes. The quickness of the MB head with the depth of the 12's coupled with flats is an unbelievable live tone.

Melvin7822 · #10 02-01-2012, 01:15 PM

You're making a very smart choice by choosing the MoMark SD800 over the SD1200. The reason I say that is that the MoMark has the bi-band limiter which helps reign in the lows at high volumes while allowing the mids and highs to breathe.

I'd honestly start with an 8 ohm 104HF. In the past I've gotten by with no more than 300 watts with a front ported 4x10. The 104HF can put out some serious lows, so if you ever do decided to add another cab, you may wish to add a 104HR. The 104HR is pretty punchy as you're not getting the huge lows that you would with the 104HF.