Markbass LittleMark II vs. Ibanez Promethean?

Kwesi · #1 07-05-2010, 11:22 AM

Let me start off by saying that there's absolutely nothing wrong with my LMII in the tone area. I love the tone and have only recently considered trying something else. What does kind of annoy me is the lack of aux-in, mute, and headphone out. Small things, yes, but very convenient for me. I'm wondering if the Promethean can approximate the tone of the LMII. I'm not really looking on opinions talking about how awesome either one is just comparisons, thanks.

Kwesi · #2 07-05-2010, 09:08 PM

bump!

Kwesi · #3 07-15-2010, 08:07 PM

bump again

wimpy · #4 07-19-2010, 05:30 AM

I just came home from music instruments store. I was testing there few amps...well I want to buy TC Classic 450 as backup amp. I like 100-240V power supply so no problems on places with crazy power (I hope). I compare TC RH450 with MB-LM2 (in to Eden410 XST) TC is the winner all the way through...better tone, better dynamics, natural sound, and there is slap tone which I like (EQ setting flat). MB's still has little to sharp highs. I never found my sound for slap on F500 which I owned in past.
There was also Promethean combo in this shop. I was very very impresed!..nice sound for such a small combo nice design. I had no time to try Promethean head with Eden box but I like sound comming from Promethean combo much better than LM2+Eden box (of course there is less volume on this combo).

....hope it helps W.

tombowlus · #5 07-19-2010, 07:04 AM

I would say that the Promethean is a worthy competitor to the LMII/III. The tone is a little different, but in the same ballpark. The LMII/III may be a tad more dark and a tad more punchy, but the Promethean is pretty solid, and very balanced sounding.

Kwesi · #6 07-19-2010, 07:26 AM

Yay, responses! And thanks for them! I seriously tempted to just buy the Promethean an a GK MB500 and do a 3-way shoot out. I'm looking for a tad more sparkliness on the high end and I hear that's what GK is good at. I used a GK rig on my last gig and it sounded sweet.

tombowlus · #7 07-19-2010, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

Yay, responses! And thanks for them! I seriously tempted to just buy the Promethean an a GK MB500 and do a 3-way shoot out. I'm looking for a tad more sparkliness on the high end and I hear that's what GK is good at. I used a GK rig on my last gig and it sounded sweet.

Yes, the GK or one of the G-B Shuttle heads would get you more of that sparkle. So would a Carvin BX500.

Kwesi · #8 07-19-2010, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

Yes, the GK or one of the G-B Shuttle heads would get you more of that sparkle. So would a Carvin BX500.

I actually owned a Shuttle 6.0 for a while and I really wanted to like it (the Aux in and headphones jack were very appealing to me) but Markbass took the win there. Tried it again at a music store with a Hartke HX410 and the LMII got itself another win. I've heard great thigns about the BX500 but it's a bit bigger than I want. My LMII can fit in my gig bag and so could the the MB500 and the Promethean which is part of the reason I'm looking at them.

KJung · #9 07-19-2010, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

Yay, responses! And thanks for them! I seriously tempted to just buy the Promethean an a GK MB500 and do a 3-way shoot out. I'm looking for a tad more sparkliness on the high end and I hear that's what GK is good at. I used a GK rig on my last gig and it sounded sweet.

The GK is SUPER sizzly, with also a much deeper low end than the LMII. The Markbass F1/F500 sits right between the LMII and the GK MB500 regarding brightness. You might dig the GK if you are looking for a very aggressive top end with a deeply extended low end. That frequency range is most similar to the TecAmp Puma heads, but they are totally clean, whereas the GK has that trademark 'solid state grind'.

All good stuff, just depends on the tone you are looking for. You might also look at the TC Staccato, which is feature packed, and quite sizzly up top and deep down low, with a bit of built in scoop.

Kwesi · #10 07-19-2010, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

The GK is SUPER sizzly, with also a much deeper low end than the LMII. The Markbass F1/F500 sits right between the LMII and the GK MB500 regarding brightness. You might dig the GK if you are looking for a very aggressive top end with a deeply extended low end. That frequency range is most similar to the TecAmp Puma heads, but they are totally clean, whereas the GK has that trademarek 'solid state grind'.

All good stuff, just depends on the tone you are looking for.

Might have to take a look at the F1/F500 then. I can actually get the high end that I want if I boost the treble on the LMII or on my bass but I'd rather have the sound I want flat that way I have more room to tweak when I want to. I just need my stuff to sell so I can fix my car and try out some stuff

KJung · #11 07-19-2010, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

Might have to take a look at the F1/F500 then. I can actually get the high end that I want if I boost the treble on the LMII or on my bass but I'd rather have the sound I want flat that way I have more room to tweak when I want to. I just need my stuff to sell so I can fix my car and try out some stuff

The F500 is pretty cool, but still doesn't have the headphone out/aux in you are looking for (it does have a mute). It's my favorite head. Higher quality (IMO) than the GK (less noise, more sturdy construction, obviously a better reliability record at this point), and just a touch 'tighter and brighter' than the LMII, which results in more perceived punch and volume on the gig. The fact that it is smaller and more fully featured than the LMII/III is a bonus!

I finally tried that Carvin BX500 or whatever and was pretty unimpressed regarding size, 'out of the box' voicing, and the overwhelming array of knobs, etc., many of which have to be used to pound the thing into a relatively neutral voicing. IMO there.

blendermassacre · #12 07-19-2010, 09:28 AM

I think the promethean's clean / modern settings sound great if that's what you're into. I also love the engineering (design wise) of the cab. Having two big thumbscrews to keep the head on the cab / combo is a great idea and very easy to use.

I also think that the more vintage sound of the promethean is a bit contrived / digital sounding, but I also think the same thing about the dirtier sounds from the RH450, and a lot of people would disagree with me on that one.