Markbass: LMIII or LM Tube?

[shawn-o]

Im about to pull the trigger on a head purchase. I need something to pair up with my 4 ohm 2x12 avatar cab, and Im pretty set on either one of these heads.

Leaning towards the Tube, but really liked what the LM2 that I played awhile back had to offer- So the 3 is still in the picture.

Suggestions?. Opinions?. Both are within $100 +/- of one another online, with the tube being slightly more expensive.

Is it worth it?.

[lmfreeman9]

Yes. If you like the tube sound. I bought the LMIII instead of the tube and regretted it.

[Kwesi]

I've played both and to me, the LM Tube sounds dull and sterile while the LMIII sounds full and powerful. Just one guy's opinion of course, but I wouldn't give the LM Tube a passing glance. The LMIII takes the LMII and adds a dedicated line out control and from what I hear, it also has a better DI signal.

[countrybassist]

I've used a LMII as a backup head and for rehearsal for about 6 years. Never played the tube MB. To my ears it is quite sterile sounding although it does sound good. But with the LMII, I've been using a VT pedal to get my tone. I recently bought a STM 900 as a backup to my '73 SVT. No VT pedal needed to get my tone with the GB. In fact, it sounds so good, I've been gigging with it and leaving the SVT at home.

[KJung]

I hear very little difference between the LMIII and the LMTube. Of course, the LMT800 and LM800 sound very different, and I don't like them much at all.

Unless the extra features are very important to you (mute switch and volume on the second combo jack input with phantom power), I would get the wonderful LMIII and get any additional grind you want through a pedal (as stated above).

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Kwesi

I've played both and to me, the LM Tube sounds dull and sterile while the LMIII sounds full and powerful. Just one guy's opinion of course, but I wouldn't give the LM Tube a passing glance. The LMIII takes the LMII and adds a dedicated line out control and from what I hear, it also has a better DI signal.

The DI on the LMII and LMIII only differs in that the pre/post switch is on the outside of the amp versus under the hood (a good thing), and a level control (which IMO is relatively useless). The quality of both DI's (at least in pre EQ mode) is very good, like most other amps.

Your comments about the LMTube, I assume, where meant to be about the LMTube800, which does sound very different and more 'modern and crisp' than the LMIII or LMTube.

[shawn-o]

Originally Posted by countrybassist

I've used a LMII as a backup head and for rehearsal for about 6 years. Never played the tube MB. To my ears it is quite sterile sounding although it does sound good. But with the LMII, I've been using a VT pedal to get my tone. I recently bought a STM 900 as a backup to my '73 SVT. No VT pedal needed to get my tone with the GB. In fact, it sounds so good, I've been gigging with it and leaving the SVT at home.

Ahh and thats what im looking to do. My back is hurting from hauling around heavy heads, and I think the Markbass would fit the bill perfectly. My fiancee bought me the MB superpro di afew years back and I absolutely love the quality of it.

I currently do most of my toneshaping through a Sansamp PBDDI, with one "always on" setting and one setting for a light grit/overdrive.

I like the idea of being able to add alittle bit of tube warmth, but if its actually in fact sounding more sterile/dry than anything-- I dont think theres a question on my mind that I should go with the LM3.

Mute switch= meh.. I always go through my pedalboard anyways so thats not a Huge deal.

Hrmmm... Now i have something to ponder at work today lol.

[Musicman20]

Well, for what its worth, I have just made the same decision. For some amps, like the GB Streamliner, I went all out and got the highest wattage/most expensive. But for me, when it comes to Markbass, I dont think you can beat the LM3 or the F500. Ok, the F500 is more heavily featured, but the ease of use of both is great. I didnt personally need the smaller size/semi para mids, and I know where I am with the LM2/3, so I bought another! (After stupidly selling my old one).

[AMJBASS]

Originally Posted by KJung

The DI on the LMII and LMIII only differs in that the pre/post switch is on the outside of the amp versus under the hood (a good thing), and a level control (which IMO is relatively useless). The quality of both DI's (at least in pre EQ mode) is very good, like most other amps.

Your comments about the LMTube, I assume, where meant to be about the LMTube800, which does sound very different and more 'modern and crisp' than the LMIII or LMTube.

I have actually found the level control extremely handy on mine. If I am switching basses live, I turn down the level to mute the sound at the board(using an LMIII). I am not a huge fan of the LM Tube. Its a good sounding head, but IMO the tube doesn't add enough to make it worth while. Its also not a user serviceable head. You can't replace the tube without soldering.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Adrian Juras

I have actually found the level control extremely handy on mine. If I am switching basses live, I turn down the level to mute the sound at the board(using an LMIII). I am not a huge fan of the LM Tube. Its a good sounding head, but IMO the tube doesn't add enough to make it worth while. Its also not a user serviceable head. You can't replace the tube without soldering.

I guess that makes sense, although how do you then mute the sound to your stage rig? A true bypass pedal tuner would probably be a better 'one step' muting process to both the stage rig and house on an amp that doesn't have a mute switch (which the LMTube has).

+1 though... not much 'tube tone' in the LMTube to my ear, although the second channel volume control could be handy for doublers, etc.

[litlock123]

not sure if this is true, but i heard that the little mark 2 had a few higher quality components than the lm 3, i currently am running a lm 2 and am verry happy with it. Like i said though, just a rumor i heard

[AMJBASS]

Originally Posted by KJung

I guess that makes sense, although how do you then mute the sound to your stage rig? A true bypass pedal tuner would probably be a better 'one step' muting process to both the stage rig and house on an amp that doesn't have a mute switch (which the LMTube has).

+1 though... not much 'tube tone' in the LMTube to my ear, although the second channel volume control could be handy for doublers, etc.

The Markbass doesn't pop when I remove the jack fromt the amp, so I just quickly pull it out and change basses. It has worked fine so far.

[jgroh]

At one point I considered trading in my LMII for a LMTube and Im glad I didnt. I thought the LMTube sounded good but I like my LMII better. Also, at 3am after a 4 hour gig, 6lbs is hard to beat!

[cchorney]

I have a LMIII (technically a CMD102P, which has a LMIII in it) and I am in the process of getting a Sansamp BDDI added to my effects chain because I want a tube sound. At one point, before I was aware of the BDDI, I was considering upgrading to a LMtube and as I recall from my shopping around, the LMtube has both a solid state and a tube amp in it, so I was able to get a range of tones including some really warm tones from it... if the settings were right.

For me, the tube emulation on the Sansamp BDDI is close enough to not require me to go newer/heavier with the amp. Depending on the accuracy of your ears, the age of your back, and other factors, your mileage may vary.

[Musicman20]

VT or BDDI with the LM2/3 F1/500 is hard to beat IMO. 2 distinct tones!

[MODELL]

I have a LMII as part of the CMD 112P Combo. I think with the VLE knob turned to about 3, I get a nice warm sound. I was looking at the specs of all of the amps in the manual and noticed that some of the Markbass amps have digital power amps and others including the LMII have analog power amps. Does anyone know how this would contribute to the over all sound?

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Adrian Juras

The Markbass doesn't pop when I remove the jack fromt the amp, so I just quickly pull it out and change basses. It has worked fine so far.

ah, makes sense.

[DownLowJoe]

Originally Posted by Musicman20

VT or BDDI with the LM2/3 F1/500 is hard to beat IMO. 2 distinct tones!

Agree with above. I like the "clean sound' with the Little Mark 3, but when I want some distortion I use a Sansdamp Paradriver DI and I can get some nice tone. It is the best of both worlds.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by DownLowJoe

Agree with above. I like the "clean sound' with the Little Mark 3, but when I want some distortion I use a Sansdamp Paradriver DI and I can get some nice tone. It is the best of both worlds.

+1 One of the most impressive 'grindy' rigs I've ever heard was a VT pedal into a Markbass F1/F500... punchy and tight, but with all that Ampeg-like grunt and grind and snarl, etc. Nice combination.

[::::BASSIST::::]

You guys are making me miss my LMII + VT. I sold the LMII a couple weeks ago.