Markbass for punk/hardcore?

Blade3dge · #1 08-09-2010, 12:43 AM

Hey, I play in a pop-punk/hardcore band, think A Day to Remember style stuff. What I was wondering was do you think a Markbass Tube 800 head and a Markbass Classic 8x10 would be suitable for the music. I'm using a musicman and going for a really heavy but tight sounding bass tone (hence the sealed cab).

What I would really like is Ampeg but the prices on the heads and the weight of the cabinets is a bit offputting. I've heard the Markbass gear can be a bit quiet but I can't imagine an 8x10 being any worse than a 4x10. So yeah my plan is to pretend my Markbass gear is a sexy looking lightweight version of Ampeg.

Does anybody think this is a bad idea? I'm pretty set on what I want but since I can't test all this gear at gig volume I'd like to know if anybody thinks I should be looking in a different direction, or heck if Markbass has any heads better suited to the music.

Thanks

Blade3dge · #2 08-09-2010, 12:45 AM

Also I play a musicman stingray with a maple neck.

And as for buying the cab Markbass has listed them as discontinued but most places say they are getting new stock in Nov. 2, does anybody know if they're remaking the cab and if I should hold out for a newer model or if I could get away with buying one now?

**bassybill** · #3 08-09-2010, 12:52 AM

Whoever told you Markbass stuff is "quiet" seriously needs to see an audiologist. That's just plain silly.

More or less any amp can be made to work in more or less any genre, and certainly a powerful tube head with an 810 will do punk stuff very well if used with that in mind. It would be good to try before you buy anyway you can, if at all possible. But having said that, if I was playing that sort of stuff (I have done in the past) and I turned up to a gig where I had to use that rig, I'm certain I could get it to work for me really very well.

Could you please fill out your profile, especially location? Who knows, there may be a TB member near you who owns just that rig and would be happy to let you try it, or knows a store not too far away where they have that stuff in stock.

Burlington · #4 08-09-2010, 12:52 AM

FWIW, we've played with this one band a few times, and their bass player uses some Markbass 2x10 combo ontop of a Markbass 6x10. It may be his EQ, but I can never hear a note he plays with the band. They're speedmetal.

I always like playing Markbass when I'm at GC, but I've never used one in a band setting.

**bassybill** · #5 08-09-2010, 12:58 AM

It looks ike MB are discontinuing their Classic line - maybe sales have been disappointing as most folks who want an 810 wouldn't probably put MB stuff top of their list. But I've heard good things about this cab and if you could get one at the right price, I think it could be a winner.

**bassybill** · #6 08-09-2010, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burlington

FWIW, we've played with this one band a few times, and their bass player uses some Markbass 2x10 combo ontop of a Markbass 6x10. It may be his EQ, but I can never hear a note he plays with the band. They're speedmetal.

I always like playing Markbass when I'm at GC, but I've never used one in a band setting.

I find a band setting is where MB stuff shows itself at its best, and lots of people would agree. It's also known for really standing out in a live mix, so it sounds like your death metal chappie is doing something wrong to me. Maybe he's cut all his mids (lots of metal players seem to go that way and then wonder why nobody can hear them).

On the other hand, using the 210 combo with a 610 is a poor choice as just under half his power will be going to his 210s in the combo and just over half will go to his 610 (it's a 6 ohm cab). With 500W output, each driver in his combo will be getting over 100W whilst each driver in his 610 will be getting considerably less than 50W. Not the best way to make sure all his speakers are getting driven sensibly!

He's also slightly under the stated minimum 4 ohm load for the amp at about 3.4 ohms.

rodl2005 · #7 08-09-2010, 01:16 AM

& IME if it's SPEED METAL he'll be using a REAL uPPER MID SOUNDING (dang caps lock) EQ. I Seriously DOUBT it's the MB gear that gives a BAD or 'un-able to hear' sound. As BB said tho POOR choice of cab selection with a 6ohm 610 & (Wouldn't it be an 8 ohm?? may be a 4 ohm but MOST are 8's) 2x10"

What YOU suggest- a Tube 800 & a 810CL - all Mark Bass will slaughter the 1st 10 rows at least.

**bassybill** · #8 08-09-2010, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodl2005

& IME if it's SPEED METAL he'll be using a REAL uPPER MID SOUNDING (dang caps lock) EQ. I Seriously DOUBT it's the MB gear that gives a BAD or 'un-able to hear' sound. As BB said tho POOR choice of cab selection with a 6ohm 610 & (Wouldn't it be an 8 ohm?? may be a 4 ohm but MOST are 8's) 2x10"

What YOU suggest- a Tube 800 & a 810CL - all Mark Bass will slaughter the 1st 10 rows at least.

The 210 combo is 8 ohm without an extension cab - so, yeah, that's what the figures in my last post are based on.

JimmyM · #9 08-09-2010, 01:44 AM

doable but wouldn't be my first choice. the markbass 810 is a bit light sounding compared to the ampeg. i attribute that to the tiny (well relatively tiny) cab. and of all the markbass heads, the lm800 is my least favorite. i think the 500w little mark heads sound way closer to ampeg tube amps than the 800w heads. but they don't do dirt very well imho. they have a little mark rocker head that's due out soon that's supposed to do dirt well, but i know nothing about it since it's not out yet.

however, if you're patient and wait for a deal, you could put together a used ampeg svt tube head and 810 for as little as a grand. $1200-1300 is a bit more realistic, though. i've seen svt-cl's and 2 pros go for as little as $700-800, and 810e's for as little as $300-400. also, a vt bass pedal into any power amp or head will get you very close. won't get the big feel of tubes, but you can cop the tones amazingly close. still, substitutes for the real thing are just that...substitutes. that's why i went back to the real thing a couple years ago after trying to put together an ampeg-sounding rig with substitutes.

flipper_gv · #10 08-09-2010, 04:12 AM

I play death metal with a markbass amp

Captain Marvel · #11 08-09-2010, 04:37 AM

Head wise I'd say get the LMtube 500 and not the 800 (The 500w version has more balls to its tone IMO). Then use the money you've saved to get a VT bass pedal. You WILL get the sound you want out of that combo I promise!

As for cabs I can't comment on the Markbass 8x10 but if you can find an Ampeg 8x10 second hand for good money I don't think you'll be going far wrong!

Jazz Ad · #12 08-09-2010, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flipper_gv

I play death metal with a markbass amp

Yellow metal?

**bassybill** · #13 08-09-2010, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

Yellow metal?

Pure gold!

Blade3dge · #14 08-10-2010, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

doable but wouldn't be my first choice. the markbass 810 is a bit light sounding compared to the ampeg. i attribute that to the tiny (well relatively tiny) cab. and of all the markbass heads, the lm800 is my least favorite. i think the 500w little mark heads sound way closer to ampeg tube amps than the 800w heads. but they don't do dirt very well imho. they have a little mark rocker head that's due out soon that's supposed to do dirt well, but i know nothing about it since it's not out yet.

however, if you're patient and wait for a deal, you could put together a used ampeg svt tube head and 810 for as little as a grand. $1200-1300 is a bit more realistic, though. i've seen svt-cl's and 2 pros go for as little as $700-800, and 810e's for as little as $300-400. also, a vt bass pedal into any power amp or head will get you very close. won't get the big feel of tubes, but you can cop the tones amazingly close. still, substitutes for the real thing are just that...substitutes. that's why i went back to the real thing a couple years ago after trying to put together an ampeg-sounding rig with substitutes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Marvel

Head wise I'd say get the LMtube 500 and not the 800 (The 500w version has more balls to its tone IMO). Then use the money you've saved to get a VT bass pedal. You WILL get the sound you want out of that combo I promise!

As for cabs I can't comment on the Markbass 8x10 but if you can find an Ampeg 8x10 second hand for good money I don't think you'll be going far wrong!

I would love an Ampeg trust me haha and it would actually be better value for money but the weight of the Ampeg just makes it completely unfeasable for me.

So you would actually recommend going for the 500w version?

I was thinking since it would be powering a sealed 8x10 more power would be the way to go? Especially considering the style of music I play it needs to be loud, I'm sure people will want to kill me for this and heck in any other band volume wouldn't be an issue but it's part of the music and part of the scene in general that things are BIG and LOUD.

So, anyway: Does the 800w have anything on the 500w?I know that wattage makes little difference to the sound but I would have expected, I dunno something "bigger", otherwise it just makes the difference in power irrelavant. What do you guys think?

Blade3dge · #15 08-10-2010, 12:10 AM

+Thanks for the advice, after looking into it I am definately getting a VT pedal, I'm probably also getting a Markbass Compressore since the markbass heads don't have compression like my old combo. Anybody want to talk be out of that decision or am I good?

::::BASSIST:::: · #16 08-10-2010, 12:26 AM

Start with the VT Bass in front of the amp of your choice. I love MB amps but if you need to play SUPER loud you might consider other amps. I'm using a VT Bass with a peavey DPC 1000 poweramp (Super loud yet still only 12LBS) with my LDS designed 'fEarful' 15/6. You might also consider of the Carvin poweramps which are pretty loud yet light. Or even their fully integrated amps. As long as you stick a VT Bass in front of it the tone will be good.

Another thought regarding cabs if you are looking for big and loud cabs yet still lightweight, you might consider getting two 8 ohm 410s or even two 115s. Way more portable but very loud.

**bassybill** · #17 08-10-2010, 12:58 AM

I don't think you'd notice much of a difference in voume berween 500W and 800W with the same cab setup.

Also, two 410s will compare closely with an 810, other things like drivers and sealed enclosure being similar, but two 115s have WAY less driver surface than eight tens (only just over half), so you're going to need much more driver displacement to shift the same volume of air.

I think in your situation and playing your music, I'd go for the amp of your choice with say 500W or more into 4 ohms, driving two 410 8 ohm cabs, definitely with Neo drivers to make the weight more manageable. I'd probably buy the amp and one 410 first, then add another later on. But that's just my own personal take.

Use the VT if you like the sound - I have one and I do like it, but not all the time, just here and there.

Blade3dge · #18 08-10-2010, 01:11 AM

Two 4x10s is great but significantly more expensive, lifes a bitch aint it? Haha.

**bassybill** · #19 08-10-2010, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blade3dge

Two 4x10s is great but significantly more expensive...

Yup. That's why I suggested go for just one first - you could well find that that's enough, volume wise (might not look big enough for you though

).

rodl2005 · #20 08-10-2010, 02:34 AM

Just try it with the MB amp a decent cab or two & VT pedal... then SEE IF U need the COMPRESSSORE' - I doubt U will need it.