markbass and stingray

luisramos · #1 10-28-2011, 02:19 PM

Hi guys,

I have a stingray 4 and a markbass little mark tube 800.
I'm having difficulties to get the right sound of it.
I know that sound is a matter of personal taste, but I'd love to know how you guys setup your thing.

I like this kind of sound Alex Al messing around with some Louis Johnson Basslines - YouTube

Thanks!

loulou_26 · #2 10-28-2011, 02:53 PM

Hi,
I've tried a Markbass amp (LMII) last year and to my opinion (it's a personnal taste), this kind of amp can't give you this sound.
I've a Mb cabs, but to my opinion their amps (head) are not as natural as everyone seems to say...
I think that if you want this sound, you'll need a compressor and a amp with a clear sound.
In addition, a maple fretboard helps for a clearer sound.
This is a typical sound of a MM without effect (I think) in a clear amp :
solo de bajo Luis Johnson (slap) - YouTube
Hope this help you.

luisramos · #3 10-29-2011, 03:10 PM

hum thanks loulou.
do you think i should get a compressor anyway?
i've only used it on guitars, never tried on the bass.

thanks!

loulou_26 · #4 10-29-2011, 04:17 PM

Hi,
I'm quiet sure that Alex Al had a compressor in your video, so if you like this kind of sound ("bounces" 's notes, you can hear that especially when Alex Al slap on this bass) it will help you.
In addition, he has a clear sound, and this is due to his amp and the maple fretboard.
So, to my opinion, a compressor will help you to have this kind of "bounces" notes. Personally, I have an EBS pedal and a DBX. I don't use this two compressor every time, bit it's very useful to have some kind of sound (ex. : Flea, Stuart Zender with Jamiroquai, ...).
RW

Mokebass · #5 11-05-2011, 11:29 PM

I have a LMT 500 and SUB passive. Not directly comparable I know as the LMT 800 has a slightly different sound and the SUB is close but not quite a Stingray.

However I have found a great warm and growly sound with a EVTL 15. I imagine with a Markbass 15 or other high end 15 would be even better.

Given the 15 inch speaker I have no need for the VLE but put the VPF at about 3 o'clock. Bass on 12 o'clock. Mids on about 2 o'clock and high at about 3 o'clock. Tube mix on full.

On the bass the treble is on full and then just a matter of playing with bass knob for sharpening or dulling the sound. Great full sound with fantastic mids I love it for rock music.

On the point of the valve mix, there is subtle but definate difference. Its no tube monster but putting the mix on full tube and with the natural warmth of the LM its a great sound.

Mokebass · #6 11-10-2011, 03:00 AM

Anyway I love my LMT and no name 15 with the MM.

Think i have found my sound for small/medium pub and club gigs

Musicman20 · #7 11-10-2011, 04:46 AM

The technique is a huge part to this.

A Markbass plus Ray will give you almost everything you put in, although I have heard the 800 series has more low end and high mid focus...whereas the LM3/F series are a little more than we assume is 'flat'.

Don't worry about 2EQ/3EQ, it will get you there whichever you have. Maple and Rosewood are very very similar anyway...so don't worry about that.

KJung · #8 11-10-2011, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musicman20

The technique is a huge part to this.

A Markbass plus Ray will give you almost everything you put in, although I have heard the 800 series has more low end and high mid focus...whereas the LM3/F series are a little more than we assume is 'flat'.

Don't worry about 2EQ/3EQ, it will get you there whichever you have. Maple and Rosewood are very very similar anyway...so don't worry about that.

+1 A compressor has NOTHING to do with this.

That clip has a lot of upper treble, so obviously, a cab with a tweeter is key to that tone.

With the LM800 series, there is quite an upper mid bump to that head with the controls set flat (i.e., the EQ at noon and the filters off). That can make slapping and digging in on a MM quite clacky and harsh.

So, as a start, turn both filters off, cut the upper mid control by a lot (start at 9 o'clock), and slighty boost the low imd control (maybe 1 o'clock). Make sure you have your input gain below the clip setting, and then use the MM EQ VERY sparingly. Again, with a decent cab that can handle the slap and 'digging in' transients and that has a tweeter for that upper treble response, and with a nice set of reasonably new roundwound strings, you should get 90% there (if your chops are up to it!).

Edit: To the OP's comment about Markbass heads not being as 'natural' as reported, that is more of an issue with the particular model you have. The 800 series is quite voiced... big low end, strong spike in the upper mids, and a very modern (some would say 'clinical/sterile') top end. The F series and class A/B LM series is much warmer, more even, and quite 'neutral/transparent'. The F1/F500 will give you that sort of tone (if that is what you are putting into it) right out of the box set 'flat'.

Mokebass · #9 11-12-2011, 01:52 AM

Agrees most points especially the LMT ii/iii, tube 500 & 800, etc quite flat base levels.

However the EQ is not to be underestimated. What is "flat" anyway?

A bit of VLE occasionaly fattens the sound although should be used sparingly.

luisramos · #10 11-13-2011, 07:05 PM

Hi guys, thank you very much for the replies!
I've tested the compressor pedal from boss and i really liked.
I've also tested the noise supressor pedal, and it's amazing how it actually takes the noise out.
With the markbass knobs almost at flat and a little bit of filter.

I have one more question for you guys, would be a good ideia to use a limitter pedal together with these two pedals?

Thanks!