Markbass or TC Electronic??

[IronLung1986]

hey everyone
so i know that quite a bit has been said on here about Markbass amps. i've tried different models on multiple occasions and loved the sound. i've been seriously considering buying one but disaster has struck...a friend who i trust in bass matters has given me an extremely compelling review of the TC Electronic RH450. now of course this isn't really a disaster but it has thrown my whole amp GAS into disarray. obviously i would like to try the TC myself, but i don't think that will be possible since nobody near me stocks the RH450. so what i'm looking for is a direct comparison between whatever Markbass amps you guys have tried and this TC head. this isn't a "which brand beats the other" thread, i'm just looking to be educated on the merits and drawbacks of each.

[kander]

I've never played the TC but in a side-by-side comparison I preferred the Genz-Benz Shuttle 6.0 to the Markbass LM II.

[Musicman20]

Markbass LM3 - Excellent tone, warm, clear, plenty of bottom, clear highs. Small, light, simple operation, cheaper, less features, great build quality, great VPF and VLE features.

RH450 - Strangely louder than the LM3 (and a fair bit louder than the Shuttle 6.0), great warm punchy tone, amazing preset features/semi para EQ and all the other added features that DO work well, (eg tuner, compression, tube tone) very flexible, a little bit of Ampeg-ish tone, slightly heavier, (but not much), excellent build quality, more expensive, amazing Headphone tone and the DI is fantastic.

They are BOTH great amps, I have both. The RH450 did cure virtually all amp GAS, but the LM3 is a very nice amp for the price....very nice.

Its best to check the inherent tone of each of the amps. The LM3 seems a little cleaner, with a little more high sheen. The RH450 is punchy, warm, vintage meets modern.

If money is not an issue, RH450.

[Smurf-o-Deth]

I have a LMII (been my amp for about 2 1/2 years), and an RH450 on the way. I'll try to remember to compare the two for you.

[IronLung1986]

Originally Posted by Smurf-o-Deth

I have a LMII (been my amp for about 2 1/2 years), and an RH450 on the way. I'll try to remember to compare the two for you.

thanks that would be awesome!

[IronLung1986]

Originally Posted by Musicman20

Markbass LM3 - Excellent tone, warm, clear, plenty of bottom, clear highs. Small, light, simple operation, cheaper, less features, great build quality, great VPF and VLE features.

RH450 - Strangely louder than the LM3 (and a fair bit louder than the Shuttle 6.0), great warm punchy tone, amazing preset features/semi para EQ and all the other added features that DO work well, (eg tuner, compression, tube tone) very flexible, a little bit of Ampeg-ish tone, slightly heavier, (but not much), excellent build quality, more expensive, amazing Headphone tone and the DI is fantastic.

They are BOTH great amps, I have both. The RH450 did cure virtually all amp GAS, but the LM3 is a very nice amp for the price....very nice.

Its best to check the inherent tone of each of the amps. The LM3 seems a little cleaner, with a little more high sheen. The RH450 is punchy, warm, vintage meets modern.

If money is not an issue, RH450.

that's exactly what i was looking for...thanks!

[Craig_S]

Looks to me like the RH450 is the tone tweaker's dream. For my money, I think I'd go with MarkBass, still. I do think the T.C. Electronics stuff is really nice.