Markbass tweeters

Paul M · #1 02-13-2011, 08:22 AM

I'm new to Markbass cabinets. I'm test driving a 104HR and a 104HF. Until now I've been using Avatar cabs with a Markbass LMII.

I tried four different Markbass cabs and I can't hear the tweeter doing much more than adding some fret noise. The attenuator does nothing for the tone of the bass notes. Is this typical of other cabinet brands?

The horns on my Avatar b210 and b212 are integral to the sound. Attenuator adjustments take the tone from muffled to open and clear, all the way to harsh brightness.

I don't see the point in having the attenuator on the Markbass models that I have tried so far. (104HF, 104HR and the single 15)

Am I missing something, here? Does anybody here find the Markbass attenuator useful?

In spite of that, I'm liking the tone of the MB cabinets for most of my basses.

DWBass · #2 02-13-2011, 09:28 AM

I believe the horns are of different types. More quality tweeters. I believe the crossovers are quite different too. Not harsh at all. I've noticed the same on my GK Neo112's and on my Epifani PS112. I was finding myself adding more treble on my bass and amp. I used to own Avatars and I got used to that HF horn and crossover sound. My slap sound is more old school now which is actually a good thing, IMHO.

Paul M · #3 02-13-2011, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBass

I believe the horns are of different types. More quality tweeters. I believe the crossovers are quite different too. Not harsh at all.

Thanks, which brand are your referring to here?

I don't find the Markbass tweeters are harsh. I just can't tell when they are switched on or off. The tone doesn't change. I just notice little more fret noise when the tweeter is up full.

The Avatar horns can be harsh if the attenuator is not used (that is, when fully open). Setting the attenuator just right makes a big difference in the overall tone.

DWBass · #4 02-13-2011, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul M

Thanks, which brand are your referring to here?

I don't find the Markbass tweeters are harsh. I just can't tell when they are switched on or off. The tone doesn't change. I just notice little more fret noise when the tweeter is up full.

The Avatar horns can be harsh if the attenuator is not used (that is, when fully open). Setting the attenuator just right makes a big difference in the overall tone.

I was referring to the difference between Avatar and Markbass but also other brands. The Avatar tweeter and crossover are not of the highest quality. Not bad though. I loved my Avatars. Gigged them for 8-9 years straight with not one single issue. Just got rid of them due to GAS for lighterweight cabs.

Sparky Mark · #5 02-13-2011, 04:06 PM

I have an MB104HF which I drive with an LM3 and know exactly what you mean. At low levels i.e., practice volumes it is really hard to hear the difference between the tweeter full up or off, but I think this is because 1) at low volumes our ears tend to the like lows and highs boosted ( are you old enough to remember the loudness button on 70's hifi amps which used to boost bass and treble when listening at low levels?) and 2) we may not be standing back from the cab far enough to be within the horn's soundstage.

Once everything is turned up to performance levels there is a big difference between on and off IMO. Have you stood back 4 - 5 yards and get someone else to move the dial when playing loud (slapping would show this best)? I find that when trying to do a-b on your own the 10 seconds taken to change settings doesn't help to hear the contrast too well.

Just about everything to do with Markbass stuff doesn't sound great solo and quiet, but sound great in the mix of a performance. This may extend to the treble as well as the mids and bass.

mikecd1 · #6 02-15-2011, 03:08 PM

Some of the markbass have Le Son piezo tweeters with a crossover. Those are all the ones with a "P" on the end of the model. The ones with horns usually have an "H" in the model name somewhere. Those are higher end horns, but it seems like the more compact and lighter models have the piezos in them which I agree just sound all right and they are integral to the markbass sound as most all models have a crossover in them. I replaced a piezo on my Genz Benz GB112 cabinet with an Eminence APT-80, dayton crossover and an eminence 100 watt Lpad and couldn't be happier. That tweeter made my 20 year old Genz Benz sound brand new. I only mention that to reinforce that tweeters can make a huge difference and shouldn't be overlooked although sometimes I just prefer no tweeter at all and turn them off. Its all a matter of what you're looking for. Good luck!

Fender4Me · #7 02-15-2011, 03:18 PM

I couldnt hear the tweeter on my Markbass cabs either playing by myself but, in the mix, I can hear a difference when I adjust the attenuator. I pretty just keep mine at 12 o'clock and leave it alone.

Melvin7822 · #8 02-15-2011, 03:29 PM

I think it's very important to note that Markbass attenuators are cut only. All the way clockwise is -0 dB. This is different from most cabs that might allow you to go to +3dB. I usually have the attenuator set at -2dB and I have absolutely no problem with treble cutting through.

blues.bass · #9 02-15-2011, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fender4Me

I couldnt hear the tweeter on my Markbass cabs either playing by myself but, in the mix, I can hear a difference when I adjust the attenuator. I pretty just keep mine at 12 o'clock and leave it alone.

I use the MarkBass Standard 104HF and I find exactly the same thing. Set it at 12 o'clock and leave it.

Melvin7822 got an interesting point though.

Paul M · #10 02-15-2011, 03:41 PM

I haven't used the 104HF with a band yet. Alone I have been setting at about -10 db.

When I play with the band I'll try it at 12 o'clock, which (going by memory) is about -3 db.

I find this cab great for all my basses especially the passive Fender Jazz. But it is taking some work to tame the mid range on my main bass - a Dingwall Afterburner II. My passive Afterburner I has no problem with it.

murphy · #11 02-15-2011, 08:47 PM

It is the tweeter that makes me dislike Markbass cabs.
Much prefer Epifani, Bergantino....more zing if I want

IronLung1986 · #12 02-15-2011, 09:12 PM

one of the things i like about the markbass cabs is that the tweeter gives you a subtle change in tone. it's not a real in-your-face difference, but it gives you some extra zing with harmonics (does a great job with that IMO) and helps you stand out in the mix better. i keep mine just barely "on"; a smidge up from fully counter-clockwise, and the effect is definitely noticeable whether playing alone or with others. if you really can't tell the difference at all, maybe you just have it EQ'd in a way that doesn't take advantage of the tweeter very much. i myself probably use a bit more treble than average, which makes more use of the tweeter.

chadhargis · #13 02-16-2011, 08:30 AM

I have a 102p combo and a 102HF expansion. I wish I could turn off the tweet in the combo, but I can't. Instead, I turn off the one on the expansion cab. I don't really like tweeters for bass. To me, it's an oxymoron. Tweeter is a BASS cab? I can see if you're slapping or playing a lot of chords up on the neck, but for my playing, I want the big thump. I roll off the highs, and one of my basses wears flats.

Paul M · #14 02-21-2011, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparky Mark

I have an MB104HF...

Just about everything to do with Markbass stuff doesn't sound great solo and quiet, but sound great in the mix of a performance.

People have made the same comment about some Dingwall basses like the Afterburner II. I finally had a chance to try out the 104HF and the Afterburner with a band yesterday. It's definitely true. They were impressed by the solid, clear sound.

I didn't even think about the tweeter. I set it to zero (full up) and forgot about it.

hnmusac · #15 12-25-2011, 08:24 PM

HI, I have posted another forum about lack of presence playing with the band with my MM Sterling. I think I have found the cause, and would like to hear your opinion.

I think the piezo tweeter from my NY151 is not working. I tried to listen close to the tweeter and playing high notes, but no sound is coming out. So I think it is busted.

Also, this attenuator does not make any difference on the sound. That only affects the signal to the tweeter, right?

Thanks in advance, Rgds,

JimmyM · #16 12-25-2011, 09:13 PM

It could be busted, for sure. Sounds like it to me. Those little piezos in the NY cabs are obscenely noticeable.

KJung · #17 12-26-2011, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul M

Thanks, which brand are your referring to here?

I don't find the Markbass tweeters are harsh. I just can't tell when they are switched on or off. The tone doesn't change. I just notice little more fret noise when the tweeter is up full.

The Avatar horns can be harsh if the attenuator is not used (that is, when fully open). Setting the attenuator just right makes a big difference in the overall tone.

The tweeters in at least some of the Markbass cabs are crossed over very high, which results in them only translating the highest upper treble of your tone. Many bassists don't even have those frequencies coming out of their instruments.

So, just a different voicing. If you like the tone of the cab, don't worry about the tweeter setting. If you need more lower treble brightness, a different brand would probably make you more happy.

For some, there is a certain beauty to having a driver run full range, with the tweeter just kind of floating above the cab for that bit of extended sparkle. For others, a more 'integrated' tweeter voicing with a true crossover set lower is preferred.

hnmusac · #18 12-26-2011, 06:35 PM

just replaced the speakon cable by a P10 cable on my MB NY151 and the tweeter is hissing - and the attenuator working. Anyone guess why it does not work with the speakon??