Not happy with my MarkBass LMIII

CLMSHQ · #1 12-08-2010, 06:58 AM

So I started playing with a top 40-Classic style cover band doing everything from 70's to Today. The more I am plying with these guys-and lady, the less I am liking my sound of my MarkBass. I like the portability and ease, but the amp just sounds too thin and thumpy for what I like at this time. I play a Fender MIA Jazz mostly and a MIM 50's P sometimes. I am thinking of parting with the LMIII.
I do like the small gear for transportation, ect. but am on the fence on what to do. I always liked GK and have owned several over the years.
Does the GK MB Fusion or MB2 really sound like the GK heads original sound. I have tried them out at GC, but let's face it, you really can't get a good listening to judge at a loud GC.
I really like the Genz-Benz Shuttle 6.0 from what I hear on YouTube, but no one has them in stock at the Mom-Pop music stores.
Please offer your experience-suggestions, Pros and Cons

KJung · #2 12-08-2010, 07:02 AM

LMIII thin? Methinks you might have a cab issue. Keep those filters off on the LMIII... it sounds the best for most run pretty neutral (filters off, tone controls at noon).

All the heads you are considering are nice, and sound different. All will put out about the same volume IMO and IME. The GK will have a deeper low end and a MUCH more aggressive treble response. The Shuttle 6 will be brighter up top and tighter down low, and have just a touch of grind to its sound when pushed.

I could easily be happy with all the above with the right 4ohm cab.

I did eventually move from the LM to the F1/F500, which is a bit tighter and brighter, but pure personal taste there.

Devo-lution · #3 12-08-2010, 07:12 AM

Make sure your filters are entirely counterclockwise (even though "thin sounding" is not what my ears perceive if someone puts both filters at "noon position")...

Like Ken said, might be be a cab issue. Might pay off to find out somewhat about the frequency responses of your cab and then adjust your eq accordingly?

CLMSHQ · #4 12-08-2010, 07:30 AM

My cabs are fine. At practice I play a Avatar 112 8 ohms. It is thumpy, but I am lacking that 400hz sound. The 50 to 200hz is all there. That is good for the Zepplin or Doors sound, but when I try to get that NoDoubt sound, it does not pull through.

KJung · #5 12-08-2010, 07:33 AM

The LMIII's low mid control is centered pretty much right at 400hz.. crank it up a little bit.

However, if you want a tighter, more lo mid punchy tone, the Markbass F1/F500 or the Shuttle 6 or 9 might be a good option if you just can't get there with the LMIII.

Of course, digging in closer to the bridge will get you lots of that mid punch without turning any knobs!

Edit: And remember, the VPF will provide a dip in the 500hz region, a boost way down low 30hz and way up high 8K plus. Leave that filter off!

CLMSHQ · #6 12-08-2010, 08:08 AM

Thanks guys!
I guess you strongly believe I should stick with the MarkBass. Part of the problem is I need to use it more at home and do more EQ-ing. I do not get to fool around with it much besides rehearsal.

Time will tell when I use my 410 if it is a definate keeper.

KJung · #7 12-08-2010, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CLMSHQ

Thanks guys!
I guess you strongly believe I should stick with the MarkBass. Part of the problem is I need to use it more at home and do more EQ-ing. I do not get to fool around with it much besides rehearsal.

Time will tell when I use my 410 if it is a definate keeper.

Just to be clear, any piece of gear will work for some and not for others. There are many who greatly prefer the tone of other amp heads.

I think what we are saying is make sure you've done your due diligence, understand the EQ voicing of the head, and use it in a variety of rooms and settings before moving to something else (which you might end up doing).

Lots of money spent on this site on 'premature churn', sometimes based on user error with EQ, gain settings, etc.

Let us know where you end up!

bassjam · #8 12-08-2010, 08:16 AM

I agree with all the above.I love my LMII-and while it may not be for everybody,I have never thought of it as thin sounding.Listen to KJung,play with the EQ a bit.I have no trouble dialing in a good sound from room to room.

vision · #9 12-08-2010, 09:01 AM

Like Ken said, I think this is a filters issue. The VLE and VPF knobs are "flat" when fully counterclockwise. If you have them at noon as a starting point that will be a big problem - the VPF specifically sounds thin when engaged that far.

seungkoo · #10 12-08-2010, 09:12 AM

I love the tone from all markbass amps

Double Agent · #11 12-08-2010, 09:18 AM

CLMSHQ,

Can you tell us how you have been setting your EQ and filters (VLE and VPF)? It might help to troubleshoot the issue.

As for tone, I do prefer the tone of Genz-Benz amps to my Markbass, but the tone I get from my Markbass is good enough that I don't feel motivated to make a change. Any of the amps you are talking about are capable of delivering a good tone. Personal preference alone dictates which one is "best". Unfortunately, no one can tell you what YOUR personal preference is, so the only way to find out is test them yourself.

TheNightLife · #12 12-08-2010, 09:23 AM

i have the lm3 and it really only puts out power and sounds good with a 4ohm cab not 8ohms.

RickC · #13 12-08-2010, 11:28 AM

I've been having a similar experience with my LMIII, purchased several months back. I also love the portability, sound is good, but not *great* for my tastes. I'm running Epifani UL cabs, either a 1x15 or a 1x15 and 2x10 together. It's been suggested here on TB that low-mid gap in the LMIIIs controls doesn't match well with the Epifanis, and I'd have to say that's true in my experience; I could "hear" the hole I wanted to fill, but the low and low-mid knobs on the LMIII seemed to work around it. I tried all the tricks suggested to help, but none of them really proved satisfactory.

Prior to the LMIII, I had been using a Thunderfunk for several years. So I started taking that on the gig a few weeks back and fell in love all over again. Instant ecstacy. That amp with those cabs just works better, for me.

/rick

KJung · #14 12-08-2010, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickC

I've been having a similar experience with my LMIII, purchased several months back. I also love the portability, sound is good, but not *great* for my tastes. I'm running Epifani UL cabs, either a 1x15 or a 1x15 and 2x10 together. It's been suggested here on TB that low-mid gap in the LMIIIs controls doesn't match well with the Epifanis, and I'd have to say that's true in my experience; I could "hear" the hole I wanted to fill, but the low and low-mid knobs on the LMIII seemed to work around it. I tried all the tricks suggested to help, but none of them really proved satisfactory.

Prior to the LMIII, I had been using a Thunderfunk for several years. So I started taking that on the gig a few weeks back and fell in love all over again. Instant ecstacy. That amp with those cabs just works better, for me.

/rick

I went through your same journey. Thunderfunk driving a UL410, then the LMII (dug the deeper lows and cleaner more open highs versus the TF, but eventually tired of not being able to plug that low mid hole in those particular cabs). Got an F500 and all is perfect... lots of low mid punch versus the LMII/III (even when set flat), but a much more open low and high end than the Thunderfunk, and a bit more uncompressed volume when really pushed in 1/3 the size and weight.

That being said, I did a zillion gigs with the TF and Epi, and that was a nice warm, punchy combination!

Anyway, it is all about the mix and match, and not sure about the match of the LMII/III with the OP's cabs... hard to know what is going on.

**bassybill** · #15 12-08-2010, 11:39 AM

To the OP - "thin and thumpy" sounds like you need less bottom and a touch more low mids. Try rolling off the extreme lows to about 9 or 10 o'clock and that shouild kill some of the thump and leave more of the mids in your signal when yos turn up a bit to compensate for the LF roll off. And leave those filters (VLE and VPF) flat - that's fully counter clock - while you really explore the rest of the EQ, you'll be surprised how versatile the amp is before you even touch those filters.

My .02...

**JxBass** · #16 12-08-2010, 11:40 AM

I own a Markbass LMII and a Shuttle 9.0. While I now prefer the Shuttle, a bit clearer and quieter IMO, I can get them to sound very similar via EQ. So my opinion is that if your LMIII sounds thin to you so will a Shuttle. Can't comment on the GK Fusion, although I can't imagine it being fuller than the LMIII or Shuttle.

RickC · #17 12-08-2010, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

Got an F500 and all is perfect... lots of low mid punch versus the LMII/III (even when set flat), but a much more open low and high end than the Thunderfunk, and a bit more uncompressed volume when really pushed in 1/3 the size and weight.

In truth, I'm curious to try the F500. I hear what you mean about a more open low end even with the LMIII.

/rick

Bassdirty · #18 12-08-2010, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CLMSHQ

So I started playing with a top 40-Classic style cover band doing everything from 70's to Today. The more I am plying with these guys-and lady, the less I am liking my sound of my MarkBass. I like the portability and ease, but the amp just sounds too thin and thumpy for what I like at this time. I play a Fender MIA Jazz mostly and a MIM 50's P sometimes. I am thinking of parting with the LMIII.
I do like the small gear for transportation, ect. but am on the fence on what to do. I always liked GK and have owned several over the years.
Does the GK MB Fusion or MB2 really sound like the GK heads original sound. I have tried them out at GC, but let's face it, you really can't get a good listening to judge at a loud GC.
I really like the Genz-Benz Shuttle 6.0 from what I hear on YouTube, but no one has them in stock at the Mom-Pop music stores.
Please offer your experience-suggestions, Pros and Cons

IME..the MB sounds WAAAAAY "thicker"(as opposed to thin) than the GK.And more versatile..
Not sure bout the GB.(first hand).but from what I heard, very nice .

If you dont want it you could give it to me.

Bongofour · #19 12-08-2010, 05:35 PM

I play in a similar "Top 40" cover band.
I had a LM800 regular. Did not cut the mustard.
Moved on to a Genz Benz S9. Whole different story.

JimmyM · #20 12-08-2010, 09:14 PM

not a fan of the lm 800, but i love the sound of the 500w lm's. however, if you're a gk fan, i can dig where you wouldn't care for the sound of it. i have the exact opposite reaction from them that you do, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. still, you have it, might as well figure out how to make it work for you. if not, sell it and go back to gk.