TC ELECTRONIC -or- MARK BASS TUBE 800 ??

RonnyBaby · #1 05-28-2010, 12:11 PM

Hello guys...

I am now in search of a new amp head as I had the Ampeg SVT 7 Pro and returned it due to having issues with it. Also read in some reviews that guys were having their 7 Pro fizzle out on them.

I should add here that I play in a classic rock cover band and am looking for that warm tubey sound with a bit of grit, not a lot, but just a nice bite.

So now I am looking at either the TC Electronic RH450 and the Mark Bass Little Mark Tube 800.

At this point, I have listen to a lot of TC UTube vids and it is sounding very interesting. I like the fact that it has a built in chromatic tuner and phones input along with connections to hook up your iPod and practice along with the tunes.

Now, I know the Mark Bass does not have any of the above features. But I am considering it for sound purposes as this is the number one reason to select an amp in the first place. But those features are on my teeter-totter, slightly weighing toward the TC.

Ok... so I am now looking at the sound. I have played through a couple of Mark Bass amps at Guitar Center while trying out a MusicMan Sterling 5 and the Stingray 5 (Bought the Stingray and later returned and got the Sterling due to a smaller body - just felt better to me). Although at the time, I was not looking for another amp head, I thought the Mark Bass sounded pretty good, though a little muddy and/or too bottomy with no brightness. But I never adjusted them too much off flat. Have not been in front of a TC head, only heard it on UTube.

So, I am looking for some constructive input on Why one would be better than the other for my style of music. They both have a tube sound, though the TC is emulated (but I feel does a good job at that) and the MBT800 has a real tube, but I have been reading that there isn't much of a difference between SS and Tube sound.

I will also say that I own the Tech21 VT Bass pedal and can get the Ampeg SVT sound from that, though I have not tried it on either of these heads yet.

My second bass is a 1997 Tobias Growler 5 string, which is a bit different sounding than the Sterling, but I want an amp that will do good for both my basses.

Please feel free to give your opinions and thoughts if you have experience with both of these heads.

JimmyM · #2 05-28-2010, 12:29 PM

i prefer markbass myself, although i'm not in love with the lmt800.

**nostatic** · #3 05-28-2010, 12:33 PM

Had the RH450 and LMTube (not the 800, but the 500w class AB amp) at the same time. Sold the RH450 and remain thrilled with the LMTube. It really depends on what you want for sound and features. On the feature side of things, TC wins hands down. Presets, tuner, compressor - if you want/need that then the choice gets easier. Also, the RH450 will get more grit than the LMTube. The tube preamp in the MB is not for distortion, but it does add a nice cutting quality when you mix the SS and tube preamps. Also you can approximate the RH450 tone with the MB by using the VLE control. You cannot get the RH450 to sound as open on top as the MB.

Both are great amps. Just depends on what is more important to you.

RonnyBaby · #4 05-28-2010, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nostatic

Had the RH450 and LMTube (not the 800, but the 500w class AB amp) at the same time. Sold the RH450 and remain thrilled with the LMTube. It really depends on what you want for sound and features. On the feature side of things, TC wins hands down. Presets, tuner, compressor - if you want/need that then the choice gets easier. Also, the RH450 will get more grit than the LMTube. The tube preamp in the MB is not for distortion, but it does add a nice cutting quality when you mix the SS and tube preamps. Also you can approximate the RH450 tone with the MB by using the VLE control. You cannot get the RH450 to sound as open on top as the MB.

Both are great amps. Just depends on what is more important to you.

Hey thanks for your insight... appreciated!

Mr_Sore_Fingerz · #5 05-28-2010, 05:16 PM

check out the Carvin BX500 bass head, you actually might dig the tone a lot. It's not sterile, it has a 12AX7 preamp tube in it with a drive control to give it as much or as little grit as you want and the price isn't bad either.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/product...?product=BX500

Totally on my GAS list...I'm actually selling a peavey VB2 to get this little beast. Even has a compressor, para or graphic EQ, and many other great features.

RonnyBaby · #6 05-29-2010, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Sore_Fingerz

check out the Carvin BX500 bass head, you actually might dig the tone a lot. It's not sterile, it has a 12AX7 preamp tube in it with a drive control to give it as much or as little grit as you want and the price isn't bad either.

http://www.carvinguitars.com/product...?product=BX500

Totally on my GAS list...I'm actually selling a peavey VB2 to get this little beast. Even has a compressor, para or graphic EQ, and many other great features.

Not a Carvin fan. I've had a couple of bad experiences with their amps in the past. Thanks anyway.

RonnyBaby · #7 05-31-2010, 12:20 PM

Well, just to share the current situation here... I just ordered a MarkBass LMTube 800 AND a TC RH450 to A/B myself to see how this will turn out in my liking. No gigs anytime soon, but I do have a large tiled living/great room and can set it at one end and wirelessly go to the other and see what it sounds like. The room is like 500 sf or so (longer).

Dr Funk · #8 05-31-2010, 01:09 PM

Good luck. I had a great time doing the same thing with all the mentioned heads plus a few, except on a variety of gigs. In answer to your question and criteria definitely RH450. I agree with nostatic's assessment completely though that the LMTube is my clear preference. I loved the bottom whump and speed of the LMT800 but it had an annoying upper mid, lower high sizzle that would not eq out. Might not be an issue for those that don't use tweeters. I think I'm still just underwhelmed by class d amps. Right now I would have to say the RH450 and the GB Shuttle 9.0 are my favorites. The dancers love the LM Tube.
These are just maniacal thoughts from a lunatic mind, you know IMHO.

RonnyBaby · #9 05-31-2010, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Funk

Good luck. I had a great time doing the same thing with all the mentioned heads plus a few, except on a variety of gigs. In answer to your question and criteria definitely RH450. I agree with nostatic's assessment completely though that the LMTube is my clear preference. I loved the bottom whump and speed of the LMT800 but it had an annoying upper mid, lower high sizzle that would not eq out. Might not be an issue for those that don't use tweeters. I think I'm still just underwhelmed by class d amps. Right now I would have to say the RH450 and the GB Shuttle 9.0 are my favorites. The dancers love the LM Tube.
These are just maniacal thoughts from a lunatic mind, you know IMHO.

Yah, I'm really thinking the TC will win out as it does have all the features and the MB head has basically nothing other than the VLE knob. The TC has so much to offer. I do like the MarkBass amp bag much better as you can leave the head inside while you play. I wish the TC did that. But I will say that there is a certain tone that comes from the MarkBass that I have not heard from any other head I have tried. So bottom line is the sound.

We'll see...

**nostatic** · #10 06-01-2010, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Funk

The dancers love the LM Tube.
These are just maniacal thoughts from a lunatic mind, you know IMHO.

What he said. I have yet to find a fault with the LMTube. But it has to fit the sound you're going for. You're not going to be able to tweak it nearly as much as the RH450. But I find the SS/tube combo preamp with the class AB power amp to be a perfect fit.

Well, I did find a weakness with the LMTube today. The first gig was outside (actually the wrong gig - long story) and when I fired the amp up I was getting almost no volume. I looked over at the generator (trailered version) and swore it was running. Keyboard player powered up and his keyboard just flashed. Turns out the gennie wasn't fully fired up. Was probably running on like 80V or something. A burst of diesel smoke and the amp was happy.

roberttarantino · #11 06-01-2010, 01:02 AM

I played the TC Electronic rig at Arlene's Grocery in Manhattan. Great backline! It sounded punchy and thick without being too aggressive--one of the most pleasant-sounding solid-state amps I've used. I didn't have time to mess with the EQ but right off the bat I would have liked more bass response. I was using a P-bass with flatwound strings and a Sadowsky preamp.

The Tube 800 is a great amp but I didn't like the tone I was getting with a Warwick bass and a Mesa Powerhouse 4x10 cabinet. It's not the same as the Little Mark Tube, which is a very smooth amp; the Tube 800 has something harsh going on the upper midrange that I couldn't get rid of, although it does have a more open sound with more bass and treble than the TC would naturally provide.

This is totally apples to oranges, but my first impression is the TC does a great rolled-off rock sound and the Markbass 800 is a little more hi-fi. Both amps seem to have enough power for most stages but they're not going to replace a couple of good PA subs for bigger shows. The TC is more expensive but the tuner, compressor, EQ and tone are worth more than the difference to me.