TC vs Mark Bass - A Compromise?

[Tony_Fraize]

Hi

I'm interested in any views (and in particular experience) of this idea.

I'm looking to change my amp/cab for something lighter - I'm fed up of having a bad back after every gig/rehearsal.

I play in a pop/rock covers band.

I was looking at a TC set up with perhaps the RH750 and a 210+212. I'm impressed with the features and versatility of the head. (Compressor/Tuner etc)

Then I started looking at a Little Mark Bass 800 Tube with perhaps a 102 Traveler and a 151 Traveler. Particularly impressed with the light weight of the cabs.

Then I had a brainwave - how about the TC head with the Mark Bass cabs? Is there any reason why this shouldn't work well and give me the best of both worlds. My only fears are the digital tube sound (I currently have a Trace with tube preamp - I don't use a dirty sound just a subtle warmth) and any compatibility issues???

All thoughts welcome.

Thanks

Tony

[murphy]

I am not a big fan of the Markbass cabs.
I do like and use their 500watt heads...SA450...Little Mark II

EDIT!!! I do use a Markbass 610HF at rehearsal that I do like...with the horn turned up full.

[Russell L]

I have a Traveler 151P cab and like it very much, especially the fact that it weighs only 37.3 lbs. If you get one, though, get two, and don't mix speaker sizes. I'm mixing it with my 121H combo, but plan on getting another one eventually. Not many reviews on that cab out there. I read one that said they liked it, another that said it didn't have enough lows. I find mine to sound just fine, and it's all I want to carry, weight-wise. It's also just a hair louder than some other speakers, at 100 db. Solid build, sounds like it is a "tough" speaker, 8 0hms, and it's rated at 400w RMS, if that means anything.

Sorry, I can't comment on the other stuff.

[stflbn]

I go the other way.

Markbass F1 and 2x TC RS210's

[Low Class]

Having owned both I suggest you try them out or buy from someone that has a good return policy. I personally did not care for either. Micro amps are missing a lot tonally and are good for practice and some gigs, but you may be disappointed overall. You might want to wait till the new GK MB800 is released and reviewed, it's supposed to be a different animal.

[vin*tone]

^^ The only micro that's any good is one you haven't heard yet? OK.

[Low Class]

Originally Posted by vin*tone

^^ The only micro that's any good is one you haven't heard yet? OK.

Might want to check your reading comprehension because I never said the MB800 was any good, but seeing how it won Bass Gear Magazine's best of NAMM award it would be worth the wait to see other reviews when it ships next week.


As far as the other micros, I've owned them all and now own NONE and have gone back to real sounding bass amps, but I have a MB800 on order.

[gillento]

I used to have the RH450 by TC, the MarkBass SA450 and now I am playing either the GenzBenz Streamliner 600 or a friend's Aguilar TH500.

The Streamliner 600 (or even the 900) is THE BEST all tube-like hybrid (it has 3 preamp tubes).
As for light weight cabs, have a look at the Aguilar SL (112 or 410).

Second best was the SA450 by Markbass. I didn't care for the RH450, though.

[tombowlus]

Originally Posted by Tony_Fraize

Hi

I'm interested in any views (and in particular experience) of this idea.

I'm looking to change my amp/cab for something lighter - I'm fed up of having a bad back after every gig/rehearsal.

I play in a pop/rock covers band.

I was looking at a TC set up with perhaps the RH750 and a 210+212. I'm impressed with the features and versatility of the head. (Compressor/Tuner etc)

Then I started looking at a Little Mark Bass 800 Tube with perhaps a 102 Traveler and a 151 Traveler. Particularly impressed with the light weight of the cabs.

Then I had a brainwave - how about the TC head with the Mark Bass cabs? Is there any reason why this shouldn't work well and give me the best of both worlds. My only fears are the digital tube sound (I currently have a Trace with tube preamp - I don't use a dirty sound just a subtle warmth) and any compatibility issues???

All thoughts welcome.

Thanks

Tony

FYI, we recently reviewed the TC RH450, RS212 and RS210 in issue #6, and we also take a technical look at the Markbass MoMark line (not a direct comparison to the LM 800 Tube, but we do review the 800-watt class-D amp frame.

We have featured other Markbass heads (LMII and F500) in previous issues, as well as the NYC 604 cab.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by stflbn

I go the other way.

Markbass F1 and 2x TC RS210's

+1 Fantastic rig that won't break the bank. Loud, articulate, warm. Not featherweight, but not bad. GREAT combination.

Here is clip I did a while back comparing the F1 and RH450 with the RS210.

‪Kjungbass's Channel‬‏ - YouTube

[bassclef04]

I would check out the RH750, playing mines I don't get that micro amp feeling or sound and I've played my share of micro amps.

[Tony_Fraize]

Thanks for all your input. I do understand that the question of sound preference is always going to be subjective. I've tried the MB and quite happy with the sound (through MB 15" cab - but alas didn't check which one), I'm due to 'test drive' an RH750 this weekend and I'm definitely seduced by the thought of not having to carry a tuner and compressor to gigs - I HATE clutter! I wonder if I can wait long enough to try out the GK MB 800? I hadn't looked at the Genz Benz Streamliner but may try this.

I really appreciate the You Tube clip - maybe I can return the favour once I've made my decision.

One thing I'm not sensing in any of your thoughts are any compatibility issues in mixing up brands of gear? Forgive my ignorance - it's just that I've only had combos to date.

[JAS]

Tony Fraize which did you end up going with? What were your impressions of the RH750?

[gary mitchell]

I got rid of a SWR 700 head a Aguilar 210 and a Peavey 18, and I snag a MarkBass Jeff Berlin 15 combo. I just love it, it covers everywhere i have played. When we played outside are large venues I sometimes use a Carvin BRX 212 cab with it. Most of the time I don't need the extra cab. Sound men just love when they run it tru the P.A.,most of the time I get good remarks about my sound. I don't miss my SWR at all. Soon I am going to add a MarkBass 210 are a 112, at 60yrs old it sure save my back and I still have great sound.

[rodl2005]

I've two Mark Bass HR115's & from what I gather-since I removed the x-over & tweeters from them-are probly pretty similar to the J.Berlin combo (if I use my LMII amp)
& yes they are well made & gutsy cabs.
I've used them as a 2x15" rig, powered by my Ampeg SVT 7 PRO & that whumps!!!
M.B. cabs sound far better IN a band setting (which is what counts imo) than they do solo'd. They really seem to sit in a mix nicely.

[Tony_Fraize]

Originally Posted by JAS

Tony Fraize which did you end up going with? What were your impressions of the RH750?

Hi Jas

I ended up with LM Tube 500, NY604 cab and a NY121 on order at the moment.

[newbold]

How are you really concerned with weight when you're already going for a 212 and a 210?

What's another trip with a 30 pound head? easier to manage than a 50 pound cab.

There are loads of ALL TUBE rigs that are under 60 lbs and there are MANY that are under 50, as well as there being all those great SS heads that are under 30.

I play a yamaha BBT500 and I like it, if not for its EQ then for its tonal versatility.

I adore the Mesa walkabout. Maybe you should give that a go. The head is about 12 pounds and the combo isn't much heavier than anything else out there.

I really liked playing the TC Staccato 210 with a VT Bass. Great tone, great feel, great featureset, intuituve interface, GREAT compressor.

If you can stand a micro head but need features that's about as good as it gets without finding a used BBT500. My amp gigs great.

You won't have any problems from Markbass either.

[JulienJeff]

Did the other way too. Markbass head and TC 212 cab. I love it !