Thinking about dumping Markbass & Bergantino for Roland, thoughts?

[Kwesi]

I've got a Markbass F500 and Bergantino AE410 and the combination sounds fantastic and is easy on travel but I got the chance to try a Roland D bass 210 and it just blew me away. The thing just sounded PHAT. The last time I was that impressed with an amp was with my current setup, lol. A low weight combo amp with a headphone jack just seems to make sense for me as a college student and I'd have more than enough cash to swing the 115 extension cab too which could easily handle any gig I could think of.

For the folks that have tried both (however few of you there may be). What do you think?

[jmattbassplaya]

I haven't tried that particular model, but in my high school's jazz band I used a Roland 1x15 exclusively. It honestly was one of the best sounding amps I have ever played a bass through, and the funny thing about it is that it was suppose to be a keyboard amp. IME and IMHO, if it sounds good then it is good and you should go for it. I actually have half a mind to go back to my high school and see if I can buy the amp off my old teacher

[funkydanbass]

I've played the Roland D bass 2x10 and I found it terribly under-powered...
If it's size and weight that's your primary concern than yeh, maybe go for it.

But I would be inclined to keep the F500 and AE410...

Maybe getting a 2x10 would compliment your current setup?

[calebbarton]

You should give me your AE410.


That way, I can be happy with the gear that you spent thousand(s) of dollars on.

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by funkydanbass

I've played the Roland D bass 2x10 and I found it terribly under-powered...
If it's size and weight that's your primary concern than yeh, maybe go for it.

But I would be inclined to keep the F500 and AE410...

Maybe getting a 2x10 would compliment your current setup?

Terribly underpowered? As in it wasn't loud enough?

[vin*tone]

I really enjoyed a friend's cube when I played it. Beautiful for nice warm tones but not sure it's the best if you're into that HiFi jazz boutique clean thing.... which is what I associate the AE410 with.

[fingerbun]

Originally Posted by vin*tone

I really enjoyed a friend's cube when I played it. Beautiful for nice warm tones but not sure it's the best if you're into that HiFi jazz boutique clean thing.... which is what I associate the AE410 with.

Good summary. I love my Cube for its warm sounds. It can do clean but lacks in tops a bit - no tweeter. The D Bass has a tweeter so might be better.

In fairness my tastes may be different from yours because I'm not so big on Markbass. I get by with Peavey and if I was to upgrade I'd most likely be looking at old-school sounds - Ashdown, Ampeg, Mesa, or something.

Womder if anyone has tried pairing the D Bass satellite cab with a cube....

[KJung]

BIG mistake

[nutdog]

If you do it buy used. They fetch about 1/3 new price. Wonder why?

[Dekker]

For a few years I play through a Roland D-Bass DB700 (250w 1x15 with horn) and it is pretty loud and punchy. No complaints from me as a combo, and it is built like a tank.

[Rick Blanc]

Originally Posted by calebbarton

You should give me your AE410.


That way, I can be happy with the gear that you spent thousand(s) of dollars on.

No, no. He needs to give it to me since I'm also in Maryland and can be at his place in about an hour.

[jnewmark]

Originally Posted by Dekker

For a few years I play through a Roland D-Bass DB700 (250w 1x15 with horn) and it is pretty loud and punchy. No complaints from me as a combo, and it is built like a tank.

+1. I also have used the DB700, which is actually closer to 300 watts, according to my tech guy, and it is the best bass combo I have ever used, though it is on the heavy side. But, completely different than the MB/Berg rig. I always wanted to try the powered 115 cab with my DB700, but, again, a heavyish rig to haul around. I'm always hoping that Roland will come out with a rack mounted bass preamp based on the one in the D series bass combos.

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by KJung

BIG mistake

Mind elaborating a bit? Definitely interested in hearing your opinion sine you were the one that inspired my current rig in the first place.

[KJung]

Originally Posted by Kwesi

Mind elaborating a bit? Definitely interested in hearing your opinion sine you were the one that inspired my current rig in the first place.

The Roland I played was some sort of DB model. Heavy, relatively low powered, and loaded with some of the worst 'modeling' stuff I've ever heard. Decent volume, although my guess is, compared to the Berg drivers, you could bring those combo drivers to their knees.

Pure IMO there.

[hyperba55]

BIG disclaimer: I have a Roland DB 2x10 Rig with the 15 extension cab for sale, and am currently looking to buy a MarkBass 2x10 Combo.

My thoughts on the Roland:

It's really a great amp. I am not sure who thought it was underpowered, and not trying to start any online arguments (in other words, please don't take this personally) but I think the 2x10 has plenty of power. it's plenty loud, I have done many small/medium clubs with it, and with the extension cab I have done outdoor festivals with no problem. I think it's loud enough for any application that you would use a 2x10 combo for.

The addition of adding a powered cab is great - cuts down on the weight, and as mentioned above, adds that extra volume when you need it.

The DB has three tone options, useful for different situations, I think they sound similar to an Eden, an SVT, and of course a very "flat" sound. I like it a lot for gigs that cross genres. It's solid, well built, plenty of high and low end, nice options. It was my main amp for quite a few years, I used it over the following:

Eden WT800 with Eden speakers
Mesa 400+with Mesa speakers
Acoustic Image Clarus 2
Aguilar DB359
Eden Metro
SWR Redhead

The reasons why isn't necessarily with the tone of the above amps, but just that the Roland was the right amp for the right situation. Great combination of tone, volume, and portability. I am a firm believer in the "right" amp for the situation, and this amp fit most of the time. It's amazing that as I get older, the definition of "right" changes.

I really like this amp and I really like the tones and tonal options; above all, just a very flexible amp.

So, why am I selling? The biggest reason is that I need something even more portable. I am planning a possible move to NYC soon, and I need something that I can haul around in a cab easily. I also have changing tastes - I love the Markbass sound, and with the types of gigs that I am playing, I really don't need the extension cab any more, so I have a feeling this will sit in the garage and gather dust. For larger gigs I will use a Genz Benz ShuttleMax ...

So, that is my experience. The Rolands are very portable, great amps, but my tastes are moving on. If you tried one and liked it, you may want to consider. I have been very happy with mine.

Feel free to PM or ask publicly if you want more info.

[Zitch]

If you love your current setup and sound why stray?

[RickenBoogie]

I'd think this to be downgrading your rig, and besides, with a 410 you have everything covered. A 210 combo, not so much. But hey, it's your money.

[Kwesi]

Originally Posted by hyperba55

BIG disclaimer: I have a Roland DB 2x10 Rig with the 15 extension cab for sale, and am currently looking to buy a MarkBass 2x10 Combo.

My thoughts on the Roland:

It's really a great amp. I am not sure who thought it was underpowered, and not trying to start any online arguments (in other words, please don't take this personally) but I think the 2x10 has plenty of power. it's plenty loud, I have done many small/medium clubs with it, and with the extension cab I have done outdoor festivals with no problem. I think it's loud enough for any application that you would use a 2x10 combo for.

The addition of adding a powered cab is great - cuts down on the weight, and as mentioned above, adds that extra volume when you need it.

The DB has three tone options, useful for different situations, I think they sound similar to an Eden, an SVT, and of course a very "flat" sound. I like it a lot for gigs that cross genres. It's solid, well built, plenty of high and low end, nice options. It was my main amp for quite a few years, I used it over the following:

Eden WT800 with Eden speakers
Mesa 400+with Mesa speakers
Acoustic Image Clarus 2
Aguilar DB359
Eden Metro
SWR Redhead

The reasons why isn't necessarily with the tone of the above amps, but just that the Roland was the right amp for the right situation. Great combination of tone, volume, and portability. I am a firm believer in the "right" amp for the situation, and this amp fit most of the time. It's amazing that as I get older, the definition of "right" changes.

I really like this amp and I really like the tones and tonal options; above all, just a very flexible amp.

So, why am I selling? The biggest reason is that I need something even more portable. I am planning a possible move to NYC soon, and I need something that I can haul around in a cab easily. I also have changing tastes - I love the Markbass sound, and with the types of gigs that I am playing, I really don't need the extension cab any more, so I have a feeling this will sit in the garage and gather dust. For larger gigs I will use a Genz Benz ShuttleMax ...

So, that is my experience. The Rolands are very portable, great amps, but my tastes are moving on. If you tried one and liked it, you may want to consider.

Feel free to PM or ask publicly if you want more info.

Thanks for the input! Would you mind describing how the DB210 compares to what you call the Markbass sound? That'd be a big help. Also, which of the COSM settings on the DB210 is closest to the markbass amps?

Originally Posted by Zitch

If you love your current setup and sound why stray?

Mostly because it kinda sucks having to carry a big ole 410 to every practice, lol. It's nice to only ever have to carry one cab everywhere that can handle damn near anything but when I'm playing in a basement with a few other guys I'd rather not have to haul this thing to someone else's house. That said, the weight isn't an issue, it's just the size. Getting the thing up and down stairs and be a chore. I haven't played a gig that needed even half the power my rig puts out in months.

I won't sacrifice tone for convenience under any circumstance but this thread wouldn't exist if I didn't think that the DB210 didn't compete with my rigs tone. But, without having the chance to A/B them side-by-side, it can be hard to say.

[hyperba55]

Would you mind describing how the DB210 compares to what you call the Markbass sound? That'd be a big help. Also, which of the COSM settings on the DB210 is closest to the markbass amps?

Here's my experience, and take my advice with a HUGE grain of salt, as I am trying not to be biased, but may well indeed be unconsciously -

For the Markbass, it's all about how you tweak the VLE and VLF. The less you tweak them (i.e. if they are turned down) the more it sounds like the "modern" tone on the Roland, however the more VLE you dial in, the more it sounds like the "Vintage" tone on the Roland. Two big differences between the Roland and the Markbass is that the Roland has the tube emulation compression, which is helpful if you like a tube-like grind (I don't) and they have the ultra flat setting, which the Markbass has nothing to compare to. Luckily for me, however, you can turn the tube-emulation compression off :-)

I personally prefer the "vintage" setting on the Roland for most of my gigs, and that is probably by default the closest to the standard Markbass sound. However, the Markbass is probably a bit smoother, while the "vintage" setting of the Roland is a bit more "vintage-y" if that makes sense. The "modern" setting on the Roland is probably as smooth as the Markbass, but with a modern edge.

Probably the best way to describe it is the Markbass is mid-way between the vintage and modern tones on the Roland, given the above tonal notes.

Hope that makes sense.

thanks

[Zitch]

Mostly because it kinda sucks having to carry a big ole 410 to every practice, lol. It's nice to only ever have to carry one cab everywhere that can handle damn near anything but when I'm playing in a basement with a few other guys I'd rather not have to haul this thing to someone else's house. That said, the weight isn't an issue, it's just the size. Getting the thing up and down stairs and be a chore. I haven't played a gig that needed even half the power my rig puts out in months.

I won't sacrifice tone for convenience under any circumstance but this thread wouldn't exist if I didn't think that the DB210 didn't compete with my rigs tone. But, without having the chance to A/B them side-by-side, it can be hard to say.[/quote]
sounds reasonable. Couldnt you order a smaller cab to go with the Markbass, maybe a 2x10 or even a 2x12 Neo?