How is the Little mark for Double Bass

cigi · #1 08-29-2006, 09:16 AM

Hello,

I'm looking voor a good amp to play amplified Doulbe Bass in a small jazz setup.

Does anyone have experience with the Markbass little mark and the Markbass traveler h121 the 12 cabinet?

I've read very good reviews on harmony central.

Please let me know.

Greetz,

Cigi

macmrkt · #2 08-29-2006, 09:29 AM

As good as it gets. You may want to try a Bergantino HT or EX112 cabinet too.

FredH · #3 08-29-2006, 12:32 PM

I'm stoked, I just ordered the little mark II yesterday. I had to call the guitarcenter in LA and have it shipped to San Diego. If it doesnt work out I can return it to the SD store for full refund minus the shipping ($15). It should arive today, tomorrow.
I'm hoping it's as good as some folks say. If it's not I'll have to go back to the search, I've tried so many...

jfgsquaredragon · #4 08-29-2006, 01:00 PM

The amp that works is the amp that works, but Galien-Kruger's 200MB (old) or 150 (new) have become standard amps for small gigs and studio work. They also work great in 1,500 - 2,000 seat halls when you use it as a stage/monitor amp while back-dooring the direct feed through the house system. Works ok for electric basses, too.

Reefer · #5 08-29-2006, 03:10 PM

I have the Markbass LMK and also a GK MB150III and a WW Ultra, and I must say that the Markbass produces about the best tone for upright I've ever heard in my life!!

macmrkt · #6 08-29-2006, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefer

I have the Markbass LMK and also a GK MB150III and a WW Ultra, and I must say that the Markbass produces about the best tone for upright I've ever heard in my life!!

You are the man. I also came from a WW Super and Ultra as well as Acoustic Image heads (and a lot of lesser products) to the Markbass. Surprisingly, it produces the least colored sound. Surprising, because it's the most powerful and least expensive. That being said, the WW and AI products are truly great, just not as great.

TheSuzie · #7 08-29-2006, 04:29 PM

So what are the street prices for these?

macmrkt · #8 08-29-2006, 04:31 PM

I heard $599 for the LMII (single channel) and I'd guess around $899 for the LMK (2 channel) in the US.

junglebike · #9 08-29-2006, 04:57 PM

Neat -- anyone tried their combos? The 121P looks like it might be good for URB.

Loel · #10 08-29-2006, 05:07 PM

Some doublers may be interested in the new
LMK-250@4ohms 150@8ohms they sell here
in Canada $429.cdn about $375.US new...

cheers

TheSuzie · #11 08-29-2006, 06:54 PM

That could be just the ticket for me if the 250 watts are strong and not wimpy. Much closer to my budget, since I need to buy a cab too. Just wish it could drive 2 ohms. Does anyone have any first hand experience with the LM250? Also, what is the warranty on these amps? I can't seem to find any info on the Markbass web pages.

Thanks,
S

MikeD1687 · #12 08-29-2006, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSuzie

That could be just the ticket for me if the 250 watts are strong and not wimpy. Much closer to my budget, since I need to buy a cab too. Just wish it could drive 2 ohms. Does anyone have any first hand experience with the LM250? Also, what is the warranty on these amps? I can't seem to find any info on the Markbass web pages.

Thanks,
S

Why would you want to run 2 ohms? That's so bad for the amp, most companies don't even give specs for 2 ohms because you pretty much shouldn't go that low. The only company I've seen advertise it is Carvin. I may be crazy though.

TheSuzie · #13 08-29-2006, 07:32 PM

Many amps do 2 Ohms including AI, Yamaha, many many Peaveys, newer Edens and lots of others. If you have a single 4 ohm cab and want to add a second someday it is good. BTW: it is actually possible that the speaker efficiency gained by adding more drivers will allow the system to reach the same volume at a lower amplifier power level - something to think about.

The idea that it is bad for the amp if the amp is designed for it is just not true. If the amp is not designed for it, that is another story. It is a matter of the output driver design, thermal design and power supply - these things are particular to each amp design. If the amp can deliver the current and not overheat, there is nothing wrong.

For that matter the impedence of your cabs are not what they say in the specs. It is a nominal spec. The impedence of drivers and cab systems varies with frequency. My nominal 8 Ohm home stereo speakers actually drop down to about 2.6 Ohms at one portion of the lower frequencies.

BTW: I do have some engineering qualifications and decades of experience even though I no longer do that work.

Peace,
S

TheSuzie · #14 08-30-2006, 01:59 AM

Forgetting my previous post, I would still love to hear more about people's experience with this family of amps, info about availability and warranty. If the warranty is good, I may consider paying a bit more to buy a new Markbass instead of a used head that I was considering.

Thanks,
S

Loel · #15 08-30-2006, 02:49 AM

checking the canadian site for MarkBass
its stated that ALL MB products have
3 year parts & labour warranty...

ohms
all MB amps are 4ohms min!

cheers

TheSuzie · #16 08-30-2006, 02:59 AM

Thanks for the info.
The Canadian site? I was looking at the Italian site and could find the tech info but no warranty info. Do you have a link to that site?

Edited: Do you mean the Club Bass site? I just found that.

Thanks,
S

Boppingtheory · #17 08-30-2006, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reefer

I have the Markbass LMK and also a GK MB150III and a WW Ultra, and I must say that the Markbass produces about the best tone for upright I've ever heard in my life!!

Here in Italy MarkBass has become THE CHOICE for double bassists and bass players due to its portability, sound and reliability

Dudie · #18 08-30-2006, 01:16 PM

I Use LMK 2 with EBS neo 12", sounds good.

macmrkt · #19 08-31-2006, 07:52 AM

I use the Mini Combo 121P. Great sound, tiny box. Wonderful with the Fishman Full Circle. Can easily handle doublers. Better sound, slightly bigger would be the Berg EX112 and LMII. Probably in the same price range.

FredH · #20 09-01-2006, 02:58 PM

I got the MarkBass LMII head and plugged it into my 12 cab. Sounded terrible, I was very disappointed and was ready to return the head until I looked closer at the cab. Rip in the speaker, the 12” cab had been in the garage for the last 7 years since I’ve been using the G&K-mini, go figure. After pricing new cabs I decided to return the LMII head for the MarkBass 12” combo. Since I’m upgrading because my G&K 400 watt head broke and I need a louder system for some of my gigs, I figured that I would just get another head and use it with my 12” and 4-10” cabs. But since the 12” needs replacing and the combo will work with my 4-10 it makes sense to just get the combo. I’ll keep the receipts for the taxman.
The combo’s nice and light, about the same weight as a G&K-mini although it has a slightly larger footprint which makes it a little more awkward than the G&K-mini to one hand.
It’s very clean sounding, as undistorted as the pickup (Realist) will let it be. I’ve only had it one night so I haven’t fooled with all the setting yet but it seems perfectly fine with flat EQ. I might try a slight happy face; see how that sounds for funk. Get’s LOUD without distorting. I did a head to head comparison with the G&K-mini and I like the sound of the MB better. The MB sounds open where the G&K-mini is tight, with too much the mid's.
I like the MB more than the newer G&K, Agullars, Harke, and Fender heads I’ve tried, I did like the Epiphoni 502 a lot but I didn’t like the price or weight.
The MB is built like a conventional cab in that it is wood (I think) with a carpet covering and potentially less robust than the bullet-proof G&K. But I’ll take the tone and the added power over the toughness.

I’ve got three gigs this weekend, if I don’t like it I can still take it back Monday, but I think it might workout.