Well I know alot of you would be interested in this so here it goes. I picked up a Markbass LMKII a few weeks ago and Also just picked up a Thunderfunk TFB-550B and have finally got to spend some time with both of them. I tried out each one with a Berg HT210 4ohm (not the S series cab) and a Berg NV610. I used a Fender P bass (newer one with S-1 switch), A fretless 6, and one of mty King uprights ( with gut strings and Rev solo pick up) for testing. Here are some specs for both amps.
Markbass Little Mark II
500w into 4ohm , 300w into 8ohm
6 1/2 pounds
10" x 10 3/4" x 2 3/4"
4 band EQ
-Bass +/- 16dB @ 40 Hz
-Low Mid +/- 16 dB @360 Hz
-High Mid +/- 16dB @800 Hz
-Treble +/- 16dB @5kHz
VLE (Vintage Loudspeaker Emulator)
VLP (Variable Pre-shape Filter) 380Hz (cut)
Effects Loop (Parallel , but can be modified for series)
Tuner out (No mute)
Balanced XLR out (Post-EQ, but can be modified to Pre-EQ)
Ground lift switch
Speakon combo jack and 1/4" speaker outs
XLR balanced input on front
Thunderfunk TFB-550B
500w @ 4ohm
15lbs
Bass and treble controls
4 Band parametric EQ
Enhance and Timber controls
Tube/S.S. Switch
Tuner out with mute
Pre and Post XLR outs with level controls
2 Speakon and 2 1/4" speaker outs
Limiter with defeat switch
effects loop pre and post
Here are some pics
The amps
Amps with cabs
Back view
Some of the test basses
Well first off with everything set flat these amps sound pretty similar, With the TF being a little warmer sounding( in Tube mode and SS) and just a little fuller sounding. Also both are very close in volume. It's hard to really tell which is louder, and they are loud. Once you start playing around with the EQ's is where the difference starts. With leaving everything flat and just using the VLE and VPF on the Markbass and the Timber and Enhance on the TF I found the VPF and enhance to be similar (they're both basically a mid cut with slight bass and treble boosts) just centered slighty different. The MB cutting alot of mids at its extreme and bringing out alot of high end while the TF seems to be a little more musical (personally I'm not a huge fan of cutting the mids I find that you dissapear in the mix and have no force behind the note). The Timber knob and the VLE are quit different though not drastically. The timber seems to just voice the amp differently while still retaining the sound, the VLE seems to just roll off the high end going all the way into super deep dub territory(basically like a passive tone control on a bass).
Both amps have alot of usable tones in them and the EQ's on both are very usable, with the TF being more flexable because of the 4 Band parametric. You can leave both of these amps flat and just use the "magic knobs" to get your sound unless you are a crazy tweek freak ( in which case I would recomend the TF). So to sum it up for now
Markbass LMKII
Pros
- Really light weight (6 1/2 lbs!)
- Not sterile sounding
- Can do Hi-fi to B-15 tones
- Loud
-Affordable ($599)
Cons
-No D.I. level control
- Eq limited (but useful)
-Can't do 2 ohms
-Doesn't come with rack ears
Thunderfunk TFB550B
Pros
-Loud
-Very flexible Eq
-Lots of D.I. and connectivity options
-Lightweight (though more than twice the weight of LMKII)
-Tube / SS switch (subtle but noticable seems to tighten up the lows when in SS
Cons
- Not sure if it can do 2 ohms
Both amps are very well constructed and seem very durable and have a quality feel to them. The MB being easier to carry (you could fit it in a gigbag or case compartment). I'de say the TF has a little bit better tone while the MB is slightly less coloured then the TF. If your looking for a small lightweight head thats loud you really can't go wrong with either of them. If your on a budget or want something really small and can do without the added features and more flexible eq I'de suggest the MB. If you need alot of Eq options or flexibility and want a do it all head I'de go with the TF. I'll post more findings as I get more time with each head.
Markbass Little Mark II
500w into 4ohm , 300w into 8ohm
6 1/2 pounds
10" x 10 3/4" x 2 3/4"
4 band EQ
-Bass +/- 16dB @ 40 Hz
-Low Mid +/- 16 dB @360 Hz
-High Mid +/- 16dB @800 Hz
-Treble +/- 16dB @5kHz
VLE (Vintage Loudspeaker Emulator)
VLP (Variable Pre-shape Filter) 380Hz (cut)
Effects Loop (Parallel , but can be modified for series)
Tuner out (No mute)
Balanced XLR out (Post-EQ, but can be modified to Pre-EQ)
Ground lift switch
Speakon combo jack and 1/4" speaker outs
XLR balanced input on front
Thunderfunk TFB-550B
500w @ 4ohm
15lbs
Bass and treble controls
4 Band parametric EQ
Enhance and Timber controls
Tube/S.S. Switch
Tuner out with mute
Pre and Post XLR outs with level controls
2 Speakon and 2 1/4" speaker outs
Limiter with defeat switch
effects loop pre and post
Here are some pics
The amps
Amps with cabs
Back view
Some of the test basses
Well first off with everything set flat these amps sound pretty similar, With the TF being a little warmer sounding( in Tube mode and SS) and just a little fuller sounding. Also both are very close in volume. It's hard to really tell which is louder, and they are loud. Once you start playing around with the EQ's is where the difference starts. With leaving everything flat and just using the VLE and VPF on the Markbass and the Timber and Enhance on the TF I found the VPF and enhance to be similar (they're both basically a mid cut with slight bass and treble boosts) just centered slighty different. The MB cutting alot of mids at its extreme and bringing out alot of high end while the TF seems to be a little more musical (personally I'm not a huge fan of cutting the mids I find that you dissapear in the mix and have no force behind the note). The Timber knob and the VLE are quit different though not drastically. The timber seems to just voice the amp differently while still retaining the sound, the VLE seems to just roll off the high end going all the way into super deep dub territory(basically like a passive tone control on a bass).
Both amps have alot of usable tones in them and the EQ's on both are very usable, with the TF being more flexable because of the 4 Band parametric. You can leave both of these amps flat and just use the "magic knobs" to get your sound unless you are a crazy tweek freak ( in which case I would recomend the TF). So to sum it up for now
Markbass LMKII
Pros
- Really light weight (6 1/2 lbs!)
- Not sterile sounding
- Can do Hi-fi to B-15 tones
- Loud
-Affordable ($599)
Cons
-No D.I. level control
- Eq limited (but useful)
-Can't do 2 ohms
-Doesn't come with rack ears
Thunderfunk TFB550B
Pros
-Loud
-Very flexible Eq
-Lots of D.I. and connectivity options
-Lightweight (though more than twice the weight of LMKII)
-Tube / SS switch (subtle but noticable seems to tighten up the lows when in SS
Cons
- Not sure if it can do 2 ohms
Both amps are very well constructed and seem very durable and have a quality feel to them. The MB being easier to carry (you could fit it in a gigbag or case compartment). I'de say the TF has a little bit better tone while the MB is slightly less coloured then the TF. If your looking for a small lightweight head thats loud you really can't go wrong with either of them. If your on a budget or want something really small and can do without the added features and more flexible eq I'de suggest the MB. If you need alot of Eq options or flexibility and want a do it all head I'de go with the TF. I'll post more findings as I get more time with each head.
