Epifani UL-110s & Markbass LMII Review

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to post up a quick review of this combo if anyone is interested. I'm not much for "technical terms" but I'll try to be as detailed as possible.

I was using a GK700RB with the UL110s but decided to go with something smaller. I've heard great things about the LMII so I decided to order one. I've been pleasantly suprised.

Portability
At 22lbs each for both of the Epi's and 6lbs for the LMII, this is the smallest rig I've ever had with the biggest sound. The LMII is small enough that it'll fit in the front side of my double electric bass bag (I usually just carry one bass with me anyway) thus eliminating one more piece of equiptment to carry around.

Volume
Prior to the LMII, I had to use both UL110s to get the volume I need for the big band. Well, last night I had a "sit in" gig that I thought was a small group but actually was a big band in a theater. I had only brought one UL110 and was worried that it wouldnt be enough. The LMII pumped out clean, loud enough sound at little over quarter volume to get me heard throughout the band on stage. I was SHOCKED that this small of a rig could do that.

Sound Quality
I've never heard my upright and electric sound this good amplified. There is no other way to put it. I can't speak, right now, on how good the EQ is on the LMII because I havent had to use it yet. Markbass is RIGHT when they say the LMII was made to play with the EQ flat. With other amps, I've had to tweak between electric and upright. With this amp, a little tweaking on the VLE and VPF and I was set to go.

Also, there was no hiss or hum at all coming from the cab. The DI was VERY VERY clean coming through the house from what the sound man said.

Complaints/Gripes
Only complaint about the LMII I have is I wish it had a mute button for switching basses. I did buy a planet waves circuit breaker cable which has a mute button in the cable but it would be nice to have it on the amp. Also an independent DI volume with a pre/post EQ switch would give this amp every single feature I'd want.

Summary
Overall, I'm 100% pleased with this setup so far. I wish I could give a better review with how it sounds with both UL-110s, but I just havent needed it yet. Tonight I have a gig that I'll take both and maybe get to use them.

This setup is the definition of an ultra portable modular amp setup without sacraficing sound quality.

I couldn't be happier so far. If anyone has specific questions, please let me know

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renejaime said:

damn you!!!!!

and damn this forum... all this forum does is give people G.A.S.

I was a happy man before this forum... LOL!!!!

Honestly, it looks like an awesome rig. Congrats!

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No doubt, man! I didn't know about most of these brands until I signed up for this forum. Its been all down hill since then!

Update:

Well just got back a big band gig tonight. Mainly upright but with a few songs on electric. I brought both UL-110's tonight. All I can say is WOW. Maybe I don't get out much or havent tried enough amps, but the MB/Epi combo is simply amazing. Tonight was a totally different venue then the theater yet I didn't have to mess with the EQ at all. Just adjusted the filters a little bit and I was ready to go. I'd say tonight I didnt have to go over 1/3 volume to keep up with the band. The biggest thing that surprised me was 3hrs of playing and the amp wasnt hot AT ALL. Its was like I hadnt even turned it on.

Sound difference between 1 UL-110 and 2 UL-110s? Not much (which is a good thing) except louder. In my past experience using one vs two cabs the sound changes quite a bit. Thats what I like about the Epi's. What you get with one cab is what you get with both. No surprises at the gig. The only thing I can say is it seemed as if the fundamental low notes seems a bit tighter, but nothing to write home about.

I am convinced that even though it was a 20 piece big band without me running through the PA and a band that plays HARD, I could've gotten by with one cabinet.

I'm 110% please with this setup. Finally, I feel as if I had a setup that hasn't left me wanting something different.

Jeff Moote said:

I love my LMII and 2x Berg 12s, but it's threads like this that make me wonder if I can do it even lighter and smaller.

Hmm... a pair of UL-110s shouldn't set me back too much

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I know Aguilar's are different animals than Bergs, but I was running 2 GS112s before I went with the UL-110s. I made the switch and haven't looked back since. I was afraid that I was going to loose some of that "booty" 12s give but the 10's do it just fine if not better.

Not to mention my back is thanking me every time I unload and load at a gig..

Lokire said:

Cool, Cool.

But now I have to decide between 2 UL 1x10s or 2 UL 1x12s

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Why not one of each? I forget who it is but I believe there is someone on the board who is running one of each with great results.

Lokire said:

Yeah, I saw that too. I dunno. It would be cool, but it might bug me to stack two cabs of different widths

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heheh. I'm like that too..

The voices in your head are telling you to get 2 UL-110s

Lokire said:

The UL 4x10 has the ultimate tone for me (I play through it at Bass Northwest whenever I go there). So do you think the UL 1x10 would have basically the same tone, just with less volume?

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Honestly, I've never tried a UL 4x10 cab so I couldn't say. I would suspect it would be a different tone but hopefully someone else could answer it better for you.