Ampeg PF-50T + Markbass LM3 = !!!!!!

[AMJBASS]

Who said you didn’t know what you were talking about? Certainly not me! My concerns were with the amplifier’s design and I’m pleased that those concerns have been settled.

Don’t mistake me man! I was just joking along. Hard to get that through typing sometimes. I know what you meant Most tube heads don’t have a load resister like the Ampeg PF heads do.

I’m in Niagara.

 

[BassmanPaul]

I’ve been to Niagara so many times. Every new visitor had to go and see the Falls! Then I joined the Hydroelectric division of Ontario Hydro and had to go there several times for work.

 

[Rev. Cornelius]

I have thought about trying this with my PF800, but I don't do any gigs where I need more than 50w, let alone 800!

Curious how you go out to the PA, though. Do you use the Markbass DI or the pre/post DI on the 50T?

And you have how many SVT's?

Sorry Jimmy I just had to......

 

[mksolid]

Just wanted to give a PSA that this is a great combination!

Everyone knows the PF-50T is a tone monster. And it's got enough volume for most/many situations, but not a rock band with a loud drummer and two loud guitar players, even with my Ampeg 810 (IME/YMMV).

So last night at practice I tried giving it a boost. I took advantage of the post-transformer/power tube DI on the Ampeg and connected that to the Balanced Input on my Markbass Little Mark III (the older kind with the A/B power amp).

HOLY ****!!! That was just what I'd been looking for. Plenty of tube warmth/grind with loads of headroom and volume thanks to the Markbass. Didn't have to push the Ampeg to the max so I was able to dial in the perfect tone and then just boost the volume with the Markbass.

Yes, I was technically going through the Markbass preamp with the potential to color the sound, but with the eq flat and filters off, I feel like the Ampeg tone came through just fine. And the Markbass does technically add a non-tube power section to the sound, but man, it was hard to tell. Super transparent overall.

Bottom line, this setup is great because:
- way more portable than either a 100w or 300w tube amp
- way more convincing (actually real!) tube tone than just a tube preamp or pedal
- way more clean headroom with the assistance of the Markbass
- definitely rivals SVT volume, if not matches, so its great for rockers!

I tried this after seeing some people talk about pairing a PF-50T with a power amp but I wanted to add my +1 that its a great idea. Do yourself a favor and go get a PF-50T and a power amp or a loud solid state amp with a balanced input and go melt some faces!

 

[mksolid]

Just wanted to give a PSA that this is a great combination!

Everyone knows the PF-50T is a tone monster. And it's got enough volume for most/many situations, but not a rock band with a loud drummer and two loud guitar players, even with my Ampeg 810 (IME/YMMV).

So last night at practice I tried giving it a boost. I took advantage of the post-transformer/power tube DI on the Ampeg and connected that to the Balanced Input on my Markbass Little Mark III (the older kind with the A/B power amp).

HOLY ****!!! That was just what I'd been looking for. Plenty of tube warmth/grind with loads of headroom and volume thanks to the Markbass. Didn't have to push the Ampeg to the max so I was able to dial in the perfect tone and then just boost the volume with the Markbass.

Yes, I was technically going through the Markbass preamp with the potential to color the sound, but with the eq flat and filters off, I feel like the Ampeg tone came through just fine. And the Markbass does technically add a non-tube power section to the sound, but man, it was hard to tell. Super transparent overall.

Bottom line, this setup is great because:
- way more portable than either a 100w or 300w tube amp
- way more convincing (actually real!) tube tone than just a tube preamp or pedal
- way more clean headroom with the assistance of the Markbass
- definitely rivals SVT volume, if not matches, so its great for rockers!

I tried this after seeing some people talk about pairing a PF-50T with a power amp but I wanted to add my +1 that its a great idea. Do yourself a favor and go get a PF-50T and a power amp or a loud solid state amp with a balanced input and go melt some faces!

I know this is a super old thread, but curious, how do you position these? Do you put the markbass on top of the cab, then the PF-50t on top of the Little Mark?

Just trying to picture how you would arrange this on stage

 

[Zbysek]

I know this is a super old thread, but curious, how do you position these? Do you put the markbass on top of the cab, then the PF-50t on top of the Little Mark?

Just trying to picture how you would arrange this on stage

My PF-20T fits on top of LM3. I don’t know about PF-50T though…