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Could someone please explain this? $770 practice amp!

#21
KJung said:
Of course, the list price means nothing. NOTHING sells for the list price.

Markbass is a top of the line company. Fantastic stuff. This product fills the niche for those who want top quality sound and quality in a rig that doesn't need to be loud. I paid basically the same amount for top of the line headphones and a high quality headphone amp.

I don't understand the issue here. If it doesn't fit your needs, then don't buy it:)
Click to expand...

Shoot, I paid the same for just the headphones...

I have no need right now for the practice amp, but Markbass is usually on my short list when I'm looking for gear. Good stuff.
 
#22
I visited my local GC at lunchtime to return a used Roland Combo 30 Bass that I bought. When I cruised the bass alcove and saw the 1x8 version of the MicroMark sitting there (I think it was the 1x8 because the speaker has a yellow cone), I had to try it.

Darn amp sounded really good!!! P with flats, Warwick Corvette with rounds, Semi hollow Epiphone with rounds...all sounded great and probably loud enough for what I'd expect to use it for.

Darn MarkBass and their darn sonic Kool-Aid!
 
#24
the Micromark holds it's own in small jazz gigs or with un-amplified acoustic guitars in small venues. Perfect for practice and looks like they have done a better job of matching the speakers to this than for the larger speakers!

the 4x6 is an interesting one, it certainly would hold its own with a small covers band. If you are after a single speaker practice rig and expect to have some headroom left at any gig, get the 1 x8 though.

The extra power in a small cab is useful. If you have enough X max and a small box, getting that cone to move will take power. I use a 200W MB100 in a 1 x 10 which works well for a number of gigs, even rock and all my practices.
 
#29
Assuming that was the actual price, $775 practice amps are for people who can afford $775 practice amps. There are a lot who can't afford it, but there are many who can. This particular amp is aimed at those who can afford it.
 
#32
I bought a SWR Baby Blue II 110 combo for close to $1000 mainly for practice and campfire jams. I ended up using it for quite a few gigs over the years but when I bought it, it was simply just for practice.

I was fortunate enough to have the means at the time and really the money wasn't a factor. Size, weight, and sound was. I can see where Markbass is trying to market this product. If it were around back when I bought my BBII, it would have been a top contender for me to try out. The lower wattage rating and efficient amp design would make this a great amp to run off of a battery pack as I often have done with my SWR BBII around a campfire. I really only get 1 good night out of a charge with my BBII. It has a pre-amp tube in it that requires constant current to keep it warm and it's old school Solid State design isn't the most efficient.

Many brands in the past have established themselves with high end products and then later release entry level equipment under the same brand for those who aren't at that place in life to buy their high end gear. i.e. SWR Workingmans and LA series, Edens Nemesis, and even Ampeg. Markbass just hasn't gotten to that place in their product line up yet. That would be nice to see though...
 
#33
I have not played the amp so I am not saying this is the case, but if the amp sounds really amazing maybe it could be used as a recording amp.

You don't need to move a ton of air during recording so maybe it just has a really good tone. Sure it might be a home practice amp but if you could also use it in the studio without having to drag out the full gigging rig then this could be considered a steal.
 
#34
I agree with KJung, CL400Peavey, and JimmyM; prices, budgets, and quality levels are relative.

If it floats your boat and you can afford it, buy it; if not, don't.

BTW, not all compact rigs are relegated to duty as practice amps. Many DB players use cabs with small drivers and "modest" amplifier power; my most recent cabs are a 9-pound 1X8 and a 20-pound 2X8 in custom fiberglass cabs. Both of 'em cost more than the Markbass - without an amp - and they sound killer with EB, EUB, and (especially) DB.
 
#37
The price of the practice amp in question is not the least bit expensive if you get what you pay for and you need a high level of quality and the product delivers the goods.

Phil Jones Bass products are not really expensive either, if you consider products like PHY-HP from France. Their best raw audiophile 12" speakers are around $3000 per pair and they are considered a real bargain by audiophiles. These are raw drivers, not finished speaker cabinets. $3000/pair are real bargains for raw drivers of world class quality, but too much money for those who cannot appreciate them and do not have the associated electronics to bring out their full quality.

A Ferrari and a Yugo are not the same class of automobile, and most products you find in music stores are in the Yugo class rather than the Ferrari class. Most musicians are arguing Ford Pinto vs. Chevrolet Vega levels of quality. $500 for a really good practice amp is not expensive at all and should not have raised any eyebrows in the first place.....if it can deliver the goods. A person seeking high quality would have asked why it only costs $500, as the raw driver itself can cost that much or more if it is world class quality.
 
#39
I guess it all depends on one's definition of what a "practice amp" is.

For me it's my little Peavey Minx that I've had since around '92. Not band worthy, but for what it is it's got a great sound. It's my living room amp.
 

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