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DI into PA or seperate Amp

#21
I've already got a 4U rackcase, so I may just put one in that. That way I can keep it with my rack tuner and wireless. I've just been looking at the LMII on their website and it doesnt have a tuner mute. That seems pretty stupid. Also, neither does the Ashdown MAG. I'd have to get the ABM 500, just to be able to mute when needed - that's something I currently take for granted.

Anyway, I'll post a comment about the shop in Boston once I've been. It's called "The Roadhouse Music Store".
 
#23
jim_bass said:
I've just been looking at the LMII on their website and it doesnt have a tuner mute. That seems pretty stupid. Also, neither does the Ashdown MAG.
Click to expand...

The lack of mute switch is absolutely the biggest floor with these amps. I use a planet waves circuit breaker cable to be able to mute my bass (thankfully my bass holds its tune very well so if tune up at the start of a set it will easily last without needing retuning)

At the end of the day dont choose an amp because of a mute switch (or lack there of) go along to the shop and find the one which sounds best and which you prefer...there are always work arounds for things like tuning.

all the best
 
#24
It looks like Markbass has announced the LMIII (that's THREE little Roman numerals). It adds some new DI feature (pre- or post- EQ) with Line Out level control and a bi-band limiter. Unfortunately, it still doesn't look like there's a Tuner Mute though.

If you can wait it out a little while you might enjoy those new features (or see a discount on the LMII).
 
#27
jim_bass said:
Where did you find the info on the LMIII? I've searched the forums and google, but not found anything
Click to expand...

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=451606&highlight=LMIII&page=20

they mentioned it on teh bottom of page 20 here. Its seems its a slight upgrade in terms of DI (im guessing a pre/post eq switch) but still no mute button (ridiculous) so I wouldn't hold out for a newer Little Mark unless you go for the LM800 which does have mute.
It may mean the LMII goes down in price though?
 
#28
@TVBBass

Hi, I took a trip to boston and went to "The Roadhouse Music Store" today. www.roadhousemusic.co.uk

They are really good. It's quite a small shop, but it was crammed with stock. They stock a number of big brand products (Ibanez/Mashall/Ashdown/hercules stands etc etc). I tried out a few amps and the guy was good and took time to let me get a feel for all of the amps.

Anyway, I tried out an Ashdown MAG 300 115 combo - sounds ok, but doesn't really have what I'm looking for in terms of tone. Tried an ABM500 115 combo and really like the sound it produced. Also tried out a little giant 350. The little giant had a much nicer sound to the MAG and I could get it to sound fairly similar to the ABM (although this took playing with the eq to get a flat ABM sound).

My biggest issues is the build quality of the LG350. The front panel looks nasty (not the colour, the quality of the plastic). The knobs looks cheap and I would be worried that I would break them. The on/off switch is also cheap plastic. You can definitely tell a difference in quality between that and the ABM/MAG amps. However, in my opinion, it sounds much nicer than the MAG's.

So the outcome....I'm steering towards an Ashdown ABM500 (rack or head not sure) + 210 cabinet. BUT, I'm still going to go and try out some Markbass amps in Doncaster before I spend.

I've also been looking at the Rebelhead 450, but don't think I can justify the price increase.
 
#29
Thanks for the heads up on "The Roadhouse Music Store" its an ...interesting website LOL!
glad you're gettting an idea for what you want.
I would definitly recommend AB'ing the ABM and LMII (especially since the LMII is cheaper even with the rack ears included!) ElectroMusic will almost certainly have both in, so you can get a really idea for the tonal difference.

It's a pitty about teh LG350 build quality I've never played one/or heard one but maybe it was a quick jump on the light weight amp band wagon with LMII and shuttles etc.

I'm assuming you've now decided to get a really good head and wait a while to get a cab??? since you wont have much money left form £600 if you get the ABM500...in which case there will probably be even more stuff you can try at ElectroMusic with £600 for just the head.

All the best
 
#30
I play through a Line 6 M13--> Radial JDI --> into an Aviom system. Incredibly awesome.

If your signal is sounding "thin", can't you beef it up through the V-amp?

I'd personally just get a dedicated bass preamp and use that as my DI. I used to do this with an Avalon U5 and then various Demeters and then a BBE BMax (SS version) but I'm in and out too much so I just got a DI instead as my controls would always be screwed up by the time I got back.

However a bass pre into the board fed back through our IEM system was glorious.
 
#31
@TVBBass - Yeah gonna just get a nice head and save up for a cab later. I had a look at the trace elliot cabinet which is in our church PA cupboard. It's a 115. I'll use that to start with then I will probably get a 210. Then I can use the 2 together if we every needed to.

@rockstar - The V-Amp has a lot of control over the signal, but just doesn't give me the tone I'm looking for. It always sound a bit too flat for my liking, lacking warmth. Don't get me wrong, I think you can get some nice sounds out of the v-amp, but just not the sound I'm looking for.

I think the amp I tried today won me over. Maybe I'm just ready for a change :)
 
#32
jim_bass said:
@rockstar - The V-Amp has a lot of control over the signal, but just doesn't give me the tone I'm looking for. It always sound a bit too flat for my liking, lacking warmth. Don't get me wrong, I think you can get some nice sounds out of the v-amp, but just not the sound I'm looking for.

I think the amp I tried today won me over. Maybe I'm just ready for a change :)
Click to expand...

I understand for sure.

But if you don't want to lug around an amp and have the extra on-stage volume, I would seriously consider going the bass preamp route to replace the V-Amp, or a DI (like the EBS microbass II or Aguilar Tone Hammer) that gives you more than "Just" a DI.

:)
 
#33
So I finally went to Doncaster and tried out a Markbass amp. I tried the Jeff Berlin signature 15" combo and it sounds amazing. I A/B'd it with a Ashdown ABM 500 head on a 210 cab and the ashdown was really hissy and flat sounding on comparison. I don't remember the ashdown 115 soundsing anything like this one. Is there a big difference between a 115 and a 210 cab?

Anyway. I think I'm gonna go with the Markbass, I just need to decide on Combo vs. Head and Cab!
 
#34
jim_bass said:
Anyway. I think I'm gonna go with the Markbass, I just need to decide on Combo vs. Head and Cab!
Click to expand...

I told you it was worth checking MarkBass out! ;)

The guys at Electro Music are great too. In terms of Combo vs Head, there shouldn't be any difference in sound since the LMII head is identical to the one in the Combo's
It's more a matter of taste:
Although over all the combo maybe cheaper than getting the same two components seperately you have to think whether you can afford £900+ all at once...also, you said there was an old cab at teh chruch, i fyou buy seperate then you have the option to pop you're LMII in a case, pick up your bass and off to church with out having to lug a heavey cab around...very useful.
For a useful break down of the different components (and specifically the different cabs) take a look at this thread:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=475871
 
#35
I think I've made my mind up.....

Markbass LMII Head
Markbass 151P Traveller Cab

You're right, I'll start off with the Trace Elliot 115 cab and the upgrade when the cash is right.

As for the mute issue, I'm gonna buy myself a new Korg Pitchblack pedal and that will be that.

Now, to start saving (and selling my old gear, although I'm apparently not allowed to mention that on this forum - so over to basschat.co.uk :) ). Maybe by the time I've got the cash together the LMIII will be out.
 

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