Fuzziness from a Little Mark Tube 800?

[mmd]

After "talking" with everyone yesterday, I went out and bought a new rig. I am pretty pumped overall. The overall sound is something I find very pleasing and I think the amp will satisfy my playing needs across many genres. Having said that, though, it brings me to a question that I may already know the answer to....

Can one coax that "fuzzy-ish, vintage OD tone" out of a Markbass amp?

I am not talking ultra-fuzzed out noise, but just a hint of "grind" or "extra fur" on the overall tone. Think old Marshall Major, cranked Fender Bassman 50, etc....this is they type of tone I use in my thrash band.

I have thrown a few OD, distortion and fuzz pedals in front and even with the gain rolled ALL the way off those boxes, it yields TOO much OD.

If the amp doesn't make that sound I will live. I am just curious to anyone's experience in that regard. I am afraid to keep the amp "clipped" the whole time I am playing it. I messed with it a little last night with the gain pegged and I had a pleasant sound, but the clip light was lit solid. Something tells me that isn't healthy for the amp in the long run.

Thanks!!!

 

[winegamd]

Since the preamp tube is a minitube, and not a 12xx7 type, I would not leave it cranked, as replacement may be difficult. I would try playing with the overdrive in the effects loop. I would try one with a clean blend as well. My favorite pedal for just a bit of crunchy OD is the Boss Blues Driver. Most other OD or Distortion pedals just sound like fake distortion from a box instead of real tube overdrive.

 

[cfsporn]

Markbass amps are clean clean clean. I'd look at using a Sansamp into the effects return if you want grit.

 

[mmd]

That's what I figured. Like I said, I LOVE the tone, but also need some grind. I have a Sansamp, so I will do that for the thrash gigs. Makes sense.