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Genzler Magellan 350 Combo vs Markbass Minimark 802

DrSteve

DrSteve

Supporting Member
Dec 22, 2008
534
846
North Delaware
#1
Hay all; Asking for opinions and experiences.
I purchased the Minimark 802 in January and have used it on a few small-room gigs. I like the tone, and think it sounds good in the jazz/pop band with my Hofner, but I'm wondering if I should have gone for the Magellan combo.
They sound good on-line, and reviews are excellent, but I cannot find one locally to try out and I don't think I want to spend the cash just because the GAS is growing. Also thinking the Genzler equalization and contour may provide better control of sound then the VLE and VPF on the Markbass; but I may be wrong about that.
Any experiences or opinions about the comparison would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
 
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#3
DrSteve said:
Hay all; Asking for opinions and experiences.
I purchased the Minimark 802 in January and have used it on a few small-room gigs. I like the tone, and think it sounds good in the jazz/pop band with my Hofner, but I'm wondering if I should have gone for the Magellan combo.
They sound good on-line, and reviews are excellent, but I cannot find one locally to try out and I don't think I want to spend the cash just because the GAS is growing. Also thinking the Genzler equalization and contour may provide better control of sound then the VLE and VPF on the Markbass; but I may be wrong about that.
Any experiences or opinions about the comparison would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Click to expand...
I'm not one of those guys that can tell you exactly why something sounds the way it does or why I like it, but I was a Markbass user and thought I had reached the pinnacle of my tone needs. A local dealer of mine (Bananas-At-Large in NorCal) told me that I should check out the Genzler stuff. I hauled my MB rig, cabinets and favorite bass and spent about two hours playing with different combinations.

It really only took about two minutes, truth be told. The difference was night and day. The MB stuff was so vastly inferior, in every way, to the Genzler. Needless to say, I left with a Genzler head and cabinet leaving behind my MB head and cabinets to sell on consignment. Since then I've added a second cabinet and upgraded the head from the 350 to the 800. No regrets, only happiness.

I hope you can find a dealer who will let you play as I did but if you don't or can't, I for one can attest to the quality, not to mention size, weight and support, you'll get from Genzler. It's awesome stuff that's truly premium in every way.

Good luck!
 
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#4
Genzler 350 Combo is a Little Monster with great tone capabilities! Pair it with a Genzler BA12-3 cabinet, when more is needed, and you are ready for just about any gig. So light weight with the amp attached to the cab. The padded carrying bag for it is also very nice, too, and you will not have to remove the amp from the cabinet.
I've only played through a MB at GC for a brief period and was not impressed with it.
 
#5
I haven't been as impressed with MB as some others. I can tell you my little MG350 Combo kills. I use it for jaz quartets, I used it for a musical in a 600+ seat theatre without FOH support and a big pit with guitars , drums, and horns. I was heard with no problem at 50% on the amp. It is a MONSTER combo.
 
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#6
another Genzler true believer here... I have only minimal experience with Markbass gear - once at a GC - and wasn't impressed, but it was only one amp and it was at GC. That said, I really don't have any GAS for another amp. I have both the 350 and the 800 heads and one each of the BA10-2 and the BA12-3. Sometimes I do get GAS to add another speaker cab although I can never decide which of the two to match and have no need for another cab at all... so it passes very quickly

The 350 combo punches way above its weight and size class. There is significant heft to the notes in every register and it goes louder than I expected. The array speakers really do as they're advertised and contribute to an excellent dispersion. The EQ is very flexible and I don't hear any significant difference from the 350 to the 800 other than volume and the added channel in the 800. For lower/medium volume settings, the 350 is a monster. Add a 2nd cab - either the 10-2 or a larger 12-3 as they do play well together - and you've got a small footprint rig that will cover just about any gig short of a metal one where the two guitar players are both playing full stacks on 11. Go with the 800 head and you have more headroom and the second channel. For me, I could easily get by with just the 350 but I already had the 800 so it makes sense to keep it in case I do find myself needing that at some point.
 
#8
Thanks all for your comments. I didn't really expect anyone to talk me out of the Genzler.
So now I'll need to drive 1+ hours and check one out (and bring the MB with), or plunk down lots of cash and buy without trying. Maybe I can catch a spring sale.
If/when I buy, I'll post a pic and join the Genzler Club on TB. And thanks S-Bigbottom for posting there.
 
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#10
OK; So I took the plunge. Purchased the Genzler 350 Combo from Bass Club Chicago and hope to receive it this week. Once it arrives I'll join the Genzler club and I'm sure will post questions as I'm already contemplating an extension cab I might need/want for those handful of larger gigs I play.

Thanks again for your opinions and advice.
 
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#11
OK, so after a few hours in my rehearsal space I find the Genzler 350 to be more articulate, cleaner, more evenly balanced up and down the neck, and provides more control over dialing in the tone I like to get out of my basses.
The Markbass Minimark 802 is good, and I'll keep it in my office for rehearsal and possibly still use it on very small stages, but the Genzler 350 Combo is now my go-to amp.

Thanks all for contributing your opinions and experiences.
 
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#12
DrSteve said:
OK, so after a few hours in my rehearsal space I find the Genzler 350 to be more articulate, cleaner, more evenly balanced up and down the neck, and provides more control over dialing in the tone I like to get out of my basses.
The Markbass Minimark 802 is good, and I'll keep it in my office for rehearsal and possibly still use it on very small stages, but the Genzler 350 Combo is now my go-to amp.

Thanks all for contributing your opinions and experiences.
Click to expand...

not surprised :thumbsup:
 
#13
How would the Genzler work for electric 4 string Pbass in a cover band? We do some Motown, Stax, Carolina Beach Music and a healthy dose of Van Morrison plus some upbeat Americana. I play with a pick on flatwound strings and typically roll off the highs looking for mostly lows and low-mids. On small gigs I use a Markbass Minimark and on larger gigs I use a Markbass 2-10 cabinet with a Markbass 300w head. Would love to have 1 combo that works in all situations at this under 30 pound weight!
 
#14
don21480 said:
How would the Genzler work for electric 4 string Pbass in a cover band? We do some Motown, Stax, Carolina Beach Music and a healthy dose of Van Morrison plus some upbeat Americana. I play with a pick on flatwound strings and typically roll off the highs looking for mostly lows and low-mids. On small gigs I use a Markbass Minimark and on larger gigs I use a Markbass 2-10 cabinet with a Markbass 300w head. Would love to have 1 combo that works in all situations at this under 30 pound weight!
Click to expand...

I have no experience with a PBass but my German and CT Hofners are strung with TI Flats and they sound amazing through this amp. Better then either the Minimark or my Markbass Tube (500) and Traveler 102p setup. While my band may be more eclectic, we do a few Motown and Morrison tunes and the tone of the 350 combo is excellent. I haven't done a large room yet with this combo yet, but from what I've read in the Genzler Club section I anticipate no problems keeping up with Drummer - Guitar - Sax - and Singer.
 

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