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Going lightweight - TC Electronics vs. Markbass

James_E

James_E

Jan 26, 2008
429
518
Ontario, Canada
#1
Need to go to a lightweight setup:

options:
TC Electronics classic 450 at $799 (CDN)
Markbass LM-II (assuming I can land one.. looks like around $399 if I can find one at GC.)
Markbass LM-III ($599 at GC)

I live in Canada, but am going to USA for week (San Diego) so I can hit up a guitarcenter and pick up something (prices are way better.)

I only recently heard of the TC stuff when I called clubbass today. Dave from there is really hot on the stuff, indicating he loves it and it is outselling Markbass stuff right now.

I'd get the TC at club bass, and get full warranty etc., where as I'd get the markbass from Guitar Center and when I come back to Canada probably lose the warranty.

I've looked at MB stuff on CL/Kijiji and I can pretty much pay the same for brand new stuff from GC in my trip to US in a couple of weeks.

Opinions?
 
#5
RH 450 every day against either of the LM's. Up against something like an MB SA450 (which is a vastly superior amp IMHO to the LM's), I'm not so sure. I've owned both the SA 450 and (now) the RH 450. I'd say the RH was 'better' in the sense of it having some really useable features but I was quite happy with the tone of my SA450 for all the time I had it.
 
#6
Bass Culture said:
RH 450 every day against either of the LM's. Up against something like an MB SA450 (which is a vastly superior amp IMHO to the LM's), I'm not so sure. I've owned both the SA 450 and (now) the RH 450. I'd say the RH was 'better' in the sense of it having some really useable features but I was quite happy with the tone of my SA450 for all the time I had it.
Click to expand...


Interesting... I can get an SA450 used for about $650, and was considering that until I figured I could get an LM-III new for the same money.

Been thinking more on this, and budget does come in to play. How about the following options:

A. TC electronics Classic 450 + TC 210 cab is about $1200.
B. MB LMII + Bergantino AE112 is about $1100.
C. MB LMII + TC 210 = about $900
D. TC electronics Classic 450 + bergantino AE 112 = out of my range.
 
#9
I'd go with the TC for a variety of reasons. First, it's got pretty extensive tone shaping/drive emulation; I play mostly rock and the LMII's tones just didn't have the calories. Secondly, you'll get a warranty. Third, you'll be able to support a local specialty bass shop instead of the walmart of the music store business.
 
#10
koobie said:
I'd go with the TC for a variety of reasons. First, it's got pretty extensive tone shaping/drive emulation; I play mostly rock and the LMII's tones just didn't have the calories. Secondly, you'll get a warranty. Third, you'll be able to support a local specialty bass shop instead of the walmart of the music store business.
Click to expand...

As much as I love the MB stuff, I agree with the above. The RH450 is really something.

IMO, the head that lines up the best feature-wise and volume-wise on the MB side of things is the wonderful F500 (brighter and tighter than the RH450, which is more 'warm and punchy and fat').

Hard to beat the feature set of the RH450, and given the OP's situation (that you address above in your post), it would be a bit of a no brainer for me!
 
#11
Musicman20 said:
Get the RH450, not the classic, and then save and get a MB LM3 as well. Best of both worlds :P
Click to expand...

I'm leaning towards TC. But can you indicate why I need the RH450 and the classic isn't good enough? It's $200 more...

My main motivation is to go lightweight.

I'm currently playing a Traynor XS400 combo, without many of the features I'd get with the RH450. Not sure I need them. Isn't it the same amp as the classic with a bunch of extra bells and whistles? Wouldn't the RH450 and Classic 450 sound exactly the same?

I have a soundproof room to practice in. Don't need line in, don't need headphone out, don't need the digital out, have a TU-2 tuner already, don't really think I need the memory feature of the RH450.

So.. does the RH450 *sound* different than the classic?
 
#12
I have no exp. w/ either, but from what I've read, (and the way that I assimilate information) I am worried that MB will turn into another quality brand that, upon becoming too large, begins to suffer on the customer support side i.e. Ampeg, Fender etc. There are a number of companies that find themselves in this predicament. GC puts their products in the lives of thousands of people, many of whom are not as committed as the personalities here. Thus, they do foolish things for which the product was never intended, and eventually clog the customer support mechanism. I'd either go with TC, or Genz-Benz for my money.

FWIW
 
#13
James_E said:
I'm leaning towards TC. But can you indicate why I need the RH450 and the classic isn't good enough? It's $200 more...

My main motivation is to go lightweight.

I'm currently playing a Traynor XS400 combo, without many of the features I'd get with the RH450. Not sure I need them. Isn't it the same amp as the classic with a bunch of extra bells and whistles? Wouldn't the RH450 and Classic 450 sound exactly the same?

I have a soundproof room to practice in. Don't need line in, don't need headphone out, don't need the digital out, have a TU-2 tuner already, don't really think I need the memory feature of the RH450.

So.. does the RH450 *sound* different than the classic?
Click to expand...

The Classic is just the RH450 without the tuner, the semi-parametric EQ, and the preset storage. Same sound and power as the RH450 with the semiparametric mids in the factory default.

The RH450/Classic heads are not featherweight like the MB stuff. The RH450 is about 9 pounds (still very lightweight), while the F500 is less than half of that and is much smaller.

The on-board tuner of the RH450 is great, and the presets are wonderful, as is the semi-parametric EQ. If you have the cash, IMO, going the full RH450 is worth it. However, the factory default shelving and mid frequency center points sound good, so the Classic is a reasonable option if you know you don't want the fancy stuff.
 
#14
Thanks for the comments here guys, and all the great info in the other threads!

Asked Dave at clubbass to hold a Classic 450 and RS210 for me, I'll head down sometime this week and check'em out and likely buy them. I talked to Dave about the difference b/w the classic and the RH, and my situation. The RH isn't really necessary for me. Maybe I'll A/B them at the store.
 
#15
Re-thought... I don't want to "wish I bought the RH450"... better to buy once and be done with it. Let's me leave the tuner at home, gives me the semi-parametric eq and memories (which I bet I could find a use for when I go from punk to classic rock to hard rock in my rock gig, and disco to modern pop in the wedding thing.)
 
#16
James_E said:
Re-thought... I don't want to "wish I bought the RH450"... better to buy once and be done with it. Let's me leave the tuner at home, gives me the semi-parametric eq and memories (which I bet I could find a use for when I go from punk to classic rock to hard rock in my rock gig, and disco to modern pop in the wedding thing.)
Click to expand...

I think that is a good call. I am not a tweaker or whatever, but the tuner is amazing, and it is nice to be able to widen the tone with the semi-parametric EQ if you want it a bit more wide and modern like the Markbass inherent tone, or want to store a setting with a fatter, tube emulation with compression thing or whatever. You probably don't need the footswitch, which is expensive (nice, but expensive), but can always get it later as an option if you like to be able to switch 'channels' on the go.

The RS210 is a great cab IMO... small and tight and punchy.
 
#19
I would advise going to see Dave to try all together. He will spent the time A/B-ing anything you want.

If you don't live near Toronto, try them at GC and if you like the MB better and it is much cheaper... buy it in the US....

If you like the TC more... wait until you are back in Canada and buy it from Dave. Almost the exact same price as in the US and no warranty issues....

James_E said:
Need to go to a lightweight setup:

options:
TC Electronics classic 450 at $799 (CDN)
Markbass LM-II (assuming I can land one.. looks like around $399 if I can find one at GC.)
Markbass LM-III ($599 at GC)

I live in Canada, but am going to USA for week (San Diego) so I can hit up a guitarcenter and pick up something (prices are way better.)

I only recently heard of the TC stuff when I called clubbass today. Dave from there is really hot on the stuff, indicating he loves it and it is outselling Markbass stuff right now.

I'd get the TC at club bass, and get full warranty etc., where as I'd get the markbass from Guitar Center and when I come back to Canada probably lose the warranty.

I've looked at MB stuff on CL/Kijiji and I can pretty much pay the same for brand new stuff from GC in my trip to US in a couple of weeks.

Opinions?
Click to expand...
 
#20
KJung said:
I think that is a good call. I am not a tweaker or whatever, but the tuner is amazing,
Click to expand...

Typically during a gig I use the tuner on my M13 between songs just because it's in front of me and foot friendly by itself, but since I've gotten my RH450 I find that often I'll just look back during a song and check my tuning while playing. The tuners quick enough that it manages it.
 

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