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I almost turned my back on Ampeg

whitespikebass

whitespikebass

Boy Orbision
Feb 19, 2013
205
37
Austin, TX
#1
A few days ago I posted about a Markbass combo I got. I am still impressed at the tone and volume verses the weight, but in the end I decided the combo was much like the time I bought a Bose Wave Radio. While the volume and fullness was impressive, after a few days I missed the fullness of a real stereo system. When I blasted this thing outside of the store I just felt like it remained boxy and lacked the character I am so used to with my Ampeg amps. Don't get me wrong, I still think the sound is very good, but just doesn't gel with the sound that my brain is used to. Or the type of music I play. It's probably the perfect amp for a jazz combo, a pop/r&b band, or something. I play more lofi indie kinda stuff, and in the end the ampeg won. Even after my credit card was swiped.

I retuned the Jeff Berlin combo and got an insane deal on a used PF-500 / PF- 210he combo - $400. Because of this series' history I purchased a two year warranty for $60. Tax and all, $490. Not too bad. Feels good to stay familiar I suppose.
 
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#4
Yeah I got the players school one. It wasnt that it wasnt loud enough or anything. It just wasn't what I can imagine myself using for the longterm. Too modern and clean and boxy. Overall a good punchy tone, but just not a fit for me. It was odd going back and forth from my P and Rick. they sort of lost their own personalities although the sound was "good."
 
#5
I say this not to bag on Markbass because I've spent money with them before, but all their cabs sound that way that I've played, and I've played a pretty good cross section. At first it's very cool because it's very hard to lose yourself in a mix. But then, as you said, you notice that they sacrifice lows for upper mids, and not in a frequency range that I find conducive to a pretty sound. The heads I like for the most part. The cabs...eh.
 
#7
Staying in theme of thread title, I play a pf350 into traynor 112 with upgraded deltalite neo II. Love the whole thing.

Played my main bass through a guy's gk 500 micro head and 210 and 115 cabs..... Was tragically disappointed in the harshness and way too brightness of the tone.... Turned treble down nearly all the way on amp and finally got something resembling balance.

And I LOVE aggressive bright in your face tone. By I get it way better from my pf and deltalite than this guy's setup.

I'm still on love with my little pf.

Only worry is volume and gig worthiness but I'm gonna use it as my number 1 until it can no longer keep up.
 
#11
JimmyM said:
I say this not to bag on Markbass because I've spent money with them before, but all their cabs sound that way that I've played, and I've played a pretty good cross section. At first it's very cool because it's very hard to lose yourself in a mix. But then, as you said, you notice that they sacrifice lows for upper mids, and not in a frequency range that I find conducive to a pretty sound. The heads I like for the most part. The cabs...eh.
Click to expand...
I use the MB II head with "other" cabs, usually a pair of 12's, and and okay with the overall tones and ranges. Agree the MB cabs have a "look at me Mom, I'm playing bass" quality.

Still keep a couple Ampegs around when I don't have to carry them too far.
 

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