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I think Markbass just.....

#21
USAJO said:
I still drive my car to gigs. When I start riding a bicycle to gigs I guess I'll look for a 3 lb head.
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You're right, if you're still driving to the gigs, aren't 60 years old/arthritic, it shouldn't make a difference. But where these amps are going to shine are for those living in large cities where owning a car is ridiculous. For instance, I can keep my lmII (when i get it) in the closet in my dorm, throw it in the second spot of my double gig bag, and jump on the subway to get to a gig where I could use a backline. Before, I would have had to borrow and amp or take a cab to the gig. this is a lot easier.
 
#22
For me, it's a combination of things. The LMII is affordable, and it is lightweight and sounds awesome. The Avatar 210Neo is affordable, and it is lightweight, and sounds awesome.
I see it as a major advantage that my load-in/out is one trip - no cart required.
And to be fair, we're not talking about even a 20-lb head. 6 pounds! Easily in a backpack or even in a big gig bag pouch.
We love our MarkBass, and we are happy to share the love.
 
#25
I've been using a 14.5 pound 1400 watt two-channel power amp for ages to drive various cabs. But if Markbass came out with a power amp around half that wattage and very light I'd sure be looking at it. Actually I've considered buying a MB head and bypassing the pre sometimes just to get down into a lower weight class yet, for smaller gigs and jams. I like a lot of headroom, and to have some SPL on tap doesn't hurt - but I also like casual easy load-in, especially when its just some friend's getting together to shred for a barbecue party ; }
 
#26
Ok I guess my world is entirely different than some. Every band I've ever gigged with (when sound is not provided) has much larger issues than going from a 16 lb head to a 4 lb head. We have large PA cabs, power and effects racks, keyboards,lighting and 100's of lbs of speaker cables and mic cables. Yes I have gone from 80 lb cabs to two 40 lb cabs and a 16 lb head because I keep my gear in my control, not a band truck. So from my perspective 16 lbs on a head is no big deal. I do see for a college student or someone who is inter city micro would be an advantage. Although if I was gonna get mugged I might want a 20 lb head to wack the attacker with :D Maybe the next models they can work on color selection. Keep in mind this is coming from someone who also finds the Bongo to be so visually offensive I couldn't consider owning one no matter how they sound. :hiding: Now have I offended enough of you yet?
 
#27
USAJO said:
Although if I was gonna get mugged I might want a 20 lb head to wack the attacker with :D Maybe the next models they can work on color selection. Keep in mind this is coming from someone who also finds the Bongo to be so visually offensive I couldn't consider owning one no matter how they sound. :hiding: Now have I offended enough of you yet?
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No, not really.
 
#29
USAJO said:
Ok I guess my world is entirely different than some. Every band I've ever gigged with (when sound is not provided) has much larger issues than going from a 16 lb head to a 4 lb head. We have large PA cabs, power and effects racks, keyboards,lighting and 100's of lbs of speaker cables and mic cables. {...}
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You almost seem to be arguing that because it doesn't make much diff to you that everybody should feel the same ; }

And actually, since gigs around here usually entail owning and running your own PA, I'm every so often finding affordable ways to make the PA quicker to set up and use, and lighter without sacrificing high SPL potential or practical bass extension. That's Class D or H amps, neo drivers - same things I want out of a bass rig ultimately, are what I want out of a PA. Only the scale is different.
 
#30
USAJO said:
What's this big "lightweight" invention. Thunderfunk and Eden are two manufacturers who have heads less than 20 lbs. Now if you can reduce the weight of a cabinet from 80 lbs or 90 lbs down to 40 lbs or 50 lbs as is being done by Epifani and others that is worthy of discussion. But really a 16 lb head seems to be a non issue. So you reduce it to 8 lbs and suddenly the transporting of your bass gear is now manageable? I just don't see this as a big deal. When it gets to the point where a 20 lb head is too much to move it's time to switch to harmonica. I still drive my car to gigs. When I start riding a bicycle to gigs I guess I'll look for a 3 lb head. The most noticeable thing I see about the Markbass is the color choice and I don't like it visually. Ok I admit it, all the hype here is turning me off to the product. As do other gear threads that become the rage here. Over saturation. ;) :D
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Different strokes for different folks. I personally rely on public transit simply because I do not want to pay 3-4ish bucks a gallon on top of my car insurance. Think of all the other dudes in NY who have literally lived off of taxis and subways all their lives. Markbass is pretty much the greatest thing since sliced bread. Sure I could pick up a Thunderfunk and Avatar cab for about 1400, but why when I can pick up a 12'' combo that pumps out 300 watts and weighs only 30 pounds? Never tried a Thunderfunk before, and probably never will, seeing as MB is THE tone I've been looking for in my head. As for the reducing from 16-8 pound statement, reducing it's weight by half is quite significant, especially when it's half price, sounds awesome, and you just may be a TB'r with a bad back. Kinda like a jar of coins in the sense that every penny counts. MB may be over hyped, but that's simply because so many people are jumping on the bandwagon.
 
#32
USAJO said:
.... Keep in mind this is coming from someone who also finds the Bongo to be so visually offensive I couldn't consider owning one no matter how they sound. :hiding: Now have I offended enough of you yet?
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:D You'd have to come up with something a lot more contentious than "not liking the look of Markbass amps", to offend most of us Markbass users ;) .

I've posted many times, just how much the actual look of them nearly put me off even trying one!

And another thing ... why does everyone describe them as being "yellow", when they are clearly "orange" ? ?

Or am I colour-blind :cool: ?

Actually, I think I might go off and start a poll on this topic, just to fuel the "hype machine" :D .
 
#33
No, I do see the weight issue now from another perspective. I am not a city dweller or college student and have never taken a subway or a cab to a practice or gig. I now see how it is of benefit to those who do. :)
 
#35
Saving weight means more to me than just less trips in to a gig. My car is takes an absolute beating (suspension)from the weight of the gear i haul also. I know i could buy a truck, but now gas is an issue! The lighter the rig i have to move, the better!

John
 
#37
I find Markbass to be quite over-rated. I've played them several times and each time its never really grabbed me. Today I played a little mark trough a Berg 2 12"cab stack... and was disapointed, I then A/B my Eden with the Bergs and my schroeder and found the Eden and Schroeder to be the best sounding setup (to my ears).
 
#38
blizzard said:
I find Markbass to be quite over-rated. I've played them several times and each time its never really grabbed me. Today I played a little mark trough a Berg 2 12"cab stack... and was disapointed, I then A/B my Eden with the Bergs and my schroeder and found the Eden and Schroeder to be the best sounding setup (to my ears).
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I find Eden and Schroeder to be over-rated - well, that and any other brands someone tries to flog without realizing how much of that tone stuff is subjective and contextual ; }
 
#39
For me, MarkBass came along when I was looking to change my bass rig. Size, weight, clarity of sound and ease of use was of great importance and MarkBass fit the bill perfectly. I even spoke to an electronics repair tech about what he liked in amplification and he said he liked MarkBass. I do not know much about electronics, so when someone who knows the stuff is saying they are built well and of quality components, that cannot be a bad thing.

I paired my MB LMII with 2 Bergantino 1 x 12's, also small and relatively light weight, and couldn't be happier. I like the fact that the stuff isn't so big and awkward to move.

I do not gig that often, but when I do, I now have two things less to worry about: I know I'll sound good and that the load in and out will be painless.
 
#40
blizzard said:
I find Markbass to be quite over-rated. I've played them several times and each time its never really grabbed me. Today I played a little mark trough a Berg 2 12"cab stack... and was disapointed, I then A/B my Eden with the Bergs and my schroeder and found the Eden and Schroeder to be the best sounding setup (to my ears).
Click to expand...

Am I right in thinking that both Eden heads and Schroeder cabs are heavily "mid-range" biased in their sound (I've no experience with either btw, it's just what I've read :hmm: ).

That must be one seriously "punchy" set-up that you have there, blizzard!? :)
 

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