Little Marcus vs LMK

[Kaplan]

I did a side by side comparison of my old Markbass LMK (that is Little Mark II with two pre-channels, build in italy, 500 W/4Ohm analog power) and the new Markbass Little Marcus 500. So what’s the difference? I compared the sounds using my ESP ltd b205, LaBella RX strings, 2x Faital 12pr300 and my ears. No recording, sorry folks.

Markbass LMK tone EQ flat: clear, snappy, mid-punchy with growly flavour
Markbass Little Marcus tone EQ flat: warm, low mid-heavy, restrained high mids, subtle highs

The pics show how you can roughly achieve the Little Marcus sound on LMK and vice versa.

The Little Marcus EQ points are a bit special. You quickly can dial in very nasty honk (MID 500 Hz) and mud (LOW 180 Hz). For now I decided to stay with the old amp, I prefer the snappy sound and overall quality (no flimsy switches and plastic front panel with silly graphic) ...

 

[Russell L]

Very intetesting. That's more difference than I expected.

 

[Kaplan]

Very intetesting. That's more difference than I expected.

Yep, it’s a different animal. Not like the Richard Bona signature Ninja, which sounds the same as the usual Little Mark.

 

[chris_b]

I don't know the Little Marcus, but I liked the LMK. That was a great amp. The sound you could get running both channels running together was awesome. Then they went and discontinued it!!!

Markbass have a strange marketing philosophy, they have discontinued more products than the rest of the industry put together!

 

[Kaplan]

I don't know the Little Marcus, but I liked the LMK. That was a great amp. The sound you could get running both channels running together was awesome. Then they went and discontinued it!!!

Markbass have a strange marketing philosophy, they have discontinued more products than the rest of the industry put together!

Look at this graveyard
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[Russell L]

I agree, Markbass has disconrinued more stuff than anyone I know, and GOOD stuff at that. I wish I had been able to buy more throughout the years.

I do have an 2008 CMD 121H combo (LMII combo head), a 2011 LMIII head, and two Traveler 151P cabs. The combo is a sweet sounding rig with its compression driver.

Back to the Little Marcus, I suppose they are marketing toward a different kind of player who needs that sound? According to your settings it looks to be a darker sound. Does it fit rock? Or what about jazz or fusion?

 

[Kaplan]

I agree, Markbass has disconrinued more stuff than anyone I know, and GOOD stuff at that. I wish I had been able to buy more throughout the years.

I do have an 2008 CMD 121H combo (LMII combo head), a 2011 LMIII head, and two Traveler 151P cabs. The combo is a sweet sounding rig with its compression driver.

Back to the Little Marcus, I suppose they are marketing toward a different kind of player who needs that sound? According to your settings it looks to be a darker sound. Does it fit rock? Or what about jazz or fusion?

EQ flat is kind of under a blanket sound. The Millerizer puts the blanket away by boosting 5-12 kHz. It’s a thin line between smooth an lifeless (compared to my LMK). I spent 3 hours without volume limitations, solo and play along and decided not to go with it. Too much tweaking to get something. For dialing in rock sounds, get over any inhibitions to open up the high mids and beware of honkiness. Despite this, Little Marcus is more flexible than a Fender Rumble or so.

 

[Luigir]

Yep, it’s a different animal. Not like the Richard Bona signature Ninja, which sounds the same as the usual Little Mark.

Thanks for the comparison. I thought them to be just another little mark our redesign.

 

[Dan Robbins]

Yep, I don’t like the Marcus heads. At all. Too dark and scooped. I have a LMK and also love it. But, it’s a bit slower, more subby and high-middy, than the 2016 Little Mark Tube 800 Anniversary, that I prefer out of all of them, after trying and owning about 10-12 different Markbass heads over an exhausting (but fun) 2 1/2 year period. Still, the LMK is a keeper, with the two channels and very bright clear sound. My second favorite of all...

 

[gimmeagig]

I just got my Little Mark 500 yesterday. I have an Eden WT 550, a HD EBS 350, Two LM II then I also had a Carvin BX500 which I just sold. I'm way into the Marcus thing and I have a 74 Jazz, a Xotic 5 sting bass, a Moon a Atelier Z and a few others, all in the same family.
So yesterday, when the Little Marcus arrived I just put it on top of my LM II, set everything flat and plugged in my Xotic Bass.
I didn't have high expectations because I had not heard a demo of the amp that was in any way convincing but I wanted to try it anyway.
So with everything flat , millerizer and old school included, the amp sounds really dark and uninspiring. But the Millerizer contol really brings the amp to life. I set it around 1 o'clock, old school off, sub lows at 10 o'clock, treble at 2 o'clock everything else flat. Great! I have played with the amp a lot now ( with different basses and I felt no need to touch the settings. I have never had an amp where I found the tone so quickly. Any amp I've had I kept fiddling with for a long time ( sometimes years, lol ) but this one, set it and forget it. Amazing!
There are quite a few amps that have either a variable or set mid scoop control. This one is the first one I have ever played through where it actually does something I like. The amp has all the clarity and zing that my EBS HD 350 has but it has more punch.
I have yet to try the amp on a rehearsal or a gig, but right now I don't do either. I have a feeling that I won't be disappointed.
So, I had super low expectations but I love this little amp.