Markbass amp heads (long term users)

I have using a LM2 since 2006, doing about 30-40 gigs per year on average. Never had one issue(knock on wood). Light weight and powerful, and relatively uncolored- allows the sound of my guitar and my playing to come out. Great investment.

 

Have a comment for you, will send as a PM

 

My lm2 died on me after about 6 years.

 

Appear to be about "average" for reliability. The service network has grown greatly in the US with mixed reports. Repairs like a lot of products these days are PC Board exchanges. IMO component level repairs I expect to start becoming more common in most products.

 

I bought a head new in 2004. It failed on me within six months. I contacted Markbass directly and they asked me to box it and mail it to the Swiss distributor. They paid for the mail and the amp was back in my hands within four days. Never had a problem since. Keep in mind that this head was never available in North America and was a popular head over here. Sill is in fact.

 

Never had any problems with any of my Mark Bass amps. And I gig a lot.

 

I use a Markbass CMD-112P combo and a NY121 extension cab as my main gig rig. Always there front and center for me and never a hiccup. Can't beat the weight and always enough headroom for my purposes.

 

I have had my LMII at least five years. Weekly to bi-weekly band practise + practicing at home. I gig with a bigger amp. A bit of dirt (scratchy noise) in the gain pot. but otherwise it keeps going.

 

I have a LMII from 2006. Had it for about six months. No issues.

 

Purchased a (new) CMD 121P in 2009... been my main amp since then (played about once per week- on average)... no problems!

 

Exactly the same for me...except Ive had my LMII since about 2008. It was my main amp up until a year and a half ago or so when I got an SVT. Now I use it for my "small gig rig", which is about half the time lol Still going strong!

 

Btw the cmd121p and ny121 are 500w @
4 ohms. Plenty of juice.

 

Best amps I have ever played by far! I've been playing a Markbass Little Mark II for over 7 years & I also recently added a LMK, I have never had any issues. If you do, contact their service & they are super quick with responding & making sure your problem is taken care of. Marco is a brilliant amp maker & a wonderful human being! Both my amps are 500watts & trust me you get plenty of power. Awesome cabs too, I play a Standard 104HF & a Standard 151HR.

 

I've also found Markbass to be pretty reliable. I had a LMIII for a year and a half, and shortly after getting it, I dropped it fairly badly (and stupidly)! Kept right on working without even the slightest issue. A buddy of mine now has had it for a year, and it's been holding up well for him too. I gigged it a lot while in my care, and it was always reliable.

 

I have a momark 600w

Did experience problem on delivery, but Markbass and the retailer dealt with it really well

Since then, not a hitch and at 5 years still really happy with it

Versatile sound and good tone
options

For me I run markbass cabinets as well

I don't mean to open up a can of worms but their cabinets are good too!

Rossa

 

Have used Markbass amps (LM II, F1, and F500) for many years and never an issue regarding reliability. Gigged them at high volumes and they just kept on giving. You should know that the LM 800 and TH 500 are very different amps tone wise, so if at all possible try before you buy.
There are also reports that the LM800 and LM3 are different in terms of tone.
IMO the best micro amp out there right now is the Kustom KXB 500. Do not let the bargain price of these babies put you off. I got one as back- up for my Tecamp Puma 900 and I have not used the Puma once, since I picked up the Kustom KXB-500.
I use it with a Berg CN212 and it kills. Lots of headroom with plenty of juice on tap. Never feel the need for more wattage with this unit. The only thing it lacks is the glassy highs that the Puma offers, but those type of highs are not my thing anyway.
I have only been using the Kustom for a couple of months so I cannot comment in terms of long term reliability.

 

So... I actually just picked up a TH500 & have been 'A/B-ing' them over the past few weeks (and many others, here, can give their input)- the two amps u are looking at are distinctly different. I also had an LMT 800 for awhile- but was just more wattage than I needed.

The TH500 is quite a bit 'softer' in its attack- as compared to the MB (both the LMII & LMT 800)... so if you are looking for a strong attack- go with the MB! I got the Aggie as a 'back up'... but am also looking at getting an LMII- as a 'second back up' just so I can have the punch as well!!

While you can adjust the settings on the TH500 to get some punch... just be mindful that it is quite 'thicker' & 'softer' than the MB.