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Markbass Little Marcus EQ Switched Off

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by JSX, Jun 22, 2019.

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  1. Jun 22, 2019 #1
    JSX

    JSX

    Jun 22, 2019
    I just bought a slightly used Markbass Little Marcus amp. It has two sets of EQs, EQ1 is the five-way and EQ2 has the two shaping filters. Neither of the EQs are doing anything and the EQ1 and EQ2 status lights are both off.

    I can’t find switches on the amp to turn them on. There is a 1/4 inch plug on the back of the amp for an optional foot switch (that I don’t have). Anybody know if I’m missing something obvious or if I might have received a broken amp. Perhaps the previous owner had used a foot switch to turn off the two EQs and they are still off. If so, is there an easy way to turn them back on without a foot switch?

    The Reverb seller is happy to let me return it, but I’d rather keep it if I can get it working. Thanks in advance for any guidance.
     
  2. Jun 22, 2019 #2
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    I think you may be right. If you have a Guitar Center near you, since they are the exclusive Markbass seller in the US, they might have a footswitch you can try. I would call first, though. Or you could order one and return it if it doesn't work, or keep it if you like it. But yeah, this happens on Fender amps with the reverb and tremolo circuits...if you switch them off with the footswitch, you need to footswitch plugged back in to switch them back on. Does any 2-stomp footswitch work or do you have to use the Markbass? According to a review I just read, you can as long as the plug fits.

    Sub out your local Markbass dealer for GC if you live outside of the US :D
     
    JSX likes this.
  3. Jun 22, 2019 #3
    JSX

    JSX

    Jun 22, 2019
    JimmyM, thanks for the post.

    I took the cover off the amp to take a look. The ribbon cable that connects the foot switch input to the front panel was disconnected. I reconnected it and the EQs are now working. My hope is that the original owner wanted to get a cleaner sound by bypassing all the EQ circuitry (and didn’t want to bother with a foot switch). My concern is that it was unplugged to bypass a problem with the amp. I’m not noticing anything wrong, so hopefully it’s the former, not latter.

    If anyone’s curious, I’ve attached a photo. It’s the gray cable connecting just right of center in the front.

    75D34096-85A9-403D-88FB-FE478BBFF8B7.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2019
    Spruce Knob, AlexanderB, JimmyM and 1 other person like this.
  4. Jun 22, 2019 #4
    JSX

    JSX

    Jun 22, 2019
    ...and who in their right mind would intentionally disable knobs labeled “Old School” and “Millerizer”?
     
    Pi_Husky, SJan3, Spruce Knob and 1 other person like this.
  5. Jun 23, 2019 #5
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    LOL! No doubt, and why wouldn't he plug it back in when he sent it? People get so bent out of shape about "pure circuits," and it's such nonsense. The EQ's are there for a reason...what happens if your sound sucks in a certain room and you need to fix it? Stare at your amp helplessly? And for what? Nothing!

    Sorry...got off on a rant. Shot out of a cannon at 4 am. Glad it was an easy fix. You'll be fine.
     
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  6. Sep 15, 2020 #6
    gimmeagig

    gimmeagig Supporting Member

    Feb 25, 2004
    Coeur D'Alene,Idaho
    I just got my Little Marcus. Love it!!! I was looking for the footswitch online but it is sold out on the Markbass site and it doesn't seem to be available anywhere else.
     
  7. Nov 26, 2020 #7
    khix83

    khix83

    May 14, 2020
    Sorry to rez an old thread, but this just helped me! I wanted to bypass the EQ on my Little Marcus 800 (and 104HF) without having to buy a footswitch. I'm just...not a fan of it. Between a Source Audio EQ2 and a Darkglass Vintage Ultra, I have all the EQ I could ever need on my pedalboard.
     
  8. Nov 26, 2020 #8
    gimmeagig

    gimmeagig Supporting Member

    Feb 25, 2004
    Coeur D'Alene,Idaho
    How about if you set everything flat wouldn't that be the same as bypassing the EQ?
     
  9. Nov 27, 2020 #9
    khix83

    khix83

    May 14, 2020
    Yea, kind of. The knobs are really sensitive so I'd rather just bypass it altogether. I should have just gotten a straight power amp, honestly. I'm sure it works for some people. Also, be aware that the FX loop on it still goes through the pre and EQ. Why Markbass did that is beyond me.
     
  10. May 10, 2021 #10
    jdier

    jdier

    May 28, 2003
    Milw., Wis.
    Hey, bypass without a pedal is not so difficult. Get yourself a 1/4 TRS plug and short out Tip to Sleeve, this will turn on EQ1 only. Or, short Ring to Sleeve, this will turn on EQ2 only.

    I have two 1/4 plugs (no wires coming out of them) that I keep in my case... one bypasses EQ1, the other bypasses EQ2.

    If you wanted to get fancy, any 1/4 TRS to 1/4 TRS cable + a simple floor box with two 3DPT or DPDT swiches in it would work too.
     
  11. May 10, 2021 #11
    jdier

    jdier

    May 28, 2003
    Milw., Wis.
    You can achieve a complete bypass of both EQ's with an unwired 1/4 TRS plug. Just buy a new one, do nothing, plug it in the back and both EQ's will be bypassed.