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Markbass Little Mark II Head vs. Ampeg B1-RE

H

Hadyn

Jun 29, 2008
4
0
#1
Hey guys - just a pretty simple question for you - which is the better head?

I'm finding it very difficult to find reviews for the Ampeg, but have found quite strongly positive reviews for the Markbass - http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Bass+Amp/product/Markbass/Little+Mark+II+Head/10/2

Of course, Ampeg's a quality name... so I'm hoping to hear from someone who's tried it out - or even better, someone who has experience with both. The bass is a G&L Tribute L2000, so it's got pretty good tone control built in... I just want a head that really lets it shine.

The reason it's come down to these two heads is because I can get them roughly at the same price - the Ampeg's actually the cheaper option right now, but that's because of a sale and I can probably barter the Markbass down a fair bit anyway - so cost is no issue, I just want the better amp.

Cheers!

-Hadyn
 
#2
you answered your own question almost..nobody talks about the ampeg, but people rave about markbass..hmmm...theres a reason for everything!

the ampeg might be a great amp.. but my oppinion, the markbass LMII and SD800 are world class amplifiers, and are very inexpencive considering the quality level. my main amp is a LMII, always nice and clear, never dirty. you want your bass to shine, markbass is your best choice.

and since you mentioned you think you can get the price bumped down, its not likely..i have a good friend in whatever high position in a local guitar center, so anything i buy there i get at cost- but markbass they cant discount at all..something about them being imported from italy? either way, i think it came to $650 after tax. considering i prefer this over a $2300 walter woods, not a bad deal at all..
 
#3
The ampeg B2-re is usually considered the bottom of the ampeg line. The b1-re even more so. Ampeg is not world famous for their SS stuff... 300 watts (especially ampeg SS watts) don't go so far... The LMII is a well-liked head (Hey, I use it ;)) that is rated at a very conservative 500 (head says 600) watts.

Even if you wanted to get the ampeg sound, I'd bet the B1-re doesn't give it. To me, the LMII is clearly superior.
 
#4
Thanks guys, it's good to hear such great support for the markbass!

Costs here are a bit different - I'm in Aussieland, so everything here is imported. Still, even if I can't barter it down it's within the range of what I'm willing to pay.

Out of interest, what cabs are you guys rocking?

I'm looking at a warwick 6x10, but to be honest I've never known much about live gear - especially when it comes to things like wattage, etc. I'd been borrowing the ex-bassists warwick 6x10 and a very nice Eden world-tour head, but now I need my own setup, and I'm admittedly a little clueless. Until recently I'd always been more of a "home studio" musician, never much of a live performer.

I'm not sure how much it matters, but our style is alt-rock/progressive - somewhat similar to Muse, and in a similar way to Muse I'm going to need equipment that can handle distorted bass just as well as the clean stuff.

Cheers,
Hadyn
 
#5
I`ve recently been in a similar situation. My main amp has always been my good old reliable Ampeg b100-r combo. It`s a fantastic combo with lots of warmth and vintage sound.

I`m gradually starting to play in larger venues so I started my search for my 1st head+cab. My final choice was Markbass LMII and Epifani UL410 S2. My main source of info is always TB, so I`ve read plenty of comments from those who have far more experience and are always willing to help.

Do a search and you`ll find plenty of positive comments on Markbass heads matched with Epifani cabs. Hope it helps.
 
#6
Hadyn said:
Thanks guys, it's good to hear such great support for the markbass!

Costs here are a bit different - I'm in Aussieland, so everything here is imported. Still, even if I can't barter it down it's within the range of what I'm willing to pay.

Out of interest, what cabs are you guys rocking?

I'm looking at a warwick 6x10, but to be honest I've never known much about live gear - especially when it comes to things like wattage, etc. I'd been borrowing the ex-bassists warwick 6x10 and a very nice Eden world-tour head, but now I need my own setup, and I'm admittedly a little clueless. Until recently I'd always been more of a "home studio" musician, never much of a live performer.

I'm not sure how much it matters, but our style is alt-rock/progressive - somewhat similar to Muse, and in a similar way to Muse I'm going to need equipment that can handle distorted bass just as well as the clean stuff.

Cheers,
Hadyn
Click to expand...

If the 610 is 4 ohms you'll be pretty set. if the LMII at 4 ohms can't meet your volume needs... God help you :). It should get you pretty far.

I use mine with a mesa 212 at 8 ohms and is just enough. I'm hoping to add another 212 and then I'll be more than set.

The LMII is a pretty transparent head, so most of your tone is going to come from the cabs you choose and your bass.

You won't want the LMII to distort on itself (I don't even know if it does, haha). If you want distortion you'll want to look into a decent pedal or something like the agro by aguilar. Just volume match it to your clean sound and use it like a second channel. With a quality overdrive/distortion pedal, this will sound pretty convincing. My EBS multi-drive pulls off a great SVT.
 
#7
Papersen said:
My main amp has always been my good old reliable Ampeg b100-r combo. It`s a fantastic combo with lots of warmth and vintage sound.

I`m gradually starting to play in larger venues so I started my search for my 1st head+cab. My final choice was Markbass LMII and Epifani UL410 S2.
Click to expand...

I'm curious--have you been able to get a sound similar to the B-100R with the new setup?

Sorry for the temporary hijack. Now, back to your regularly-scheduled show.
 
#10
I love Ampeg amps, but only their tube amps. Their hybrids are decent, and their Rocket bass combos are really good, but their SS heads are very average IMHO. There is no way I'd ever get a B1RE over a Markbass LMII. The LMII is the best SS head on the market IMHO.
 
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