Double Bass MarkBass LittleMark backline 250 for upright?

[Dan Hannum]

I am now using a dynamic mic on my carved bass at small shows. The MB LM backline 250 offers an XLR input . Any Uprighters using one? The EQ outlay is a bit esoteric and seems to cater to slapstyle electric players, but I am confident(?) that could be dialed out. Anyone with current info on Markbass service would be appreciated as well. Thanks

 

[Ed Fuqua]

I bought one when my Woods finally bit the dust (after almost 30 years), it sounds OK. Much prefer the Acoustic Image Clarus S4.
Here's what the MarkBass sounds like - Sennheiser MD409, direct out....

 

[Dan Hannum]

Ed, what a beautiful video! Really enjoyed all these players. Clarus was in my radar but the company (I think?) folded with the death of Rick Jones. Service will be ??. This is why I ask about Markbass of late, possibly there's more places that work on them than previously.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

Fuchs Audio has acquired the schematics from Rick Jones’ heirs and will be a source for repairs, Gollihur still has stock on the amps and speakers, so don’t write them off just yet….

 

[Ed Fuqua]

Oh and thanks for the nice words, the band was:
Edwin Hamilton vocals
Dan Greenblatt tenor
Dave Marck piano
Ocie Davis drums

This was for a Trane birthday tribute, since middle schools weren’t doing “in person” assemblies, the educational component was done by live stream. There was a concert for a live audience that I put up on YouTube, but the bass sound is coming from the mic in front of the bass, not through the amp.

 

[Ric Vice]

Ed, what a beautiful video! Really enjoyed all these players. Clarus was in my radar but the company (I think?) folded with the death of Rick Jones. Service will be ??. This is why I ask about Markbass of late, possibly there's more places that work on them than previously.

AI amps are designed to be serviced. They have IcE Power Modules that can ce easily exchanged and replaced. I’d be far more concerned with Markbass discontinuing a particular amp because they have done that many times I.E. the F500,LMK, etc. because of power amp modules that cannot be replaced. Ed Fuqua sounds great without any amplifier at all!!!!! Kudos Ed. He’s using a microphone into the Markbass. Just my take but if Ed likes the Acoustic Image better than the Markbass I’d take that to heat.

 

[Ric Vice]

I bought one when my Woods finally bit the dust (after almost 30 years)

Fuchs is also repairing Walter’s amps you might want to give them a shout out.

 

[Dan Hannum]

I would never actually write off AI as I have learned they are primarily focused on acoustic instrument issues like no one else.. I knew GM has a handful left in stock, but the Markbass has the XLR input. I tried a 1/4" adapter on the SM 57 into my Genzler AA inst channel, but got a buzzy inerference.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

For a mic into a instrument input you should put a mic (pre-)amplifier in between. Cost can vary a lot. They usually also can supply phantom
power to the mic.
For condensers the noise floor is less important than for dynamic mics.

 

[Dan Hannum]

Right.... Trying to keep it simple. The dynamic mic sounds great strait into the XLR jack. No more preamp, 9v batt, loose wing pu or xtra cords.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

If it works, it works.
In an unknown situation I prefer to have a mic preamp at hand, just in case …

 

[Povl Carstensen]

A XLR - 1/4" mic cable should not give any problem or buzzing

 

[Ric Vice]

The Markbass 250 has a XLR input. Markbass puts that feature on several of their amps, some have a 48 v phantom switch as well.