Markbass Megathread PART 2

[Tony G]

Nice.

HAH! You already added it to your profile.

Here's my predictions based on your cab distro...

UL112x2 VERY nice.
UL410 Jaw-dropping.

I'm a little nervous about that. I love my UL502 so much, I'd hate to think that a $600 markbass amp would sound better....

I'm not one that makes decisions well. I hate having to choose between more than one bass to play at a gig. Now I have to choose between amps now? Ugh...the predicament I'm in...

 

[phat daddy]

Anybody played an SD800? I'm really interested in that head for a concert rig, if I can find the right cabs.

 

[Tony G]

Anybody played an SD800? I'm really interested in that head for a concert rig, if I can find the right cabs.

here is a quick thread title search on "SD800". There is a lot of goods stuff to read: http://www.talkbass.com/forum/search.php?searchid=5460546

 

[maconbass]

Add me to the list of LMII owners! I just picked mine up!

I'm looking forward to hearing your review and comparison to the 502. I've been considering purchasing the Epifani to compare to my LMII and figure which I like better.

 

[Tony G]

I'm looking forward to hearing your review and comparison to the 502. I've been considering purchasing the Epifani to compare to my LMII and figure which I like better.

I'll give a quick review after my next rehearsal, and again after a gig. I'll try to get as much time with it as possible before I make a final decision to keep it or not.

 

[Vic]

I'll give a quick review after my next rehearsal, and again after a gig. I'll try to get as much time with it as possible before I make a final decision to keep it or not.

Bring the 410!

 

[Tony G]

Bring the 410!

I use my UL410 on gigs. I only have three gigs before my 30 day return policy runs out, but that should give me a good enough idea as to whether this head is for me or not. I have a 4th gig on October 12th, one day past the 30 day return date, but I'd rather not push it if I am still on the edge.

Now live, I really liked the UL502 alone, and really really liked it when I added the CA-9. But, the CA-9 is just too heavy for my poor broken back. I'm sure the LMII will sound great, but will it overtake my beloved UL502? That will be one major upset if it does. I kind of consider the UL502 to be a "world class" bass head. I know I put it on a pedestal, but I really like it that much.

At rehearsals, I'll use the LMII with my UL112 stack, and compare it of course throughout the rehearsal to the UL502. I'm actually expecting the LMII to sound better with the UL112 stack than the UL502, but not necessarily with the UL410. A single UL112 has a nice mid punch, and sounds great with the very wide sounding UL502. However, adding a second UL112 increases the low end extension and seems to lose that mid punch. This is where I think the LMII will come into play and sound great. However, the UL502 with my series 1 UL410 sounds great due to the mid punch of that cab as well, and I'm wondering if the LMII will get a little "honky" sounding.

There is only one other arrangement that I would like to make if the LMII doesn't satisfy my needs, and that is to run a Stewart 2.1 with the UL502 live through the UL410. The Crest CA-9 really did sound killer, but as I said it was just too heavy. The lighter Stewart may be just what I need, but I'm not sure I can currently afford the UL502, LMII, and Stewart 2.1 all together. I'd love too, but my wife just might have had enough of this...

I don't know what will happen, but I'm about to have an eventful month!

 

[jmain]

Add me to the list of LMII owners! I just picked mine up!

Cool!!

Def wanna know how it compares.

 

[Tony G]

Cool!!

Def wanna know how it compares.

You know I will let everyone here know. Try and stop me.

 

[jmain]

You know I will let everyone here know. Try and stop me.

Right on!! Don't hold back!

 

[Vic]

I only have three gigs before my 30 day return policy runs out...

I don't think the time frame will be a problem. I think you'll easily know after the first rehearsal and gig if it's your thing or not.

Now live, I really liked...

First of all, yeah, the CA-9 is KILLER, and yeah, the UL502 IS a world class amp. IMHO, these are two immutable facts.

However, IMHO, the MB is also a world class amp.

You have to remember a lot things go into determining the price point of an amp, and in this case, we also get to throw in world market economy effects. So even if the LMII uproots the 502, there's no reason to feel weird about it.

I have a Stewart 2.1, and it is, IMHO, a VERY close second to the CA-9. Killer amp. I've been using a Crown Xti-2000 most recently, but not because I think it's a better amp... only because it fits a shallower rack, and honestly, it really is a great amp too. In fact, one of these days I need to A/B and see if I can even tell.

One thing, however, the LMII does not do well to drive a power amp. The DI out is fine for boards, but isn't really hot enough to drive a power amp to max output, so if this is a big deal to you, you need to think about that. I also do this, so when I need big power I actually switch over to the Eden 405 into the Crown into my UL310 pair. OT, but must be heard to be believed. I love that rig.

However, for simpler rigs where it's just a head and a cab or two, man, I LOVE the LMII. It pairs particularly well with really dynamic instruments like Skjold, MTD, Zon, Celinder, etc.

When I first got my LMII I still had a pair of really nice 210 cabs and it blew me away.

 

[Tony G]

Thanks Vic. All good points that I will consider.

 

[Tony G]

One thing, however, the LMII does not do well to drive a power amp. The DI out is fine for boards, but isn't really hot enough to drive a power amp to max output, so if this is a big deal to you, you need to think about that.

Well, I don't plan on getting rid of my UL502 at all, though I'm not sure I'd feel right about leaving such an expensive amp in the closet doing nothing. This thing with the LMII was kind of a spur of the moment thing. Being that I could buy it at my local GC, and that they have their 30 day return policy, I figured I would pick it up to see what the fuss was about.

I just sold the CA-9, so that money went to the LMII. However, I will be very watchful for a Stewart 2.1. I like the idea of having a head to run around for rehearsals, and then adding the power amp for gigs for that extra kick. I'm one of those guys that likes a much wattage as possible, and an amp with 500-600 watts never feels like it will be enough when playing to a large room.

 

[Vic]

Well, I don't plan on getting rid of my UL502 at all, though I'm not sure I'd feel right about leaving such an expensive amp in the closet doing nothing.

I predict that, if you do keep the LMII, it won't necessarily "retire" the 502, so I wouldn't worry too much about that. These two amps are fairly different, so I think it'd be more about what tool works better for what job.

I like the idea of having a head to run around for rehearsals, and then adding the power amp for gigs for that extra kick. I'm one of those guys that likes a much wattage as possible, and an amp with 500-600 watts never feels like it will be enough when playing to a large room.

You and me both, bruthu, but Ken would call us both weird and unique for it. He likes to give me a bit of guff for the whole head vs head plus power amp thing.

 

[Tony G]

I predict that, if you do keep the LMII, it won't necessarily "retire" the 502, so I wouldn't worry too much about that. These two amps are fairly different, so I think it'd be more about what tool works better for what job.

Well, only time will tell. I can never guess what I'm going to do next gear wise...

You and me both, bruthu, but Ken would call us both weird and unique for it. He likes to give me a bit of guff for the whole head vs head plus power amp thing.

Haha

 

[kevbassman]

is the guy that bought Tony's CA9.

The LMII & Epi are two different beasts. I also agree with Tony, more wattage is always a good thing, especially playing outdoors or large rooms. I'm still debating on which amp to take to the big show I'm doing Friday night @ Cleveland's Playhouse Square Theater District. My band is playing outdoors by Star Plaza & East 14th.

When I played the LMII inGC a few weeks ago, I loved the tone,etc.
Here's some cab pairings...........

Bergantino HT322....the Epi sounded allot better thru this cab, nice bottom end, great mid & hi's..the LMII disappointed me on this cab....very transparent sound.

UL212......IMO...this is the cab where the LMII shines......man, does this sound great......great vintage tone.....kind of like that 70's vibe...........Epi sounds good also.....but I preferred the LMII with this cab

UL310.....IMO...the 502 sounded like it was built for this cab....nothing transparent...yes, the Epi is alittle HIFI sounding....but man, it cuts thru live. I used this rig on a outdoor show a few weeks ago and the soundman complimented the hell out of it.

Obviously a big factor is size & money. I;m 45 & have horrible knees....so for obvious reasons I would prefer the LMII & a light weight cab. Tony mentioned he suffered a broken back......so again, allot of different variables apply for each different person.

I have not played the SD800, but a friend told me it doesn't sound as nice as the LM II.

 

[waffle puzzle]

I like the transparency of my LMII and my Berg 322 when I am running my Modulus through a barge of fx.

 

[Vic]

When I played the LMII inGC a few weeks ago, I loved the tone,etc.

Here's some cab pairings...........

With what kind of bass? This can make a pretty big diff, IMHO. Also, which series of 310? That definitely makes a diff.

 

[Orco87]

Was at the local GC the other day and I plugged up into this cute lil' toy-like bumblebee thing calling itself a Mark-Bass.


It sounded freakin awesome! Looking at the size of those speakers and hearing/feeling what's coming out of them at everything being at the 12 position was clearly amazing. Great plug and play!

Seriously, it was almost like when I played the pedulla rapture... it made me sound good, and that's difficult to do!

So I have a question as now it has completely shaken my foundations as to me having my amp situation in check *sigh*

Is it the amp or the cabs that give it such smoothness?

And if the amp, is that coloring the sound of the bass to sound awesome, or is that really helping/making the bass shine through?

Don't get me wrong, I love the amp and am thinking about somehow incorporating it in my future bass rig (gotta get a good cab first tho), but I'd really like to know those answers.

Thanks

 

[Brad Johnson]

SECOND one? Why two?

I did the same thing. Bought a backup one at GC's holiday sale. Then I found a used one in excellent condition from a friend who wants a Walter Woods so I'll get that and return the new one.

I always take two basses on every gig and I usually take a spare amp too. I've been taking my iAmp350, now I'll take another LMII. Guess if I get really bored I can take my big Schroeder and big Epifani and have a head to drive each. Two 4 ohm cab "issue" solved