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Markbass Micromark 801 vs. PJB Double Four

JohnnyTog

JohnnyTog

Jan 24, 2015
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31
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#1
Hi everyone,
I am looking for a small bass amp. I already have one (Ampeg BA-108) but I really not like it at all. I did some searches but no one compared these two same price range and rms watt amps. For my final decision I need your help.
First of all I need good tone (not boxy etc) and less weight (It must be less than 9 or 10 kgs).
I had Roland Microcube Bass RX. I really loved it but after 3 weeks using one of the speakers blow off. I got some farting sound and I returned it.
So I stuck between these two little guys and In my experience from Micro Cube Bass RX is small drivers can't handle with the bass sound. Maybe can handle with one or two years but after all it seems they are going to damage because of the signal I don't know. The Micromark's 8" speaker is seems like more strong than 2x4" speakers what double four has. I am sure both have diffirent sounds and styles but my priorities are light weight and quality of tone. I don't need many many watts I just want to hear good tone.
I am very open diffirent ideas. You can advice another amp so I can search and look for.
By the way sorry my mistakes in writing because english is not my native language. Thanks for your ideas and advices.
 
#3
I had the original micromark with the 6" speaker,and was pretty amazed at what i could do with it. At one point i was using it with an ensemble including a full drum kit (albeit lightly played),3 vocalists,and electric guitar ,and it held it's own quite nicely. I would love to have a crack at the newer version with the 8" speaker! Markbass equipment is second to none,AFAIC. My main rig is a CMD121p combo with a 1-12 Traveller cab. Still very light,portable,and powerful.
 
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#4
The Double 4 has absolutely NOTHING to do with the Roland micro cube. I have both. The fact that both use smaller drivers is not a logical basis for comparison. A Ferrari can have the same diameter wheels as a Chevy, but....
 
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#5
Just keep in mind that although the PJB is very well built and beautifully finished, it won't produce lows like a half decent 112 or 110 cab that's a lot bigger. If you want convenience and quality, it's superb, but it won't produce much below about 80Hz other than through headphones. I use mine for travel, to jam with acoustic guitars. It's thinner than the 801 and fits easily in a carry on bag, leaving room for a tuner and a change of clothes. I only own the Roland for it's battery capability. The PJB will be louder, clearer and more robust. All that said, for tone/lows, my Genz Benz Shuttle 10 smokes them both in a heartbeat, but weighs 13 lbs and won't fit in a carry on. The GB Shuttle 8.0 is also amazing (and IMHE) much better than the PJB (and more$$) but no longer produced. Lastly, it seems PJB is coming out with smaller combos very soon, so there will likely be new and used deals afoot on the double 4......
 
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#6
Thanks for your ideas ! I also looked at GK stuff and I do very like MB150 sound but it's heavy for me. I know it's not very heavy but I don't have much space in my home and my back is killing me that's because I really hate my Ampeg BA108 too. I was very happy with my 6 kg Roland Microcube Bass RX until it get fart and I am sure double four and microcube has a lot diffirencies on quality and sound but I think I am little bit traditional about amps so I can't trust 4" speakers. I really hate hearing buzzing or farting from amp this is my main point. I am curios Can I have 70 RMS watt CLEAN sound from double bass without fart ? and same question for markbass micromark too ? And maybe my another question is silly for you but I don't want to pay junkie amps which are made in china. I want to know if markbass micromark 801 made in italy ? and phil jones double four is made in USA ? If one of them is made in china so I know which one I am going to buy. Thank you.
 
#9
FenderOli said:
Its all about physics. Probably get an dolly with your Ampeg. An "Aer Bass One" 10" can handle even a loud drummer.
Phil Jones Double Four is made in China - never tested one.
Click to expand...

Yes AER has a great bass amps IMO too and its still 13.5 kg, need more space. If I need a much powerful amp this is what I am looking for with Markbass CMD121 but for now I just need a small amp which has a great quality of tone. I really upset when I see the phil jones stuff is made in china, offcourse it doesn't mean that made in china is a bad quality but as the other TB'ers said I think I am having a made in china syndrome after all my experiences :)

MuthaFunk said:
The phil jones is made in China. It's top quality though. I think Markbass is made in indonesia these days.
Click to expand...

MuthaFunk I know you have a double four and I read all your examination about it. Would you tell me if you can have a clear sound at higher volumes ? Do you get fart-buzz ?
And I really like flat sound I think double four has a flat sound not punchy like Markbass stuff. There is no Phil Jones Amps where I live that's because I never tried them before.
And about Markbass they told me only Blackline series are made in Indonesia the other stuff is made in italy, probably I am wrong ?
 
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#11
JohnnyTog said:
...
MuthaFunk I know you have a double four and I read all your examination about it. Would you tell me if you can have a clear sound at higher volumes ? Do you get fart-buzz ?
And I really like flat sound I think double four has a flat sound not punchy like Markbass stuff. There is no Phil Jones Amps where I live that's because I never tried them before.
And about Markbass they told me only Blackline series are made in Indonesia the other stuff is made in italy, probably I am wrong ?
Click to expand...



It's not a loud amp. It can have a fairly full sound particularly with 4 strings. Yes, I can get it to fart - buzz. There are very few amps on the market that you can't get fart-buzz out of. It takes discression when selecting tone vs volume. If one needs more volume you can roll off the low end and boost the mids.

The D4 is a class D amp and it reacts to running out of headroom in a poor way much like many of the current class D type mini amps. I never heard the speakers bottom out though, only the amp running out of headroom and clipping distortion. It sounds really bad when it gets to that point. Up to there it's a very neutral ballanced sound IMO. You can boost the lows to make it sound quite full although as Lomo posted before, I suspect the low end begins to drop off just below 80 Hz so with 5 string basses you'll notice a slight tone difference when layin it low vs E strings up.

It's not a real loud amp but when used within it's limits it sounds really sweet. I get compliments from guitarists all the time. Usually a very suprised look when they hear it for the first time followed by, "What kind of amp is that? I've never seen or heard one before!" "Geez it's tiny!" "Sounds great!"
 
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#13
TN WOODMAN said:
True or false : only Blackline MB gear Indo made ? All other Italian?
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I saw couple of Markbass Micromark 801 and some of them (I think old ones) are MADE IN ITALY with big letters but the others (I think news) are "designed in itally assembled in Indonesia" with very small letters :) and their handles also different MADE IN ITALY has a plastic rotate handle but made in Indonesia has a rubber handle (I think its not good). Markbass web site says its 5,2 kg but some people say its 6,6 kg some people say its 7,2 kg :-/

So I can't go anywhere, one is made in Indonesia one is made in china the DI option is useful which markbass has, but uncolor tone of double for is plus too. Yesterday phil jones sent me a message about their own factory in china and it seems very reliable. I sent same message to markbass 2 weeks ago but they are not answer my question yet :-/
 
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#16
Steve Clark said:
I'm hoping to try out a double four tomorrow. Seems that it would be ideal for those music conferences with lots of hotel room showcases running.
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Hello Steve, if you tried the double four would you share your opinion ? I have read many good things about it but also some people report that it has a boxy sound. What do you think ?

4StringsEnough said:
Take a look at the Ibanez Promethean P3110. Great sound. Great portability. Great value for money.
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Thanks for advice. I have looked at the promethean too but it is very heavy. I have same weight amp and I am trying to sell it but it's not 300 watts as like yours. I don't need that kind of power at this moment.
 
#18
FenderOli said:
No Fan of it: But what is with those new Fender Rumbles? Should be very light weight... btw I'm an Ampeg guy.
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Yes thanks, I have checked them. Their weights are ridiculously less for dimensions but they are still big and I don't think their tone is as good as Micromark 801 or Phil Jones Double Four but they are cheaper.
 
#19
I've had an MB-801 few a few years (since they first came out in the US). I love it! I'm a 'simple player'... the less knobs & options- the better... so I 'rely' on quality equip. for quality tone. I use Fender P's... two knobs! I have used the 801 in church services along with elec guitar, ac. piano, elec. drums & 4 vocalists. Volume knob is around 1:00- works well for that. I have no experience with Phil Jones. I did have a GK 112 combo- def more volume- but not as 'portable'. I also have a MB CMD 121P- when I need it!

Never played thru Eden amps- but I am interested- heres a 110 combo: Invalid Link Removed
 
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#20
staurosjohn said:
I've had an MB-801 few a few years (since they first came out in the US). I love it! I'm a 'simple player'... the less knobs & options- the better... so I 'rely' on quality equip. for quality tone. I use Fender P's... two knobs! I have used the 801 in church services along with elec guitar, ac. piano, elec. drums & 4 vocalists. Volume knob is around 1:00- works well for that. I have no experience with Phil Jones. I did have a GK 112 combo- def more volume- but not as 'portable'. I also have a MB CMD 121P- when I need it!

Never played thru Eden amps- but I am interested- heres a 110 combo: Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...

I am simple player too :) and I like less knobs as like you. Most important factors are for me weight, dimension and Tone !!! I mentioned before I read a lot of good reviews about PJB Double Four but some people don't like its sound (they said that it is boxy) but I have never read any bad comment about Micromark 801, so after my Roland Microcube Bass RX experience I probably buy Micromark. If I need to for gigging I am willing to buy MB CMD 121P, I have checked GK Combos but except Gallien Krueger MB150, I didn't like it. Their sound kind of weird to me (maybe because of digital amp) :-/ btw it's little bit irrelevant but Fusion 550 is my dream :woot:
 
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