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Markbass Micromark 801 vs. PJB Double Four
- Thread starter JohnnyTog
- Start date
I saw MB Players School Combo at local music store it's very big and it's heavy (almost 16 kg). I was thinking for buying it because it has good equipment and with Little Mark 250 head and a good cab it's very affordable but it's 150 watts at 8 ohms and 250 watts at 4 ohms so it can be a really great heavy big practise amp but it's not quite enough for gigging. If I am going to buy an amp for gigging my priority would be MB CMD121P. I know it's little bit pricy but it's 300 watts at 8 ohms and 500 watts at 4 ohms and 13.3 kg !!! . I think it's enough for gigging almost by itself. Same way I was thinking to buy PJB Briefcase, everything is good but it's 100 watts and 13 kg and it's same price with MB CMD121P so it doesn't seem logical and I changed my mind and found these two (Double Four and Micromark) for practising with good tone.
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Hello, I made my choice and I bought a Micromark 801, it's very good practise amp. The sound is good and I think it's just great for jazz players. I don't have any chance for trying both. When I tried Gallien Krueger MB150. I told myself "This amp is awesome" but I never felt like that with any amp. But MB150 is very expensive in europe and it's 11 kg so it's not fit with my needs. So In videos PJB has great tone too... But markbass' design seemed great to my eyes... btw it's designed in italy assembled in indonasia... And if anyone have assembled in indonasia micromark 801 please tell is it really 5,2 kg ? I had roland microcube bass rx and its 6,4 kg but It doesn't heavy as micromark 801 Did I miss something ?
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I've owned a PJB Bass Cub BG100 and currently own a Markbass Micromark 801. Both are well built and lighweight little beauties.
The Cub is pretty flat/uncolored compared to the 801. Also, i found it was easier to force the the Cub into breakup/clipping even though it supposed to be 100W vs the 50W 801. The 801 seemed to hold it's own better.
The Cub is pretty flat/uncolored compared to the 801. Also, i found it was easier to force the the Cub into breakup/clipping even though it supposed to be 100W vs the 50W 801. The 801 seemed to hold it's own better.
I have a Micromark 801 and I've been totally impressed with it. It more than holds its own at rehearsals (acoustic guitar, vocals, drum track thru a PA) and it weighs 11lbs. Tiny footprint, rear-ported cab, mp3-in, headphone-in, extension cab output, line-out, ground lift, nearly silent cooling fan, and a dead-simple master volume and VPF filter knob for tone shaping. It's also shockingly loud, especially for its size. I love mine, FWIW. Mine was Made in Italy, but I believe that newer ones are made in Indonesia.
The Phil Jones also has alot of fans here, but I've never used one.
The Phil Jones also has alot of fans here, but I've never used one.
I like mine too
mine is Made in Indonesia but the sound is good but I never heard or compared with an Italian made.I really curious about PJB Double Four's sound. I watched couple of videos on youtube and search it in some forums and everyone happy with micromark 801 but some people don't happy with their PJB Double Four. So I bough Micromark 801 and I am happy with it. It has special tone ! The most important factors are for me weight and a good sound (not boxy). I believe I did right choice and by the way some people report that PJB Double Four has a boxy sound but I am still curious for its uncolored/flat sound I really like flat sound. I was thinking buying a PJB Double Four similar like you but you know I don't think it will be a logical move because both are practice amps and have a two practice amp it's kind of silly but If you have enough money why not ?
)I wasn't looking to buy the Phil Jones amp, I was saying that I didn't have any experience comparing it to the Micromark. I was lucky and scored my 801 for $150 off, because GC was runnjng a sale on them. I'm still blown away at the sound this little combo puts out. And the VPF filter allows for a very wide range of tones, from the traditional MarkBass transparent, to full, rich thump. The controls are simple, just like my P bass!I like mine too
I really curious about PJB Double Four's sound. I watched couple of videos on youtube and search it in some forums and everyone happy with micromark 801 but some people don't happy with their PJB Double Four. So I bough Micromark 801 and I am happy with it. It has special tone ! The most important factors are for me weight and a good sound (not boxy). I believe I did right choice and by the way some people report that PJB Double Four has a boxy sound but I am still curious for its uncolored/flat sound I really like flat sound. I was thinking buying a PJB Double Four similar like you but you know I don't think it will be a logical move because both are practice amps and have a two practice amp it's kind of silly but If you have enough money why not ?
As far as where it's made, I don't think it makes a difference. MarkBass puts out a quality product, imo. I also used to own a 121P combo, and I shouldn't have gotten rid of it!
Yes, where I live I didn't have chance to try both. I just give it a shoot and I believe did the right choice. Anyway I am sure If I bought Phil Jones my mind stays at that yellow beatuy
Maybe it's for another topic but I'll ask; I have vox amplug bass for headphone but It sounds little bit bad but good for it's price. I though maybe I can but Phil Jones Headphone amp bighead what do you think will the tone same or near as phil jones other amps ?
Hi Johnny!
Thanks for your post, i'm in the same story right now - owing the BA 108 and looking for the new small home practice amp. Could you please share your impressions of MB 801 over your ex BA108, is it really worth to spend so much and change one 8 inch amp to another 8 inch? Also, how the B string sounds on you MB 801 if you have tried 5 stringer with it?
Thanks a lot for your reply.
Cheers.
Thanks for your post, i'm in the same story right now - owing the BA 108 and looking for the new small home practice amp. Could you please share your impressions of MB 801 over your ex BA108, is it really worth to spend so much and change one 8 inch amp to another 8 inch? Also, how the B string sounds on you MB 801 if you have tried 5 stringer with it?
Thanks a lot for your reply.
Cheers.
Hi Ruswissbass,
Good to see that post is going to help someone else too !
I had couple of reasons for buying Micromark 801.
First its size and weight because, I haven't got place for any amp specially if its big and that's because everytime I play bass I had to carry around my flat BA-108 and my back was killing me.
Second was the tone ! Don't get me wrong I am full time worker and I really have little time for hobbies and myself. So why should I stick with the BA-108 which I do not like the tone. I like the Ampeg's tone but BA-108 has little bit boxy sound and I really hate Boxy Sound !
And offcourse neighbours ! I can't buy an amp like 300 watts because even at 1 or 2 level there is going to be 50 watt sounds and neighbours don't like that undoubtly.
And Markbass' good advertisement and that yellow speaker cone
I have two disapointments about markbass and that is about where it is made. It is designed in Italy and manufacturated in Indonesia and it is advertised weight is 5,2 kg but I am sure it's not less than 7 kg. because I had Roland Microcube Bass RX which is 6.8 kg. and it wasn't heavier than Micromark :-/ I am sure.
But pluses; micromark has no boxy sound even when its stay on a chair the sound is great if you put it a solid wall or corner is going to be much much better. And simplicity, uniq tone. I think Markbass has a very special tone and I don't think everybody likes it. And even 7 kg is not much that kind of amp.
I suggest that if you don't have sound problem between you and neightbours you can try Genzbenz Shuttle 3.0-8T or if you like to buy markbass you can try Markbass 121P, 13kg double the price but the watt is 10 times bigger than Micromark
good investment for future gigs or you may want to check that eden amps like this Invalid Link Removed or Invalid Link Removed , or if you want to save some money and get little combo you may want to look eden ec8 "5kg" (but I found some bad reviews about it).The reason that I didn't buy phil jones is honestly I couldn't trust their products and I am sure If I bought Phil Jones Double Four, my mind always curious about Micromark (that yellow speaker) so I bought Micromark. I know a lot of forum members that loves phil jones products but I said before I found some bad reviews about phil jones double four but I never found bad reviews about Micromark 801.
Personally, If I have enough place and no volume issues, I go for Genzbenz Shuttle 3.0-8T or Gallien Krueger MB150 (some of them report that micromark has much better sound than GK MB150)
I hope it helps and sorry for language mistakes :-/
Thanks for reply mate, don`t be sorry, English is not my native too, I live in German speaking part of Europe This is the main reason, by the way, why I can not buy a Genz Benz. I simply can not find them on sales here at all.
Glad, that you are hooked by those yellow cone and it`s tone, but please say honestly, do you think the Micromark 801 is so much better than your old Ampeg BA 108? keeping in mind the price difference 3 or even 4 times?
I`m also a hobby player, with full time employment in normal life, but I feel now that after 2 years of using of Ampeg 108 i`m not satisfied with its sound anymore, and for the moment I want to choose between four amps: Micromark 801, GK MB 110, Phil Jones bass cub BG 100 or Double Four. And I`m going to pick one of it in internet shop w/out trying, and really afraid of the wrong choice.
I`ve read in some reviews, that the cooling fun in Micromark 801 is a bit noisy, when you play at low volumes, do you feel the same?
Thanks!
This is the main reason, by the way, why I can not buy a Genz Benz. I simply can not find them on sales here at all.Glad, that you are hooked by those yellow cone and it`s tone, but please say honestly, do you think the Micromark 801 is so much better than your old Ampeg BA 108? keeping in mind the price difference 3 or even 4 times?
I`m also a hobby player, with full time employment in normal life, but I feel now that after 2 years of using of Ampeg 108 i`m not satisfied with its sound anymore, and for the moment I want to choose between four amps: Micromark 801, GK MB 110, Phil Jones bass cub BG 100 or Double Four. And I`m going to pick one of it in internet shop w/out trying, and really afraid of the wrong choice.
I`ve read in some reviews, that the cooling fun in Micromark 801 is a bit noisy, when you play at low volumes, do you feel the same?
Thanks!
I have not tried a Micromark 801 but I do own an original Minimark that I have used on many gigs and for rehearsals with several bands. It has been outstanding in all situations (that are reasonable given it's 150 watts). JFYI.
Thanks for reply mate, don`t be sorry, English is not my native too, I live in German speaking part of Europe
Glad, that you are hooked by those yellow cone and it`s tone, but please say honestly, do you think the Micromark 801 is so much better than your old Ampeg BA 108? keeping in mind the price difference 3 or even 4 times?
I`m also a hobby player, with full time employment in normal life, but I feel now that after 2 years of using of Ampeg 108 i`m not satisfied with its sound anymore, and for the moment I want to choose between four amps: Micromark 801, GK MB 110, Phil Jones bass cub BG 100 or Double Four. And I`m going to pick one of it in internet shop w/out trying, and really afraid of the wrong choice.
I`ve read in some reviews, that the cooling fun in Micromark 801 is a bit noisy, when you play at low volumes, do you feel the same?
Thanks!
Yes, I have checked markets and I couldn't find Genz Benz eighter and I thought that people are very happy with their Shuttle so no body wants to sell it. You know honestly, I am not a professional musician but I can tell you that amp(part) is much much better, driver is much much better but the tone generally not 3 or 4 times better. But there is but ! and there are some tricks about amps. If you put ampeg ba-108 on the ground and boost the bass you have very nice sound and you wouldn't think the markbass is much much better than ba-108 but If you put the ba-108 on a chair and flat all setups and then you can undestand that markbass has much much better tone than ba-108, ba-108's sound is (I am not sure is it the correct definition) wider, the sound is spreading up but micromark's sound is not spreading up it's more stable (whcih I liked) I think this is from the driver quality. And I can hear my stingray's tone from micromark but I couldn't get the tone from ba-108 that's a great diffirence ! We are checking the same amps I have checked tha MB-110 too (you can check it here too: ) honestly sound seems boxy to me. Phil Jones Bass Cub is very expensive and read some bad reviews (but I really like the tone when I watched from youtube).
Some people say; Micromark has 8" driver and so don't expect too much. The noise is not a problem even at low volumes. It was a problem for first micromark version not for this one. Take care !
I know this is a dead thread but seeing I own both amps in question, I thought I would weigh in. I have gigged with both of these amps. Both sound great. While I wish I could use the D4 as my main amp, it is too easy to drive the amp into ugly distortion. I suspect that the reason it suffers from this is the pre amp is digital and not analog like the 801. Weight is big issue for me as we often have to walk far carrying everything for the gig, so having an extra 7 lbs is no small matter. For home, the D4 is awesome. Also the 801 is just louder then the D4
Thought I’d chime in, as I just bought both amps and very quickly decided to return the 801.
The PJB Double 4 has a much more balanced, fuller tone across the spectrum. Excellent treble and a big bottom for such a small unit. The MarkBass is strong in the mids and has a stronger attack, but overall sounded more tinny and boxy. For me, plugging in via aux and jamming to tunes is part of my practice routine, and in that there was absolutely no comparison. The D4 is pretty amazing and worth the difference in price, 100%.
Where the D4 sounds like a mini amp, the MB sounds like a cheap practice amp. Maybe I got a dud, who knows.
Demo gear: Bongo 4HH across all EQ and pup blends, aux in from my MacBook Pro.
The PJB Double 4 has a much more balanced, fuller tone across the spectrum. Excellent treble and a big bottom for such a small unit. The MarkBass is strong in the mids and has a stronger attack, but overall sounded more tinny and boxy. For me, plugging in via aux and jamming to tunes is part of my practice routine, and in that there was absolutely no comparison. The D4 is pretty amazing and worth the difference in price, 100%.
Where the D4 sounds like a mini amp, the MB sounds like a cheap practice amp. Maybe I got a dud, who knows.
Demo gear: Bongo 4HH across all EQ and pup blends, aux in from my MacBook Pro.
I own the GK MB110 and it's anything but boxy. It's actually very full sounding and loud.
I've played the Micromark 801 and it is very good, doesn't fart out even at full volume and is quite portable.
I've also played de Double Four and think it's a great shelf or desktop amp, it's not something I would play with anything more than acoustic instruments at moderate volume. It sounds good for its size but as portable as it is I wouldn't take it out of the house.
You could also take a look at the Rumble 40, which sounds very full and is very light.
I bought and returned the PJB D4. The MB 801 is far louder and I use one in a duo with a acoustic Piano, works fine, even with a 5 string.
I liked the 801 so much, I bought another so I could leave one at my weekly duo residency and have one at home. I have other much louder and bigger gear, but that’s not going to work in my front room at home, and the 801 is plenty for the duo gig. I’ve never heard the fans of either of the 801s, so if you have a noisy one, something is wrong. Ideally I’d like a 10” combo but it would need to be ultra lightweight, like the GR Bass 350 10” combo except made with carbon fibre instead of wood.
BTW Amazon sell a cool bag for about £20 that’s perfect for the 801.
I liked the 801 so much, I bought another so I could leave one at my weekly duo residency and have one at home. I have other much louder and bigger gear, but that’s not going to work in my front room at home, and the 801 is plenty for the duo gig. I’ve never heard the fans of either of the 801s, so if you have a noisy one, something is wrong. Ideally I’d like a 10” combo but it would need to be ultra lightweight, like the GR Bass 350 10” combo except made with carbon fibre instead of wood.
BTW Amazon sell a cool bag for about £20 that’s perfect for the 801.
