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Markbass mini pedals

SirMjac28

SirMjac28

Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion
Aug 25, 2010
15,583
13,427
The Great Midwest
#1
Anyone know anything about these Mark Bass mini pedals I wonder when they will be available for sale? I can't seem to find any additional info?

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#5
Markbass doesn't feel especially compelled to bring out all the products they show the public ;) I think they send the flag up the pole to see who salutes it before they commit to it. That's cool...they're under no obligation to bring out all their products they show at NAMM, and it beats releasing stuff that ultimately sucks.
 
#6
That makes sense Jimmy but the only knock on their pedals has been the footprint I still miss my booster and when I saw these I was really excited and to mix those pedals in with ones you have is production is torture :)
 
#7
I think it's important to understand that when it comes to Markbass you have an unusual set up in the US. On one hand you have an independant Italinan manufacturer (Markbass) which has an exclusive distribution contract in the US with Guitar Center, Music123 and Musicians Friend (same company). On the other hand you have a very large retailer which moves slow. This exclusive representation contract is why you don't see Markbass in dependendant retail shops. So it's not because Markbass comes out with a new product that GC will represent it. In fact they do a pretty average job at getting to market MB new products. They do come out but very late. The new Tube Marker pedal was announced many months ago and I have yet to see it in a GC.

Meanwhile while reviewing the floor of the average GC, half the floor is Markbass and 15 to 20% is Accoustic. GC controls both brands which must put a tremendous pressure on other manufacturers. Ampeg is still represented but not as much as they should.

Markbass has enjoyed and explosive growth. They've been the leader in many bass amplification breakthrough (cabs with Neo speakers, class D amps..) meanwhile they've also diversified (guitar amps, electronic drums...).

You would think that since MB is GC exclusive brand they would do an amazing job representing them but it has gone the opposite way. Since they don't have any competition they tend to take a pretty laid back approach to bringing in their new products.
 
#8
Thanks that's some great info Guitar Center is a joke the bass selection is pitiful they even stopped price matching on a large number of items I wish I lived in a larger city so I could actually try some high end gear and boutique pedals.
 
#9
Just fishing to see if anyone's heard any new info on these mini's like price/actual release date. I'm thinking that booster looks pretty perfect for my needs as well. I just recently saw their existing booster at GC and was pretty shocked at big it is...
 
#10
No word the pedals are on the website I can see taking the pedals to NAMM but don't put them on your website if the pedals aren't ready for market it's taken them years to realize no one wants those giant pedals I had a super booster loved it but the footprint is big enough for two pedals and I sold it. I also don't understand Ashdown and their giant pedals nobody is begging to have those stupid VU meters !
 
#19
Yeah Bass Direct is a nice suggest !! well, if you mean this bassdirect in the UK: http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Home.html

I had some discussion about Markbass with BD's boss on FB, fast reply, he can answer you quickly I guess ;)


edit: indeed, they got it !!!! I don't know why I didn't thought of that shop before, cos' it's THAT shop I asked for a Markbass Octaver ... I'm weird sometimes lol -->Invalid Link Removed
 
#20
I tried the Markbass Mini distortion pedal today. It sounds like your run of the mill tube screamer. Nothing special, which is disappointing since there are a good dozen pedal sounding pretty much the same. It's best attribute is its size but don't count on hearing something new and different.

It sounds like a Fulltone Bass-Drive, Homebrew Electronics Hematoma, Xotic BB preamp, Badder Monkey, Polish Love, Pigtronix Fat Drive....

I noted that the 9 volt plug is a little too deep on this pedal. You need an adapter with a long male plug otherwise the pedal does not power up. The highs and bass tone controls are labeled as tone and tone. High in on the left and bass is right. Why not label correctly?
It's no big deal but it's kind of strange. The construction of the pedal is very good, it's made of thick metal and it's made to step on despite the small size.

Markbass has put out many innovative if not ground breaking products. Their large footprint pedals have generally been interesting. Their Compressore for example is a superb tone machine. It seems that the only innovation here is the small size. There are hundreds of pedals coming to market but it seems manufacturers have been busy trying to compete for market share with Boss and MXR rather than coming out with innovative products and new circuit designs.
 

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