Markbass nightmare

[Parrotlover]

Last February I purchased on eBay a Markbass Little Marcus 800 for $550. I thought I got a decent deal because the unit's relatively new, manufactured in 05/2018.

It's had very little use, as it's just a back up & I've sporadically noodled with it. A month ago it came up with an intermittent shut down problem. The LED lights stay on, but no sound. I'm aware of the fact that Markbass has a two year transferrable warranty, &he authorized warranty repair center in Arcadia, CA did their best to get me an RA. Ultimately I have to provide documentation it was purchased through an "authorized dealer". I was surprised to learn of Guitar Center/Musician's friend's exclusive contract. The bottom line is that it's incongruous that the unit could have been released into the world by any other means. I'm certain he serial number is traceable, all that takes is cooperation from a corporate executive overseeing both GC & MF (good luck Charlie, I have no idea who to call & possibly sue in small claims court). Yes buying used is risky, but knowing how new the amp is gave me a sense of false security.

Out of shear frustration I just ordered a Mesa Boogie WD-800 hybrid. It has a 5 year warranty, & a customer service department in the US that you can call. & they will respond with a sense of accountability. Now I'm kicking myself in the butt for not doing more research. Never again will I have anything to do with Markbass, Musician's Friend or Guitar Center.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

This is a very good reason for buying new.
Can't you just pay for the repair?

 

[charlie monroe]

it's incongruous that the unit could have been released into the world by any other means.

This isn't true. It may have been sold in Canada.

 

[agedhorse]

Do you have a copy of the original sales receipt? Most transferable warranties require this, or the transfer of ownership/registration by the original purchaser or something along these lines (each company is different, in the case of both companies I was involved with, if there is no receipt available, the warranty period started at the date of manufacture, or date of final QC).
Also, most companies only honor warranties if the product was originally sold in the region (country or in the case of economic regions like the EU) that warranty service is requested. That's because of the various international laws that govern who is responsible for the costs of supplying the warranty service. In some cases, it's not the manufacturer but by law the importer of record. Yes, it can be "stupid-confusing".

 

[Parrotlover]

This is a very good reason for buying new.
Can't you just pay for the repair?

Maybe I can pay for the repair, but on this site it has been noted that MB repairs are getting pricey.

For me now it's a matter of trust in the product & CS accountant. Outside of Italy, there is no corporate office in the US to address my concerns.. It broke down at the half point of its warranty period. I could spend $300 fixing it, then it can break down again.

Ironically, since changing my brand of strings, & practicing where I can crank up the volume, my estimation of this amp's tonality has elevated.

 

[Parrotlover]

Do you have a copy of the original sales receipt? Most transferable warranties require this, or the transfer of ownership/registration by the original purchaser or something along these lines (each company is different, in the case of both companies I was involved with, if there is no receipt available, the warranty period started at the date of manufacture, or date of final QC).
Also, most companies only honor warranties if the product was originally sold in the region (country or in the case of economic regions like the EU) that warranty service is requested. That's because of the various international laws that govern who is responsible for the costs of supplying the warranty service. In some cases, it's not the manufacturer but by law the importer of record. Yes, it can be "stupid-confusing".

I got it from a pawn shop in Texas, so I strongly suspect that was purchased from a local Texas GC, or ordered by mail & sent to Texas.

My point is that if Markbass had a corporate office in the states like Mesa Boogie, & if they had Mesa Boogie 's integrity, the serial number could be traced, & date of manufacture would weigh in heavily in terms of their decision to fix it.

Let's face it, I've been hosed

 

[BogeyBass]

technically on paper some of the older marc bass designs were actually pretty nice. And even though i like talking poop about switch mode power supplies. the Markbass designs werent too bad. And did nice job of tossing in some extra filters and regulators to clean things up.

In reality lol. I hate the dam things. And have quite literally overheated and put every single one ive ever touched into fault mode. i mean every single freaking time.

Sure sure assume its just me i really dont care. many do fine with them. under absolutely normal conditions they freaking suck.

I finally had wonderful chance to repair one of these turds. and pretty much not a huge surprise the heatsinks were pretty darn small. non of my regular amps ever go in fault mode. including 2 ohm operation. So im not dumb every dam one at 4ohms. shut down easily

This unit had bad power supply, and id have to say. Dirt simple to fix. Any good tech should be able to fix one. specially if a moron like me can fix one. Most the time was getting the usual board goop the heck outta my way actually. but this is pretty normal stuff for amps to survive.

anyways how this helps your situation....i have no clue.
aside from never ever wanting to discredited a wonderful company LOL
Mark Bass sucks...the end

or even if your amp did work, its a matter of time before it didnt anyways.

beautiful on paper...poo poo in real world

 

[Pilgrim]

Seems like paying even for a pricey repair would cost a lot less than a new amp.

 

[Parrotlover]

This isn't true. It may have been sold in Canada.

I really doubt Canada, but if it were, the serial number would be traceable.

At any rate, an international company marketing a product that breaks down quickly, then used international commerce laws as an excuse not to fix it is toxic in my estimation. There IS no specific US Markbass corporate office to address my concerns with. Do you think a CS rep at sn (866) MF or. GC in Utah will help me? Yesterday I called Mesa Boogie & talked to a reL human being who answered all my questions.

The point of this thread is "buyer beware'

 

[Parrotlover]

Seems like paying even for a pricey repair would cost a lot less than a new amp.

That's exactly why I sent away for the WD800 even though I can barely afford it.

 

[Parrotlover]

technically on paper some of the older marc bass designs were actually pretty nice. And even though i like talking poop about switch mode power supplies. the Markbass designs werent too bad. And did nice job of tossing in some extra filters and regulators to clean things up.

In reality lol. I hate the dam things. And have quite literally overheated and put every single one ive ever touched into fault mode. i mean every single freaking time.

Sure sure assume its just me i really dont care. many do fine with them. under absolutely normal conditions they freaking suck.

I finally had wonderful chance to repair one of these turds. and pretty much not a huge surprise the heatsinks were pretty darn small. non of my regular amps ever go in fault mode. including 2 ohm operation. So im not dumb every dam one at 4ohms. shut down easily

This unit had bad power supply, and id have to say. Dirt simple to fix. Any good tech should be able to fix one. specially if a moron like me can fix one. Most the time was getting the usual board goop the heck outta my way actually. but this is pretty normal stuff for amps to survive.

anyways how this helps your situation....i have no clue.
aside from never ever wanting to discredited a wonderful company LOL
Mark Bass sucks...the end

or even if your amp did work, its a matter of time before it didnt anyways.

beautiful on paper...poo poo in real world

Surprising. I just played it for 30 minutes strIght doing Seinfeld licks I just learned. The whole problem started when I bought a 4 ohm Euphonic Audio Wizzy 12 M-line cabinet. (Great cabinet.) But the 4 ohm thing might be an issue. The weather had been hot up until recently too & the amp shut down frequently after 30-60 seconds or so.

My other cabs are a MB 122Ninja Richard Bona Signature & a Euphonic Audio CXL 110. Those are 8 ohms & maybe I should get them out of the garage & see if the amp shuts down. Incidentally 3 cabs are overkill, but I had planned on using them for PA & bass amplification. Gary @ Mesa Boogie assured me that the 800 series amps will do 2 ohms w/o breaking a sweat. All 3 cabs together, the summed sensitivity is about 107.5 db.

Sonically this little Marcus 800 amp is a bit of a departure from the muddled, mid-rangy, weak low end, MB amps of the past. Using pristine strings it's very open & has enough low mids to veil the fact the strings are brand new.

That said, your confirming a history of unreliable design flaws that shoulda, coulda, been rectified but weren't, only reinforces my understanding that I was an IDIOT not doing more research.

 

[BogeyBass]

That said, your confirming a history of unreliable design flaws that shoulda, could, be rectified but weren't, only reinforces my understanding that I was an IDIOT not doing more research.

I would not say idiot. because if the research was asking or taking a average survey on a bass forum. there is plenty of guys on here to tell you they love the model have no problems.

probably accuse me of being a troll turd lol.
i dont know the history or models in great detail. I repaired a little Mark II which was a mosfet class A/B. pretty decent design except a/b is making alot more heat. and even with a fan things just looked dinky to me. Class D design alot less heat. youd definitely get away with such small heatsinks with a switching amplifier.

if yours is D class i have never seen the guts of one. but from many backlines, friends houses or jam nights. i will say ive definately shut down every single mark bass ive touched. my duty cycle is probably alot higher than most. so many would never shut one down.

if your fiddle farting around the house at med to low levels and its shutting down. then its a concern. likewise new info to the story if a new cab is causing problems. many would jump the cab is a problem. id say most likely not. but the impedance is higher and likewise some...some crossover design could be fine with some amps. others it will peeve them off. likewise if a manufacture has set the detection levels on the class D drivers to be a little sensitive. some cabs could probably false trigger fault protection. but the thing is the crossover is still causing problems regardless. but with good intention depending how quickly a amp is designed to detect this. just means shut down.

all speculation. all guessing. only thing i do know. and unfortunately a very negative biased opinion i would never buy or use a makbass. plenty to say likewise. i dont care. last casino job i had i told the promoter/ stage manager look im a nice guy . if that mark bass shuts down on me one more time. i will put my foot through it lol. keep in mind casino jobs are pitiful low level and will most likely never do that again either

 

[charlie monroe]

casino jobs are pitiful low level

Casino jobs are cream. Sounds like your beef should be with your booking agent.

 

[BogeyBass]

Casino jobs are cream. Sounds like your beef should be with your booking agent.

Its sorta the booking agent lol. Ive done anything from jazz to blues to top 40 rock to metal or doom.

Far as being on bass, id rather do cover music / casino jobs on drums. i enjoy that more. On bass im more interested in post rock or doom.
Meaning ill just get bored if it aint loud enough. Girl i go through to find local jobs just never seems to find drum jobs, always bass or keyboards

 

[Parrotlover]

Its sorta the booking agent lol. Ive done anything from jazz to blues to top 40 rock to metal or doom.

Far as being on bass, id rather do cover music / casino jobs on drums. i enjoy that more. On bass im more interested in post rock or doom.
Meaning ill just get bored if it aint loud enough. Girl i go through to find local jobs just never seems to find drum jobs, always bass or keyboards

Idiot for not researching Mesa Boogie as an option. They have a 5 year warranty & US corporate headquarters. You're not a troll speaking the obvious.

BTW, my Wizzy 12 has no Crossover because it is a Whizzer cone & is sensational. My MB 122 Ninja is better, but it's going to have to be sold to help pay for that WD800. (I'm cleaned out) Going small & modular with those EA cabs is what I'll do anyway

 

[BobKos]

If it's any consolation, when you get your WD800 you will smile and know you made the right decision. Kick. Ass. Amp.

 

[agedhorse]

If just that one cabinet shuts the amp down, it's quite possible that the cabinet itself may be the cause. If there are significant areas of sub-nominal impedance (either due to a quirky design or possibly damage to the driver(s)), it's likely that the amp is shutting down to protect itself rather than becoming damaged. I would strongly encourage you to test the amp on a different 4 ohm cabinet to see if all is ok. I see this enough that I mention is as a possible or even likely cause.

 

[agedhorse]

My other cabs are a MB 122Ninja Richard Bona Signature & a Euphonic Audio CXL 110. Those are 8 ohms & maybe I should get them out of the garage & see if the amp shuts down. Incidentally 3 cabs are overkill, but I had planned on using them for PA & bass amplification. Gary @ Mesa Boogie assured me that the 800 series amps will do 2 ohms w/o breaking a sweat. All 3 cabs together, the summed sensitivity is about 107.5 db.

Garey is correct, 2 ohm operation is no problem for the Subway amp but be sure you set the impedance switch on the back to 2 ohms.

You might want to check your math on the sensitivity calculation. You are beyond the theoretical average 1W/1M average sensitvity capability here. I think you will find that the results (using 50Hz - 1kHz bandwidth) will be a lot closer to 103dB (which is quite healthy) and this is for identical cabinets.

 

[Matty Koff]

I would contact the seller and see if he was the original owner and can provide the original receipt.. if it was an internet order it wouldn't be that hard to find.

 

[Parrotlover]

I would contact the seller and see if he was the original owner and can provide the original receipt.. if it was an internet order it wouldn't be that hard to find.

The seller was a Texas Pawn shop. Very unlikely.