As I've said so many times in the past, I always ask the loyal TBer's before I buy any equipment. So tonight I have multiple more opinions to ask for.. Should I splurge on a Markbass SD800 or a Mesa Boogie Big Block 750. I would also love to hear some pros and cons of each of the amps if anyone has experience with these.. Thanks so much!!!
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MarkBass or Mesa Boogie?
- Thread starter jackall237
- Start date
Rick Auricchio
Registered Bass Offender
quite different on tone, but my understanding of them is that they are both pretty versatile. Which versatility is something I'm looking for this go around..
Markbass all the way. Never cared for the Mesa stuff as much most people, but whatever floats your boat 
For me though, MB's light weight and versatility make them big winners.
For me though, MB's light weight and versatility make them big winners.
Starting to get into a smooth butter tone, with a little edge. That's honestly the best description I can think of. It's like alternative, slop/pop, with a touch of brit rock stylings. weird I know, hence the versatility being a must..
Mesa is a edgy/growly tone, the only mark bass gear I have played was all solid state. Both nice amps, very different tone. I personally LOVE MESA!
I love both of these brands, but would not suggest either of those heads for the tone goal you describe above. The BB750 is very mid present, and is really voiced to grind and growl. At the other extreme, the SD800 is the most 'hi fi' of the Markbass heads, and is all about deep, deep lows but not much warmth or, quite frankly, punch.
The new Mesa M6 that many of us have been raving about is, what I describe as the Mesa for those who don't particularly care for Mesa. While it has a tube in the pre for 'warmth and fatness', it is much more solid state quick, and has quite a big of upper mid growl, which I associate with the Brit rock stylings you mention above. It has MASSIVE headroom at 4ohms, and is priced pretty reasonable.
On the Markbass end, the LMII, while not putting out the wump of the M6, is warm, tight, and very loud for a 5 pound amp.
It would be the M6 all the way for the tone you describe.
IMO and IME.
K
I have the BB 750, and love it. I've only played through a Mark Bass head once, and didn't really care for it. My opinion though.
I own a Fathom (M6) and a Titan (kinda like the 750, but bigger
). Given your description of what you're after, I agree that the M6 is much more what you're looking for.
I'm sure the MB stuff is great for a lot of stuff, but I haven't spent the time trying them out since I went with Mesa.
). Given your description of what you're after, I agree that the M6 is much more what you're looking for.I'm sure the MB stuff is great for a lot of stuff, but I haven't spent the time trying them out since I went with Mesa.
Markbass all the way. Never cared for the Mesa stuff as much most people, but whatever floats your boat
For me though, MB's light weight and versatility make them big winners.
This threads subject points out that the Markbass guys need to somehow find their own abbreviation and stop using Mesa's. MB has been commonly used to abbreviate Mesa Boogie on this forum for serveral years before Markbass products became so popular...
I prefer the MB, but the MB's pretty good, too.
I don't see what's the least bit confusing about that.
I don't see what's the least bit confusing about that.
i've tried some of the markbass stuff- i'm not saying it isn't great because I know that it does a good job of hitting a certain kind of tone, but I greatly prefer Mesa gear. I really like a nice rock tone, and I find that the mesas can do that and more, whereas the MarkBass was deep and smooth. I dunno, it's a matter of taste.
