I’m looking for a tube type of tone and feel. I know a hybrid isn’t going to sound or feel exactly like a tube head, but some do better than others. I found a used Markbass TTE 801 for a good price $600. Any thought on this head, or wait until I have a few more dollars and get a Mesa Boogie TT-800
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Markbass or not
- Thread starter woody357
- Start date
I love my Markbass amps/cabs,but can only get a tube sound by preamping them with my VT pedal.
It’s a great sounding combination.
It’s a great sounding combination.
No,sorry. I have the little mark 800 tube head,which only uses a 12ax7 preamp tube…..
Markbass is hardly known for a lot of tube character (whatever that means to you!), even in the tube hybrids. I would pick whatever pedal I like, and rely on that, to make ANY Markbass amp sound (sort of) like a tube amp.
That said, when gigging, my VT Bass (or EBS MultiDrive) into a Markbass LMII or Ninja 1000 sound about 20% like an SVT and 80% like a pedal into a SS amp...
That said, when gigging, my VT Bass (or EBS MultiDrive) into a Markbass LMII or Ninja 1000 sound about 20% like an SVT and 80% like a pedal into a SS amp...
Markbass amps sound first and foremost like Markbass amps.
IMO, the best word to describe them is 'direct'. The EQ section feels like it's made to shape your bass sound for the room, not give the whole thing a totally different character. In this regard, they are quite simple. Start at noon and adjust in really small increments until it's neither boomy nor honky nor clangy.
They will take what you put in and make it loud. Quite dry and quite sober - with all the advantages and disadvantages that brings.
I'd place them on the polar opposite of the characteristics of a tube amp, though.
IMO, the best word to describe them is 'direct'. The EQ section feels like it's made to shape your bass sound for the room, not give the whole thing a totally different character. In this regard, they are quite simple. Start at noon and adjust in really small increments until it's neither boomy nor honky nor clangy.
They will take what you put in and make it loud. Quite dry and quite sober - with all the advantages and disadvantages that brings.
I'd place them on the polar opposite of the characteristics of a tube amp, though.
I like my LittleMarkIII lots but were I to do it again I'd conform around a Subway D-800plus (and Subway cabs). Trust your instinct... if you've got the Mesa Boogie gas you won't be satisfied with anything else.
I had two Markbass amps - the non tube LM800 I still regret getting rid of - and they didn’t sound tubelike. In fact, the only non-tube amp I ever heard that sounded in any way like a tube amp was, of all things, a Chinese GK MB 200. Magic chip in that preamp, I suppose.
But I gotta say, nothing wrong with those amps. They sound great on stage, the DI is wonderful (sound folks love it when you show up with a Markbass) and they cover a room.
Yep. You nailed it.
But I gotta say, nothing wrong with those amps. They sound great on stage, the DI is wonderful (sound folks love it when you show up with a Markbass) and they cover a room.
Yep. You nailed it.
I’ve had both the TTE 500 and TTE 501, they are excellent amps. I thought they had a nice tube sound for a hybrid. If you can still get that 801 for $600, grab it!!!
few posters at TalkBass read the thread. That is something I still haven’t gotten used to.
In fact the LM Tube heads use a 6205 miniature tube, not a 12ax7.
I have a TTE-801 and I think it is very reminiscent of an old school tube head sound. I love the sound of this bass head.
