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Markbass premiere: Little Mark CASA 58R

mazdah

mazdah

Jan 29, 2010
928
666
Ostrow Wielkopolski, Poland
www.facebook.com
#1
Today Michael Leagues CASA head officially (and quietly) joined Markbass 58R line.

LITTLE MARK CASA 58R – Markbass

www.markbass.it www.markbass.it

Without much fuss (one post on socials, webpage) or any promotion it joined 58R line, which was introduced over a year ago. Many of us saw the amp on earlier promo shots of 58R Line, but it was never mentioned by Markbass or Michael League (who still uses old CASA live and currently recording and album with Snarky Puppy)

Finally for those who wanted it -CASA in small package. I wonder will the new CASA be able to compete with Little Mark Vintage 58R and Andrew Gouche signature signature. All of them have quite similar target and old school vibe.

Changes? Two basic EQ shelving bands are now changed from 50Hz to 100Hz for Bass and 5kHZ to 10kHz for Treble, which I find less appealing.

This is how the EQ is set now:

BASS: frequency 100Hz (shelving); level ±16 dB
TREBLE: frequency 10 KHz (shelving); level ±16 dB

ULTRALOW: center frequency 65 Hz; level ±16 dB
LOW: center frequency 180 Hz; level ±16 dB
MID: center frequency 500 Hz; level ±16 dB
MID HIGH: center frequency 1.4 KHz; level ±16 dB
HIGH: center frequency 3.8 KHz; level ±16 dB

Weight: 4.4 lbs /2 Kg
2B5904D2-94A4-4908-9229-66C9EB7B7271.jpeg
 
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#2
mazdah said:
Today Michael Leagues CASA head officially (and quietly) joined Markbass 58R line.

LITTLE MARK CASA 58R – Markbass

www.markbass.it www.markbass.it

Without much fuss (one post on socials, webpage) or any promotion it joined 58R line, which was introduced over a year ago. Many of us saw the amp on earlier promo shots of 58R Line, but it was never mentioned by Markbass or Michael League (who still uses old CASA live and currently recording and album with Snarky Puppy)

Finally for those who wanted it -CASA in small package. I wonder will the new CASA be able to compete with Little Mark Vintage 58R and Andrew Gouche signature signature. All of them have quite similar target and old school vibe.

Changes? Two basic EQ shelving bands are now changed from 50Hz to 100Hz for Bass and 5kHZ to 10kHz for Treble, which I find less appealing.

This is how the EQ is set now:

BASS: frequency 100Hz (shelving); level ±16 dB
TREBLE: frequency 10 KHz (shelving); level ±16 dB

ULTRALOW: center frequency 65 Hz; level ±16 dB
LOW: center frequency 180 Hz; level ±16 dB
MID: center frequency 500 Hz; level ±16 dB
MID HIGH: center frequency 1.4 KHz; level ±16 dB
HIGH: center frequency 3.8 KHz; level ±16 dB

Weight: 4.4 lbs /2 KgView attachment 7127582
Click to expand...
I need another head like I need a hole in my head but I'm intrigued..
 
#3
mazdah said:
Today Michael Leagues CASA head officially (and quietly) joined Markbass 58R line.

LITTLE MARK CASA 58R – Markbass

www.markbass.it www.markbass.it

Without much fuss (one post on socials, webpage) or any promotion it joined 58R line, which was introduced over a year ago. Many of us saw the amp on earlier promo shots of 58R Line, but it was never mentioned by Markbass or Michael League (who still uses old CASA live and currently recording and album with Snarky Puppy)

Finally for those who wanted it -CASA in small package. I wonder will the new CASA be able to compete with Little Mark Vintage 58R and Andrew Gouche signature signature. All of them have quite similar target and old school vibe.

Changes? Two basic EQ shelving bands are now changed from 50Hz to 100Hz for Bass and 5kHZ to 10kHz for Treble, which I find less appealing.

This is how the EQ is set now:

BASS: frequency 100Hz (shelving); level ±16 dB
TREBLE: frequency 10 KHz (shelving); level ±16 dB

ULTRALOW: center frequency 65 Hz; level ±16 dB
LOW: center frequency 180 Hz; level ±16 dB
MID: center frequency 500 Hz; level ±16 dB
MID HIGH: center frequency 1.4 KHz; level ±16 dB
HIGH: center frequency 3.8 KHz; level ±16 dB

Weight: 4.4 lbs /2 KgView attachment 7127582
Click to expand...
I’m so excited to try it! They've taken the original CASA and made it even better—smaller, lighter, and with both vintage and modern tones achievable.

I love the simplicity of having all the controls on the front panel, and the sound Michael describes—deep lows, punchy mids, and instant great tone—has me sold. This amp looks perfect for any genre. Who else is pumped to check it out?
 
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#8
It’s really a shame that, after all the excitement around the CASA—I still can’t get my hands on one here in the U.S. Now there’s a new version, and once again, no formal plan on the U.S. release.

As someone who was genuinely excited and ready to support it, it’s frustrating to see such a great product hyped up, only to be unavailable. I don’t know what the issue is—planning, logistics, or something else—but it feels like a missed opportunity. I can only imagine how many amps aren’t being sold because of it.

I really hope someone at Markbass is listening. This is just honest feedback from a fan hoping they can improve how they handle these things going forward, especially because this is Michael League’s model, and I’m such a big fan.
 
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#9
wattsman said:
It’s really a shame that, after all the excitement around the CASA—I still can’t get my hands on one here in the U.S. Now there’s a new version, and once again, no formal plan on the U.S. release.

As someone who was genuinely excited and ready to support it, it’s frustrating to see such a great product hyped up, only to be unavailable. I don’t know what the issue is—planning, logistics, or something else—but it feels like a missed opportunity. I can only imagine how many amps aren’t being sold because of it.

I really hope someone at Markbass is listening. This is just honest feedback from a fan hoping they can improve how they handle these things going forward, especially because this is Michael League’s model, and I’m such a big fan.
Click to expand...
I've been a MarkBass user since 2009.
But sometimes I get the feeling that, as a European product, they don't prioritize the USA like our home-grown products. This has led me to slowly sell off my MarkBass gear. It's all gone except my 121HR which is an unusual and flexible cabinet. All my amps are now USA products. They cost more but I have higher confidence in consistency of customer service and product availability.
I'm not swearing off MarkBass but for now it is no longer my go to.
 
#16
SJan3 said:
I've been a MarkBass user since 2009.
But sometimes I get the feeling that, as a European product, they don't prioritize the USA like our home-grown products. This has led me to slowly sell off my MarkBass gear. It's all gone except my 121HR which is an unusual and flexible cabinet. All my amps are now USA products. They cost more but I have higher confidence in consistency of customer service and product availability.
I'm not swearing off MarkBass but for now it is no longer my go to.
Click to expand...
To be honest, I've never been convinced of Markbass' commitment to economic out of warranty repairs. I made the decision early on in my Markbass ownership that I would just buy a couple of secondhand backup heads to replace my one and only new LM3 (2009) if it failed.
Luckily for me, Markbass' constant new product introductions meant the resale value of its excellent original Italian made amps became the same or lower than a standard repair.
Unfortunately however, I couldn't resist buying way more "bargain backups" than I'll ever need considering how my LM3 is still working as well as ever!
As for getting another MarkBass head because of an interesting pre amp section (the power sections are always the same MPT units), I consistently end up running them with the controls pretty much off/flat, leaving shaping to an HPF and Compressore, so most likely not worth doing for me.
 
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#17
Sparky Mark said:
To be honest, I've never been convinced of Markbass' commitment to economic out of warranty repairs. I made the decision early on in my Markbass ownership that I would just buy a couple of secondhand backup heads to replace my one and only new LM3 (2009) if it failed.
Luckily for me, Markbass' constant new product introductions meant the resale value of its excellent original Italian made amps became the same or lower than a standard repair.
Unfortunately however, I couldn't resist buying way more "bargain backups" than I'll ever need considering how my LM3 is still working as well as ever!
As for getting another MarkBass head because of an interesting pre amp section (the power sections are always the same MPT units), I consistently end up running them with the controls pretty much off/flat, leaving shaping to an HPF and Compressore, so most likely not worth doing for me.
Click to expand...
I'd agree on the MPT power amps but, in my experience, there was a difference between the LM3, Littlemarcus 800, Nanomark and Big Bang heads. I couldn't get with any of them except my '09 LM3. BUT, I still have an addiction to something MarkBass. I've learned that their cabinets sound really good with Aguilar amps, for example. Just my evolving taste. I still have my defunct LM3 and I would have fixed it but I fear they will retrofit it with a class D Poweramp. And so, I'd rather explore newer models. I had the LittleMark 58R for a while a did like it but I bought an Aguilar AG700 that has "something" that I'm really liking. But, great idea buying up used LM 2/3 class AB amps.
 
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#18
SJan3 said:
I'd agree on the MPT power amps but, in my experience, there was a difference between the LM3, Littlemarcus 800, Nanomark and Big Bang heads. I couldn't get with any of them except my '09 LM3. BUT, I still have an addiction to something MarkBass. I've learned that their cabinets sound really good with Aguilar amps, for example. Just my evolving taste. I still have my defunct LM3 and I would have fixed it but I fear they will retrofit it with a class D Poweramp. And so, I'd rather explore newer models. I had the LittleMark 58R for a while a did like it but I bought an Aguilar AG700 that has "something" that I'm really liking. But, great idea buying up used LM 2/3 class AB amps.
Click to expand...

I don't know if it is a class AB vs D "thing", but in my experience the class AB Markbass heads have a fuller presentation at any given volume compared to the class D variants.
I've never tried a 1000 watt Markbass head, but have read these get closer; more so than the 800 watt class D heads. I may very well pull the trigger on an original version of the Ninja if one pops up sub $200.
 
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#19
Sparky Mark said:
I don't know if it is a class AB vs D "thing", but in my experience the class AB Markbass heads have a fuller presentation at any given volume compared to the class D variants.
I've never tried a 1000 watt Markbass head, but have read these get closer; more so than the 800 watt class D heads. I may very well pull the trigger on an original version of the Ninja if one pops up sub $200.
Click to expand...
I had the Ninja IV version. I struggled to get an Original Ninja and MF had advertised that they still had them at the time. I ordered one and they sent me the IV version. May be the revision to 68hz Low vs the old 40hz low EQ. change. Maybe it's a mental issue 😉.
But I felt that the LM3 series had a bit more beef in the low end. Many say that the Class of the Poweramp means diddly and my Aguilar amps are indeed Class D so maybe it doesn't matter but their Low EQ is 40hz.
So now I'm pointing my finger at any preamp changes, however subtle. I will say that I had a LittleMark Tube 500 that I really liked (Low EQ 40hz), but stupidly returned because the Master volume pot was super scratchy. Should have had it fixed and now the Tube 500 is gone too. I have not tried a Tube 800.
Have you?
 
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#20
SJan3 said:
I had the Ninja IV version. I struggled to get an Original Ninja and MF had advertised that they still had them at the time. I ordered one and they sent me the IV version. May be the revision to 68hz Low vs the old 40hz low EQ. change. Maybe it's a mental issue 😉.
But I felt that the LM3 series had a bit more beef in the low end. Many say that the Class of the Poweramp means diddly and my Aguilar amps are indeed Class D so maybe it doesn't matter but their Low EQ is 40hz.
So now I'm pointing my finger at any preamp changes, however subtle. I will say that I had a LittleMark Tube 500 that I really liked (Low EQ 40hz), but stupidly returned because the Master volume pot was super scratchy. Should have had it fixed and now the Tube 500 is gone too. I have not tried a Tube 800.
Have you?
Click to expand...
As we've noted before, Markbass stated that there were differences in sound between its class AB and class D amps, until it discontinued all of its class AB heads. (Although I think the LM250 is still a class AB and really does sound more like the early LM3s).
I haven't tried a Tube 800, but do own a class D 800 watt Momark frame with the mini tube module. That combination is for all intents and purposes the same as a LMT800 and is good but not the same as the 500 watt class AB Momark frame with the mini tube module.
That being said, I end up preferring the solid state preamp modules; the sound just seems more punchy. Using a Compressore in front warms things up nicely but keeps the punch!
 
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