It took me a while to come around to the idea, but lately I've been plugging my preamp (Headway EDB-1) into the effects return. It sounds much better to me...
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Double Bass Markbass vs. Aguilar for upright
- Thread starter BobDeRosa
- Start date
It took me a while to come around to the idea, but lately I've been plugging my preamp (Headway EDB-1) into the effects return. It sounds much better to me...
My experience as well and the reason I didn't keep the Markbass Big Bang I purchased from Guitar Center. The Markbass VPF control is never really completely off, IME and it's frequency center is optimized for Electric Bass centered at 380 Hz. Just
my take however. Lots of DB players love the Markbass tone stack. The NanoMark is a great little DB amplifier. Some people love the mid scoop that the VPF creates, I'm just one of them.
Side by side comparison I can get a better sound with more pleasing mids with my old GK 200MB than with CMD121. I can get enough volume with the 200MB when I raise it at ear level. You can push the 200MB quite a bit if needed to.
Things get better still with both combos if I pass the preamps by plugging my Headway into the effects return.
Those old GK's are very special amplifiers. The EQ voicing was ideal for Double Bass. I know I've mentioned this many times but, Gallien Krueger was never able to replicate that amp with the MBS or especially the MBE.
I'm not sure they wanted to, because they were really ideal for DB and not as punchy for EB. Whatever the reason, the 200MB was a remarkable sounding amplifier for Double Bass. Just my take.
I'm not sure they wanted to, because they were really ideal for DB and not as punchy for EB. Whatever the reason, the 200MB was a remarkable sounding amplifier for Double Bass. Just my take.
The 801 is a great sounding amp for upright , just not loud enough.
The other options don’t really translate well in mid volume small gigs.
While the Aguilar and Markbass sound fine with electric i’ve never been happy with their sound /size for upright .
My 2 Aguilar SL 112 sound great with my upright on a big stage with 800-1,000 watts but are not practical for 99% of my upright gigs.
The other options don’t really translate well in mid volume small gigs.
While the Aguilar and Markbass sound fine with electric i’ve never been happy with their sound /size for upright .
My 2 Aguilar SL 112 sound great with my upright on a big stage with 800-1,000 watts but are not practical for 99% of my upright gigs.
I love my older 121P. My only beef with it is that you can't bypass the preamp. Even if you plug another preamp into the effects return. Even if you open the amp up and change the jumper on the circuit board. Never understood this, but I've been told this by everyone, including Marco. Its a good thing I like the preamp. For upright I usually put a 10meg ohm pre in before the amp. Sounds better with Piezo pickups.
Interesting! I'll have to check if this is still the case with my newer one. I've used the effects return a bunch of times and always assumed I was bypassing the preamp. Maybe not...
It's so weird. I also have an F500 head that's a killer amp. (one of Marco's favorite amps they ever made) Same thing. I had it in the authorized shop for a repair. On that head as well, it all goes through the preamp. Not changeable.
The F500 was the closest that Markbass got to a amp for Double Bass, IMHO unless you were lucky enough to score the LMK which was the dual channel version.
I still love my F500. I was told they stopped making it because it uses a different power supply than any of their other amps, which made it too expensive to keep making. Very flexible amp with 2 sweepable mids.
The AC 101 was designed for double bass, although technically that’s Markacoustic.
- Steve
@Steve Boisen - thanks for reminding me - this was brought up in another thread - but I couldn’t remember exactly what you used. Might be worth checking out.
I use an Agui 350 TH and a Agui 1x12" and, I find, it's perfect for upright or electric. ... I've never been a Markbass fan and I'm not sure why. ... Next time I'm around a CMD121 I'll give it a try.
Interesting, as I always assumed that because the AC 101 has effects (i.e. Reverb and Phase shift) it was a primarily acoustic guitar amp.
"...the ideal amp for a wide range of acoustic instruments, from acoustic guitar to acoustic bass, harp, cello, accordion, etc."
I can attest that it works well for a variety of applications. Besides upright bass, I've used it for electric bass, acoustic guitar, banjo (with a condenser mic), ukulele, and vocals. Mine is the older version. [This invalid link has been removed].
- Steve
Once again TalkBass spends my money effectively. Great thread and looking forward to adding the 121P to my arsenal.
Ok I’ve had the CMD 121P for a few weeks now and o love it. Sounds great with my 42 Kay M1 and Fishman Full Circle. Sounds fantastic without a preamp and am looking forward to gigging it soon. Thinking of selling my Acoustic Image rig and getting an 801 as a backup.
