Markbass vs ampeg svt cabs

[StatesideRambler]

Fair enough, you are right in that there is a mid-lo bump (especially with the VPF turned up). I suppose it would have been more accurate for me to say that if Ampeg is your gold standard of bass tone and you love that sound to death you will be disappointed with MarkBass. They are lightweight and plenty powerful, but they won't give you a tone like an Ampeg.

I'm sure your mid-lo bump, if there is one, comes from something other than Markbass. I refer you to the graph of Markbass response with VPF at max. The graph shows a boost around 40 Hz, a deep notch between 300 and 400 Hz, and a significant boost around 9 KHz. No bump. When VLE and VPF are off Markbass amps have a very flat response.

Markbass amps are often called "sterile" because their flat response curves (VLE & VPF off) don't color the music as other amps do. e.g. The characteristic traditional scooped Fender sound. If your ear is attuned to a scooped sound a flat response may sound bumped.

 

[Lepparda]

I had a 'SVT3Pro/410HLF' and 'Markbass CMD102P and 102P' set up and sold both as the latter could never do what the former did (which I liked) and the former was too heavy.

Instead I switched to Aguilar and Bergantino.

The TH500 and DB112(2) stack works a treat as a small rig with an old school tone and more recently I have used with a couple of Berg HD112s if you want a slightly more modern tone.

 

[AztecViking]

You have to try Markbass cabs live to really know for yourself. In my own case I love them and they truly get what I consider my "signature sound" with pretty much zero amount of adjustments. But you need to explore it for yourself. Since everyone's ears are unique you may get different results.

 

[bass40hz]

What's your gain/volume settings on that 102p mb New York 151 combo?

Again, I m using a GK MB Fusion 800, channel 1 gain is at about 9:30, master never needs to get up past 9:30 as well. Its God-awful loud and with my EQ set as indicated earlier it is thunderous, and depending on bass used, ex. my Kiesel AB4 it can sound super modern, or my Gibby T'bird it sounds ultra vintage.

 

[Bulldawg82]

I have made the switch to Markbass about 5 years ago (I had Eden cabs before) for the portability factor AND for the fact that my sound is determined by the soundman and the PA used, more so than my personal rig on stage. The sound you dial in on stage is for your benefit and not the people standing/sitting 20 feet from the stage or at the back of the room. It is more important in the studio though.

 

[JimmyM]

I have made the switch to Markbass about 5 years ago (I had Eden cabs before) for the portability factor AND for the fact that my sound is determined by the soundman and the PA used, more so than my personal rig on stage. The sound you dial in on stage is for your benefit and not the people standing/sitting 20 feet from the stage or at the back of the room. It is more important in the studio though.

I always get amused by that idea...I generally have the lowest stage volume of any bassist I know and my onstage rig can always be heard just fine in the crowd. It's not like there's an invisible wall surrounding the stage that stops the bass from leaking over. And if you have live mics on your stage, they're picking it up as well.

 

[Bulldawg82]

I always get amused by that idea...I generally have the lowest stage volume of any bassist I know and my onstage rig can always be heard just fine in the crowd. It's not like there's an invisible wall surrounding the stage that stops the bass from leaking over. And if you have live mics on your stage, they're picking it up as well.

Sure, I get what you are saying. The rig will be heard, but if it is heard too much, the soundman will probably have a cow. Even if you are mic'ed or using DI, - yes your settings on your stage rig are a factor - but it is the sound coming out of the PA (their equipment, speakers, settings for you) that will really determine your sound to those in the backrow. Throw this all out if you aren't using a PA/if you are in a smaller venue. But, for a large venue, this is true.

 

[henryjurstin13]

I own a 410HLF & I love it. A lot. Great cab, tons of boom. I used to use it with a SVT-CL. Weight became tiresome & I wanted lighter. I switched to a MarkBass LMT800 paired with a Tech21 VT Bass. 95% of the same tone without the tube maintenance. (opinions vary on this part, I understand that)

Soon, gigs were fewer & fewer and I wanted an easier option for playing out on rare occasion. Enter a pair of MarkBass NY121 cabs. Under the MarkBass/VTBass, these cabs are great & makes a very nice rig that is VERY easy to transport.

Got curious when a buddy offered me his PF800 on the cheap, so I have experience with your setup (PF & HLF cab).... like @JimmyM mentioned -- you ain't gonna get the mojo your HLF has anywhere else. It might get close, and you might like the differences just fine --- but, it will not be exactly the same. Never gonna happen. I've been down that road already..... different isn't always bad, just different.

 

[Luckydog]

I always get amused by that idea...I generally have the lowest stage volume of any bassist I know and my onstage rig can always be heard just fine in the crowd. It's not like there's an invisible wall surrounding the stage that stops the bass from leaking over. And if you have live mics on your stage, they're picking it up as well.

Prolly at least partially due to the fact that you are in a pro working band that has excellent stage volume discipline. A good thing that a lot of us lust after.

 

[sharkbait130]

After playing through Ampeg cabs and heads , I've played through a couple of Mark Bass rigs at a couple of jams. I didn't care for the sound of either one. I didn't really have a chance to try to "dial it in" completely but I didn't like the tone I got out of it and I really didn't care for the way anyone else sounded through them either. They are different sounding animals as far as I can see and hear. Lots of people swear by Mark Bass and it seems to work well for them but I wouldn't expect it to sound like an Ampeg.

 

[StatesideRambler]

Lots of people swear by Mark Bass and it seems to work well for them but I wouldn't expect it to sound like an Ampeg.

So the fact that Markbass doesn't sound like Ampeg is a bad thing?

 

[SJan3]

Sure, I get what you are saying. The rig will be heard, but if it is heard too much, the soundman will probably have a cow. Even if you are mic'ed or using DI, - yes your settings on your stage rig are a factor - but it is the sound coming out of the PA (their equipment, speakers, settings for you) that will really determine your sound to those in the backrow. Throw this all out if you aren't using a PA/if you are in a smaller venue. But, for a large venue, this is true.

Screw the sound man. I want to like what I hear on stage. Let Mr. Soundman figure out how to supplement what I'm producing. That's his job!

 

[AcridSaint]

So the fact that Markbass doesn't sound like Ampeg is a bad thing?

If the OP's "sound" is Ampeg, then yeah, it could potentially be a bad thing...

 

[StatesideRambler]

If the OP's "sound" is Ampeg, then yeah, it could potentially be a bad thing...

So, the point I implied, which I see needs to be stated outright: Markbass is one of many amp brands that famously does not mimic the Ampeg sound. If Ampeg is the preferred sound you should use an amp that is an Ampeg or one that credibly mimics Ampeg.

 

[AcridSaint]

So, the point I implied, which I see needs to be stated outright: Markbass is one of many amp brands that famously does not mimic the Ampeg sound. If Ampeg is the preferred sound you should use an amp that is an Ampeg or one that credibly mimics Ampeg.

Since the OP didn't specifically state whether or not they wanted an Ampeg tone, I think it's totally reasonable for @sharkbait130 to point out that Markbass doesn't sound like Ampeg. Thus, if it is a factor in their decision, which we don't know, it is obviously information that they need.

If you were trying to imply anything other than "Ampeg sounds bad" in your reply to him, then I regret to inform you that the Internet stole some of your nuance.

 

[JimmyM]

Personally, I think the cabs don't mimic Ampeg at all, but a couple of the heads aren't horribly far off the mark, as long as all you want are clean sounds.

 

[sharkbait130]

So the fact that Markbass doesn't sound like Ampeg is a bad thing?

Not at all , but they are different. Some like the Ampeg sound and some like the Mark Bass sound. Some like both. I prefer Ampeg but that's just me. I'm not even going to try to speak for anybody else.

 

[henryjurstin13]

I prefer Ampeg, but I also enjoy carrying Markbass. Markbass with a Tech21 VT Bass is very Ampeg-ISH, and still doesn't feel like carrying an Ampeg. Time, patience, and extra gear can often blend & blur the lines between different rigs to the point that you'll be happy either way.

 

[pgpete]

+ i just thought I'd resurrect this zombie thread because i can add to it.

My main rig was a 800W Markbass amp and the Markbass 104HF ( it has porting at the front providing a low end boost. ) - I was relatively happy with the tone I was gettng out of it, although it wasn't perfect - the cab seems to lack deep bottom end - with the specs saying it rolls off steeply at 35 Hz - trying to compensate for this with EQ led to a muffled and boominess that was "sort-of" ok - but not ideal.

Anyway the amp blew up. So I started looking for its replacement.

As i had never played through an Ampeg - I hired a AMPEG SVT-CL. - I was impressed by the tone, the heft, and was kinda surprised that I got a tighter bottom end out of my MB 104HF cab - I loved the sound but didnt love the 80 pound weight of the head - it was quite a shock from the 8 pounds of my previous head.

I've managed to score a GK 1001 RB - the "baked-in-sound" of this amp is very bright - but some savage cutting in EQ of treble and even mids gives me a tone that's vaguely like the Ampeg tone in my head - but the combination of GK and Markbass cab (known for a mid-range bump) means I'm fighting both the natural tendencies of the amp and the CAB with EQ .

The Ampeg sound I have in my head is the bass in Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" or Tony Levin's bass in "Dont Give Up" ( yeah i know - those tones were really created in a studio - but one can hope )

I'm hoping an SVT7 Pro might give me what i want - but I suspect the Markbass cab which is so light at 56lbs might have to be replaced with a Ampeg pn410 Neo.

When I get hold of the SVT7 pro Ill update my thoughts.

I am also considering selling the GK and replacing with a PF800 as a back up.

cheers

Pete

 

[Lepparda]

+ i just thought I'd resurrect this zombie thread because i can add to it.

My main rig was a 800W Markbass amp and the Markbass 104HF ( it has porting at the front providing a low end boost. ) - I was relatively happy with the tone I was gettng out of it, although it wasn't perfect - the cab seems to lack deep bottom end - with the specs saying it rolls off steeply at 35 Hz - trying to compensate for this with EQ led to a muffled and boominess that was "sort-of" ok - but not ideal.

Anyway the amp blew up. So I started looking for its replacement.

As i had never played through an Ampeg - I hired a AMPEG SVT-CL. - I was impressed by the tone, the heft, and was kinda surprised that I got a tighter bottom end out of my MB 104HF cab - I loved the sound but didnt love the 80 pound weight of the head - it was quite a shock from the 8 pounds of my previous head.

I've managed to score a GK 1001 RB - the "baked-in-sound" of this amp is very bright - but some savage cutting in EQ of treble and even mids gives me a tone that's vaguely like the Ampeg tone in my head - but the combination of GK and Markbass cab (known for a mid-range bump) means I'm fighting both the natural tendencies of the amp and the CAB with EQ .

The Ampeg sound I have in my head is the bass in Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" or Tony Levin's bass in "Dont Give Up" ( yeah i know - those tones were really created in a studio - but one can hope )

I'm hoping an SVT7 Pro might give me what i want - but I suspect the Markbass cab which is so light at 56lbs might have to be replaced with a Ampeg pn410 Neo.

When I get hold of the SVT7 pro Ill update my thoughts.

I am also considering selling the GK and replacing with a PF800 as a back up.

cheers

Pete

I used to have a pair of Markbass 210’s which I ran with a MB head but never warmed to the tone. Also had an Ampeg SVT3Pro and Ampeg 410HLF but found it too boomy and bulky.

Now have an Aguilar DB751 and pair of Barefaced 210’s and that is getting a lot closer to the classic Ampeg tone particularly with an Ampeg SCR-DI upfront. And the cabs are the best sounding neo cabs I have ever played through.