She wouldn’t normally care but she’s planning a trip to Australia next year for vacation. Still need airfare and a passport. Hard to convince her that I’ll have the $ in a few months. Soooo, a big box of “cables”
was much needed HA!
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Mesa Boogie vs Ampeg vs Markbass vs Others
- Thread starter tarp21
- Start date
She wouldn’t normally care but she’s planning a trip to Australia next year for vacation. Still need airfare and a passport. Hard to convince her that I’ll have the $ in a few months. Soooo, a big box of “cables”
was much needed HA!She wouldn’t normally care but she’s planning a trip to Australia next year for vacation. Still need airfare and a passport. Hard to convince her that I’ll have the $ in a few months. Soooo, a big box of “cables”
We all have our strategies. I had to get the oven and stovetop fixed, and all the Christmas shopping out of the way (she's getting a bottle of 18yo Laphroig and a new iPad) first. And my son needs some financial help with a car repair. Good thing I have my own fund I've been adding too over the year
Ampeg is ampeg and Mesa is Mesa and they are totally and clearly different from each other.
I’d recommend downloading helix native demo and playing the 400, Carbine, SVT, and SVT 4 pro back to back. You’ll see what they are about instantly.
also follow up.
The D800/+, the walkabout, the TT800, are all very different amps too, the only shared bit among them being the light weight and power amp.
I think the D800 or WD800 are the ones that match your description of wants best. Nobody goes up to bat for the small and simple but excellent d800 all gravitation towards the ‘premium’ model but the 800 costs less fits in a smaller package and sounds amazing.
Have you tried this demo yourself? Some are saying it leaves a lot to be desired according to other forums I’ve been reading.
Do you play multiple basses on a gig?
If so, then perhaps you should look into an amp with a switchable EQ circuit. Find an np that soul]nds great ‘flat’ with one of your basses. Then when you unplug that and plug in the other bass, you hit the EQ switch to optimize the map for that instrument.
Else of course you could have an EQ pedal in the FX loop, and accomplish the same thing.
If so, then perhaps you should look into an amp with a switchable EQ circuit. Find an np that soul]nds great ‘flat’ with one of your basses. Then when you unplug that and plug in the other bass, you hit the EQ switch to optimize the map for that instrument.
Else of course you could have an EQ pedal in the FX loop, and accomplish the same thing.
No, use one the whole gig. Used to play a 5 exclusively but I found for the few songs I actually used the B on, I could get by with just a 4. I finally invested in a Fender Performer after a few years of bass playing as all my other basses we’re pretty cheap, but would still do the trick in a heartbeat. I don’t want to use a 3k bass on a bar gig
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I had an Ampeg 410 HLF once that sounded huge - though a bit muddy.
I now have 2x Markbass 102HF's along with a Markbass Tube 800 and it hits my low B string seemingly without effort and has much better clarity than my Ampeg cab. The Markbass does have a very focused, but clean, sound and you can dial up the VLE (Vintage Loudspeaker Emulator that's more or less a high shelf) to get the warmer sounds that country might require. I'm very happy with my rig, but I would give a solid look at the Mesa stuff many have recommended. I just haven't had a chance to personally try Mesa gear.
I now have 2x Markbass 102HF's along with a Markbass Tube 800 and it hits my low B string seemingly without effort and has much better clarity than my Ampeg cab. The Markbass does have a very focused, but clean, sound and you can dial up the VLE (Vintage Loudspeaker Emulator that's more or less a high shelf) to get the warmer sounds that country might require. I'm very happy with my rig, but I would give a solid look at the Mesa stuff many have recommended. I just haven't had a chance to personally try Mesa gear.
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I bought a D800 after messaging Agedhorse about my need for combining two cabs that would take me below 4 0hms. There is a 2 ohm position on the head ohm switch. Reviews of the Mesa were great. I play blues rock country and jazz with some talented folks. I play flats and all clean no pedals. I vote Mesa. Good luck.
I’ve heard lots of good things about Markbass being clean but also heard many things on them being sterile sounding and boring.
I’ve also heard tons great about Mesa with very little poor reviews. Some have also said it’s dull sounding is about the worse.
Had some other suggestions as well. I won’t really know unless I go play some of these amps or just flat out buy one and hope I made the right choice. I’d most likely have to hit several different stores as I’m sure one place wouldn’t have the 3-4 I narrow down on trying. And that is a crappy way to have to do it too.
I believe I’m leaning towards the Mesa’s. But which one? Money is no object in my selection. I know I definitely want a HPF for sure. I’ll have to decide in the “big 3.” Or just 800+ or WD800 as I don’t require a two channel amp because I use only one bass per gig.
I’ve also heard tons great about Mesa with very little poor reviews. Some have also said it’s dull sounding is about the worse.
Had some other suggestions as well. I won’t really know unless I go play some of these amps or just flat out buy one and hope I made the right choice. I’d most likely have to hit several different stores as I’m sure one place wouldn’t have the 3-4 I narrow down on trying. And that is a crappy way to have to do it too.
I believe I’m leaning towards the Mesa’s. But which one? Money is no object in my selection. I know I definitely want a HPF for sure. I’ll have to decide in the “big 3.” Or just 800+ or WD800 as I don’t require a two channel amp because I use only one bass per gig.
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Seems you already made up your mind and now are just trying to invent a decent way of justifying your "gut feeling"?
If "money is no object", I guess you can afford to order ie Markbass LMIII, LM800 or Ninja 1000, plus EBS Reidmar plus a Mesa amp of your choise. See if a wide bandwidth, low distortion, flat response amp is "boring". (That said, neither the preamp section, nor the power amp section in my LMII can match the performance of a studio grade preamp, and a QSC PA amp.)
Then compare the amps and keep what you prefer.
If not, you are just buying projections from strangers on the net.
Your choise, and good luck.
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I own it. Sounds great, though I think the carbine model is a little off it still gives you the general feel for the amps.
There are no models for WD800 or D800/+ but I’d say the D800 slots in between the two Mesa models.
also, they may not have liked it without good monitors or head phones. But I’ve A/B’d real amps with helix to good success
For users more than 2 instruments, Boss makes a programmable EQ that can store different settings for different instruments or genres. https://www.boss.info/us/products/eq-200/
I use a Tech21 Q\strip, as a secondary EQ. Between the amp, instrument tone controls, and the Q\Strip, the changes go quickly for me, but it's nice to know various options are out there.
Haven’t made up my mind and yes I’m getting suggestions from strangers off the net from those that own or have played these amps and especially paying attention to those who play in my genres. I’m not knocking Markbass, just reflecting on what I’ve came across since I haven’t actually played one before. Money is no object for “one” amp purchase, I didn’t clarify.
Isn’t Markbass made in Italy? They used to be anyway. And if it broke where would you send your amp to be repaired? At least with Mesa it’s made in the USA and with repair shops. I’m looking at the total package and all options here
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