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PICK ONE NEW HEAD MESA OR MARK BASS ?

Which head to get without trying them out?

  • Used M6 Carbine

    Votes: 187 79.2%

  • Markbass Little Mark Tube 800

    Votes: 49 20.8%
  • Total voters
    236
redwingxix

redwingxix

Oct 21, 2015
1,394
3,814
52
detroit
#1
Practicing last night and my Rumble 500 head starting making some crackling noises intermittently (it actually was doing this at last rehearsal but I wrote it off as a bad cable) so I swapped cables and basses and it continued until at one point all the output dropped out for about ten seconds, then came back. I use different cables and cab at rehearsal so the only common component is the head. Naturally gig is tomorrow night and with work and hockey games I won't have time to really do any further troubleshooting or serious amp shopping before setup tomorrow. However, the venue is down the street from a GC so I would have time to run down there and pick up a new head if my rumble is acting up and they have two heads in stock that are priced within $50 of each other that I'd consider, but haven't played either one. So the question is:

Mesa M6 carbine (used) or Mark Bass Little Mark Tube 800 ?


Thanks for your input.


The extra info:

Primary use is for classic rock and soul covers and originals band

Will be paired with fender 410 neo cab for gigs (until I divest myself of that)

Primary basses used are Fender Precision elite and G&L SB2

Markbass head is $699 new, M6 is $650 used, but add $100 for the GC pro coverage

Just sold my Rumble 500 combo the other day so the price differences are irrelevant, and now of course have no backup amp.

Yes I can go DI into the board, but the drummer and I like having my own cab on the backline, so this is an option if absolutely necessary.

I am concerned about having to mail the markbass somewhere for service as opposed to just taking the mesa back to GC if there are any issues.

I know that I will hear get the one that sounds better responses, but I'm seriously only going to be able to run in, grab one or the other and get back to the gig to finish set up.
 
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#6
If given the choice...Mesa is better value for the money.



CA7B50DC-6487-4202-BE4D-E059A5EC8931.jpeg
 
Last edited:
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#10
mexicant said:
Mesa,markbass heads are hard to get fixed.
Click to expand...

Actually, Mesa customer service is outstanding. I sent my Walkabout to them a while back just for a cleaning and factory update. Good communication. Quick turnaround. Reasonable price. The whole experience was a breeze.

I would go for the Mesa all day long and twice on Sundays.
 
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#12
Whenever I’m buying something major like an amp, I buy with two criteria in mind:
  • it’s gonna last
  • it’s relatively easy to fix it - or get it fixed
Mesa ticks both boxes.

No comment on MarkBass since I’ve only heard things about them and have no direct experiences of my own to base an opinion on.

I vote Mesa. Nice amps. Their D800/D800+ is on my GAS list if I’m eventually able to start gigging again.
 
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#15
redwingxix said:
Practicing last night and my Rumble 500 head starting making some crackling noises intermittently (it actually was doing this at last rehearsal but I wrote it off as a bad cable) so I swapped cables and basses and it continued until at one point all the output dropped out for about ten seconds, then came back. I use different cables and cab at rehearsal so the only common component is the head. Naturally gig is tomorrow night and with work and hockey games I won't have time to really do any further troubleshooting or serious amp shopping before setup tomorrow. However, the venue is down the street from a GC so I would have time to run down there and pick up a new head if my rumble is acting up and they have two heads in stock that are priced within $50 of each other that I'd consider, but haven't played either one. So the question is:

Mesa M6 carbine (used) or Mark Bass Little Mark Tube 800 ?

Thanks for your input.


The extra info:

Primary use is for classic rock and soul covers and originals band

Will be paired with fender 410 neo cab for gigs (until I divest myself of that)

Primary basses used are Fender Precision elite and G&L SB2

Markbass head is $699 new, M6 is $650 used, but add $100 for the GC pro coverage

Just sold my Rumble 500 combo the other day so the price differences are irrelevant, and now of course have no backup amp.

Yes I can go DI into the board, but the drummer and I like having my own cab on the backline, so this is an option if absolutely necessary.

I am concerned about having to mail the markbass somewhere for service as opposed to just taking the mesa back to GC if there are any issues.

I know that I will hear get the one that sounds better responses, but I'm seriously only going to be able to run in, grab one or the other and get back to the gig to finish set up.
Click to expand...

Gonna have to say Mesa.
 
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